Individuals, corporations rally to support OSU healthcare majors with scholarships
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Dr. Barry Pollard has been a successful neurosurgeon in Enid, Okla. since 1982. He
is also a rancher, John Deer dealer, devoted Cowboy fan and philanthropist – careers
and traits which all began at OSU.
(May 14, 2008 STILLWATER, OKLA.) – A group of doctors who were former OSU undergraduates has set a goal of raising $3 million over five years to provide scholarships of $2,500 per year to deserving OSU students who want to become medical professionals.
Group leader and creator Dr. Barry Pollard is a successful neurosurgeon, rancher, John Deere dealer, devoted Cowboy fan and active philanthropist. The Enid, Okla. native founded the OSU Medical Cowboy Board in 2007 in an effort to recognize the fundamental premed education he received at OSU. The Board is comprised of other successful medical professionals who are graduates or have strong ties to OSU.
“Our goal is to help raise the level of awareness in the state of Oklahoma of OSU’s role in training medical professionals,” Pollard says. “Most people are not aware of how many medical professionals have OSU roots.”
The group of doctors is raising money for scholarships to aid high school students with an interest in healthcare-related fields, including medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, veterinary medicine, and other major-related areas.
“Scholarships can open doors for students,” Pollard says. “Overall we would like to reach the level where we’re offering 20-30 new scholarships each year in addition to those being renewed so that 80-100 kids are receiving the scholarship at any one time.”
Pollard kicked-off the fundraising effort with a $100,000 gift and within four months the group raised more than $550,000 from individuals and corporations toward the $3 million goal.
Individual contributors to the campaign range from OSU graduates like Dr. David Russell to Oklahoma businessman, former Congressman and pharmacist Bill Brewster of Brewster/Jory Associates LLC. Corporations like Farm Credit of Enid and medically-vested organizations like Integris Health and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center have also made sizable donations to the campaign.
For more information on joining or contributing to the OSU Medical Cowboys, please contact Sue Reel at sreel@OSUgiving.com or (405) 945-8635, or Brad Walker at bwalker@OSUgiving.com or (918) 561-8206.
The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.
For more information access the Foundation’s Web site at OSUgiving.com .