22 minute read
Tigers Take Manhattan
Tigers Take Manhattan
Six adventurous dynamos and their program. advisors experienced firsthand the During their visit, the students had meaning of paying it forward on a trip to breakfast with Jim Gray (’82) at the East New York City over Spring Break. of Eighth Restaurant where he talked
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“The first day, we were like a mother about his passion for giving back and the hen with a bunch of chicks,” Wendell importance of their doing the same. Godwin, dean of the Harland C. “I saw a lot of myself at that age in Stonecipher School of Business and one of them,” Gray said. “These are young men the advisors who went along on the trip, and women from small towns, looking said. “By the fourth or fifth day, they didn’t to make their mark in the world. In my even want us around. They went from that profession, I work with many people with really scared sense where everything is degrees from some of the most ‘prestigious’ intimidating to where this isn’t so bad.” universities in the nation. Those people
As members of the elite two-year have nothing on the students from ECU. Student Scholar’s Program in the Jim Well, other than the fact that they paid Gray Center for Student Excellence in more for their education.” the Stonecipher School of Business and Gray has pledged $100,000 to the thanks to the generosity of a number of Stonecipher School of Business and at donors, the six received a scholarship of $97,000 is nearly at goal. A part of his $2,000 and, as a reward for being in the donation goes towards the Jim Gray program, an annual trip valued at $2,500. Center, the umbrella covering all of the
“I really enjoyed getting to see all of business clubs and organizations. the culture that is expressed in New York,” “ECU holds a special place in my Jaylea Lillard, a junior accounting major heart,” Gray said. “I made many friends with a certificate in banking and finance, there who were instrumental in shaping said. “It is so different than in Ada. You who I am today, not just professionally, can go from one district to another and a but also as a person. Regardless of where whole separate heritage is represented.” my life's journey takes me, ECU will
In addition to Lillard, Alan Dennis, a always be home.” junior accounting major; Brie Grimes, a Gray, a Byng graduate who now junior business administration major with specializes in converting utilities to SAP, a management concentration; Jiajun Lin, global software company, also visited with a junior business administration major the students about taking opportunities as with finance concentration; Kathryn they came about, remembering their roots Keiffer, a junior, accounting major; and and giving back to the community. Trevor Sutton, a senior accounting major; “He is a great guy and we are just also made the trip along with Godwin blessed to have people like that who give and Joe Dougherty, faculty director of the back to our school,” Godwin said.
Top Photo: The ECU delegation poses in front of one of the many iconic landmarks they saw on their trip.
Tigers Take Manhattan Student Scholars are invited to join hour tour and gave a presentation about the program based on their outstanding the current and future state of affairs at academic records, coupled with work the company and what specifically he was experience, involvement in activities at doing with the brand. school and in the community and a desire “The meeting with Michael Prince to represent the program well in public. in the corporate office of Cole Haan was “Student Scholars are the cream of the a cool experience as we got to have an crop,” Godwin said. informal discussion about how we could The six-day adventure included get from where we are in college to owning airfare, hotels, meals and NYC attractions. a business someday,” Sutton said. The only things students had to pay for At the end of the visit, members of the were their souvenirs. group received a Cole Haan VIP discount For most of them, who are from small card. towns in Oklahoma, it was their first time “It’s great for our students to see that in the Big Apple. Their nonstop itinerary people sat in the same chairs and had some included the Empire State Building, Ellis of the same professors that they have now Island, the World Trade Center Museum, and have gone on to do incredible things,” the Statue of Liberty and FAO Schwarz. Godwin said. Their nights on Broadway featured hits One of the commitments to being “Mamma Mia!” and “Jersey Boys.” in the Student Scholar’s Program is that “The Ellis Island tour, the 9/11 students all have to give back to ECU, a memorial and getting to meet and talk point well taken from the NYC alums. with ECU alumni that have gone very “Both Jim Gray and Michael Prince far in life were the highlights of my trip,” talked about how important it was to give Dennis said. back to your community,” Lillard said. As part of their ongoing business “Both have shown their passion for this in training, they toured the New York Stock their continuous support of the business Exchange, Wells Fargo and the trading school.” floor of the Bank of New York. The experience showed students “It was a real experience into the the importance of dedication, not dollar business world of a city like Manhattan,” amount, in making a difference in the Godwin said. long term. They made a special stop on the “It's important to give back to help business circuit at Cole Haan, a global those that follow,” Gray said. “I received lifestyle brand with a focus on men's and financial assistance and feel it is only right women's footwear and accessories, and that I pay it forward.” met with Michael Prince (‘93), president and COO. Prince took them on a one-
Right Middle Photo: Students mug with the Charging Bull, which is sometimes referred to as the Wall Street Bull or the Bowling Green Bull, that stands in Bowling Green Park in the Financial District in Manhattan.
