Oklahoma State University received a $120 million gift from the T. Boone Pickens Foundation, OSU President Kayse Shrum announced June 20, 2023. Pickens passed away on Sept. 11, 2019. He was a legendary energy executive, proud OSU alumnus and transformative philanthropist whose giving to OSU now approaches $650 million. A majority of the gift — $63.7 million — will go toward student scholarships, helping to ensure more students have access to higher education and can pursue their dreams without financial burden. This gift will be designated to the Pickens legacy scholarship funds and will double the impact of donor contributions. Additionally, $25 million will support the recently announced OSU Human Performance Innovation Complex which will enhance the health and wellness among students, OSU athletes and the broader Oklahoma community. The facility will house the Human Performance and Nutrition Research Institute and the Cowboy Football Center. The gift also includes plans for renovating and reconstructing the acclaimed Karsten Creek golf course — home of the Cowboy and Cowgirl collegiate golf teams— and the donation of Pickens' personal and business archives to OSU for a museum to celebrate Pickens' legacy as an entrepreneur and philanthropist. OSU will construct the publicly accessible museum inside the west end zone of Boone Pickens Stadium.
