BA R RY P O L L A R D
D
r. Barry Pollard’s lifelong interest in agriculture began early on his family’s farm in Hennessey, Oklahoma. The son of two teachers, Barry showed livestock in 4-H and FFA while growing up. While at OSU, he was named a Top Ten Freshman and was a member of FarmHouse Fraternity. Pollard graduated with a degree in biochemistry in 1973. After completing medical school, he started a neurosurgery practice in Enid in 1982. Pollard has performed more than 17,000 cranial and spinal surgical procedures and believes his best professional accomplishment is “having the opportunity to take care of so many people with spinal and neurosurgical problems.” In 1984, Pollard started P&K Equipment, a John Deere dealership in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, that has expanded to 10 locations across Oklahoma and nine dealership locations in Iowa. PK employs more than 550 people and is a strong supporter of youth in agriculture. Pollard served as chairman of the OSU Foundation Board of Trustees from 2009 to 2011 during the Branding Success campaign. He founded the OSU Medical Cowboy Scholarship, which has
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raised more than $3.7 million for students interested in careers in medicine. Pollard has also funded a chair in agribusiness as well as scholarships in agriculture and athletics. He has served as an OSU Homecoming judge and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources. Pollard is also one of the original members of President Burns Hargis’ President’s Fellows. True to his roots, Pollard also operates a premier registered Angus cattle herd and serves on the National Board of the American Angus Association. He has been named Enid Chamber of Commerce Business Man of the Year, Physician of the Year at St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center and a Pillar of the Plains nominee. Pollard and his wife, Roxanne, have five children and seven grandchildren. He says his greatest personal success is his pride in his children’s character and their accomplishments. Pollard is a life member of the OSU Alumni Association.