OSU recognizes million-dollar donors as inaugural members of Proud and Immortal Society
Tuesday, June 2, 2015
Oklahoma State University celebrated a historic event in the Student Union this spring by recognizing 282 donors at the inaugural Proud and Immortal Society induction ceremony.
The honored individuals, companies and foundations have each given $1 million or more cumulatively to OSU. Their names are displayed on a new donor wall in the lobby of the Student Union Theater on the second floor.
“Many of these honorees reached the $1 million cumulative milestone years ago but have continued to be valued supporters through the years,” said OSU President Burns Hargis, who joined his wife, Ann, among the inductees. “They have truly set the bar for everyone connected to the university and challenged our leadership to work harder and dream bigger. Their legacy will benefit future generations and inspire today’s students.”
T. Boone Pickens was officially recognized as the first member of this distinguished group. He has exceeded $500 million in gifts and commitments to his alma mater.
“There’s real leadership on display at Oklahoma State,” Pickens said. “It’s evident in Burns Hargis, and it’s also evident in many who have come forward and given so generously to transform the future of our school. I am proud to be a part of it, and to recognize those who have partnered with me to make OSU the state’s premier institution academically and athletically.”
The inaugural class of Proud & Immortal Society members has combined for more than $1.46 billion in support for OSU, including the following:
- Increasing the quality and accessibility of higher education for all students by giving more than $77 million for 863 scholarship funds.
- Enhancing teaching, research and professional development for professors, administrators and staff by contributing more than $103 million to 205 faculty funds.
- Supporting the construction, renovation and maintenance of state-of-the-art spaces for teaching and research by giving more than $35 million to 53 facility funds.
“When we were considering the appropriate way to recognize such a distinguished group, we quickly thought of the opening line of our alma mater, ‘Proud and Immortal,’ as the obvious description for these inductees,” said Kirk Jewell, president of the OSU Foundation. “These individuals and organizations have helped shape OSU’s destiny and transformed this institution. It is an honor to be able to recognize and thank them for their remarkable generosity.”
Dave Hunziker, play-by-play announcer for the Cowboys, served as the master of ceremonies at the celebratory dinner attended by 80 donors and their families. It included performances by the OSU Big Band, the Carlton 5 jazz group, and senior Kash Clemishire acting as Sally Bowles from the OSU Theatre department’s performance of “Cabaret.”
The donor wall permanently displays the names of all members and will be updated every year to reflect new inductees.