Oklahoma State University (OSU) has announced a $120 million gift from the T. Boone Pickens Foundation. With this latest gift, Pickens, the legendary oil tycoon who passed away on Sept. 11, 2019, will have given OSU about $650 million in total.
The university indicated that most of the gift — $63.7 million — will be used for student scholarships. In addition, $25 million will go toward the OSU Human Performance Innovation Complex, which, according to the university’s release, “will enhance the health and wellness among students, OSU athletes and the broader Oklahoma community. The facility will house the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute and the Cowboy Football Center.”
The gift also includes $31.3 million, which will be used renovate and reconstruct OSU’s Karsten Creek golf course, where the Cowboy and Cowgirl collegiate golf teams compete.
Finally, the gift includes donation of Pickens’ personal and business archives to OSU for a museum that will feature Pickens’ legacy as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. OSU said it will construct the museum inside the west end zone of Boone Pickens Stadium.
According to the Tulsa World, the Pickens gift comes seven months after the sale of his 65,000-acre Mesa Vista ranch, located 80 miles northeast of Amarillo. The ranch, which has been for sale since 2017, was purchased for a reported $170 million.
“We are incredibly thankful to the T. Boone Pickens Foundation for this extraordinary gift,” said OSU President Kayse Shrum in the university’s announcement. “Boone was a true leader and visionary whose investments, involvement and advocacy for energy independence drove America’s oil and gas industry for nearly seven decades. But it was his generosity that had the most significant impact.
“Even today, almost four years after his death, he continues to make an impact for good through the generosity of his foundation,” she added. “As a result, a new generation of Oklahoma State students will have access to life-changing scholarships, researchers to world-class facilities, and student-athletes to outstanding academic and athletic facilities. Once again, one cannot overstate his impact on our university.”
“Boone Pickens’ love for Oklahoma State University knew no bounds,” said Jay Rosser, T. Boone Pickens Foundation director. “His unwavering commitment to seeing the university thrive academically and athletically was inspiring. We are proud to carry on his legacy with this $120 million gift to his alma mater.”
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