2015 Distinguished Honorees
Distinguished Alumna Deborah Cornelison
Deborah Cornelison (‘83, ‘85) is a 2014-15 Albert Einstein Fellow as a National Science Foundation Education and Human Resources Directorate in the Division of Undergraduate Education in Washington D.C.
She taught ninth grade physical science for 26 years at Byng Junior High School. In 1988, she launched a science research program in advanced eighth and ninth grade science classes and later served as a mentor to high school students.
For 23 years, Cornelison supervised more than 300 laboratory and field projects, exceeding 300 student awards at regional, state, national and international levels. Her students’ accomplishments included Oklahoma State Science and Engineering Fair state championship teams in 1998 and 2004, Oklahoma Junior Academy of Science junior high team championships for six years, grand award winner at the 2004 National American Indian Science and Engineering Fair and 10 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair finalists.
Additionally, Cornelison was a team leader of the eCYBERMISSION National Team, made up of ninth graders, in the U.S. Army’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) competition, taking first place. Seven of her other teams captured Southwest/Pacific Region awards in competitions from 2006-2011.
For 16 years, Cornelison taught biological and physical sciences in summers and on Saturdays during the academic year in Upward Bound programs for high school students at ECU. She began her teaching career as an ECU adjunct instructor in biology and general physical science from 1985-1988.
Cornelison earned both a master of education degree with a concentration in secondary education and a bachelor of science in biology, with a chemistry minor, from ECU
Deborah Cornelison
as well. She obtained an associate of science degree from Seminole State College.
Her Oklahoma teaching credentials include biology, chemistry, general science and physical science for grades 6-12, while also holding a credential as a principal.
Cornelison also earned National Board Certification in Adolescent and Young Adulthood Science from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in 1999 and was recertified in 2008.
Distinguished Alumnus Todd Graham
Todd Graham, a 1987 and 1992 ECU graduate from Mesquite, Texas, has spent the last three years as the head coach of the Arizona State Sun Devils, guiding them to back-to-back 10-win seasons, including a Pac-12 championship in 2013 in which Graham was named Pac12 Coach of the Year.
Since taking over as the Arizona State head football coach, the Sun Devils have posted a 28-12 overall record in three seasons, including a 10-3 mark in 2014. Graham also had head coaching stints at Rice, Tulsa and Pittsburgh.
At Tulsa, he led the Golden Hurricane to a 36-17 record from 2007-2010 as three of those four teams claimed or shared first place in the West Division of Conference USA. In his one year as the Rice head football coach in 2006, he guided the Owls to their first bowl game in 45 years and was named Conference USA Coach of the Year.
Graham was a two-time NAIA All-American defensive back at ECU after graduating from North Mesquite High School as an all-state defensive back in 1983. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ECU.
He began his coaching career at Poteet High School/ Middle School in Mesquite from 1988-90. He then helped lead ECU from a .500 winning-percentage program into NAIA national champions in his third year as he served as defensive coordinator from 1991-1993. One year later, he
Todd Graham
taught and coached at Carl Albert High School in Midwest City and ultimately spent time as a football coach and athletic director at Allen High School in Texas from 19952000.
Graham was hired as a West Virginia assistant coach in 2001 and one year later was promoted to defensive coordinator of the Mountaineers as WVU went from a 3-8 record to 9-4, the top turnaround in the nation in 2002.
He was hired as the defensive coordinator at Tulsa, under head coach Steve Kragthorpe, in 2003 where the Golden Hurricane experienced a massive turnaround of their own from a 1-11 record in 2002 to an 8-5 mark in 2003. Tulsa, under the defensive coaching efforts of Graham, went to a pair of bowl games before he became the head coach at Rice.
As featured speaker of the afternoon commencement ceremonies on May 9, 2015, Graham had the honor of presenting his daughter, Haylee, with her diploma.
