Dr. Mark Rasor, Rogers State University Interim President
Rogers State University entered the final stretch of fundraising for the new Center for Science and Technology (CST) with the STEM@RSU Campaign kickoff celebration this week.
Held Wednesday, Nov. 20 in the Dr. Carolyn Taylor Center Ballroom, this event heralded the public phase of fundraising to raise the final $4 million in private support needed for the construction and the equipping of this transformational new facility on the Claremore campus.
The effort was boosted by an announcement from Misty Choat, chair of the Rogers State University Foundation, that its board of directors has pledged $1 million to match campaign gifts dollar-for-dollar, until the $1 million is exhausted.
Several special guests spoke during the event, addressing the need for the new facility and its impact on current and future generations.
First among these was Rogers State University Interim President Dr. Mark Rasor.
“Today is truly a great day on the Hill,” Dr. Rasor said. “This is a huge day. A new Center for Science and Technology is something we’ve needed on campus for many years. When students come on campus, we give them a tour, and something we tend to exclude (on the tour) is our current lab building, because it is outdated, so the need for this new facility is critical.
“We have a maximum budget for this project of $30 million, so this drive is important,” he continued. “We have $10 million from the state of Oklahoma, we have the generous gift of $4 million from the Cherokee Nation, and we have about $12 million in bonding capacity, so we need to finish this (fundraising) off with this public campaign. No matter what you give, small or large, it will have an impact, so please consider supporting this critically important campaign.”
Addressing the economic impact of the CST was Claremore Industrial & Economic Development Authority Executive Director Meggie Froman-Knight.
“What a momentous occasion we celebrate today at Rogers State University,” Froman-Knight began. “We’re excited to celebrate this investment in our region and in our future. The opening of this center marks a transformative investment that not only strengthens our economy, but our workforce. I’m excited because it will also impact generations to come.
“Geographically, RSU is in a prime position, not only in the center of Claremore’s growing healthcare and manufacturing centers but located between Mid-America Industrial Park and Tulsa Ports,” she said. “Along with those partners, this investment not only enhances the university’s role in educating the next generation, but it radically strengthens our ability to attract and retain quality employers.
“As a result of this, students in generations to come receive world-class job opportunities,” she said. “This center will address not only critical skills gaps, but it also drives vitality and increase competitiveness for northeast Oklahoma and abound. This center will provide a space for ideas to transform into solutions.”
Also speaking was Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner.
“This (campaign) is a commonsense move – it’s a no-brainer – just as the Cherokee Nation has leaned into technology, and utilized it to tell our story, today, we get the opportunity to continue to lean into technology,” Warner said. “This is why Chief Hoskin, the tribal council and the cabinet came together to agree that what’s happening here is a good faith effort on the part of RSU.
“This university holds the name of one of the individuals who’s probably one of the most well-known Cherokees in the world, so why wouldn’t we be a part of what it’s trying to do to lean into technology,” he continued. “Countless individuals got their degrees here and went on to make a difference in the world. This is something we’ve got to continue. We need to continue to work together for individuals and generations in the future.”
Following Warner’s remarks, Oklahoma State System of Higher Education Chancellor-Elect Sean Burrage spoke on the uniqueness of the campaign.
“There’s nothing quite like this going on anywhere else – you had a need, and you had folks with political power, money, and the vision to make it happen,” Burrage said. “This is special. You’re in a special place, you’ve got special leadership at the university, you’re in the Cherokee Nation, a Foundation that’s working to accomplish something tremendous – that’s why I’m here tonight, to tell you that this is something that’s incredibly special, and this is the opportunity for you – the community – to do your part and make this vision into a reality.”
The last special speaker was RSU President Emeritus and STEM@RSU Campaign Chairman Dr. Larry Rice.
“What an honor it is to be here today, what a privilege,” Dr. Rice began. “From the very beginning, this university’s heritage is one that’s built upon overcoming from the challenges.
“We have challenges here today, there are challenges in higher education, but I feel that the community will help RSU to meet this new challenge,” he continued. “We’ve got great faculty here, great leadership – there’ve been many great leaders before me and there will be many after me. The need for this new building is so critical, but I believe with your help and the help of other generous donors, RSU can get this done and continue its legacy for years to come.”
The Center for Science and Technology (CST) has been a critical need at RSU for several years. The current home for RSU’s science and technology programs – Loshbaugh Hall – was constructed in 1955 when the school was a two-year institution with a small enrollment and is no longer able to meet the demand of today’s more advanced STEM courses, new academic programs, and the university’s growing enrollment. The facility has numerous significant maintenance issues and renovation has been deemed not to be cost-effective.
The new facility will include state of the art instructional labs, research labs, active-learning spaces, collaboration spaces and “maker spaces,” which are hands-on spaces to make, create and innovate projects and technologies of all types.
Rogers State University is a regional university serving northeastern Oklahoma and is the only four-year public residential university in the Tulsa metropolitan area.
Persons, organizations or companies interested in making a tax-deductible investment in the project may visit www.rsu.edu/STEM, or contact Steve Valencia, vice president for development, at [email protected] or 918-343-7780.