Who Is Oklahoma State'S Biggest Donor?

Oklahoma State University (OSU), located in Stillwater, Oklahoma, is the largest public research university in the state. Established in 1890 as Oklahoma Agricultural and Mechanical College, the school was renamed Oklahoma A&M College in 1957 and gained university status in 1957. OSU is known for excellence in several academic fields, notably its nationally ranked agriculture, engineering, and business programs.

Philanthropic support from donors is crucial for OSU in providing funding for building projects, academic programs, scholarships, faculty positions, and more. The OSU Foundation, established in 1961, oversees fundraising and management of donations on behalf of the university. Over the years, OSU has benefited from the generosity of many individuals, corporations, and organizations. However, one donor stands above the rest in terms of the impact and scope of his contributions to OSU – the late oilman and entrepreneur T. Boone Pickens.

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T. Boone Pickens

T. Boone Pickens was an American business magnate and financier who made his fortune in the oil and gas industry. Born in 1928 in Oklahoma, Pickens founded Mesa Petroleum in 1956 and built it into one of the largest independent oil companies in the United States. In the 1980s, Pickens became known as a corporate raider and made failed bids to acquire companies like Gulf Oil, Phillips Petroleum, and Unocal. He later shifted his focus to natural gas investments and founded BP Capital to manage his commodities funds. In 2006, BusinessWeek estimated Pickens’ net worth at $3 billion.

Pickens had a deep connection to his home state of Oklahoma. He grew up in Holdenville and attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater on a basketball scholarship. Pickens donated over $600 million to OSU over his lifetime, with much of the money going to academics and athletics. His gifts transformed the university and helped elevate OSU’s profile.

In total, Pickens donated over $1 billion to charitable causes during his lifetime. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 91, leaving behind a legacy as a prominent oilman, investor, and philanthropist.

Sources:

[Oklahoma State University Receives $120 Million Gift from T. Boone Pickens Foundation](https://news.okstate.edu/articles/communications/2023/oklahoma_state_university_receives_a_120_million_gift_from_t_boone_pickens_foundation.html)

[T. Boone Pickens Foundation donates $120 million to OSU](https://www.stwnewspress.com/news/t-boone-pickens-foundation-donates-120-million-to-osu/article_66a4d7de-0fa3-11ee-bc86-a7b9a2f4868a.html)

Pickens’ Donations to OSU

T. Boone Pickens has been the largest donor to Oklahoma State University. His donations have transformed OSU’s athletics programs and academic offerings.

In 2003, Pickens donated $70 million to OSU as part of the school’s “Next Level” campaign, with $20 million allocated for renovations to the football stadium (now named Boone Pickens Stadium) and the rest going to establish an athletic village and fund other athletic facility upgrades (https://pistolsfiringblog.com/t-boone-pickens-history-of-generous-giving-at-oklahoma-state/).

In 2005, Pickens gave $165 million to fund the establishment of the OSU Institute for Health Sciences, aimed at recruiting research expertise and developing cutting-edge health programs (https://news.okstate.edu/articles/communications/2019/t-boone-pickens-the-legacy-that-transformed-osu.html).

In 2008, Pickens made a record $250 million gift to OSU, with $100 million going towards Pickens Hall business school and $83 million for renovating Gallagher-Iba Arena. The rest established an athletics fund and scholarships (https://tulsaworld.com/sports/college/osu/t-boone-pickens-major-donation-oklahoma-state/article_ad36f66e-0f21-11ee-a4ef-f359806b3bd1.html).

Altogether, Pickens donated over $652 million to OSU throughout his lifetime, having an immense impact on OSU’s growth and success.

OSU Athletic Facilities

T. Boone Pickens has donated over $500 million to Oklahoma State University, much of which has gone towards athletics facilities (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boone_Pickens_Stadium). His donations have helped transform OSU’s athletic programs and facilities.

The most notable facility named after Pickens is Boone Pickens Stadium, home of the OSU Cowboys football team. Boone Pickens Stadium opened in 1920 and has undergone numerous expansions and renovations funded by Pickens’ donations over the years (https://okstate.com/sports/2015/6/18/GEN_0618155302). The stadium currently seats over 60,000 fans.

Other OSU athletic facilities supported by Pickens include the Boone Pickens School of Biomedical Sciences, the Pickens Legacy Indoor Practice Facility used by the football team, the Michael & Anne Greenwood Tennis Center, and more. Pickens’ donations have elevated OSU’s athletic facilities to be on par with top collegiate programs.

OSU Academic Programs

T. Boone Pickens’ donations have supported numerous academic programs at Oklahoma State University. In 2008, Pickens gave $165 million to OSU’s business school, resulting in it being renamed the T. Boone Pickens School of Business (1). This transformational gift allowed the business school to greatly expand its programs and facilities. According to the OSU Foundation, over $80 million from Pickens has also gone towards student scholarships within the business school (2).

