Generosity of Love County alumni
opens the door to an OU education

OU Alumni and Friends of Love County Scholarship recipient No. 1, 1991 graduate Donna Boatright Sparks (right), meets recipient No. 100, OU sophomore Ondrea Reynolds.

A centennial celebration 30 years ago sparked the engine for the prolific generosity of the University of Oklahoma Alumni and Friends of Love County. That formative gathering of graduates in 1991 inspired Barbara and Don Sessions to start the group, for which they still serve as co-presidents.

“The OU Alumni Association asked if we would coordinate an event with alumni in our area to recognize OU’s centennial,” Barbara said. “So, we got together for a dinner. That night when we passed the hat, something important happened: two local attorneys challenged each other to write considerably large checks. It was a message that if you believe in higher education, you need to dig down deep and support people who want to attend OU. From that night forward, our group formalized and decided to focus fundraising solely on granting scholarships.”

The group of OU graduates and friends of higher education, based in the small southern town of Marietta, Okla., has enabled 100 Love County students to attend the university. The club has awarded 235 scholarships and, since 2011, trails only the OU Club of Dallas in terms of fundraising.

“Love County is the model, the paradigm, the picture of all we could ask for of an OU club,” said Dave Hail, OU Alumni Association director. “The ‘X’ factor for going to college is financial support. This club has created a hometown network opening the doors of education to their students and turning them into graduates. Their steadfast willingness to do that year after year takes a core commitment. They are special people who are growing the OU family.”

The OU Alumni Association makes one-to-one matches for local club contributions for up to a potential $5,000 scholarship across the fall and spring semesters. Any resident of Love County or graduate of a local high school, no matter their age, is invited to apply for financial assistance if they have been admitted and plan to attend OU, Hail said. Some recipients have used their scholarships to pursue graduate degrees and many often become club members, as well.

For freshman Aden Choate, who was raised in Marietta and graduated from Turner Public Schools in nearby Burneyville, the scholarship awarded to him this year relieves financial pressure. But equally important is hometown support.

“The funding is certainly a great thing, but another benefit is knowing the folks back home believe in me and trust that I will use this scholarship to better myself,” said Choate, who is among 13 Love County scholarship recipients currently enrolled at OU.

“There is some comfort in knowing all of the alumni have been in my current position, whether in 1955, 1975 or 10 years ago. All were individuals raised in a small community and faced with the same challenges of transitioning to life at the university. Their giving means they want to see me succeed, and that continues to resonate and drive me in everything I do here in Norman. I’m honored and thankful to have both the financial support and the trust these individuals have given.”