The following text is excerpted from Message from OU President Gary Russi. The excerpt highlights recent gifts related to the SBA.
An important part of our academic mission is ensuring that the quality educational programs we offer remain highly accessible and relevant to our students. With a deep sense of gratitude, I’d like to share with you details of numerous wonderful gifts that we have recently received.
Gary Laidlaw, SBA ’64, has made a $30,000 gift to Meadow Brook Hall to provide room furnishings and historical interpretation for the east wing rehabilitation project, including the servants’ dining and sitting room spaces and adjacent service hallway.
George and Janice Kralovich have established a charitable gift annuity benefiting the Department of Athletics. George was an adjunct professor at Oakland teaching courses in business economics and introduction to management. He also serves on the OU Athletic Advisory Board.
Joanne and Robert Lane have established a $30,000 estate gift for the Catherine Tyler Memorial International Award Endowment Fund in memory of their daughter, Catherine. The award provides support for graduate and undergraduate SBA students who participate in international internships or study abroad experiences. The Lanes’ commitment ensures a lasting memorial to their daughter, an assistant professor of management in the SBA, who was dedicated to providing students with an outstanding education with opportunities for travel and study abroad.
The Energy Foundation has made a gift of $100,000 to support the research of newly appointed Research Professor Walter McManus in the School of Business Administration. McManus is known for his leadership and expertise in the behavioral aspects of energy transportation. Through the Foundation’s gift, his research into vehicle energy management as it relates to federally mandated fuel efficiency standards will assist in the development of public policies and strategies.
The support of all of these individuals and organizations in these tough economic times not only represents a great spirit of generosity, but also a vote of confidence in the work all of us are doing. I know you share my profound appreciation for these gifts.