SWOSU Press Release

The Board of Trustees of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. recently convened for its Fall 2024 session at the Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center in Oklahoma City.

The Board heard reports from its various Committee Chairs on Governance, Investments, Development, Scholarships & Grants, Audit, Property, and Finance. The Board reviewed and approved the FY 2025 Foundation Budget Resolution & Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MAFF) and reviewed and adopted the FY 2023 Foundation External Audit Report as well as the Foundation’s 2023 IRS Form 990.

The Board also heard reports from SWOSU Advancement staff including Senior Director for Donor Relations & Major Gifts Mr. Clarke Hale, ‘08 & ‘10, and Ms. Erin Adams, Director of Development & Engagement.

The Board recognized the Foundation’s Executive Director, Mr. Garrett King, ‘08 & ‘18, for his ten years of service. King was named Executive Director of the Foundation by the Board of Trustees in September 2014 after spending eight years on the personal staff of United States Congressman Frank D. Lucas (OK-3).

“During Garrett King’s decade of leadership, the SWOSU Foundation has reached new heights in its work to support the mission of our shared alma mater,” said Board Chair Philip Busey, Jr., ‘04, of Oklahoma City and Board Chair-elect Michael Hart, ‘06, of Edmond in a joint statement. “Over the last ten years, Garrett has collaborated with our generous alumni and donors to raise over $25.5 million in charitable contributions and commitments to SWOSU—among them the largest single philanthropic donations ever made to the university. Since he was first appointed by the Trustees to lead the Foundation in the Fall of 2014, Garrett has worked closely and collegially with SWOSU to administer the distribution of over $6.8 million in scholarships to SWOSU’s students and over $12.4 million in grants benefitting SWOSU’s programs and faculty while also stewarding the growth of the overall valuation of the Foundation by nearly 70%.”

Busey and Hart added, “The Foundation Trustees thank Garrett for his tireless efforts and dedicated service and look forward to our continued shared endeavors on behalf of SWOSU and its students, faculty, and programs.”

The SWOSU Foundation, Inc. was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU. For more information, please contact the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. at 580-774-3267 or visit www.SWOSUFoundation.com.