Donor gift funds endowed scholarship for College of Professional Studies students

Thursday, November 21, 2024

Media Contact: Aaron Cambell | OSU-Tulsa Communications Coordinator | 918-594-8046 | aaron.ross.campbell@okstate.edu

Students in the Oklahoma State University College of Professional Studies have access to a new endowed scholarship thanks to a $145,000 gift from the Ketchum Charitable Foundation.

The annual scholarship is available to any OSU student enrolled in a College of Professional Studies major, which includes Entertainment Media, Health Care Administration, Organizational Leadership and Public Safety.

“Working adults shouldn’t have to choose between their jobs and their dreams of a brighter future.” said Craig Freeman, OSU-Tulsa vice provost and dean of the OSU College of Professional Studies. “This generous gift will help remove financial barriers to earning a bachelor’s degree and allow students to stay in the workforce while pursuing their education.”

The College of Professional Studies, headquartered at OSU-Tulsa, is tailored to working adults and students who are career-focused and seeking maximum flexibility in their degree path. The college’s bachelor's degree, workshop and short course programs are created through direct collaboration with local employers to address the needs of Tulsa-area industries. Professional Studies degrees help adults finish faster with flexible degree requirements that make the most of existing college credits and prior learning the students already have.

The College of Professional Studies is among OSU’s fastest growing colleges with a more than 10 times increase in enrollment since last fall. Classes in professional studies degree programs are available online or in person and are designed to help students remain in the workforce while completing their degree.

“We’re responding directly to the needs of local industries and local professionals,” Freeman said. “This gift from the Ketchum Charitable Foundation is an encouraging sign that our work is valued by our community partners — and above all, that our students are valued too.”

To learn more about how you can make a difference for OSU-Tulsa students, visit the OSU-Tulsa giving webpage.