Following more than a decade at the helm of Rogers State University’s Bartlesville campus, Bill Beierschmitt has announced that he will be retiring on August 1.
A lifelong educator with 49 years of service in the education field, Beierschmitt has served in leadership roles in the public school system, career tech and higher education. He joined RSU as provost and COO of the Bartlesville campus in August 2005.
“I am proud of what we have accomplished at RSU here in Bartlesville, especially serving as an educational anchor in the redevelopment of downtown Bartlesville,” Beierschmitt said. “The addition of complete degree options through the Bartlesville campus has really enhanced our partnerships with the community and its local employers.”
RSU President Dr. Larry Rice expressed his thanks for Beierschmitt’s steady leadership.
“Bill has dedicated his life to the power of education to advance people and communities, and he has maintained an unwavering focus on how a strong RSU Bartlesville can be a catalyst to Bartlesville’s continued economic well-being,” Rice said. “Both RSU and the Bartlesville community have been fortunate to enjoy his leadership.”
Beierschmitt’s connections to Bartlesville run deep, including a 30-year career with Bartlesville Public Schools that culminated in his tenure as superintendent from 1996 to 1999. He also served as associate superintendent of schools and assistant superintendent for instruction for the Bartlesville schools. In addition, he had served as principal of Madison Middle School, Bartlesville Mid-High School and Sooner High School. He was a classroom teacher, specializing in business education, at Sooner High School and Dewey High School, where he also coached teams in basketball, baseball and tennis.
Before joining RSU, Beierschmitt served as the chief financial officer for the Oklahoma Department of Career and Technology Education, based in Stillwater. He is a retired member of the Oklahoma National Guard with 21 years of service at the rank of master sergeant. He was senior instructor for the Non-Commissioned Officers School at the Oklahoma Military Academy in Oklahoma City. He received numerous medals and commendations from the U.S. Army.
He currently is a member of the Bartlesville Area United Way executive committee and has been elected to serve as vice president for 2016-17, president and board member for the Bartlesville Lowe Family Young Scholars Program, and the Board of Trustees of the Bartlesville Lincoln Elementary School Scholarship Fund (BLESS).
He is a past member of the Board of Trustees of the Jane Phillips Medical Center (16 years), the Board of Directors for the Bartlesville Area Chamber of Commerce, Bartlesville Public Schools Foundation, Bartlesville Downtown Review Committee, and numerous other educational organizations, financial institutions and non-profit organizations in the Bartlesville area. He is a past chairman of the Washington Public Safety Facilities Advisory Committee.
Beierschmitt said the Bartlesville campus has enjoyed tremendous support from companies like ConocoPhillips, Phillips 66 and Jane Phillips Medical Center, as well as residents like Kelly Diven from Truity Credit Union, who has been a longtime supporter. He also noted that the RSU Foundation helped move the campus forward.
The university will conduct a comprehensive search for Beierschmitt’s replacement.