野狼社区 University President Robert H. Henry announced today that the Inasmuch Foundation has awarded a $600,000 grant toward the university鈥檚 $2.2 million chemistry laboratories renovation. The foundation鈥檚 grant allows OCU to complete the requirements of two challenge gifts: a $550,000 challenge gift from OCU alumni Herman and LaDonna Meinders, and a $300,000 challenge grant from the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation of Tulsa.
鈥淭his gift from our great friends at the Inasmuch Foundation completes a campaign which was jump-started by the university鈥檚 long-time champions, Herman and LaDonna Meinders,鈥� Henry said.
Henry said the improvements will enhance learning opportunities for OCU students, providing state-of-the-art chemistry facilities.
鈥淧roviding new lab space will allow the university to continue to attract outstanding students and continue our strong tradition of success in preparing students for graduate study and medical school,鈥� he said.
Referencing the three lead gifts for the project, Henry said, 鈥淲e are blessed by major funding from these three philanthropic forces which continue to transform private higher education in Oklahoma.鈥�
Renovation work in the university鈥檚 Dawson-Loeffler Science and Mathematics Building is proceeding on schedule. The project is slated for completion by the beginning of the fall 2015 semester.
The project incorporates contemporary design, including a classroom/laboratory combination, which will allow students, in the midst of classroom discussions, to view or participate in lab work. The design concept was guided by Dr. Stephen Prilliman, OCU associate professor of chemistry and chair of the chemistry department. It is based on OCU鈥檚 use of the Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL) method, which combines class and lab elements to enhance learning.
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