Distinguished Family The Higginbotham Family
The memory of Dorothy Higginbotham (‘47), who passed away in 2005, is preserved each year with the awarding of multiple $1,000 Higginbotham Family scholarships to ECU students.
Higginbotham left a $1 million gift to the ECU Foundation to be applied toward these scholarships.
Dorothy came from a family of 10 children, nine of whom attended and/or graduated from ECU. Her focus and passion on education can be derived from a family in which six of the seven girls ultimately became teachers.
Following Higginbotham’s death, one of Dorothy’s sisters, Kay Davis, received a letter from the University of Oklahoma Board of Regents praising Higginbotham’s contributions to OU through her talent and dedication.
In the letter, she was recognized for her worldwide expertise in the use and development of children’s language, especially as it related to and interacted with culture, ethnicity and cognition.
Higginbotham spent more than 20 years at OU as professor, associate dean and director of graduate studies. In addition, she was an active member of groups ranging from the Undergraduate and Graduate Awards Committees to the Faculty Senate, University Appeals Board, College of Arts and Sciences Grants and Fellowships Committee and Teacher Certification and Accreditation Committee for the College of Education. She also served many students by directing their doctoral dissertations.
During her career, Higginbotham was responsible for the research and publication of more than 15 reports and
Dorothy Higginbotham
articles, multiple book chapters and additional papers and lectures which were published or delivered at meetings, conferences or symposiums.
Distinguished Service Kellogg & Sovereign® Consulting, LLC Distinguished Former Faculty Dr. Donald G. Stafford (Posthumous)
Kellogg & Sovereign® Consulting, LLC, a professional consulting firm located in Ada, was recognized by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for its valued business partnership with ECU.
Co-owned by Jane Kellogg (’80) and Debi Sovereign, Kellogg & Sovereign provides consulting services for schools, libraries and healthcare providers in order to receive funding from the FCC’s Universal Service programs.
Kellogg & Sovereign has been a supreme supporter of ECU with the recent establishment of a Business Scholars Leadership Program within the Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.
The new program includes three levels of student engagement and recognition opportunities: student leaders, deans’ council and student scholars. The student scholars took a trip to New York City over spring break to visit Wall Street, tour large businesses and engage in cultural activities.
Funding for this program isn’t the first investment that Kellogg & Sovereign has made at ECU. With the opening of the Chickasaw Business and Conference Center and Stonecipher School of Business in 2013, Kellogg & Sovereign funded the technology in the new financial lab.
As a result, ECU has a student resource not normally found in an institution its size.
In addition to hiring ECU graduates, Kellogg & Sovereign also supports ECU’s nationally-recognized Oklahoma Business Week summer camp for high school students and the Stonecipher School of Business awards and scholarship banquet. Dr. Donald G. Stafford taught at ECU from 1961 until his retirement in 1995. During his ECU tenure, Stafford focused his energies on the development of creative instruction methods of teaching science to elementary, secondary and college-level students and educating teachers how better to teach science to elementary and secondary-level students.
He also worked to dispel the myth that science is inconsistent with the Christian faith.
One of his most popular self-published books was a brief pamphlet entitled, “Things I Know about God and Man.” He distributed thousands of copies of this work to students, friends and colleagues over the years as copies turned up all over the world.
Stafford published more than 20 books and 50 articles on techniques of science education and wrote poetry in his retirement. He had two volumes of poetry printed and had recited his poetry to groups and churches around Oklahoma.
He was a member of the Ada Writers Club and was twice nominated for poet laureate for the state of Oklahoma.
At the time of his death in 2012, he and his wife Jane had been married for 60 years and were active members of Ada First Baptist Church.
The Dr. Donald G. Stafford Centennial Scholarship was established at ECU in Stafford’s memory by Jane and their sons – Dr. Michael Stafford, D.O.; Robert Stafford and Joel Stafford.
He has eight grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren.
Shortly before his death in 2012, when asked about his goals in life, he simply said, “I wanted to be a good teacher, a man of God and a scientist.”
Distinguished Former Faculty Dr. Bill Osborne
Dr. Bill Osborne (‘71, ‘73) spent 19 years at ECU where he served as the director of the Grants and Research Center and was a faculty member and dean in the College of Education and Psychology.
He also served as the Director of the Federal Leadership Educational Administration Development (LEAD) program from Oklahoma.
Osborne holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ECU and a doctorate from the University of Oklahoma.
He is a former Navy officer and aviator, former manager in business and industry and a former high school teacher and principal.
Osborne met and married his wife, Christy, at ECU.
Their daughter, Kendra, was born in Ada. She is also an ECU alum, holding a master’s degree in library science.
Bill retired in 2011. He and Christy currently reside in Norman.
How an Endowment Works
A donor gives to the Foundation to establish a named endowed scholarship in an area of his or her passion.The minimum amount for a Foundation Endowment is $10,000 while the minimum for Centennial Endowment recognition is $15,000.
The gift is entered into the ECU Foundation Endowment fund.
A portion of the earnings on the invested funds will be used for distribution as scholarships to students, while the fund’s principal amount remains intact.
The donor works with the Foundation staff to develop criteria for the scholarship and guidelinesforitsdistribution. A scholarship agreement is signed by both parties.
The Foundation’s Investment
Committee invests the donor’s gift in accordance with the Foundation’s investment objectives to maximize returns and minimize risk.
By reinvesting the remainder of the earnings, the scholarship continues to grow and is protected from inflation, providing annual support to ECU’s students for decades to come.
2015 Centennial Endowments
Charles and Lila Acker Centennial Math Endowment The Ackers are both ECU graduates and both majored in math. They also have numerous advanced degrees, but Charles has stated that they both agreed that their math degrees from ECU were the most important in their lives. This scholarship was awarded for the first time in fall of 2015. Justice Rudolph Hargrave Centennial
Memorial Legal Studies Endowment This scholarship was established by Madeline Hargrave and John and Kay Hargrave after the death of Justice Hargrave in the spring of 2014. Justice Hargrave’s accomplishments were many and this scholarship will be used to assist students who will be majoring in legal studies and planning to attend law school.
Martha (Eubank/Wallace) Rhynes Centennial Endowment Martha Rhynes, an ECU graduate, former teacher, and prolific author, served on the Foundation’s Board of Trustees for several years and was the chair of the Scholarship Committee for three years. She established this scholarship in 2012 to assist non-traditional female students who are attending ECU while single, working and raising a family. Leon and Wanda Biddy
Centennial Memorial Endowment This scholarship was established by family and friends after the death of Leon in April 2014. Mr. Biddy served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during WWII and he and his wife Wanda owned and operated Biddy Printing Company in Ada. Leon served on the ECU Foundation’s Board of Trustees and was an active member of several other civic organizations. This scholarship will be used to assist an ECU student who is an active member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity and was awarded for the first time in the fall of 2015.
2015 Centennial Endowments
Robert C. Coleman
Centennial Memorial Endowment This scholarship was first established in 1987 by the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity after Robert’s tragic death. Additional donations from Brad and Sandra Thompson, have elevated this scholarship to the centennial level. This scholarship has been used, and will continue to be used, for the benefit of a student who is a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Chris Lane Centennial Memorial Endowment Chris, an ECU student from Melbourne, Australia, was on a baseball scholarship and preparing for his senior year when he was fatally shot in Duncan, Okla. while visiting his girlfriend. This scholarship was established with donations in his memory and will be used to assist a student-athlete who no longer has eligibility under NCAA guidelines to complete a degree while serving as a graduate assistant coach in the baseball program.
W. E. and Minnie (Curtis) Martin Centennial Book Endowment In 2011, Pete and Jackie Duncan, along with Pete’s cousin Don Martin and his wife Maria, established this scholarship in memory of their grandparents who were longtime teachers in Seminole County. They have steadily added to the balance of the scholarship, working toward an endowment. Dorothy Merrick, a donor who made an additional gift in memory of her husband and son, elevated this scholarship to the centennial level, and it was awarded for the first time in fall of 2015. Holloway Centennial Accounting Endowment This endowment has been established by brother and sister Alan and Anita Holloway, who are both ECU graduates. Alan is now an attorney with McAfee and Taft, while Anita is a CPA with Ernst and Young. Anita also worked for the ECU Foundation while she was in college and Alan serves on the ECU Foundation’s Board of Trustees. They have established this endowment to assist students who are planning to major in accounting.
