CEAT 2024 Hall of Fame Inductee: Derek Gates
Thursday, October 16, 2025
Media Contact: Kristi Wheeler | Manager, CEAT Marketing and Communications | 405-744-5831 | kristi.wheeler@okstate.edu
Derek Gates graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Oklahoma State University in 1980.
In 1972, Gates built a private engineering firm, D.W. Gates Engineering Services, in north Tulsa, where he consistently hires OSU students as summer interns and full-time employees. His firm has provided engineering services for OSU buildings such as the Colvin Recreation Center, Math Sciences Building, the OSU bus terminal and many other locations. Gates’ company designed the mechanical/electrical and plumbing design systems at the OSU Institute of Technology Center Gas Compressor Building.
Gates’ firm specializes in a variety of areas, and the projects are seen across Tulsa, including the City of Tulsa LED street lighting on I-44 from Riverside to Memorial, the LED lighting at the Will Rogers High School and Central High School football stadiums, and the power design to Gateway Structures on Route 66. His firm also partners with ODOT to relocate overhead utilities. The Pawhuska rodeo ground and Chandler Park field house, both designed by Gates, feature the two largest photovoltaic solar collector systems in the state of Oklahoma.
For the last 20 years, Gates has been a member of the OSU Black Alumni Association, where he generously donates to multiple causes through scholarships and direct donations. Today, Gates is passionate about helping future generations build technical skills, so they can have a successful and fruitful career and life. Gates is an active member in K-12 outreach by speaking to students and encouraging their consideration of OSU engineering programs.
Make the world better for the next group. My goal is to be known as a professional, a decent person and a good engineer.
Photos by: Annie Buford
Story by: Ashleigh Green | IMPACT Magazine