THANKS A MILLION FOR YOUR RECORD-BREAKING SUPPORT

Because of the generous support of more than 32,000 of you – our alumni and friends - thousands of OSU students and faculty will receive monumental financial support in the areas of scholarship, endowed faculty positions, program support and facility upgrades.

Your incredible dedication has made the fiscal year ending June 30 another record-breaking fundraising year for Oklahoma State University Foundation with gifts totaling an unprecedented $248 million.  Thank you!

During these turbulent economic times it is critical that we do not deviate from our commitment to provide every willing and capable student an OSU degree.

Although it is understandable to become fearful with the financial uncertainty and a struggling economy, our students and faculty need our support more than ever.  Both President Hargis and the OSU Foundation are wholeheartedly optimistic that Oklahoma State University is positioned for unprecedented growth in the coming years. 

Through your financial assistance, the following examples demonstrate the impetus of that optimism moving forward.

Your amazing support also positively affected many areas within the organization as well. The foundation’s market value of endowment funds eclipsed $448 million, an increase of 48 percent over the previous fiscal year. 

Additionally, the annual giving program continued to receive an increasing level of support raising a record $1.2 million, which included more than $439,000 raised for the general scholarship fund. 

Deferred (estate) commitments, which provide a critical and sustained level of gift support for OSU’s future totaled $37.1 million and are designated to benefit areas campus-wide.    

The Pooled Investment Fund investment return for the year ended June 30 was 4.7 percent compared with a -4.7percent peer return of large foundations, a -6.6 percent benchmark return, and -13.1 percent return for the S&P 500 for the comparable period. 

Most notably, the historic $100 million matching gift from T. Boone Pickens inspired roughly 900 individuals, companies and foundations to donate $68 million in support of OSU’s endowed faculty position program.  This initiative will increase OSU’s number of professorships and faculty chairs from 101 to potentially more than 275.

OSU Foundation officials attribute the endowed faculty position success as well as the overall success to the steadfast commitment from alumni and friends of the university who see the potential of OSU, believe in the mission and invest in their passions.

The foundation was also the recipient of a historic $57.2 million gift from Texas oil and ranching alumni Amy and Malone Mitchell 3rd that will create a state-of-the-art entrepreneurship program within the Spears School of Business and provide significant support for the university’s athletic programs. 

With $22 million designated for chairs within the business school, the Mitchells’ academic gift will have an impact of $94.6 million once fully matched dollar-for-dollar by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education as well as T. Boone Pickens’ chair match commitment.  This places the gift’s total cumulative academic and athletic impact at $123.2 million.

The university has experienced a number of record-setting fundraising totals in past years.  Fiscal year 2007 raised $85 million while fiscal year 2006 boasted a $104.7 million fundraising year; all of which topped the $56 million raised in fiscal year 2005.  In fact, fundraising totals for fiscal year 2008 exceed the combined total raised during the past three years.

Overall, nearly 60 percent of gifts received were from alumni, more than 20 percent were from friends, 6 percent were from corporations and foundations, and 13 percent were from other sources.

You have demonstrated a commitment to our future and our people through your most generous support – and on their behalf we humbly thank you for your belief in OSU.  Together, we are looking forward to a greater, brighter orange future.

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