Southeastern celebrates amazing Giving Day with more than $5.4 million raised

SE Communications

DURANT – The sec

Southeastern Giving Day is celebrated annually on March 6, the date of the University’s founding by the Second Oklahoma Legislature in 1909.

“Our support from our alumni, partners, and friends across the country was truly evident as they contributed to Building Legacy on Giving Day 2025,” said Southeastern President Dr. Thomas W. Newsom. “In addition to some transformational major gifts, so many donors stepped up to help in various amounts to contribute to the University and the success of our current and future students.

“I’d also like to thank our faculty and staff for their support of Giving Day. Their efforts towards enhancing the visibility of this event and expanding on its offerings from last year were noticeable. They enhance our students’ experience every day, and they know first-hand how much these gifts will help the students of today and tomorrow.”

A total of 229 donors contributed on Giving Day, with targets met for several challenge and matching gifts.

A number of major gifts towards campus improvements were made on Giving Day including:

• $1.5 million from the Massey Family Foundation towards Spend Life Wisely Stadium
• $1.5 million from First United Bank towards Spend Life Wisely Stadium
• $1 million from the Semple Family Foundation towards construction at the historic Southeastern Amphitheater
• $500,000 from the Arnett Family towards Spend Life Wisely Stadium
• $500,000 from the Westheimer Foundation towards renovations at historic Montgomery Auditorium

Other generous donors offered challenge gifts or matching gifts, including:

• a $50,000 challenge gift from Mike Herron, SE ’95, towards football stadium construction – in addition to $50,000 previously given for architectural drawings to begin the process
• a $20,000 challenge gift from Cherokee Communications for renovations in historic Montgomery Auditorium
• a $10,000 initial gift – followed by a $10,000 challenge gift – from Reba McEntire, SE ’76, for the Southeastern Department of Music
• a $1,500 matching gift from Tom Johnson Investment Management towards the General Scholarship Fund
• a $1,000 matching gift from President and Mrs. Newsom to any fund on donations made before noon
• and a $1,000 matching gift from Equity Consulting, LLC for the Southeastern Department of Social Sciences

The donor total and total monetary value of donations – exclusive of major facility commitments – exceeded last year’s total of $134,795 raised from 214 donors. 2024 was the first Giving Day conducted at Southeastern.

“What a great way to celebrate our University’s founding and support our students, faculty, and staff,” said Southeastern director of advancement Mark Webb. “We started on a high with last year’s Giving Day, and the second edition was unbelievable as people across the country and the world continue to give the resources necessary to expand and enhance the Southeastern experience.”

“Southeastern Oklahoma State University is so thankful to the Southeastern Foundation for their everlasting support of our students through financial contributions, and we thank them for enhancing their work through another amazing Giving Day. They have bought in to the Vision 2040 strategic plan, and their contributions will go a long way towards helping us reach those goals,” Newsom added.

For anyone interested in making a financial contribution to the Southeastern Foundation before the next Giving Day, please visit www.SE.edu/giving or contact Webb at 580.745.2361 or mwebb@SE.edu.