Phyllis Hudecki '71 & '93

My dad went to OSU (when it was O A&M) in the mid 1930’s without any help from his family and in fact, they discouraged him. He always told us we would go to college. He said, “Education is the only thing that can’t be taken away from you, so you should get as much as you can.” He was an independent oil producer and oil was only about $1.60 @ barrel around the time I was graduating from high school. I am the oldest of three children, so when I was ready to go to OSU he told me they would make sacrifices to pay for my education. However, in turn, when I graduated with a degree and got a job it would be my responsibility to help with the expenses of my two sisters. By the time I was teaching in the early 1970’s, the price of oil had sky-rocketed so paying for college for my sisters wasn’t such a burden for my parents. I know I was fortunate to have the support and financial assistance from my family, but not everyone has that advantage. I work in education and believe all students need to be able to have access to higher education and training beyond high school, so I want to help. Besides, I still owe someone for my education since I didn’t have to help my sisters.

I believe giving is contagious!

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