OSU Alumni Association launches endowment for homecoming and student programs

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

The Oklahoma State University Alumni Association is proud to formally announce the $8 million Homecoming and Student Programs Endowment as part of Branding Success: The Campaign for Oklahoma State University to secure the future of Homecoming.

For 90 years, the Association has presented “America’s Greatest Homecoming Celebration”. The timeless tradition held each October involves students from all areas of campus life and draws more than 70,000 alumni and friends back home to campus.

“From the first Harvest Carnival in 1913 to the Walkaround experience and Sea of Orange Parade held today, Homecoming is OSU’s greatest tradition and one that no other university can lay claim,” says Larry Shell, OSU Alumni Association President.

The need for support of Homecoming is high. With the increasing costs of materials and products, preserving this program and tradition is a challenge.

Homecoming costs more than $200,000 per year to celebrate. At this price, more than $1 is spent for every living OSU alum to keep OSU’s Homecoming celebration ‘America’s Greatest.’

“Homecoming holds a special place in the hearts of all OSU alumni, family and friends, and that’s why we’re calling on everyone who values this great tradition to help us secure its future by giving to the endowment,” Shell says.

The endowment will ensure rising costs do not diminish Homecoming’s annual events and will guarantee future generations of OSU students will benefit from the same experiences as those who have gone before them.

“Homecoming is the single event that ties all OSU alumni together,” says Ron Ward, ‘71, who along with his wife, Cindy, pledged $150,000 to initiate the endowment last fall. “If we as alumni want to see our tradition continue, we have to step up and support it on all levels.”

In addition to Homecoming, the Student Alumni Board and Student Awards programs are two student-focused Association initiatives that engage and celebrate students on campus. These programs serve to recognize students in their collegiate experience and enhance their abilities in the areas of leadership, service and scholarship.

The endowment will be fully funded at $8 million with giving levels of $5,000 or more earning a spot on the permanent display in Legacy Hall in the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center. All who give at least $100 will be recognized in the current year’s Homecoming Publication and on the Association website.

There are several ways Homecoming supporters can give to the endowment, beginning with their mobile phones. The Association and the OSU Foundation have partnered with the mGive Foundation to allow supporters to give $10 right from their mobile phones by texting “PETE” to 50555. They can also give $10 through the Association’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/OKStateAlumni and recruit their Facebook friends to join them in a social campaign to support Homecoming.

Supporters able to give more than $10 may do so online at orangeconnection.org/give, where they can learn more about the endowment by watching a video with OSU alumna and former Oklahoma City television celebrity Jenifer Reynolds and OSU Wrestling Coach John Smith. Those interested in making substantial gifts are asked to contact Sara Furr, Associate Director of Development, at 405.385.5660.