Pictured together at a celebration luncheon from left to right: Dr. Greg Mosier (OSU Spears School of Business Interim Dean), Gene Batchelder (ConocoPhillips Senior Vice President of Services, Chief Information Officer and ’69 accounting alumnus), Dr. David Schmidly (OSU President and System CEO), Debbie Adams (Chief Procurement Officer and ’83 chemical engineering alumna), Dr. Karl Reid (OSU College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology Dean), Karen Randel (ConocoPhillips Program Relations Manager and ’84 OSU Management Science & Computer Systems alumna), Dan Gilliam (Business Services and External Affairs Manager)

OSU Receives $2M Gift from ConocoPhillips

Oklahoma State University [OSU] announced today gifts totaling $2 million from ConocoPhillips to benefit more than 30 campus units. The check was presented recently to OSU System CEO and President David Schmidly and other key officials by Gene Batchelder, ConocoPhillips Senior Vice President of Services, Chief Information Officer and ’69 OSU accounting alumnus.

“Students, parents, alumni, and friends of OSU are very aware of the tremendous impact that ConocoPhillips has made on the entire OSU System,” said Schmidly. “We cannot thank everyone at ConocoPhillips enough for their genuine interest in the continued success of OSU.”

A long-time proponent of higher education, ConocoPhillips has given over $23 million to OSU and remains the university’s largest corporate donor. Earlier this year, the company helped kick start an important OSU research effort by donating facilities in Ponca City and pledging up to $2 million for a national sensor testing center.

“ConocoPhillips’ generous investment in The State’s University strengthens a longstanding relationship between OSU and one of Oklahoma’s premier corporate citizens,” said Schmidly. “As the company that hires more OSU graduates than any other, ConocoPhillips’ leadership and valuable support will help educate and inspire new generations of leaders to achieve greatness.”

"ConocoPhillips is extremely proud of the Oklahoma State University graduates that are or have been a part of our company,” said Batchelder. “They bring a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience that continues to create a lasting impact on our businesses.”

Funds were allocated as follows: $160,000 - College of Engineering, Architecture & Technology; $205,000 - Spears School of Business; $57,000 - Arts & Sciences; $83,000 – Diversity Programs; $1 million - pledge payment for ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center; $400,000 - ConocoPhillips S.P.I.R.I.T. Scholars Program; and $95,000 - Miscellaneous Support.

The funds will support a variety of academic endeavors such as scholarships, program development, lecture series, graduate studies, equipment purchases, career services, multicultural development and other academic projects.

The ConocoPhillips S.P.I.R.I.T. [Safety, People, Integrity, Responsibility, Innovation, Teamwork] Scholars Program helps prepare students to not only be successful in the business world, but also to become effective corporate leaders. While scholarships alone can make a significant impact, the S.P.I.R.I.T. scholars program serves as a flagship to corporate/university relations by adding enrichment activities such as visits to executive board rooms and ConocoPhillips facilities as well as the enhancement of personal leadership skills that make the experience significant for ConocoPhillips and students.

“Visionary corporate supporters like ConocoPhillips recognize the benefit of increasing the skill level and number of qualified graduates entering tomorrow’s workforce,” said Kirk Jewell, OSU Foundation President and CEO. “OSU continues to be enormously grateful for ConocoPhillips’ generosity and the valuable partnership this corporate leader has created with Oklahoma State University.”

The ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center opened to the public on Sept. 3. The new building now stands as one of the most visible signs of ConocoPhillips’ generosity to OSU.

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