Joins wife in making major donation to OSU academics

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(STILLWATER, Ok., July 17, 2008) -- Oklahoma State University announced today a $1 million gift from Southlake, Texas resident A.J. Jacques to create an agricultural economics chair at OSU. 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 have the impact of $4 million in endowed funds.

The president of Cheyenne Drilling, Inc., Jacques received an agricultural economics degree from OSU in 1975. The gift will create the A.J. and Susan Jacques Chair in Agricultural Economics located within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Additionally, Jacques wife, Susan, received a recreation degree from OSU in 1975 and made her own $1 million gift to OSU's College of Education last month.

"The response from our alumni and friends has exceeded our wildest expectations," said OSU President Burns Hargis. "Inspired by Boone Pickels' astounding generosity, donors answered the call to make a lasting difference and open a new and exciting chapter at OSU. We sincerely appreciate what A.J. and Susan are doing for OSU academics and research."

In order to take full advantage of the state's dollar-for-dollar match, and make the most significant impact on OSU academics, Jacques 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.

"I spent the most wonderful years of my life in Stillwater, and that's where my heart is," said Jacques. "I directed my gift to agriculture because that's where my roots are and where I grew up. I'm happy OSU is getting more competitive both academically and athletically."

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.