B.D. Owens
Encyclopedia
Bobbie Dean Owens (born January 12, 1935) was a university president of University of Tampa
, Northwest Missouri State University
and St. Matthew's University
. He taught at Bowling Green University. Working on an American Council on Education
grant he trained one year under President Elvis Stahr at the University of Indiana.
attended his innaugeration in Oct. 2, 1972.
in 1970 31-14 prompting the Hurricanes to hire away coach Fran Curci
in 1971. The team was formally accepted into Division I in 1971. In 1972 the team beat Miami again 7-0 and won the Tangerine Bowl
.
1973 NFL draft included team members John Matuszak
, Paul Orndorff
and Wilbur Grooms.
However attendance did not pick up with the success. Owens reported that $755,000 from the university endowment had been spent on the program from 1972 to 1974 and that rate the program would soon bankrupt the college. The Trustees cancelled the program at the end of the 1974 season. Reports at the time said Owens had to carry a weapon because of threats.
The school's landmark Plant Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 1972.
1972 the school launched a dual degree program with the Georgia Institute of Technology
.
In school acquired the Florida State Fairgrounds increasing the
campus size to 48 acres (194,249.3 m²) from 15 acres (60,702.9 m²)
In 1973 University began its first graduate program, the Master of Business Administration.
His most significant involvement was dealing with the fire at the school's Administration Building July 24, 1979.
In the wake of the fire, the building was totally renovated except for the north wing which contained a theatre. The Mary Linn Theatre opened on the west side of the campus (with the music relocated from the Administration Building). The school's Wells Library was renovated to for academic offices and radio station KXCV that had been house in the Administration Building. The B. D. Owens Library opened just northwest of the building.
He left the school in 1984.
Owens briefly served as president and school moved to the Cayman Islands
.
University of Tampa
The University of Tampa , is a private, co-educational university in Downtown Tampa, Florida, United States. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In 2006, the University celebrated its 75th anniversary...
, Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is a state university in Maryville, Missouri. Founded in 1905 as a teachers college, it offers both undergraduate and graduate programs. The campus, based on the design for Forest Park at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, is the official Missouri State Arboretum....
and St. Matthew's University
Early life
Owens is a 1959 graduate of Northwest (the only alumnus to become president). He received a phD from the University of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
. He taught at Bowling Green University. Working on an American Council on Education
American Council on Education
The American Council on Education is a United States organization, established in 1918, comprising over 1,800 accredited, degree-granting colleges and universities and higher education-related associations, organizations, and corporations....
grant he trained one year under President Elvis Stahr at the University of Indiana.
University of Tampa
Owens was the youngest president of the University of Tampa when he was appointed in 1971. Adding to the celebrity expectations David BrinkleyDavid Brinkley
David McClure Brinkley was an American newscaster for NBC and ABC in a career lasting from 1943 to 1997....
attended his innaugeration in Oct. 2, 1972.
Closing the football program
Tampa had just attempted to elevate its program to championship level. Tampa Stadium was built. The team in the preliminary stages of joining Division I defeated the Miami HurricanesMiami Hurricanes
The Miami Hurricanes, of Coral Gables, Florida, are the varsity sports teams of the University of Miami. They compete in the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference . The university fields 15 athletic teams for 17 varsity sports...
in 1970 31-14 prompting the Hurricanes to hire away coach Fran Curci
Fran Curci
Fran Curci is a former American football player and coach. He was an All-American quarterback at the University of Miami in 1959...
in 1971. The team was formally accepted into Division I in 1971. In 1972 the team beat Miami again 7-0 and won the Tangerine Bowl
Tangerine Bowl
Multiple events were named Tangerine Bowl:*The Tangerine Bowl is the original name of the college football bowl game that is currently called the Capital One Bowl. It was known as the Tangerine Bowl from 1947 to 1982....
.
1973 NFL draft included team members John Matuszak
John Matuszak
John Daniel "Tooz" Matuszak was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League who later became an actor. He was the first draft pick of 1973 and played most of his career with the Oakland Raiders until he retired after winning his second Super Bowl in 1981...
, Paul Orndorff
Paul Orndorff
Paul Parlette Orndorff, Jr. is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling as "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff...
and Wilbur Grooms.
However attendance did not pick up with the success. Owens reported that $755,000 from the university endowment had been spent on the program from 1972 to 1974 and that rate the program would soon bankrupt the college. The Trustees cancelled the program at the end of the 1974 season. Reports at the time said Owens had to carry a weapon because of threats.
Other accomplishments
In other developments he launched an ROTC program in 1971 at a time when other schools were dropping them.The school's landmark Plant Hall was placed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1972.
1972 the school launched a dual degree program with the Georgia Institute of Technology
Georgia Institute of Technology
The Georgia Institute of Technology is a public research university in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States...
.
In school acquired the Florida State Fairgrounds increasing the
campus size to 48 acres (194,249.3 m²) from 15 acres (60,702.9 m²)
In 1973 University began its first graduate program, the Master of Business Administration.
Northwest Missouri
He went became president of Northwest in 1977. He instituted a recycling project where recycled material was burned to provide power for the school.His most significant involvement was dealing with the fire at the school's Administration Building July 24, 1979.
In the wake of the fire, the building was totally renovated except for the north wing which contained a theatre. The Mary Linn Theatre opened on the west side of the campus (with the music relocated from the Administration Building). The school's Wells Library was renovated to for academic offices and radio station KXCV that had been house in the Administration Building. The B. D. Owens Library opened just northwest of the building.
He left the school in 1984.
St. Matthew's University
After serving as a consultant In 2001 he became interim president and Chief Financial Officer.Owens briefly served as president and school moved to the Cayman Islands
Cayman Islands
The Cayman Islands is a British Overseas Territory and overseas territory of the European Union located in the western Caribbean Sea. The territory comprises the three islands of Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman, located south of Cuba and northwest of Jamaica...
.