ConocoPhillips Gives $1 Million to Branding Success – The Campaign for Oklahoma State University

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Gift supports scholarships and energy, business and leadership programs

 Oklahoma State University President V. Burns Hargis announced today that ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has donated $1 million to support student scholarships and academic studies in the fields of energy, business and leadership.  The gift supports OSU’s $1 billion Branding Success – The Campaign for Oklahoma State University for student scholarships, faculty positions, academic initiatives and teaching and research facilities.

“We are very grateful for this gift from ConocoPhillips because it represents decades of outstanding support for Oklahoma State University,” Hargis said. “This generous company is OSU’s largest corporate donor having given nearly $37 million to the university through the years, including the lead gift for the construction of our incredible ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center located in the heart of our Stillwater campus. The company’s substantive support for academic initiatives over the years has already enriched the learning experience for many students. This current gift will strengthen several academic programs, ensuring OSU students are well-prepared to meet the global challenges of today’s business.”

A portion of the gift will support ConocoPhillips’ “Spirit Scholars Program” established to encourage students to enter the energy industry. The gift also provides funds to the OSU College of Engineering, Architecture, and Technology and a number of other university programs for academic and research purposes.   

“ConocoPhillips continues to enjoy an extraordinary relationship with OSU,” said Eugene L. Batchelder, OSU alumnus and ConocoPhillips Senior Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer. “OSU has consistently provided us with exceptional graduates who have made significant contributions through the years to the success of ConocoPhillips around the globe. We consider every gift to OSU as an investment in our future.”

Deborah G. Adams, president, transportation at ConocoPhillips recently presented the $1 million check to President Hargis.   

“OSU is fortunate that a number of respected large corporations consistently invest in our students and programs,” stated Kirk Jewell, CEO and president of the OSU Foundation. “ConocoPhillips is a model corporate citizen, and the company’s gifts to OSU always benefit our students and faculty members and accelerate OSU’s progress toward becoming a premier land grant university.”

Endowments, pledges and gifts to the Branding Success Campaign to date total more than $735 million.