$1 million gift from OSU Alumnus Creates One of Nation’s Premier Dean of Libraries Position
& Serves as Largest Gift Ever to OSU Library

Clerico vision to create nation’s leading land-grant library

Oklahoma State University announced today the largest single gift to the OSU library with a $1 million gift from John Clerico of Tulsa, Okla. to endow a dean of libraries chair.  Additionally, Oklahoma A&M Regent Calvin Anthony and his wife, Linda, also added nearly $80,000 to the library position. Once fully matched dollar-for-dollar by T. Boone Pickens’ $100 million chair match commitment, as well as the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, the gift will provide more than $4 million of impact in endowed funds.

The chairman of ChartMark Investments, Clerico received a business degree from OSU in 1964.  He currently serves on the board of trustees of the OSU Foundation.  Clerico’s gift creates the first endowed chair at OSU’s Edmon Low Library and also establishes the position as one of the largest endowed library dean’s chair in the country.   

“The response from our alumni and friends has exceeded our wildest expectations,” said OSU President Burns Hargis.  “Inspired by Boone Pickens’ astounding generosity, donors answered the call to make a lasting difference and open a new and exciting chapter at OSU.  We sincerely appreciate everything John Clerico has done for OSU and want to say a special thanks for this important gift.” 

In order to take full advantage of the state’s dollar-for-dollar match, and make the most significant impact on OSU academics, Clerico made the gift prior to the July 1 change in the state’s endowed chair matching program.  This gift is part of the $66.8 million in endowed faculty gifts OSU announced recently and will create the Clerico Family Chair in Library Excellence.

Clerico’s ambition for the OSU library is to make it the premier land-grant university library in the country through a strategic plan evaluating student access, proprietary database systems, technology and facilities.

“The OSU Foundation and President Hargis have both articulated a vision to become the best land-grant university and foundation in the nation, and I don’t believe there is any way we can be the best without the best library.  My plan is to get an independent evaluation of the library and its capabilities and then develop strategies that will make us the best on all levels,” said Clerico.  “I’ve had an allegiance to the library for some time, and of course the incredible generosity of Boone Pickens plus the state match made the timing of this an easy decision for me.”

“Calvin and I were inspired to make our contribution to the library because of John's generous gift and because of programs like the visiting authors lectures,” said Linda.  “We believe the library to be the centerpiece of our great university, and we want to do our part to make the necessary improvements to make our library the best in the Big 12 Conference.”

Jean Van Delinder, chair of the OSU Faculty Council, said, “OSU is poised for growth and further prominence but to realize its full potential we must continue to attract and retain top scholars and researchers. These chairs highlight the important role that scholarship and teaching play at Oklahoma State University, and they are made possible through the generous support of donors who value excellence in scholarship and want to help OSU continue to nurture a strong faculty.”

Endowed professorships and chairs are academic designations which provide support for faculty salary, graduate assistantships, equipment and research needs, as well as other support.  These endowed faculty positions allow a university to attract and retain the best and the brightest academic minds in the world.

Oklahoma’s only university with a statewide presence, Oklahoma State University is a five-campus, public land-grant educational system that improves the lives of people in Oklahoma, the nation, and the world through integrated, high-quality teaching, research and outreach.  OSU has more than 32,000 students across its system and nearly 21,000 on its Stillwater campus; with students from all 50 states and around 110 nations.  Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 200,000 students who have made a lasting impact on Oklahoma and the world.  

The Oklahoma State University Foundation serves as the private fundraising organization for OSU, as designated by the OSU Regents. Its mission is to unite donor and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence.

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