CAPITAL CAMPAIGN NEWSLETTER Dear Friend of East Central University, ECU is more than a campus, it’s a place where lives are transformed. As a first-generation college student from a family with an eighth-grade education, ECU opened doors I never imagined. That’s why I’m committed to leading this university with a clear vision for the future: to ensure every student—whether from a rural area, Native heritage, or the first in their family to attend college— has the same opportunity to succeed. For 116 years, ECU has been a place of possibility, starting with a 16-acre gift from Dan Hays of the Chickasaw Nation. Today, we carry that legacy forward. We’ve now launched ECU Forward: A Capital Campaign for East Central University with a goal to raise $36.3 million. These funds will help us invest in students, faculty, academic programs, and campus facilities. With your support, we can continue to deliver a high-quality education that benefits not just our students, but all of Oklahoma. Join us in moving ECU Forward.
Student Spotlight Seniors Saul Padilla and Taylor Spence have been named the recipients of the 2025 George Nigh Award, East Central University’s highest honor for graduating seniors. The award is named in honor of late Oklahoma Governor George Nigh, an ECU alumnus who also served in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, as lieutenant governor, and as president of the University of Central Oklahoma. Supported by an endowment from the late Julian Rothbaum—a Tulsa oilman, banker, and state regent for higher education—the award is administered through the ECU Foundation, Inc. Each year, top seniors are invited to apply and complete a competitive application and interview process. “My family has been connected to East Central for over 100 years. We’ve been proud to be a part of its story, and we hope others will join in moving it forward. It takes financial support to make that possible. Living here in Ada, the needs are more visible, it’s clear just how much this university matters. ECU doesn’t just educate students; it strengthens the entire community.” - Tom Crabtree 01
THE PROJECTS DAN HAYS STEM CENTER
Transforming nursing education! Construction on the Dan Hays STEM Center is underway and ECU is poised to offer a modern, hands on learning environment fostering innovation and collaboration. This state of the art space will allow ECU to increase the number of nursing graduates by 200% helping to meet the region’s critical demand for skilled healthcare professionals. Check out live cam footage of the Dan Hays STEM Center Construction on our website at ecok.edu/ecu-forward-capital-campaign/
Student Housing High-impact upgrades to our residence halls, focusing on modernizing infrastructure and shared spaces. Campaign priorities include: • • •
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Replacing outdated plumbing and heating systems Updating lounges, study areas, and kitchens with energy-efficient appliances Upgraded lighting and modernized furniture, designed to create a more comfortable and functional student living environment
Faculty & Staff Campaign priorities include: • Endowed Chairs, Professorships, and Lectureships • Faculty and Staff Development Fund Our faculty and staff are the foundation of student success. Their teaching, research, and mentorship fuel academic excellence and shape the campus experience. These initiatives help us recruit and retain exceptional educators, support their continued growth, and enhance learning across campus. When we invest in our, people we strengthen the ECU community, today and for generations to come.
Athletics Campaign priorities include: • Athletic Plaza (Baseball, Softball, Soccer): Restrooms, ticket booth, concessions, referee and team spaces, and Tiger Club hospitality area • Stadium Enhancements: New turf, upgraded lighting, press box remodel, elevator for accessibility, and renovations to the Elvan George facility • Kerr Activity Center Enhancements Athletics plays a vital role at ECU. To stay competitive and support our athletes, we must modernize our facilities for safety, performance, and recruitment. These improvements will strengthen recruitment, enhance athlete safety, and reflect ECU’s commitment to excellence in athletics and student success. 03
THE PROJECTS
Fine Arts Built in 2009, ECU’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center is a premier venue with a 1,080-seat auditorium serving both campus and community. To maintain its status as a top-tier performance space, key renovations are planned for the Ataloa Theater. These include upgraded theatrical lighting, new stage curtains, improved house lights and carpet (including the balcony and lobby), fly system repairs, and stage deck enhancements for safety and performance. These updates will ensure the theater remains a vibrant, professional space for future generations of performers and audiences.
