OSU President Burns Hargis on T. Boone Pickens’ Passing: ‘He Was the Ultimate Cowboy’

T. Boone Pickens, Oklahoma State super donor and the school’s greatest benefactor, passed on Wednesday at the age of 91.

Following the release of the news, OSU president Burns Hargis released a statement.

“All of us in the Oklahoma State University family are deeply saddened by the passing of Boone Pickens. At the same time, we join in celebrating his incredible life. He was the ultimate Cowboy. It is impossible to calculate his full impact on Oklahoma State.”

“His historic gifts to academics and athletics not only transformed the university, they inspired thousands of others to join in the transformation. OSU will not be the same without the legendary Boone Pickens, but his mark on our university will last forever.”

All of us in the @okstate family are deeply saddened by the passing of @boonepickens. At the same time, we join in celebrating his incredible life. He was the ultimate Cowboy – https://t.co/7fBLhNbbBQ #okstate #RememberingBoone pic.twitter.com/Vy5ZK2kwHB

— Burns Hargis (@burnshargis) September 11, 2019

The Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents also released the following statement.

“On behalf of the Oklahoma A&M Board of Regents, we remember today the remarkable life of our alumnus Boone Pickens. His eternal optimism, kindness, and competitiveness inspired us always to reach higher. He never forgot his roots and his love for Oklahoma State University was incalculable.”

“We will be forever thankful to Boone Pickens for his big ideas, bold vision, and unshakable spirit.  There is no question that Boone Pickens put the “Bright” in America’s Brightest Orange.”

Oklahoma State will hold a “Celebration of Life” at Gallagher-Iba Arena at a to-be-announced date.