Mehdi Firoozabadi, who graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1969 with a degree in Petroleum Engineering, was an international student from Iran who served as the President of the International Advisory Committee at the University of Oklahoma. His love for the University of Oklahoma was inspired by the warmth and support that he received from the university, its students and the surrounding community during his four years in Norman. His brother Amir fondly remembers waiting with anticipation to receive letters from Mehdi stamped, “Norman, OK USA.” In 1970 after graduation, Mehdi returned home to Iran to honor his scholarship from the National Iranian Oil company and go to work for them in the field. Although it was tough, dirty work, Mehdi kept a positive attitude and was promoted to superintendent of Lavant, an offshore petrolatum company in the Persian Gulf. He was happily married for six months when tragedy struck, and his car crashed into a river canyon. He lost his life on June 7, 1975.
Now, Amir, a proud US citizen who considered his brother a “model citizen,” wishes to honor Mehdi’s legacy and show his appreciation for the University of Oklahoma by helping future generations of Iranian Americans and other students who seek to promote the enduring friendship between the Iranian and American people as Sooners.
Scholarship applicants must meet the following specific criteria:
Deadline: February 1
IMPORTANT NOTE: Any student unable to complete the program will be required to return the full amount of the award to the College of International Studies.
