The OSU Lew Wentz Foundation not only exemplifies Wentz’s foresight and generosity. It also shows the value of an endowment. Because of its growth over time, it provides more support to OSU over a four-year span than the value of the initial estate gift. That is why its impact has been exponential, as Roark says, instead of having been spent decades before the birth of today’s OSU students.
PHOTO / KASI KENNEDY
back. That has led to the modern version, where repayment is made through a debt to society. Scholars are chosen based on performance, potential and commitment. “I am very proud of the accomplishments of the board over the years and the number of students who have been helped,” he says. “The fact the endowment has kept up with the economy for so many years is impressive and the amount of money used each year to benefit the students has tended to increase as necessary. We will always have discussions on the method and the intent of the endowment.”
PHOTO / KASI KENNEDY
The OSU Lew Wentz Foundation is guided by four men on its board including, from left, Steven G. Bradshaw, president of the Bank of Oklahoma; Burns Hargis, president of OSU; Jim Orbison, an attorney and distinguished member of the OSU Alumni Association; and Tom Muchmore, editor and publisher of “The Ponca City News.” Trish Houston Prawl, front right, is the administrator of the OSU Lew Wentz Foundation and a former Wentz Scholar. PHOTO / EDMON LOW LIBRARY ARCHIVES
Lew Wentz, center, talks with actress Irene Rich and Dean W.L. Blizzard of OAMC’s Agriculture Department at the California home of the late Will Rogers in 1947.
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