He came only as a visitor, but at the urging of his fellow Rotarians Burns Hargis took the podium at Thursday’s Rotary meeting.
Rotarian Burns Hargis spoke to Cushing Rotary Club members about his experience as Oklahoma State University President – including the times he asked T. Boone Pickens for money.
“I had a hard time spitting it out,” Hargis said. “The most I’d ever asked anyone for was maybe $10,000 – and here I was asking T. Boone Pickens for $165 million dollars.”
Good news is – Pickens said yes. Bad news – Hargis had to ask for another $80 million later. “At least it was only half of the amount I’d asked for before,” he said.
The money, of course, went to the transformation of Boone Pickens Stadium at OSU in Stillwater – completed just in time for the 2009 football season.
Hargis admitted there is a balancing act between athletic programs and scholastics. “Athletics are important – it’s the number one way to make money – but we don’t want the tail wagging the dog.”
“We can’t forget the real goal,” he continued, “to get these kids a degree.”
Hargis told Rotarians he “loves his job” and encourages students to find their passion. “If you do what you love, it’s worth millions.”
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