Students, Professors & Alumni Center to Benefit from Funds
Oklahoma State University Receives $2 million Gift from ConocoPhillips

Gary Shutt
OSU News Bureau
Oklahoma State University
(405) 744-6260
06/02/05

Gene Batchelder, (right) ConocoPhillips Senior Vice President of Services, Chief Information Officer and ’69 OSU Accounting alumnus, presents a $2 million check to OSU System CEO and President David Schmidly. The funds will support a variety of academic endeavors that include scholarships, endowed chairs, visiting speakers, graduate studies, equipment purchases, career services, multicultural development and other academic projects. The gift will also support the new ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, which is scheduled for completion at the end of June. OSU officials are planning a grand opening for the public on September 3.

STILLWATER, OK - Oklahoma State University announced today gifts totaling $2 million from ConocoPhillips to benefit more than 30 campus units.  A check for the amount was presented recently to OSU System CEO and President David Schmidly and other key officials by Gene Batchelder, ConocoPhillips Senior Vice President of Services, Chief Information Officer and ’69 OSU Accounting alumnus.

“Students, parents, alumni, and friends of OSU are very aware of the tremendous impact that ConocoPhillips has made on the entire OSU System,” said Schmidly.  “We cannot thank everyone at ConocoPhillips enough for their genuine interest in the continued success of OSU.”

A long-time proponent of higher education, ConocoPhillips has given more than $21 million to OSU and remains the university’s largest corporate donor.

“ConocoPhillips’ generous investment in ‘The State’s University’ strengthens a longstanding relationship between OSU and one of Oklahoma’s premier corporate citizens,” said Schmidly.  “As the company that hires more OSU graduates than any other, ConocoPhillips’ leadership and valuable support will help educate and inspire new generations of leaders to achieve greatness.”

 "Oklahoma State University prepares leaders for ConocoPhillips; graduates who continue to elevate our direction and accomplishments as a company," said Batchelder.  "These gifts will help ensure beneficial outcomes for both OSU and ConocoPhillips for years to come.”

Funds were allocated as follows: $165,000 - College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology; $205,000 - Spears School of Business; $80,000 - Arts & Sciences; $1 million – pledge payment for ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center; $400,000 - ConocoPhillips S.P.I.R.I.T. Scholars Program; and $150,000 - Miscellaneous Support.

The funds will support a variety of academic endeavors such as scholarships, endowed chairs, visiting speakers, graduate studies, equipment purchases, career services, multicultural development and other academic projects.

The ConocoPhillips S.P.I.R.I.T. [Safety, People, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation, Teamwork] Scholars Program helps prepare students to not only be successful in the business world, but also to become effective corporate leaders.  While scholarships alone can make a significant impact, the S.P.I.R.I.T. scholars program serves as a flagship to corporate/university relations by adding enrichment activities such as visits to executive board rooms and ConocoPhillips facilities, as well as the enhancement of personal leadership skills that make the experience significant for ConocoPhillips and students.

 “Visionary corporate supporters such as ConocoPhillips recognize the benefit of increasing the skill level and number of qualified graduates entering tomorrow’s workforce,” said Kirk Jewell, OSU Foundation President and CEO.  “OSU continues to be enormously grateful for ConocoPhillips’ generosity and the valuable partnership this corporate leader has created with Oklahoma State University.”

The ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center is slated for completion at the end of June with a public grand opening on Sept. 3.  The new building will stand as one of the most visible signs of ConocoPhillips’ generosity to OSU.

For information about this page, send e-mail to Gary Shutt .