OU gets gift for academic, athletic projects

NORMAN — The University of Oklahoma will receive $12.5 million from Aubrey and Kathleen McClendon to fund academic and athletic projects, including $5 million to support new housing for athletes and other students.

OU President David Boren today announced the commitment, along with a $2.5 million pledge from Chesapeake Energy, during the May meeting of the OU Board of Regents.

Aubrey McClendon is Chesapeake's chairman and chief executive officer.

Of the McClendons' personal gift, $5 million will go toward student housing to replace the Jefferson, Gomer Jones, and Bud Wilkinson houses.

Another $5.5 million will go to the Honors College to endow study-abroad scholarships, the OU debate team, and a faculty chair for energy policy. It also will help establish an institute that focuses on the U.S. Constitution and government.

In recognition, the Honors College will be named for Aubrey McClendon's parents, Joe and Carole Kerr McClendon.

The remaining $2 million will help build the OU Boathouse along the Oklahoma River, just south of downtown Oklahoma City.

The Chesapeake donation will endow two faculty chairs in the School of Meteorology and include $1 million for renovating the student lounge and advising center in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy.