OSU dignitaries, alumni and proponents of education joined together for the Morsani gift announcement in Willard Hall.  (L-R) OSU Foundation President and CEO Kirk Jewell, OSU College of Education Dean Pamela Fry, Carol & Frank Morsani, OSU/A&M Board of Regents Chair Lou Watkins.

Oklahoma State University College of Education Receives $5 Million Planned Gift from
the Frank and Carol Morsani Foundation

The Oklahoma State University College of Education (COE) announced a $5 million planned gift from the Frank and Carol Morsani Foundation Friday. Longtime supporters and the first million dollar donors to the COE, the Morsanis helped kick off the College’s 2007-08 campaign, “Planting the Seeds: Growing Future Professionals” during a 3:30 p.m. announcement and reception today. 

“We sincerely thank Frank and Carol Morsani for this wonderful gift and commend them for their years of support to Oklahoma State University,” said interim OSU System CEO and President Marlene Strathe.  “They continue to make a true difference in the lives of our students and faculty.”

“This gift will have a significant impact on the future of the College of Education.  We are so proud to have Frank Morsani as one of our distinguished alums and are grateful for the Morsani Foundation’s continued generosity,” College of Education Dean Pamela Fry said. “It is appropriate that the Morsanis are with us today as we kick off our ‘Planting the Seeds: Growing Future Professionals’ campaign.  With their commitment to give back and make a difference, Frank and Carol certainly serve as an inspiration to others.”    

Frank Morsani, formerly of Ramona, Okla., earned his bachelor’s degree in trade and industrial education in 1957 while the former Carol Walsh of Tulsa completed her degree requirements in 1953.  The Morsanis built Precision Enterprises Tampa, Inc., a trusted automobile empire consisting of 25 dealerships around the country.  The couple continues to make their home in the Tampa area. 

The Morsanis have gifted more than $30 million to a variety of areas, including higher education, performing arts, medical research, leadership and more. The couple has established learning, earning and giving as three rules to life and exhibited their philosophy through actions and words.  The Morsanis have frequently returned to campus and made time to interact with students and faculty.  Prior to today’s announcement, they spoke to a group of students and faculty on the topics of Leadership and Philanthropy . 

Presently, this gift is one of the largest planned gifts the College has ever received. The gift will establish the Frank Morsani Distinguished Chair in Education, to be held by the Dean of the College of Education, and the Frank Morsani Distinguished Chair of Excellence in Ethical Leadership, which will coordinate a university-wide initiative focused on ethics in leadership. Additionally, a portion of the gift from the Morsani Foundation will be eligible for a match from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, potentially bringing the total gift amount to $9 million.

To honor the Morsanis, Governor Brad Henry has proclaimed today Frank and Carol Morsani Day in the State of Oklahoma.

“On behalf of the OSU/A&M Regents and the entire OSU community, I want to sincerely thank Frank and Carol Morsani for this gift,” said Lou Watkins, Chair of the OSU/A&M Board of Regents.  “The Morsanis are a shining example of generosity and unselfishness and this gift only adds to the legacy they have established at OSU.”

“Frank and Carol Morsani are two very special friends of Oklahoma State University,” said Kirk A. Jewell, OSU Foundation President and CEO.  “Their lives are dedicated to excellence and making a difference through leadership and philanthropy.  We are enormously grateful for this most recent commitment to their alma mater, and the impact this gift will create for the College of Education.”

The COE campaign, “Planting the Seeds: Growing Future Professionals,” focuses on fundraising efforts to increase student scholarships and resources for programs.  For information about this campaign, please contact Dr. Brenda Solomon, Senior Director of Development, at (405) 744-7188 or brenda.solomon@osugiving.com.

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