Stuart Price (J.D. ’82) moved to Tulsa in the late 1970s to attend The University of Tulsa’s College of Law, discovering after graduation that his calling was actually as an entrepreneur – first in energy and then real estate.
Price’s energy industry experience began while he was working with Amerada Hess and later Samson Resources before starting his own company. His first foray into real estate began when he and his wife, Linda, purchased a rental property. Soon, they began buying and developing commercial property, including two FedEx facilities and an apartment complex. By 2000, they were deepening their investment in commercial real estate, and Price Family Properties was born. The organization oversees the large Price portfolio that was purchased from Maurice Kanbar and includes more than 2.5 million square feet in downtown Tulsa, which has enjoyed a revitalization in recent years.
“Having done extensive renovations on historic art deco buildings, we have become preservationists. Our family feels fortunate to be stewards of these architectural wonders, which grace one of America’s most beautiful skylines,” Price said.
As he has seen success in his career, Price has generously supported his alma mater along the way. In 1992, the Prices established the George and Jean Price Endowed Award in Legal Writing and Research in the College of Law in honor of Price’s parents, George (B.A. ’48) and Jean Price. They also provided the lead gift for the comprehensive renovation of the College of Law’s moot courtroom, a popular center of activity for students, which was renamed the William Stuart Price and Michael C. Turpen Courtroom in honor of Price and his dear friend, Oklahoma City attorney Mike Turpen (B.S. ’72, J.D. ’75). Further funding was provided by the Prices in 2015 with the establishment of two endowments, which are known as the Price and Turpen Endowments for Scholarships and Courtroom Maintenance.
Price is a member of the Chapman Legacy Society and the Law Dean’s Advisory Board. Beyond campus, he has served on the Gilcrease Museum National Advisory Board and has supported educational and cultural initiatives.
Beyond UTulsa, Price has served as chair of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and was instrumental in enacting Tulsa Achieves, which pays for community college tuition and fees for high school graduates living in Tulsa County. His additional business interests include funding research and medical devices to comfort cancer patients.
Price credits TU Law faculty member Dobie Langenkamp, an expert in energy and environmental law, with being an inspiration for the kind of life he seeks to lead. “Dobie was a motivational professor – a Renaissance man with incredible positivity – who shared his deep intellect with his students,” Price said. “TU Law professors modeled such meaningful behavior, always helping others in our community.”
Price also pointed to impactful university leaders such as President Brad Carson and men’s basketball coach Eric Konkol as clear signs that The University of Tulsa will maintain its tradition of excellence.
Standing on the west steps of McFarlin Library, one can take in both UTulsa’s beautiful campus and the distinct Tulsa skyline, a shared reminder of Price’s contributions to both the school and the city he loves.