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Oklahoma State University

Opportunities Knock, He Answers

By Terry Tush

Brett Humphrey’s great smile and friendly demeanor stand out, even in a large crowd.

The beam signing for the new building at Oklahoma State University’s Spears School of Business was a perfect example.

Humphrey, who graduated from OSU in May with a bachelor’s degree in finance, was energetically greeting students, faculty and staff in front of the Business Building during the event, co-hosted by the Spears School and its Business Student Council.

Nearly 750 people stopped by on the sunny Friday afternoon in April to sign the beams that will be a part of the new Business Building. The visitors included Spears School students, faculty and staff; OSU and business school alumni; donors who are helping to make the new building a reality; members of the construction crews working on the building; officials from OSU Long Range Facilities Planning; numerous supporters from the OSU Foundation; and many more, including OSU President Burns Hargis.

Humphrey, partially running and facilitating the show at the event (after all, he spent his senior year as president of Business Student Council), made each visitor feel welcome.

“I just love being around people,” says Humphrey, who began working shortly after graduation in the finance department at Phillips 66 in Bartlesville, Okla. “One thing is for sure: I won’t have a boring life after graduation. I don’t plan on stopping or slowing down.”

Brett Humphrey with President Hargis
Spears’ top senior already blazing his trail.

The Tulsa native’s long-term goals include eventually running for political office.

“Politics aren’t fun. Let’s be real. People hate you and say terrible things about you,” Humphrey says. “But I have pretty thick skin; if someone says something terrible about me, I can get over it and move on. I really don’t take anything too personally.

“I feel like I can make relationships with people all across the country — even all around the world — and use my public speaking ability to get my point across and fight for the rights that I believe in. I’ve always wanted to hold public office and represent my constituents.”

He truly believes that he’ll be on television in the future — but not necessarily in a way related to politics.

“If all else fails, my ultimate goal is to be a game-show host. No kidding,” says a grinning Humphrey, who has his eye on replacing either Wayne Brady on Let’s Make a Deal or Drew Carey on The Price is Right.

Humphrey won’t be sitting around waiting for someone to beg him to participate. He’s willing to jump in with both feet.

“A lot of people say college kids get burned out after four years, but that’s not who I am. If anything, I plan on picking it up,” he says.

That’s been his philosophy since arriving at OSU four years ago after graduating from Jenks High School. He had applied to numerous schools but all signs “kept leading back to Oklahoma State,” where he received numerous scholarships, including the Spears Scholar Leader, the Jerry Gill Tulsa Alumni Scholarship and the Oklahoma State Board of Higher Education scholarship.

Once on campus, he passed up few opportunities. As a sophomore, he was the recruitment chair for the Dance Marathon, helping to recruit more than 1,200 participants and raise more than $75,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network. Humphrey has also served as a Spears Ambassador, helping recruit future OSU business students.

“I knew that OSU was super welcoming. It’s funny about Oklahoma State; the opportunities are available for everyone,” he says. “The opportunities are there; you just have to go out and get them. That’s the way I’ve looked at college. I’ve never turned down an opportunity to be a part of something, to lead an organization or an effort that I’m passionate about.”

Brett Humphrey participating in the Polar Plunge
Dressed as a penguin, Brett Humphrey participates in the Polar Plunge to benefit Special Olympics.

His passion to be a leader led him to the Business Student Council, joining as a freshman class representative only two weeks into his college career. He’s served in a leadership role each year — social chairman as a sophomore, special events chair as a junior and president in his final year of college.

“I’ve had the chance to meet so many people through Business Student Council. It’s amazing the relationships I’ve made through that organization, in planning and coordinating events,” says Humphrey, who received the 2016 Raymond D. Thomas Award, presented annually to the top senior in the Spears School.

“I’m very thankful for my time here. The business school and OSU has made a huge impact on my life. I’ve definitely found my home here in Stillwater, and I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

It sounds as if Humphrey has had a blessed life — and as one who leans heavily on his Christian faith, he would agree — but there have been struggles along the way. The biggest was losing his mother in 2011, when he was just 17.

“My mom loved education. She was a Mensa member, and she was probably the smartest person in the room at all times. She was also the quietest person in the room. Every time she spoke, it really meant something. She loved and valued education more than any person I ever met in my life,” Humphrey says.

“I know she would be proud [of what I’ve done at OSU]. She’d be proud regardless of what I did. She’s a big part of my story, but not many people know that she passed away.

“She would probably say that awards are good and the recognition is nice, but she’d be asking, ‘What are you really doing? Are you influencing people for Christ? Are you making a positive difference in the world?’”

His mother can rest easy: Not only has Humphrey influenced both OSU and the Spears School, but he’s got his sights set on even bigger goals in the future.