Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) with locations in Weatherford, Sayre and Yukon has received a generous philanthropic investment from Oklahoma City-based Delaware Resources Group (DRG) and the Busey Family—Phil G. and Cathy Busey, Brian Busey (SWOSU Class of 2005), and Philip and Heather Busey (both SWOSU Class of 2004).
DRG and the Buseys are longtime SWOSU benefactors. This major gift of $65,000 will provide much-needed support for both the General Thomas P. Stafford Scholars Program and the Busey Brothers Scholarship Program.
DRG is a Native American-owned leading global aerospace defense contractor based in Oklahoma City. The company is a total training systems integrator providing services and support all over the world. Thousands of service men and women around the world count on DRG to provide critical training and logistics services for many of today’s modern military programs and aircraft. DRG is a certified Minority Owned Business (MBE) and a recognized Indian Economic Enterprise (IEE).
“It is our privilege to support SWOSU and the Stafford Scholars,” said DRG Founder, Chairman, & CEO Phil G. Busey, Sr. “General Thomas Stafford has provided great vision in developing opportunities through SWOSU and his museum for students interested in future aerospace, defense and space careers. This contribution is significant for Oklahoma but the nation. We are pleased to be able to play a small part in supporting the SWOSU-Stafford Museum partnership. Both Philip and Brian obtained an excellent education at SWOSU to launch their careers. We are grateful to give back.”
The SWOSU Stafford Scholars Program was established in 1992 as an experiential learning initiative. The Stafford Scholars Program was endowed by General Thomas P. Stafford in what was, at that time, SWOSU’s largest-ever single charitable gift and has evolved and grown to become an unparalleled collaborative partnership between SWOSU and the General Thomas P. Stafford Air & Space Museum.
Stafford Scholars receive firsthand instruction from museum personnel and stakeholders in the history of aerospace and aviation while also providing the bulk of the museum’s workforce. Scholars represent a wide variety of academic disciplines and diverse personal backgrounds. Their experience at the museum provides them with exposure to institutional organization and operation, engagement with historic figures and artifacts, and a solid foundation in professional comportment and customer service.
“The Stafford Scholars are at the heart of the Stafford Air & Space Museum’s mission delivery capability and capacity,” said General Stafford. “This very generous gift from DRG and Phil and Cathy Busey will permit the museum to enhance its deployment of Scholars amidst our ongoing expansion and expand our aerospace artifact displays and collections.”
The Busey Brothers Scholarship Fund was established in 2012 by Brian Busey and Philip Busey. It has provided over $29,000 in scholarship assistance to SWOSU students studying across majors in multiple SWOSU colleges and departments. Philip serves as a trustee of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. where he chairs the Development Committee.
“This latest gift from Brian Busey and Philip Busey will help SWOSU better retain and recruit students,” said SWOSU President Dr. Randy L. Beutler. “We are excited about the opportunity to put this investment to work for SWOSU’s future!”
The SWOSU Stafford Program and the Busey Brothers Scholarship Fund are administered by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. An institutionally-related charitable entity, the Foundation was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy, award scholarships and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU. Located on the Weatherford campus in the historic Burton House, the Foundation currently stewards over $26 million in assets for the benefit of SWOSU. For more information, please contact the SWOSU Office of Institutional Advancement at 580-774-3267 or visit www.SWOSUFoundation.com.