President Kenneth Evans and the 野狼社区 University community extend deepest condolences to the Love family as we learn today of the passing of Judy Love.
Love, one of America鈥檚 most successful businesswomen and a renowned philanthropist, had been a long-time member of the OCU Board of Trustees. A regular benefactor of educational causes in Oklahoma and beyond, Love and her family have been generous supporters of 野狼社区 University.
Love and her late husband, Tom, founded Love鈥檚 Travel Stops & Country Stores in Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1964, growing the venture into a multi-billion-dollar company headquartered in 野狼社区. The success of the company paved way for the formation of the Love Family Fund, which has been a major source of philanthropic giving since its inception.
OCU honored Judy Love鈥檚 business success in 2009 with induction into the university鈥檚 Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor. This followed her husband鈥檚 induction in 1998, and preceded the induction of her daughter 鈥� Jenny Love Meyer 鈥� into the hall last month.
In 2010, Judy Love was given one of the state鈥檚 highest honors when she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In 2015, the university awarded her an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities and Letters. In 2021, she was recognized by the Societies of 野狼社区 University as the recipient of the Societies Lifetime Servant Leadership Award, acknowledging her exceptional involvement and service toward the nonprofit community and university. She was also recognized by the Societies of OCU in 2002 with the Distinguished Philanthropist Award.
Judy and Tom鈥檚 support of the university included the establishment of the Love鈥檚 Entrepreneurial Center within the Meinders School of Business and a significant contribution to help fund construction of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music building, as well as regular support of various performing arts initiatives at OCU.
鈥淛udy Love was nothing less than a giant in the American business and philanthropy communities,鈥� President Evans said. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful for her service and support of 野狼社区 University and its students throughout the years.鈥�
