The East Central University (ECU) Foundation has awarded more than $850,000 in scholarships for the Fall 2025 semester, marking a historic high for any Fall semester in the Foundation’s history.
This unprecedented level of support reflects a nearly $300,000 increase compared to Fall 2024, when $569,500 in scholarships was awarded.
“This support is creating meaningful opportunities and touching every department across campus. We are truly honored to partner with each donor to help ECU students reach their fullest potential.”
Currently, the Foundation manages 382 scholarships, up from 369 in the 2023-24 academic year. Every academic department is represented among the recipients, including ECU Tiger Athletics and the ECU Pride of Tigerland marching band.
With another strong scholarship cycle anticipated for the Spring 2026 semester, the ECU Foundation is on track for a record-setting academic year.
ECU Foundation awards record-setting scholarship support for Fall 2025 semester
The ECU Foundation’s mission is to secure private funding for the scientific, literary, charitable, educational, and artistic benefit of East Central University, its employees, students and programs. Guided by its core values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence, the Foundation fosters meaningful relationships with alumni and donors to maximize their philanthropic investment in ECU and support a thriving campus community.
Campaign Donor Spotlight: Kevin Turner, ECU Alumnus
East Central University proudly launched its ECU Forward Capital Campaign with a powerful boost from distinguished alumnus, Kevin Turner. Turner (Class of ‘87) announced a gift to kick off the campaign and set the tone for growth at ECU. Turner, former Chief Operating Officer at Microsoft and current Chairman of Zayo Group, credited ECU for laying the foundation of his successful career.
“My love for ECU runs very deep,” Turner said at the campaign launch. “This campaign enables growth and vibrance for the university and community.”
His gift has energized the ECU community, inspiring others to invest in the university’s future and setting a strong tone for the campaign’s success.
Dan
STEM Center, currently
on the East Central University campus, will house a new ECU Student Health Clinic.
During a recent dedication ceremony, ECU President Wendell Godwin officially announced that the new facility will be named The Ramadan Student Health Services Clinic in honor of Dr. Tawfik Ramadan.
“Dr. Ramadan’s professional service to the students of ECU stretches over 40 years,” said ECU President Wendell Godwin. “We are grateful for his years of service and the impact he made on the lives of our students’ health. His legacy will be honored forever with the naming of our student health clinic.” The Valley View Foundation awarded ECU a $2 million donation to support the development of the Dan Hays STEM Center.
As part of the Foundation’s recognition, the student health clinic will bear Dr. Ramadan’s name to honor his long-standing commitment to the health and well-being of the Ada community and the broader region. Dr. Ramadan, widely respected for his contributions to both medicine and the community, was recently named a co-chair of the ECU Forward Capital Campaign.
ECU sees Consistent Enrollment Growth
East Central University is celebrating a 9.2 percent increase in enrollment for Fall 2025, marking its second consecutive year of growth and the university’s largest student headcount since 2019.
As of this fall, 3,618 students are enrolled at ECU, with student credit hours rising more than 10 percent compared to last year.
The ECU student body is increasingly diverse, representing 26 countries and 32 states. More than 80 percent of students call Oklahoma home, while over 13 percent identify as Native American or Alaska Native, continuing ECU’s strong connection to tribal nations across the region. Enrollment growth is visible both in the classroom and on campus. ECU now serves nearly 3,000 undergraduates and more than 600 graduate students. With more than 65 degree programs, growing community partnerships, and a vibrant campus life, ECU is continuing to build momentum.
Dr. Stacey Bolin Named Campaign Faculty Co-Chair
Bolin is a Professor, Director of the Wilburn L. Smith Center for Entrepreneurship, and Co-Director of the Business Scholar Program at ECU’s Harland C. Stonecipher School of Business.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration and Computer Science from ECU, where she received the George Nigh award and was named to the USA Today All-American Academic Team.
Since joining ECU in 2011, she founded the Tiger Tank Pitch Competition and chairs the executive committee for Oklahoma Business Week, a summer camp developing future business leaders. Bolin is active in the Association of Collegiate Marketing Educators as webmaster and serves on the national ACBSP Global Business Education committee, frequently presenting at ACBSP events.
She believes in the power of collective commitment; “when every member of the ECU community invests in our future, no matter the size, it sends a powerful message of pride and support. Together, we can move ECU forward and inspire generations to come”.
East Central University and the City of Ada collaborate to continue the popular Ada Student Attraction Program (ASAP) Scholarship for new ECU students.
This partnership, originally launched in 2023, allotted $100,000 to the ASAP Scholarship due to the direct economic impact ECU has on the local community. In response to the success of the program, the 2024 allotment was increased to $150,000. This increase enabled more students to apply for the scholarship, which is designed to benefit those who live and work in the Ada community.
Requirements for the scholarship include:
• First Time ECU Students (Freshman or Transfer) International Students and Returning and Current ECU students aren't eligible
• You must be enrolled full-time which is at least 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and 9 credit hours for graduate students
• You must live on campus in the residence hall
• You must have a job in Ada and work at least 10 hours per week
ECU Athletics Receives Gifts
ADA, Okla. — East Central University Athletics is thrilled to announce a major leap forward in its efforts to renovate the Elvan George football locker room, thanks to a series of transformational gifts from longtime supporters of the Tiger football program.
This exciting project was made possible in large part by a generous lead gift from Tom Darter, a dedicated advocate for ECU Athletics whose support has provided critical momentum toward the University’s $2.3 million athletic project goal.
The renovation will feature 140 state-of-the-art lockers, each equipped with LED screens to display personalized athlete information, giving every player a modern, individualized space. Plans also include a fully refreshed athletic training room, expanded bathroom facilities with hot and cold recovery tubs, and multiple high-definition TVs for sports viewing and gaming.To foster team camaraderie, new team-building areas will be outfitted with pool and ping pong tables, while updated branding elements will celebrate ECU Football Hall of Famers and the program’s proud legacy. The equipment room will also be upgraded for improved storage and daily operations.
“This project is a top priority in our athletics facilities plan,” said ECU Athletics officials. “It will significantly enhance the student-athlete experience and support the continued growth of Tiger football for years to come.”
Thanks to the generosity of Tom Darter and other loyal supporters, the future of ECU Football is brighter than ever.
