New Senior Vice President Named at OSU Foundation An Oklahoma State University alumna, Debra Engle, has been named senior vice president of development for the Oklahoma State University [OSU] Foundation. Engle brings more than 20 years of development and higher education fundraising experience to the Foundation, and her deep-rooted ties to OSU span more than 15 years of service to various entities across campus. “I am so pleased to return to Oklahoma State University during an exciting time of transformation,” said Engle. “It is an exciting time to partner with OSU and President Hargis to engage our passionate supporters who continue to provide results beyond our imagination. It will be a privilege to work with the leadership of the foundation and this great university to serve Oklahoma and the nation.”

Debra Engle

Engle returns to OSU after serving a seven-year stint as senior vice president of development for the Iowa State University Foundation. In that role, she held numerous leadership positions as she worked with constituents to determine annual fundraising priority projects, direct feasibility studies and strategies and established ISU’s Women and Philanthropy program during her tenure. In 2003, ISU launched a successful comprehensive campaign, and private gifts to the university doubled under Engle’s leadership.

Prior to joining the ISU Foundation, Debra was a senior director of development at OSU. During her 16-year tenure at the OSU Foundation, she served in several advancement capacities. She has a B.S. from Abilene Christian University (‘75) and a M.S. from OSU (‘85).  She worked in various positions for OSU from 1982-1987.

Kirk Jewell, OSU Foundation president and CEO, stated, “We are delighted to be able to attract Deb back to OSU and the foundation.  Her years of development experience at OSU and leadership at the Iowa State University Foundation will serve us very well as we embrace the significant ambitions and goals of our new president, Burns Hargis. ” 

Engle has been active in a number of philanthropically-focused organizations across the country, and served as the inaugural president of the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at the Center on Philanthropy. She is also involved in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and is on the planning committee for Summit 08.

Engle’s husband David will also rejoin OSU’s Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources’ as director of the new Water Research and Extension Center and will also conduct research in natural resource and ecology management.  Their son, Jeff, also an OSU alumnus, currently lives in Edmond, Okla.

“I’m extremely pleased to welcome Debra Engle back to the Oklahoma State University Foundation,” said Monty Butts, chairman of the OSU Foundation. “I’m confident that her expertise in developing donor support will be a great enhancement to the future of our university.  Her leadership will benefit each of us as we strive to secure critical financial support for Oklahoma State.”

Top of page ^