Hall of Fame Member Biographies
- Home
- Hall of Fame
- Hall of Fame Member Biographies
- Harry W. Birdwell
Harry Birdwell
Harry W. Birdwell holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and broadcasting from Oklahoma State University and a juris doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.
His professional career began serving as the general manager of the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, and later as executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Electric Cooperatives and then as a successful investment banker.
From 1989 until 2005, he served his alma mater, OSU, first as vice president of Business and External Relations and later director of Athletics. As an administrator, he served as both the Chief Information Officer and Chief Finance Officer. He is credited with massive construction and technology improvements to every classroom building on campus, modernizing student housing, and athletic facility construction, with a combined total in excess of $450 million. Birdwell’s communications skills are credited with helping lead the school through the tragic air crash that killed 10 people associated with the OSU men’s basketball team in 2001. As Athletic Director, he launched the first comprehensive upgrade of OSU’s athletic venues in school history, balanced a budget that had been in the red for a decade, and kicked off the most successful era in Cowboy football history.
During the Fallin Administration, Birdwell served as secretary to the Oklahoma Commissioners of Land Office, where he managed the land, mineral interests, and investment trusts of the agency. His professional investment and management background led the agency to double its distributions to Oklahoma’s public schools and universities compared to any other 8-year period in state history.
Growing up in Fletcher, Birdwell was involved in many FFA projects and was later elected the organization’s national president. He also served as student body president and was nominated as a Rhodes Scholar while attending OSU.