The Strength of Generosity

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Tulsa gala breaks its fundraising record

When donors provide college scholarships for students at Oklahoma State University- Tulsa and Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences, their investment doesn’t end with the student. The impact stretches across Oklahoma.

 

“The scholarships were invaluable,” said Autumn Rider, who graduated from OSU-Tulsa in May with a bachelor’s degree in aerospace administration and operations. “Because of them, I was able to focus on my children while going to school full time and earning a degree.”

OSU-CHS medical student Crystal Goree called her scholarship vital to her goal of becoming a primary care physician.Crystal Goree, an OSU-CHS medical student and scholarship recipient.

“When I received my scholarship, I was really excited because it was specifically for students who are interested in serving in primary care and further in health professional shortage areas. I want to take what I’ve learned at OSU and give back to patients in rural areas,” Goree said.

The 2019 A Stately Affair in Tulsa gala raised a record-breaking $1.2 million in scholarships for OSU students in Tulsa. OSU-Tulsa’s first president, Dr. Gary Trennepohl, tipped the scales with his $250,000 gift.

Since its inception in 2011, A Stately Affair in Tulsa has brought in a total $8.6 million.

The success of this year’s gala is partly due to the enthusiasm of event chairs Jay Helm, chairman of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and an OSU graduate, his wife Fayenelle, and his daughter Christian Leikam and her husband Robert, also OSU graduates.Jay and Fayenelle Helm, chairs for the 2019 A Stately Affair in Tulsa, celebrate with Pistol Pete during the gala.

 

In addition to the event's move from Southern Hills Country Club to the Autumn Rider, an OSU-Tulsa graduate and scholarship recipient

Cox Business Center, the gala attracted more guests than ever — a total of 375 — to the fundraiser.

Both Tulsa campuses are celebrating milestones in 2019. Founded in 1999, OSU-Tulsa is celebrating its 20th anniversary. OSU-CHS is marking 30 years as part of the OSU system.

The biennial fundraiser plays a key role in helping OSU students at both Tulsa campuses realize their career goals, particularly as tuition costs rise and the burden of student loans grows.

For information about scholarship donations for OSU students in Tulsa, contact the OSU Foundation in Tulsa at 918-594-8500.