Outside of the business school, Pickens has supported programs across disciplines at OSU. In 2006, he gave $63 million to establish the T. Boone Pickens School of Geology, allowing for growth in geology research and education (3). Over $20 million has been donated by Pickens towards the establishment of an Athletics academics center and other academic support programs for student-athletes (4). Additionally, funds from Pickens have established a leadership center, helped upgrade classroom technology, and supported programs in entrepreneurship and energy management (5).

With his gifts, Pickens has helped strengthen OSU’s academic offerings and supported the university’s rise as a top public research institution. His donations have created new schools, funded scholarships, enhanced research, and expanded critical student support services.

Student Scholarships

T. Boone Pickens has provided significant funding for student scholarships at Oklahoma State University. In 2008, OSU President Burns Hargis announced a $100 million gift from Pickens to endow OSU scholarships. This established the Pickens Scholarship Fund, which supports over 600 scholar awards each year [1]. Additionally, the Boone Pickens School of Geology awards undergraduate scholarships chosen by the school but funded through the OSU Office of Scholarship and Financial Aid [2]. The Boone Pickens Scholars Fund also provides scholarships for incoming geology students at OSU [3]. Through his transformational donations, Pickens has opened the door to higher education for thousands of students.

Other Major Donors

There are several major donors to Oklahoma State University besides T. Boone Pickens. According to the Oklahoma State Athletics Top 150 Donors list, other top donors include Malone & Amy Mitchell, Sherman & Nancy Smith, Jeff & Tracy Anderson, and Bill & Margaret Annis.

Other leading donors recognized by OSU include Ann Hargis, Cathey Humphreys, Helen Hodges, Peggy Helmerich, Anne Greenwood, Linda Cline, Malinda Berry Fischer, and Billie McKnight. Many of these donors have provided gifts to support building projects, scholarships and academic programs at OSU.

While their donations may be smaller than Pickens’ record $652 million commitment, these donors have still contributed millions of dollars over the years to help make OSU a leading public research university. Their philanthropic support helps provide educational opportunities for OSU students.

Donor Recognition

In recognition of his generous donations, Pickens has received honors and recognitions from OSU. Pickens’ name adorns several OSU facilities including the T. Boone Pickens Stadium, the T. Boone Pickens Academic Complex, and the T. Boone Pickens Habitat at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. In 1997, OSU created the “T. Boone Pickens Distinguished Chair in Internal Medicine” to recruit eminent specialists for teaching and research. Pickens has also received honorary degrees from OSU and is a member of OSU’s President’s Club for lifetime giving over $1 million (Benefits of Recognition – President’s Club).

Other major OSU donors who have lifetime giving over $1 million are also recognized through the President’s Club with exclusive benefits like membership medallions, newsletters, invitations to special university events, and named spaces on campus (Donor Recognition | Fisher College of Business). OSU aims to recognize all donors appropriately based on giving level. Recognition is a way for the university to show appreciation for donor’s generosity and investments in OSU’s mission.

Ongoing Support

Even after retiring from BP Capital in 2013, T. Boone Pickens continued his generous support of Oklahoma State University. In June 2023, the T. Boone Pickens Foundation announced a massive $120 million gift to OSU, the largest gift in school history (https://news.okstate.edu/articles/communications/2023/oklahoma_state_university_receives_a_120_million_gift_from_t_boone_pickens_foundation.html). The donation includes $95 million to fund a range of scholarships and academic programs. Pickens has long been committed to providing educational opportunities to OSU students, having already donated over $300 million towards scholarships.

Beyond academics, Pickens remains dedicated to elevating OSU’s athletic facilities and programs. The 2023 gift allocates $25 million for upgrades to athletic facilities like Boone Pickens Stadium. With over $500 million in lifetime athletic donations, Pickens has spearheaded multiple capital campaigns to give OSU top-tier sports venues and recruiting capabilities.

Even in his 90s, Pickens continues to be OSU’s most ardent supporter and plays an active role in the university’s future. His lifetime giving to academics and athletics exceeds $650 million (https://tboonepickensfoundation.org/education-and-athletics/), cementing his legacy as OSU’s foremost patron.

Conclusion

T. Boone Pickens has had an incredibly positive impact and far-reaching legacy at Oklahoma State University. His generous donations, totaling over $650 million to date, have transformed OSU in numerous ways. Pickens helped build state-of-the-art athletic facilities that have elevated OSU’s sports teams to new heights. He funded academic programs and endowed chairs that enhanced the quality of education across all disciplines. His student scholarships opened the doors for thousands to attain a college degree. Beyond just money, Pickens gave his time, advice, and advocacy to strengthen OSU over decades. His deep loyalty and dedication to his alma mater set an example for all. Even in his later years, Pickens continued to generously support OSU’s future growth. Though he has passed on, his legacy lives on through the T. Boone Pickens Stadium, Pickens School of Geology, and most importantly, through the lives of countless students and alumni who have benefitted from his vision and generosity. Boone Pickens’ impact on Oklahoma State University simply cannot be overstated. He will forever be remembered as OSU’s biggest and most beloved donor.