$1 million gift from Dallas couple creates dual OSU engineering chairs

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Humphreys’ gift supports emerging engineering program, first chair in industrial engineering & management

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(STILLWATER, Okla. July 22, 2008) – Oklahoma State University announced today a $1 million gift from Don and Cathey Humphreys of Dallas, Texas, to endow a chair in engineering and another in industrial engineering and management. Once fully matched dollar-for-dollar by T. Boone Pickens’ $100 million chair match commitment, as well as the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the gift will provide $4 million of impact in endowed funds.
 
A member of Exxon Mobil Corporation's management committee as well as senior vice president and treasurer, Don received an industrial engineering degree from OSU in 1971. The Humphreys made these donations to help jump start the university’s emerging petroleum engineering program as well as to create the first industrial engineering chair.
 
“We sincerely appreciate what Don and Cathey are doing for OSU engineering,” said OSU President Burns Hargis.  “The response from our alumni and friends has exceeded our wildest expectations.  Inspired by Boone Pickens’ astounding generosity, donors answered the call to make a lasting difference and open a new and exciting chapter at OSU.”
 
In order to take full advantage of the state’s dollar-for-dollar match, and make the most significant impact on OSU academics, the Humphreys made the gift prior to the July 1 change in the state’s endowed chair matching program.  This gift is part of the $66.8 million in endowed faculty gifts OSU announced recently.

Both housed within the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology, the gifts will create the Donald and Cathey Humphreys Chair in Industrial Engineering and Management and the Donald and Cathey Humphreys Chair in College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology.
 
“When Cathey and I initially decided to make a $1 million gift to the college, the dean suggested splitting the gift to endow two positions -- one in industrial engineering and management and one in petroleum engineering -- and we thought that was a great idea,” said Don. “We’re hoping to benefit both areas and help everyone within the college to succeed.  We are at a time in our lives where we feel very fortunate to be able to give back to OSU.  Our view is that investing in education, whether for yourself, your children or as a gift, is the best long term investment one can make.”
 
Endowed professorships and chairs are academic designations which provide support for faculty salary, graduate assistantships, equipment and research needs, as well as other support.  These endowed faculty positions allow a university to attract and retain the best and the brightest academic minds in the world.