Living central, 11/2014

              U N I V E R S I T Y O F C E N T R A L O K L A H O M A
N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 4 w w w . u c o . e d u
Gaylord Foundation Awards Grant for Old North
The UCO Foundation recently received a $500,000 grant from the E.L. and Thelma Gaylord Foundation
to help fund the restoration of Old North on Central’s campus. “We are incredibly appreciative of the
Gaylord Foundation and their positive impact in our community,” said UCO President Don Betz. “To be
able to count them as one of our generous partners of this restoration project is a true testament to the
important place Old North holds in not only our history, but the hearts of all Oklahomans.”
‘Rings of Gold’ for UCO Endeavor Games
The UCO Endeavor Games received one of two Rings of Gold awards at the 2014 U.S. Olympic and
Paralympic Assembly in Chicago. “Our partnership with the Endeavor Games and the U.S. Olympic
Committee is such an important piece to our university and the Edmond community,” said Myron Pope,
Ed.D., vice president for student affairs. “We’re honored to receive the Rings of Gold award and will
continue to help all athletes achieve their goals.” The Endeavor Games celebrated its 15th year in June
2014. The event — which features 11 sports — welcomed more than 300 athletes from nearly 40 states
and ranging in age from 2-72.
$5 Million ‘GEAR UP’ Grant Awarded to UCO
The U.S. Department of Education has awarded UCO a 7-year, $5 million grant under Gaining Early
Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP). The funds will serve 899 low-income
students from high-poverty, low-performing urban middle and high schools in the Oklahoma City area.
GEAR UP is designed to increase the number of low-income students who are prepared to enter and
succeed in postsecondary education. Federal funding will be matched by the Oklahoma State Regents
for Higher Education, the Oklahoma Council on Economic Education, MidFirst Bank and UCO for a total
budget of $11.4 million over seven years.