For immediate release:  November 5, 2004

Oklahoma City University Receives $3 Million from Inasmuch Foundation

School of American Dance and Arts Management to gain new facilities.

OKLAHOMA CITY—Nov. 5, 2004—Oklahoma City University is the proud recipient of a $3 million gift from the Inasmuch Foundation. The Oklahoma City-based philanthropic organization is making the gift to construct new dance studios and renovate a current campus building to serve as a new home for the university’s School of American Dance and Arts Management. The new building will be named the Edith Kinney Gaylord Center.

“Under the leadership of President Tom McDaniel, OCU has developed an aggressive road map for the future,” said Robert J. Ross, Vice President and Executive Director of the Inasmuch Foundation. “We hope that the Inasmuch grant to the OCU School of American Dance and Arts Management encourages others to donate funds to the university’s capital campaign, which clearly has the momentum to position OCU as one of the best universities in this country.”

“We are extremely grateful for this very generous gift from the Inasmuch Foundation,” Oklahoma City University President Tom J. McDaniel said. “For years, our School of American Dance and Arts Management has produced world-class dancers and managers for the performing arts with limited teaching space, and that has been scattered across campus. This grant from Inasmuch Foundation will provide a prominent home that will equal the quality academic programs that are offered.”

John Bedford, Dean of OCU’s School of American Dance and Arts Management, promised that the new facility will help the university enhance its distinguished national reputation for preparing professional dancers and managers for careers in the entertainment industry.

“For more than two decades, dance and arts management students have come from all over North America to study with our excellent faculty. Now, our faculty and students will have a world-class facility to match our world-class programs,” said Bedford.

The total cost to renovate the building, which formerly housed OCU’s Meinders School of Business is estimated at $6.7 million. University trustee and Oklahoma City philanthropist Ann Lacy is contributing the remaining $3.7 million toward the renovation and new construction. Construction will be completed in the fall of 2006.

Edith Kinney Gaylord founded the Inasmuch Foundation in 1982 to support charitable, scientific and educational causes that enhance the progress and quality of life for Oklahomans. Today, the Foundation is committed to carrying on the immense interests of its late founder by giving to education, health and human services, cultural organizations, the arts, historic preservation and environmental concerns.

To learn more about the Foundation, visit www.inasmuchfoundation.org or call 405-604-5292.

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