NORMAN – University of Oklahoma President David L. Boren today announced a $1 million gift from Phillips 66 to support construction of a new academic building and research laboratory on OU’s Engineering Quadrangle that will house the Gallogly College of Engineering’s Diversity and Inclusion Program offices, the Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering, and new engineering labs and learning spaces. The announcement was made at the May meeting of the OU Board of Regents.
“The university is grateful to Phillips 66 for providing this innovative space in the Biomedical Research facility,” said OU President David L. Boren. “The new space provided by Phillips 66 will encourage students to work across disciplines and to collaborate cooperatively. It will stimulate creative thinking.”
In appreciation of the gift, Boren has recommended to the OU Board of Regents that the Diversity and Inclusion Learning Space, which will be prominently located on the first floor of the new building, be named to honor Phillips 66.
The Phillips 66 Diversity and Inclusion Learning Space will house the Gallogly College of Engineering’s nationally recognized program that is designed to cultivate diversity of thought and an inclusive environment for all students, faculty and staff, as well as enhance the recruitment, retention and graduation of a diverse workforce. The offices for the college’s Diversity and Inclusion Program will be easily accessible to students, allowing staff members to regularly engage with students and mentors involved in the peer-to-peer tutoring program.
In addition, the learning space will feature a 70-inch monitor for project viewing, student printers and two small study rooms. The space will include reconfigurable furniture that will allow students to create the study environment best suited for current projects. It also will help facilitate student and faculty interaction and collaboration.
“At Phillips 66, we value a diverse and inclusive culture because it promotes a high-performing organization that excels at collaboration, problem solving and innovation,” said Paula Johnson, executive vice president, Legal and Government Affairs, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for Phillips 66. “We’re proud to support OU’s new Diversity and Inclusion Learning Space.”
Gallogly Hall, which is set to open in fall 2019, will be home to the new Stephenson School of Biomedical Engineering. The 70,000-square-foot facility will feature classrooms, teaching and research labs, a lecture hall, collaborative learning spaces and a student project-making space. This world-class academic building and the Gallogly College of Engineering are named in honor of the leadership gift made to the college from Janet and Jim Gallogly of Houston in 2015. The School of Biomedical Engineering is named for Peggy and Charles Stephenson of Tulsa, whose resources are helping put OU in the forefront of the growing field of biomedical engineering. The school will enhance diversity in both the student and faculty ranks, increase enrollment and federal research funding and spur economic growth. It will also aid in the recruitment of top students and strengthen collaboration among OU’s three campuses.
Academic programs within the Gallogly College of Engineering’s eight areas of study are consistently ranked in the top third of engineering programs in the United States. For more information about the college, visitwww.ou.edu/coe.
