Oklahoma Wesleyan University’s Annual Fund
The heart of OKWU’s Annual Fund rests in the Primacy of Jesus Christ, the Priority of Scripture, the Pursuit of Truth and the Practice of Wisdom. For nearly six decades, the Annual Fund has been driven by the spirit of those supporters who resonate with our mission as a university where Jesus is Lord. The collective support of foundations, corporations, alumni, parents, friends, students, faculty, staff and others has generated much-needed funds for some of the University’s most critical needs: special academic programs, scholarships, faculty development, new library materials, campus maintenance and renovations, classroom equipment, technical services, real estate acquisition and more.
Virtually no aspect of OKWU is left untouched by Annual Fund support. It continues to be one of the University’s most significant sources of support, and because Annual Fund gifts are typically unrestricted, they can be directed to areas with the greatest need—and the greatest potential for impact. That’s why the financial support and flexibility afforded by unrestricted gifts to the OKWU Annual Fund are so important.
This year OKWU is seeking gifts totaling $440,000 to meet the Annual Fund challenge. Such gifts are directed by the university to the areas most in need, such as:
Special Academic Programs
The Voice of the Martyrs and Oklahoma Wesleyan University have launched an unprecedented partnership to offer the only academic program in North America—or perhaps in the world—dedicated to the experience and theology of the persecuted Christian church in restricted nations. In addition, the OKWU Veritas Worldview Institute was established in 2003 to speak to Oklahoma, to the nation, and to the world, bringing biblical wisdom to bear on pivotal issues of contemporary life. Annual Fund donations help provide resources that tuition alone does not generate.
Scholarships
Ensuring that every admitted student can afford to come to OKWU is a real priority. By providing more than $1.4 million in scholarship assistance each year, the university has helped literally thousands of students to realize their dreams.
Faculty Development
By providing funds for faculty to further their training or to participate in professional affiliations and research, Annual Fund directly impacts the student’s life in the classroom.
New Library Materials
Every term paper, every research project, every new discovery of our students and faculty depends, in some measure, on the resources provided by OKWU’s library staff and materials. Annual Fund helps us keep up to date and expand our resources for learning and teaching.
Campus Maintenance and Renovations
Every building on campus has a need for equipment repair and upkeep due to normal wear and tear. Lights have a way of burning out and replacement is necessary. Sometimes the roof leaks. Annual Fund donations help OKWU keep the campus operations running smoothly and comfortably for all.
Classroom Equipment
Every course of study requires top notch equipment to meet minimum standards for instruction. Annual Fund donations will help this year in providing a photosynthesis measurement system for the science program, a video editing computer for communications students, simulation technology for our Nursing students, Music Theory and Composition computers for the next generation of song writers and more.
Technical Services
Annual Fund donations this year will help our IT department purchase a new Network Data Server, VM Ware Software, replacement computers on a five year cycle and a back-up generator for the Haltom Campus Center.
Real Estate Acquisition
Until recently, OKWU has been landlocked on a 30 acre tract of land. With our victory at gaining a variance in Burlingame Hills, we now own 6 properties and need to be nimble enough financially to acquire more as they come on the market.