Oklahoma State University surpasses $1.2 billion mark as seven-year campaign ends

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Oklahoma State University (OSU) completed the largest fundraising campaign in its history on Dec. 31, 2014, as Branding Success: The Campaign for Oklahoma State University ended after receiving gifts and pledges totaling $1,201,678,945.61. More than 100,000 individuals and corporate partners participated in the campaign, including nearly 45,000 first-time donors to OSU.

Branding Success began Dec. 4, 2007, and, following a two-year quiet phase, was officially unveiled to the public on Feb. 26, 2010. In April 2013, university officials announced the campaign had exceeded its $1 billion goal but the effort wouldn't end until its scheduled completion date in December 2014.

"Transformational is almost an understatement as I look back and see how much Oklahoma State University has achieved and changed over the past seven years," said OSU President Burns Hargis. "I'm particularly pleased that we attracted support from so many first-time donors who became engaged with us as a result of Branding Success."

Gifts and pledges during the campaign aided many programs on all five campuses in the Oklahoma State University system, but the support is providing significant new resources in four key areas, which were the primary funding priorities during Branding Success.

Student Support: Goal - $500 million; Final - $594.8 million

1,180 new scholarship funds were established, bringing the total to 2,694, many of which support multiple annual recipients

Faculty Support: Goal - $200 million; Final - $188.2 million

146 new endowed chairs and professorships were created, increasing the total number of endowed faculty positions at OSU to 306

Facility Support: Goal - $200 million; Final - $293 million

Building, remodeling and equipping facilities is providing better environments for teaching, learning and researching with an emphasis on enhancing the student experience

Program Support: Goal - $100 million; Final - $125.7 million

Investments in academic excellence have created innovative, interdisciplinary programs that make the most of OSU's considerable strengths

"We rely on the generosity of our alumni and friends to help the university create new opportunities for students at Oklahoma State," said Kirk Jewell, president of the OSU Foundation. "Today our students have more financial assistance available than ever before, but the campaign will have a lasting, positive impact on future generations of students as well."

Highlights of the campaign include the launch of these new initiatives:

Riata Center for Entrepreneurship — Innovative outreach programs in the Spears School of Business focus on entrepreneurship, including The Veterans Entrepreneurship Program, which offers cutting-edge, experiential training in entrepreneurship and small-business management to veterans.
Chesapeake Energy Natural Gas Compression Training Center — The first of its kind, the 23,920-square-foot training center on the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology campus is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, machinery and tools so students are ready to work in the natural gas industry immediately after graduating.
Endowed faculty positions — T. Boone Pickens made a $100 million challenge gift to endow faculty positions in the summer of 2008. In 40 days, more than 900 donors gave more than $68 million to take advantage of matches by Pickens and the State Regents for Higher Education.
Expanded study abroad opportunities — Donald and Cathey Humphreys donated $6 million to expand Oklahoma State University's study abroad program.
Premier indoor tennis center constructed — The Michael and Anne Greenwood Tennis Center opened in 2014, featuring six indoor courts and 12 outdoor courts. A tweet from the United States Tennis Association pronounced OSU's new complex one of the top two collegiate facilities in the country.
New Business Building under construction — The Spears School of Business, which actively incorporates technology into the curriculum and seeks input from leaders in business and government to help create industry-driven degrees, will have a new home soon. The new building will transform how students learn and faculty teach.
College of Human Sciences Expansion — The College is a leader in hospitality, merchandising, nutrition and human development. The expanded and revitalized space will allow students and faculty to forge new relationships with industry and professional partners while pushing the boundaries of social and scientific research and technology transfer.
Enhanced academic advising services — The Learning and Student Success Opportunities Center (LASSO) has advisors to assist OSU students with academic-related needs. LASSO also features the Paul Milburn Tutoring Program to help students succeed.
$120 million scholarship program — On February 26, 2010, OSU alumnus T. Boone Pickens made a surprising and incredible announcement to provide a testamentary matching gift of up to $100 million. Due to an incredible response from donors, he later added an additional $20 million to his challenge. By the time the deadline hit, more than 2,600 other donors had stepped up to add more than $73.6 million for scholarships and graduate fellowships across the OSU system.
McKnight Leader Scholars — Funded by a generous $10 million gift from Billie and Ross McKnight, the McKnight Leader Scholars program provides a full out-of-state waiver for four years, $5,000 for each of the student's first two years at OSU and offers students an opportunity to develop essential leadership skills through exclusive coursework and seminars.