Norman foundation to provide gift for endowed chair

CLAREMORE, Okla. (AP) -- A Norman-based foundation is providing a $250,000 gift that will go toward establishing an endowed chair, the second chair set up at Rogers State University in two months.

The Sarkeys Endowed Chair in Business Information Technology is being established by a $250,000 matching gift from the Norman-based Sarkeys Foundation.

Rogers State expects matching funds from the Endowment Trust Fund of the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, making the chair a $500,000 endowed position.

"The Sarkeys Foundation recognizes there is a shortage of qualified graduates, as well as faculty, in this rapidly growing field," said Cheri Cartwright, executive director for the Sarkeys Foundation.

"We hope that this endowment will help RSU attract and retain a highly qualified occupant of the chair."

The gift will be paid to RSU Foundation during a five-year period.

In October, RSU established the Greg Kunz Chair in Communications -- the first $500,000 chair established at the university.

The Kunz chair was established by a $250,000 matching gift from the Cascade Communications, parent company of KWBT, channel 19, the Warner Bros. television affiliate in Tulsa. Matching funding or $250,000 is being sought from state regents.

Rogers State first earned accreditation as a baccalaureate-degree granting school in August.