Dr. B.D. Owens, 1977-1984 - Northwest History

B.D. Owens Dr. Robert D. Owens earned a bachelor's degree at Northwest in 1959 and was the first alumnus to later lead the institution. He returned to lead Northwest in 1977 after serving as president at the University of Tampa. During his seven years at Northwest, Owens succeeded in strengthening academic programs, boosting enrollment and improving the institution's fiscal outlook.

An avid environmentalist, he also took the first steps toward developing an alternative fuels program, which has since saved the University millions of dollars in energy costs.

The signal moment of Owens' tenure was the devastating 1979 Administration Building fire. Rather than restore the gutted north wing of the structure, he embarked on a campaign to build anew, which resulted in state funding for a new library – now the B.D. Owens Library – and a performing arts center, now known as the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts.

B.D. Owens, pictured as a Northwest student, graduated from the institution in 1959 and was the first alumnus to lead it.

B.D. Owens succeeded Robert Foster (left) as Northwest president in 1977.

B.D. Owens succeeded Robert Foster (right) as Northwest president in 1977.

President Owens tours the Administration Building with Gov. Joe Teasdale two days after the fire that nearly destroyed the historic structure in 1979. Owens ably led Northwest through one of its worst disasters with determination. Under his leadership, the Administration Building was restored and the university library, constructed as a result of the disaster, was named in his honor when he retired in 1984.

B.D. Owens was pulled into the pool during the dedication of the Robert P. Foster Aquatic Center in 1981.

Construction began on the B.D. Owens Library in 1981.

Former President B.D. Owens and his wife, Sue, attended a celebration of the Owens Library's 40th anniversary in March 2023.