Gary Byrd '76

As a graduate of OSU, I, along with the many others, give to the University to help improve the educational and career opportunities for its students. I am very lucky that my employer, Anadarko Petroleum Corporation, shares a commitment to education with its employees and sponsors a matching donation program.

Without our support, OSU cannot move forward and compete with other quality institutions around the country. It is a competition that never stands still. Our graduates must be able to prove themselves to be highly employable and on par with graduates from any other university. Without those qualifications, they will not be able to thrive in the global marketplace.

We have an obligation to return the gift that OSU has given us. We must build upon its foundation to keep it relevant and explore the outer boundaries of excellence.  This takes top facilities and faculty. This takes financial backing on a large scale.

Without our financial support and time, the University cannot progress. State funding, tuitions and fees are insufficient to even maintain the status quo.  Supporters must make up the balance and provide opportunities to grow OSU. This includes the hiring of top educators and providing scholarships and tuition rates that attract the best and brightest students, regardless of their personal financial situation.

I also believe support of our athletic programs is important.  Successful programs provide student athletes with educational and professional (sporting and non-sporting) opportunities while keeping the alumni base interested and involved in OSU. If anyone thinks that that alums remain connected in mass to a university without such programs, they are kidding themselves. Every event we attend and every article we read binds us to our alma mater.

Finally, support is personal. My daughter, who has the qualifications to be accepted to just about any university she chooses, is now enrolled and will attend OSU this fall.  I am proud she feels that OSU is the best place for her. I want her to have a great OSU experience and receive the education she deserves. My financial support is a part of that. Each of us may be creating a special opportunity for someone close to us.

We can’t expect the “other guy” to carry the load. Our wealthy alums have been very generous of late; however, it is not up to them to shoulder all the responsibility. It is one we all share and one from which we all benefit.

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