College at OU receives historic $6-million donation

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A $6-million gift has been received by the University of Oklahoma's College of Arts and Sciences for its Department of Physics and Astronomy.<br/><br/>The donation was made by

Thursday, September 15th 2005, 6:22 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A $6-million gift has been received by the University of Oklahoma's College of Arts and Sciences for its Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The donation was made by the Avenir Foundation, which supports educational arts and cultural activities.

Wednesday's gift honors the late Homer Dodge, a former OU professor and administrator who served as chair of the department from 1919 to 1944. The department will be known as the Homer Dodge Department of Physics and Astronomy.

The money will support three endowed faculty positions and a student support endowment. Other funds will be used to renovate the building that houses the department's classrooms, laboratories and offices.

Paul Bell, dean of the college, says the gift will make the department a leader in the country.