OU's Endowment reaches $1.24 Billion

[Pete]

September 19, 2013
Private giving to OU tops $194M
Transcript Staff
The Norman Transcript

TULSA — University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren announced Wednesday that OU received more than $194 million in private gifts and gifts-in-kind in Fiscal Year 2013, marking one of the top two fundraising years in OU history.

This year’s figure is second only to the $200 million received in 2008.

Private giving totaled $194,258,280, increasing OU’s endowment to more than $1.24 billion, Boren said.

Donors continued to provide major support in FY2013 for the top-priority Campaign for Scholarships, which now stands at approximately $230 million, including more than $180 million in endowed funds that will provide perpetual support for scholarships.

Along with the notable increase in overall giving, the number of private gifts rose to 53,065, an increase of 2,578 over last year. OU also received $45.2 million in corporate giving and $22.1 million in new pledges of support.

Additionally, the 2013 Campus Campaign topped more than $2 million. The campaign, included an increase in the number of faculty, staff and retirees participating, with 2,083 donors on OU’s three campuses. Since it began in 1993, more than $29.7 million has been raised through the Campus Campaign.

Major capital projects receiving private gifts include Headington Hall and the Stuart Wing of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art.

In addition, OU received private gifts for the renovation of the College of Dentistry building at the OU Health Sciences Center.

[soonerguru]

Boomer!

[ou48A]

That is great news, but I wonder what was going on in 2008 that might have cased the donation level to have been higher?

In the mean time Texas A&M raised $740 million in donations in the past fiscal year, a school record and more than $300 million better than any previous 12-month period in the school's history....$400 million was raised by UT in the same period.

Texas A&M raises record $740 million in donations over fiscal year - ESPN

[Pete]

^
The Texas A&M system has more than 125,000 students currently enrolled, which is at least 3 times larger than OU, even including the health sciences center and OU-Tulsa.

[ou48A]

Yes A&M is much larger, as is UT.
But looking at the large percentage jump and what caused it is interesting.
One can only wonder how much OU donations and admittance applications might jump if OU some how managed to win another football national title. OU has seen a direct impact to the university from past national titles. We should expect additional impact with another NC.

[jedicurt]

wasn't 2008, when the Stephenson's gave all the money for their second building on the Research Campus?

[soonerguru]

Yes A&M is much larger, as is UT.
But looking at the large percentage jump and what caused it is interesting.
One can only wonder how much OU donations and admittance applications might jump if OU some how managed to win another football national title. OU has seen a direct impact to the university from past national titles. We should expect additional impact with another NC.

I know that helps enrollment, and probably would have an impact, but I would guess the increase in donations has to do with the improving economy. We did have a major recession since 2008.

[ou48A]

I know that helps enrollment, and probably would have an impact, but I would guess the increase in donations has to do with the improving economy. We did have a major recession since 2008.

No doubt the poor economy has held down donations. According to the article the donation levels were highest in 2008.

The Price College of business is a great example of how a great football program can help the university. Michael Price had the money to attend any university that would admit him.. He chose OU because he said he wanted to go to place with a great football program. Since then he has donated about 25 million back to OU that I know of. His donations have help significantly improve the academic rankings of OU's College of Business.

[kevinpate]

... We should expect additional impact with another NC.

May be a spell before that becomes a factor. Hopefully, they have another avenue or two to make them look good nationally. Softball? Check. # merit Sholars? Check. High Quality band progra ... oh well, two outta three ain't so bad, huh.

[BG918]

OU's capital investments (new and renovated buildings) have slowed since the recession. Maybe this is a sign that will be changing and shelved projects like the Huffman renovation and aquatics center will be constructed. There has been steady construction but not on the same level as 2000-2010.

[Pete]

OU's capital investments (new and renovated buildings) have slowed since the recession. Maybe this is a sign that will be changing and shelved projects like the Huffman renovation and aquatics center will be constructed. There has been steady construction but not on the same level as 2000-2010.

I don't know that I agree with this.

There have been lots of capital projects this entire time... Several huge buildings in the Health Sciences Center, the new school of architecture, Headington Hall, the massive chilled water plant next to Huston Huffman, several projects in the south campus, etc.

I bet if you went back and added up the projects since 2008, they may be more than between 2000 and 2008.

[kevinpate]

Sholars ?


smh in shame, hide the degree in the trunk under a blankie and slowly drive away through the darkness.