Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation create life-changing scholarship program at OSU

Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation create life-changing scholarship program at OSU

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

Media Contact: Jennifer Kinnard | Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communications | 405-334-1022 | [email protected]

Program to be called Thoma Scholars, will award cost-to-attend scholarships for rural students

A transformational gift from the Carl and Marilynn Thoma Foundation has established the Thoma Scholars Program at Oklahoma State University.

This innovative scholarship program aims to empower exceptional young leaders in underserved rural areas. It will award life-changing scholarships to students in Northwest Oklahoma, West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, enabling them to earn a college degree without debt.

"The Thoma Scholars Program represents our commitment to providing students from rural areas the opportunity to fulfill their potential," Carl and Marilynn Thoma said. "As Oklahoma State alumni, we are excited to launch this initiative in partnership with OSU - a place we know has the right environment to help develop the next generation of leaders."

The Thomas' commitment to helping rural students succeed traces back to their Oklahoma roots. Carl grew up in the panhandle in Cimarron County, while Marilynn is from nearby Woodward County. As such, the Thomas deeply value rural communities and the high-character people they produce.

The creation of the Thoma Scholars Program is inspired by the strong work ethic instilled by their parents and grandparents, aiming to help students from similar backgrounds achieve success through hard work and perseverance.

Approximately 20 students will be selected to join the program's inaugural cohort. Once fully matriculated with 20 students per class, the Thomas' commitment of up to $2 million per year will be one of the most impactful scholarship programs at OSU.

"It's fitting that one of OSU's most significant awards is coming from self-made, hardworking entrepreneurs who got their start at OSU, the best land-grant university in the country," said Blaire Atkinson, president of the OSU Foundation. "It's a testament to their high character and love for the university that they're paying it forward."

The scholarships will ensure every scholar is provided a best-in-class opportunity for education and cover the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, housing and meals, books and other educational expenses. It will also allow each recipient to study abroad. Along with financial aid, each Thoma Scholar will be admitted into The Honors College, benefitting from personalized mentorship and support within a program that is nationally recognized for its outstanding curriculum and coursework, innovative K-12 outreach program, and robust experiential learning program.

Applications will open in fall 2024 for high school seniors within eligible rural counties who will graduate in spring 2025.

"On behalf of the OSU family, we thank Carl and Marilynn Thoma for their generous gift," OSU President Kayse Shrum said. "The Thoma Scholars Program will afford more rural students access to an OSU education, allowing them to achieve their academic goals and chase their dreams. In alignment with our land-grant mission, these students will be poised to serve as the next generation of servant-leaders equipped to address society's most important challenges."

After successful careers in brand management and private equity, the Thomas established the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Foundation in 1986 to fulfill their passion for philanthropy. The Thoma Foundation recognizes that the arts and education enhance lives and communities. It makes art collection-related grants, as well as lending and exhibiting its collection. The foundation focuses its education funding on the rural Southwest, striving to foster leadership, innovation and equal opportunity.

The Thomas have a long partnership with Oklahoma State. They have supported a variety of needs across OSU's campus, including the Learning and Student Success Opportunity Center, the Carl & Marilynn Thoma Distinguished Chair in Hospitality and Tourism Management, the Carl Thoma Distinguished Clinical Professorships in Entrepreneurship, and a new named position focused on the arts.

Further, the Thomas are Patron donors to The McKnight Center for the Performing Arts, visionaries and founders of the Wine Forum of Oklahoma, and in 2010, they both were inducted into the OSU Alumni Association Hall of Fame, the university's highest honor.

"Empowering students from rural areas to excel in higher education is not just a mission - it's our passion," the Thomas said. "The Thoma Scholars Program honors the resilience and determination of those from rural communities by investing in their future and preparing them for success."

Find more information on eligibility for the Thoma Scholars Program online.

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