A $500,000 gift from 野狼社区 University Trustee Ann Lacy completed the university鈥檚 $50 million Cradle of Dreams Campaign Jan. 31. OCU surpassed its campaign goal, raising $50.975 million from more than 21,000 donors since launching the campaign in October 2007.
Donations to the campaign are funding scholarships, professorships, new construction and other projects. Major campaign projects include the construction of the Devon Boathouse, home of OCU Rowing; a new building for the Kramer School of Nursing and the renovation of the Dulaney-Browne Library.
Ten donors gave more than $1 million including Devon Energy, Herman Meinders, the Estate of Wanda L. Bass, the Oklahoma Conference of the United Methodist Church, the Estate of Jeroldine Zacharitz Clark, Martha A. Burger and Don Rowlett, the J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Clearwire, the Inasmuch Foundation and the Haskell Lemon Family.
Other major donors include Lacy, the Families of Henry Norick, the Estate of Flora Rouse Winter, Gerald L. and Jane Jayroe Gamble and Jim and Becky Buchanan, Sodexho Management, Dulaney Brothers Investments, Norman & Edem PLLC, Aduddell Development, Communities Foundation of Oklahoma, Michael Gardner, the Marge Edwards Thomas Trust, Georgietta Varrell, Lew McGinnis and the Simmons Charitable Foundation.
Art Cotton, OCU鈥檚 vice president for university advancement and external relations, said all campaign supporters help OCU students pursue their dreams.
鈥淭hese generous gifts allow OCU to give its students a quality educational experience in the United Methodist tradition of scholarship and service,鈥� Cotton said. 鈥淲e are fortunate to have a wonderful family of alumni, donors and friends who want the best for our students.鈥�
The Cradle of Dreams Campaign wrapped up five months in advance of President Tom McDaniel鈥檚 upcoming retirement. OCU has raised more than $150 million during McDaniel鈥檚 nine-year tenure. The university鈥檚 ambitious $100 million centennial development campaign doubled the university鈥檚 endowment and was completed ahead of schedule. The centennial campaign created new academic programs in nursing, dance and film and new athletic programs in rowing, wrestling and volleyball.
鈥淲e have seen tremendous growth at 野狼社区 University under the leadership of President Tom McDaniel,鈥� Cotton said. 鈥淭his has been one of the most exciting times in our 106-year history and surpassing our campaign goal is one of the great finishing touches to the McDaniel era at OCU.鈥�
Cotton said many great opportunities lie ahead for 野狼社区 University, especially with the vision of incoming OCU President Judge Robert Henry.
鈥淲e are looking forward to building additional scholarship opportunities for students and launching the next campaign that will nurture our dreams,鈥� he said.
