Polaroid of Paul and Natalie Buckthal.
APRIL 2, 2024
Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy interim dean John Antonio has announced a generous gift from the Buckthal family to support the School of Geosciences, as well as the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. This announcement, part of OU Giving Day, marks a critical step forward for the College, Museum and University.
At the heart of this gift is the memory of Paul and Natalie Buckthal, alumni of the School of Geosciences and the College of Arts and Sciences, respectively. Paul's journey began at Okmulgee High School before serving in the United States Navy during World War II. After his military service, he pursued his passion for geology at the University of Oklahoma, earning his bachelor's degree in geology. Natalie was born in Henryetta and earned her bachelor’s degree in Government. Paul and Natalie met in Norman while on a blind date and married in Henryetta in 1949 before settling in Amarillo, Texas. Paul went on to achieve remarkable success in the petroleum industry, leaving a lasting mark on the field of geosciences. At the same time, Natalie was an extraordinary high school and college social sciences teacher. They were heavily involved in their local communities, especially in the arts, and served on many charitable and industrial leadership boards.
Founded in 1900 by Charles N. Gould, the School of Geosciences has maintained its reputation as a global leader in the field. Located in the Sarkeys Energy Center on OU's main campus, the school offers geology and geophysics programs and a new B.S. program in paleobiology.
The Buckthal family's donation will bolster the school's mission by providing students access to advanced resources, facilities and experiential learning opportunities. These include the Lawrence S. Youngblood Energy Library, known as the most extensive geological reference library globally, and the Bartell Field Camp in Colorado.
Through the generous support of alumni, friends and industry donors, the School of Geosciences continues to offer scholarships to most students. Just this last year, the College awarded over $800,000 in scholarships, helping alleviate students' financial burdens and enabling them to pursue their academic goals.
As Mewbourne College celebrates this milestone and the legacy of Paul and Natalie Buckthal, we invite you to join us on OU Giving Day to contribute to the future of geosciences education and research. Together, we can empower the next generation of geoscientists to address global challenges and advance our understanding of our Earth.
The Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy improves people’s lives through research, education and service by studying Earth’s past and present, developing new energy tools and resources, and creating geoscientists and engineers who work across disciplines to address some of society’s most critical challenges.
Victoria Stephens is the marketing manager at the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy. For media inquiries, you can email Victoria or call her at 405-325-8981.
