野狼社区 University is mourning the loss of LaDonna Meinders, a beloved alumna, musician, author and selfless benefactor. LaDonna passed away in 野狼社区 on Tuesday morning at the age of 88.
LaDonna, along with her husband Herman, became synonymous with philanthropy at OCU, in 野狼社区 and beyond. Their names adorn iconic facilities such as 野狼社区鈥檚 Civic Center Music Hall and Myriad Botanical Gardens.
The couple鈥檚 generosity also transformed the university landscape, with the Meinders School of Business and Kramer School of Nursing standing as tangible testaments to their commitment. The couple鈥檚 financial contributions to OCU total more than $50 million, making them the university鈥檚 most prolific benefactors.
鈥淟aDonna鈥檚 support, dedication and love of humanity have made a huge impact on the lives of thousands of OCU students, alumni and supporters,鈥� OCU President Kenneth Evans said. 鈥淗er generosity will be felt for generations to come.鈥�
LaDonna鈥檚 connection to OCU began when she was an 18-year-old incoming freshman in 1954 from the small town of Loyal, Oklahoma, in Kingfisher County. Her family farmed wheat and were regular church-goers.
The budding musician would soon help redefine the university's landscape. LaDonna represented the university and the state at the Miss America competition, with the titles of 1954 Keshena Beauty, and 1956 Oklahoma Maid of Cotton, OCU Basketball Queen and Miss Oklahoma already in hand. She was the first student from OCU to win the state title, launching the university鈥檚 proud tradition of representation at the national pageant.
After graduating in 1958 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in music, she moved to Kingfisher, Oklahoma, with her first husband and began to raise a family.
LaDonna鈥檚 dedication to education led her back to OCU. In 1983 she took the job of assistant director of graduate admissions. While serving in that role, she took classes in her off hours to earn an MBA in 1986. In 1996, the university honored her with an honorary doctorate degree in humane letters.
Although their time as students intersected in the 1950s, LaDonna and Herman didn鈥檛 meet until her time as an OCU employee. They first met at a fundraising breakfast, then learned more about each other while LaDonna wrote a profile story on Herman for the university鈥檚 alumni magazine. They later married on the campus in the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel and became inseparable partners in their philanthropic endeavors. Earlier this year, the couple celebrated their 38th anniversary.
Their first large-scale campus project was finished in 1994, when nursing students moved from their previous home at St. Anthony Hospital downtown to the Kramer School of Nursing, named after parents Mr. and Mrs. E. J. Kramer and their daughters, Dr. Ruth Seideman and LaDonna. The nursing school grew again in 2011 with the addition of a three-story building next to the original facility.
鈥淪eeing her name on our buildings is a reminder of LaDonna鈥檚 constant care and compassion for people,鈥� Kramer School of Nursing Dean Emeritus Lois Salmeron said. 鈥淗er support extended far beyond donations. Her sister, being a nurse, influenced her interest in nursing. LaDonna was always supportive and involved in the activities of the nursing school. She regularly gave us the encouragement that we needed to do our best to help others.鈥�
Another significant campus project was the Meinders School of Business. LaDonna and Herman participated in the groundbreaking ceremony in 2002 and the building was opened in less than two years. Its entire cost 鈥� more than $18 million 鈥� was covered by the Meinders.
Beyond their financial support, the Meinders were deeply involved in OCU life, mentoring students and inspiring faculty. For several years, they were known to invite students to a lunch or dinner to make meaningful, personal connections. They were regular visitors to campus to meet, greet and cheer on their alma mater.
OCU is honoring LaDonna鈥檚 memory by celebrating her life and the enduring partnership she shared with her husband. The prayers of the entire OCU community are with Herman and the Meinders and Kramer families during this time.
Services are set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel on the OCU campus.
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