For Bob Campbell (B.S. ’74), The University of Tulsa isn’t just where he earned his degree – it’s where he got his first big break.
Campbell came to Tulsa on a football scholarship, but an injury during his sophomore year ended his playing days. Rather than cutting him loose, the university honored his scholarship, allowing him to stay on the team, which eventually led to him coaching. “That decision changed my life,” Campbell reflected. “Somewhere along the road, we all get a break, and that was one of my first major ones.”
Fast forward several decades, and Campbell’s career has taken him from Southwestern Bell to AT&T, where he played a pivotal role in building the early cellular industry from the ground up. As one of the first 30 employees at Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, he witnessed firsthand the transformation of an industry that, at the time, had zero customers and required drilling antennas into car roofs. He later led as many as 400 employees at AT&T, managing government accounts across California before retiring in 2008. His career continued with consulting roles at CGI and Affirmed Networks before he fully retired in 2020 to focus on his passion for painting and philanthropy.
At his 50-year class reunion, he met Jennifer Bennett, interim dean of Collins College of Business. After sharing his professional journey, he was invited to guest lecture for a UTulsa graduate course. Campbell jumped at the chance to give back.
He spoke about his experience as an expatriate in Mexico City, where he helped acquire and restructure Telmex, Mexico’s state-owned telephone monopoly. “It’s tricky when a foreign company hasn’t had any experience in a competitive market,” he said. His lecture became an interactive discussion, as students asked thoughtful questions about navigating international business, managing large-scale acquisitions, and leading in uncertain environments.
“I was incredibly impressed with the students,” Campbell said. “They were engaged, insightful, and asked the kind of questions that show they’re thinking beyond the classroom.” He believes that executive guest speakers bring valuable perspective to campus. “At this stage in their education, they’ve learned a lot of theory, but hearing from someone who has lived it can bring those lessons to life.”
“Somewhere along the road, we all get a break, and that was one of my first major ones.”
Campbell’s message to students is clear: Don’t overthink your first job. “Everything you learn in school will apply at some point in your life, but your first job might not be your dream job. The important thing is to get in the game, gain experience, and build from there,” he said.
Today, Campbell channels his creativity into fine art and philanthropy through The Briar Club, a philanthropic organization based in Frisco, Texas, where he has served as president for six years. Through the club, he supports initiatives like Frisco FastPacs, which provides food for students on the National School Lunch Program during weekends and summer, and Small World Scholarships, which awarded two-year scholarships to 10 high-achieving, low-income students last year.
Campbell remains deeply connected to The University of Tulsa, grateful for the opportunities it provided him and eager to share his experiences with the next generation of business leaders. “TU saw something in me all those years ago. I’m happy to be able to give back.”