University Center Hosts Scholarship Celebration

On Friday, November 21, the University Center Foundation hosted a Scholarship Celebration to thank donors participating in the fall Scholarship Matching Initiative. The Celebration took place in the historic Marland Board Room at Phillips 66 Refinery.

The event thanked corporate partners who together have contributed $34,000 to the Initiative, as well as individual donors who have given $1,200 or more to the cause. A $1,200 donation provides a fee scholarship for one concurrent student for two semesters. In addition to the corporate partners, friends of the University Center have contributed more than $13,000 toward the project.

Corporate partners for the Scholarship Matching Initiative include BDIW Law, Cherokee Strip Credit Union, Custom Mechanical, Evans and Associates, First National Bank of Oklahoma, Greenwood Aerospace, Kyler Construction, Phillips 66, and Rick Scott Construction.

In addition to delicious hors d’oeuvres and drink provided by Carl Perkins, guests enjoyed getting to know several University Center students that have received scholarships this semester. Students included NOC concurrent students Jaxon Hagar, Emersyn McClaskey, Allison Palmer, Sophia Verduzco, and Electra Wilson, NOC traditional students Kayla Hundley and Kaitlyn McGinnis, former UC/NOC student Roman Bintz, and NWOSU student Kelli Starr.

In informal conversations with guests, students told their stories of how they chose the University Center, how the UC is helping them achieve their educational goals, and their career plans. They also thanked donors for providing scholarships that are so vital to pursuing higher education.

This school year the University Center Foundation has more than doubled scholarship awards. A few years ago, the Foundation awarded $20,000 a year in scholarships. Two years ago, the awards increased to $40,000 a year. For the 2025 fall semester alone, the Foundation provided $50,000 in scholarships and is on track to award $100,000 for the 2025-2026 school year. Seventy-five percent of the awards are targeted toward the fees for concurrent students, which is $100 per credit hour. University Center Foundation Chair Brooke Jones expressed her thanks. “The Ponca City Community is to be commended for its response to scholarship funding requests. Working together, our community is making a difference in the lives of students, impacting both students’ futures and meeting the needs of our ever-changing workforce.”

Contributions to the University Center Scholarship fund may be made anytime by clicking the “Donate Today” button at www.ucpcgiving.com or by mail or in person at 2800 N. 14th Street, Ponca City, OK 74601. At the University Center, your future starts here!

Photo: Concurrent student Jaxon Hager greets University Center trustee Rick Scott at the University Center Scholarship Celebration.

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