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Walton Family donates $5,000
October 19, 2007
Pictured left to right are Union Sixth/Seventh Grade Center Principal Steve Pittman, UMAC Marketing Director Sarah McBryde, Union Schools Education Foundation President Patrick Coyle, Arvest Bank Vice President of Marketing Debbie Powers, and Community Bank Marketing Manager Rita Garrison.
Arvest delivers $5,000 for creation of UMAC Wall of Fame
Arvest Bank on Thursday, October 18, presented a $5,000 grant, on behalf of the Walton Family Foundation, to members of the Union Schools Education Foundation for the creation of a special “Wall of Fame” to grace the front entrance of the Union Multipurpose Activity Center (UMAC) in Tulsa.
A local artist will be commissioned to design the one-of-a-kind mosaic tile wall, intended to help generate needed funding for projects and teacher grants in the Union Public Schools District. Remaining funds will be used to purchase building supplies, and for the construction of the project.
Union Schools Foundation President Patrick Coyle hopes the unique project will reinvigorate a fundraising campaign that began in 2003, following the opening of the 150,000-square-foot UMAC facility.
“With this generous grant from the Walton Family Foundation, the Naming Rights Committee of the Union Schools Education Foundation will be able to revitalize the fundraising campaign started in 2003,” Coyle said.
“The Walton Family Foundation is dedicated to giving back to the communities in which we serve, and are proud to support the positive efforts being made by the Union Schools Education Foundation to support our schools,” said Don Walker, president and CEO of Arvest Bank – Tulsa.
The fundraising campaign was implemented as a way to increase the USEF Endowment and build a stable base to support teachers in Union Schools with an annual teacher grants program. Funds distributed by the teacher grants program go toward enhanced learning opportunities for students, which could not be funded through normal means.
“Once the “Wall of Fame” design is completed, we will have a one-of-a-kind way to recognize donors for their contributions,” Coyle said. “The Naming Rights Committee, composed of USEF Trustees: Debbie Powers, Steve Pittman, Sarah McBryde, Courtney Elias and I, look forward to the completion of the “Wall of Fame”, and the jump start to the fundraising program this grant will allow us to achieve.”
As part of the overall campaign, individual and group sponsors can also have their name engraved on one or more of the 5,600 seats in the John Q. Hammons arena, or earn the naming rights for one of the large meeting rooms.
Arvest Bank, with total assets over nearly $9.5 billion, operates more than 210 branches in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas through a network of 16 locally managed community banks, each with their own board of directors and management team. For more information, please visit www.arvest.com.
FAST FACTS: ABOUT THE UNION SCHOOLS EDUCATION FOUNDATION
The Union Schools Education Foundation was organized in 1991 by Union district patrons and administrators who were dedicated to making investments in education, and thereby, enhancing the quality of life in our community and state.
The Foundation is a broadly based, non-profit corporation and is exclusively educational and charitable. Separate and apart from Union Schools, the Foundation maintains its own integrity while working closely with the school district. Tax-exempt donations from individuals, corporations and foundations are used solely for the benefit of our students and teachers.
The mission of the Union Schools Education Foundation is to generate funds for innovative teaching projects to reward and reinforce excellence throughout the district.
Teacher Grants
Union Public Schools, with a growing student population currently exceeding 13,000, depends on public funding for basic district operations. Funds generated through the Foundation are administered in the form of teacher grants. In 2006-2007, 50 grants totaling $30,539.67 were given to teachers to fund classroom projects like:
UMAC Facility
The Union Multipurpose Activity Center (UMAC), 6836 S. Mingo Road, is a mid-sized venue unlike any other in the region. It includes a 5,600-seat multi-use arena, versatile floor space, a student store, locker and dressing rooms, concessions, offices and a wellness center.
The UMAC was designed to easily accommodate conventions, trade shows, sporting events, conference and performances as well as meet the needs of our students and patrons. It is located in the heart of south Tulsa, visitors are only minutes away from three major highways, retail shops, restaurants and hotels.
Voters in the Union district overwhelmingly passed two consecutive bond issues to pay for the $22-million building. After two years of construction, the UMAC opened its doors in November 2003.
The facility totals more than 150,000 square feet.
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