A $500,000 gift from ֭Ƶ Trustee Ann Lacy completed the university’s $50 million Cradle of Dreams Campaign Jan. 31. ֭Ƶ 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 ֭Ƶ 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, ֭Ƶ’s vice president for university advancement and external relations, said all campaign supporters help ֭Ƶ students pursue their dreams.
“These generous gifts allow ֭Ƶ to give its students a quality educational experience in the United Methodist tradition of scholarship and service,” Cotton said. “We are fortunate to have a wonderful family of alumni, donors and friends who want the best for our students.”
The Cradle of Dreams Campaign wrapped up five months in advance of President Tom McDaniel’s upcoming retirement. ֭Ƶ has raised more than $150 million during McDaniel’s nine-year tenure. The university’s ambitious $100 million centennial development campaign doubled the university’s 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.
“We have seen tremendous growth at ֭Ƶ under the leadership of President Tom McDaniel,” Cotton said. “This 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 ֭Ƶ.”
Cotton said many great opportunities lie ahead for ֭Ƶ, especially with the vision of incoming ֭Ƶ President Judge Robert Henry.
“We are looking forward to building additional scholarship opportunities for students and launching the next campaign that will nurture our dreams,” he said.