Arvest Backs USAO Student Leaders With $10,000 Gift

CHICKASHA -- Merry Christmas, college student leaders! Arvest Bank, on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation, will help give student government a new home at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma with a $10,000 gift to help renovate a section of the third floor of the Student Center for new offices.

“We’re delighted,” said Student Government Association President Kati Wint, a senior in speech-language pathology from Kingfisher. “There’s a perfect space that was gutted and left unimproved during the 2001 renovation of the Student Center. It has needed a thoughtful plan and source of cash to make into suitable office space. We are excited about Arvest’s gift and the college’s plan to complete new offices for SGA.”

“Arvest Bank believes in the power of education and regularly supports schools in its communities,” said Dave Adams, assistant vice president of commercial lending for Arvest Bank’s southwest Oklahoma region. “We want to support the university because it provides such wonderful educational opportunities and is extremely generous to the folks who live here. The university holds numerous programs and events for all to attend.”

“What a great holiday surprise,” said USAO President John Feaver. “This gift will be matched with other capital funds to finish out a suite of offices for our active Student Government. At USAO, we involve student leaders throughout university governance, inviting them to serve on search committees and various counsels including representation on the USAO Board of Regents. This new office space will enhance their opportunities to meet and serve.”

Students have chosen an open design with a warehouse motif for their 900-square-foot office space at the north end of the third floor of Senior Hall. Commonly called “The Old Hotel” on campus, this 1928 structure was joined to the Student Center on the west in 1948. These structures are anchors on the OCW National Historic District, named to the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. The project will include new windows, heat/air and interior finishes.

The USAO Foundation will receive and manage the funds on behalf of the university. “We appreciate Arvest taking interest in this worthy project,” said Dr. Michael Nealeigh, USAO vice president for advancement and executive director of the USAO Foundation. “Students need every opportunity to explore their leadership potential. We need and appreciate support for their goals.”

Arvest Bank, with total assets of nearly $9.5 billion, operates more than 210 branches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas through a network of 16 locally managed community banks. More information is available at www.arvest.com.

 

PHOTO CUTLINE

USAO Student President Kati Wint, left, accepts a $10,000 check from the Walton Family Foundation through Arvest Bank to help remodel offices for the USAO Student Association. The new suite will be located on the third floor of the USAO Student Center. Celebrating this initiative with her are, from left, Lizzi George, Arvest marketing; Dave Adams, Arvest assistant vice president/commercial lender in Chickasha; Michele Johnson, Arvest marketing; USAO President John Feaver; and Candice Dorman, assistant vice president and branch manager in Chickasha. This gift from Arvest will be matched with other capital funds to restore an unfinished third-floor section of the Student Center, located on the National Register of Historic Places.

NEWS RELEASE December 19, 2007
UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA - CHICKASHA
CONTACT MICHAEL BENDURE, News Bureau, 405-574-1362, mbendure@usao.edu
RANDY TALLEY: Public Relations, 405-574-1337, rtalley@usao.edu
FAX: 405-574-1377