Student Scholarship and Experiences Campaign priorities include: • Student Scholarships: Expanding funding to help more students afford college • Student Experiences: Supporting internships, study abroad, and other hands-on learning that prepares students for life after graduation We believe cost should never be a barrier to opportunity. With 82% of our students receiving financial aid, and many being the first generation in their families to attend college, we are committed to making higher education more accessible. ECU awarded a record amount of scholarships in Fall 2025, reflecting that promise.
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HONORARY CHAIR Gov. Bill Anoatubby ECU Alumnus Bill Anoatubby has served as Governor of the Chickasaw Nation since 1987. He has been active in tribal government since 1975. His previous positions include director of tribal health services, director of finance, special assistant to the governor, controller, and he was the tribe’s first lieutenant governor. In his first term, Governor Anoatubby established goals of sustainable economic development and self-determination for the Chickasaw Nation and boundless opportunities for its people. Today, the Chickasaw Nation is well on its way to achieving those goals, in 1987, the tribe had approximately 250 employees. Today, the Chickasaw Nation employs more than 14,500 people. The financial condition of the tribe has improved tremendouslyFunding for tribal operations has increased exponentially, and tribal assets have grown five-hundredfold. In its pursuit of self-determination and self-governance, the Chickasaw Nation operates more than 100 diversified businesses and invests much of its profit into funding nearly 400 programs and services.These programs cover education, healthcare, youth, aging, housing and more, all of which directly benefit Chickasaw families, Oklahomans and their communities. Under Governor Anoatubby’s direction, the Chickasaw Nation places a strong emphasis on preserving and sharing its heritage, history, language and culture.This commitment can be seen in the various artistically and culturally centered programs,language services and the world-renowned Chickasaw Cultural Center. A key component of Governor Anoatubby’s leadership is the importance of working together for the common good of the community. Today, collaboration and partnership play integral parts in the Chickasaw Nation’s efforts. The tribe regularly works with likeminded governments, municipalities, agencies,organizations and businesses that share a vision of progress for the communities in within the Chickasaw Nation and beyond. Tom Crabtree
Dr. Tawfik & Mrs. Siham Ramadan
Craig Scheef
Mike Cantrell
Kevin Turner
Dr. Carlos Johnson
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN CO-CHAIRS
Dr. Stacey Bolin for Faculty & Staff
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CAMPAIGN KICKOFF
January 14th, 2025 – The guests listened to a number of speakers discussing the importance of higher education and its impact on local and rural communities. Among the attendees who spoke at the event were Governor of the Chickasaw Nation, Bill Anoatubby, the recently appointed Chancellor of the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education, Sean Burrage and Zayo Group Chairman and ECU alumni, Kevin Turner. “Having spent most of my entire life in rural Oklahoma I know that institutions like ECU are the heartbeat of our higher education system,” said Burrage. Guests were given a glimpse of the campaigns three primary focuses, which include; faculty and staff support, student scholarship andexperiences support and campus improvements such as housing expansions, renovations for fine arts facilities, upgrades for athletic facilities and the construction of the Dan Hays STEM Center.
% of Goal Progress
20.59% 0%
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20%
40%
% of Campaign Days Passed
President Wendell Godwin at Dan Hays STEM Center
60.63%
60%
80%
BY THE NUMBERS
100%
Working Goal $36,310,000
Last Report Dollars Committed $22,008,938
Dollars Remaining $14,296,006
To Date Dollars Committed $22,013,994
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
WENDELL GODWIN
ECU President 580-559-5213 ecupresident@ecok.edu
Scan code or donate at: ecok.edu/donate/ways-give/ online/donations.php
JOHN HARGRAVE
ASHLEE HECK
ECU Foundation Chief Executive Officer 580-559-5514 hargrave@ecok.edu
Campaign Project Manager 580-559-5625 aheck@ecok.edu
SCOTT LINN
DR. GERALD WILLIAMSON
Chief Advancement Officer ECU Forward 940-235-0967 clinn@ecok.edu
ECU Foundation Development Officer 580-559-5590 gwillmsn@ecok.edu
Visit us on our Website at: ecok.edu/ecu-forward-capital-campaign/
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