Ken Turner
Centennial Athletic Endowment Coach Turner came to ECU as a student-athlete and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees from ECU. In 1967, he became a member of the ECU faculty, and served as both the head baseball coach, assistant men’s basketball coach and department chair. The ECU Foundation and ECU Athletics announced the creation of the Ken Turner Athletic Campaign in October 2014 which included the naming of the baseball field in Coach Turner’s honor and also the establishment of this Centennial Endowment which has been funded by former players and coaches. The scholarship will be used in the same way as the Chris Lane Endowment—to assist students who are no longer eligible to play, but are still completing their degree.
Judith Whomble Centennial International Student Endowment
This endowment will be used to provide assistance to international students attending ECU. It was established in memory of Judith Whomble by her friends and colleagues. Commitment to Championships Centennial Campaign
This endowment was the brainchild of Craig Scheef, former ECU football player, Milam award winner and current chair of the ECU Foundation Board of Trustees. All proceeds from this campaign will be used to assist the football and other athletic programs at ECU.
Joe and June Sims Centennial Cartography/Geography Endowment
Dr. Sims taught geography at ECU for many years and a scholarship was established in his memory by friends, colleagues, and former students. After his wife’s death in 2013, additional donations were made in her memory by friends and family members which elevated the scholarship to the centennial level. This scholarship is awarded each spring to the cartography/geography student with the highest grade- point average.
Jerry Anderson was a longtime basketball coach at ECU who passed away in 1982. This endowment was made possible by gifts from friends, colleagues, former players and family members to honor this memorable coach.
HOW TO GIVE TO YOUR UNIVERSITY
Donors give to the East Central University Foundation, Inc. for many different reasons. Some want to repay the investment that others made in them. Some want to give a gift that adds value to the university and that also brings deeper meaning to their lives. Some simply want to support the ECU family and make a positive impact on the faculty, staff and students of the future.
Whatever the reason, donor gifts are important to the ECU Foundation and to the university, and there are various ways to donate.
The ECU Foundation will accept any level of gift, and in all cases, the wishes of the donor will be the guiding principle as to how the funds are used.
Donors frequently specify an endowed scholarship, academic department fund, endowed lectureship/ professorship/chair or capital improvement project as the target of their benevolence.
The ECU Foundation encourages you to discuss the various methods of giving with your accountant and/or attorney in order to select the giving mechanism which best fits your circumstances. Flexible options allow you to demonstrate your commitment and maximize your support of the university’s mission.
There are many ways to give to ECU Here are the most common types of gifts...
Gifts of Cash, Check or Credit Card
These gifts are always welcome because they are available immediately to strengthen the ECU Foundation and the university or begin earning income for the future.
Gifts-in-Kind
Donations of software, licenses, services, vendor products and other property also support the mission and programs of ECU. These gifts-in-kind allow the ECU Foundation to use resources for other needs while you get credit for your support.
Gifts of Trusts
This can include charitable remainder trusts, unitrusts, lead trusts, family trusts, annuity trusts, etc., that can avoid capital gains taxes and provide an annual income for life.
Gifts of Real Property
Real estate, homes, business property and farmland which have grown in value can result in capital gains taxes if sold, but tax advantages are available through a charitable gift to the ECU Foundation. When the ECU Foundation acquires your gift of appreciated stock or property, you receive a tax deduction equal to its fair market value and also avoid a costly capital gains tax on the increase in value.
Gifts of Securities
These gifts include stocks, bonds, mutual funds and IRAs, and are also available immediately to impact the work of the ECU Foundation.
Gifts of Personal Property
Personal property can include coin collections, antique cars, gun collections, artwork, musical instruments, etc.
Gifts of Insurance
Naming the ECU Foundation as the owner and/or beneficiary of your life insurance policy is also an option, especially when your policy has a face amount that is much greater than the amount you could afford to give in cash.
By assigning ownership to the ECU Foundation and making the ECU Foundation the beneficiary of an old policy that is no longer needed for its original purpose, such as sheltering children’s education, you can make a substantial gift at a low cost and take an immediate income tax deduction for the value of the policy. You can then contribute an amount equal to the policy’s premiums to the ECU Foundation and deduct that gift as a charitable contribution.
Proceeds of the policy will pass to the ECU Foundation free of estate taxes. New policies may also be obtained listing the ECU Foundation as the owner and/or beneficiary as a part of financial or estate planning.
