Agricultural News
Largest Single Scholarship Gift for Oklahoma FFA Given by Martha Burger of Chesapeake
Tue, 28 Dec 2010 5:47:02 CST
One of the great acts of generosity in 2010 for the Oklahoma FFA came in November when it was announced that Chesapeake Vice President Martha Burger had decided to "pay it forward" and give a quarter of a million dollars to benefit the college educational efforts of Oklahoma State FFA officers in the years ahead.
Oklahoma City resident Martha Burger, Oklahoma State University alumna and senior vice president of human and corporate resources at Chesapeake Energy, recently pledged $500,000 for scholarships at OSU.
Half of the gift benefits OSU-Oklahoma City, while the other half benefits FFA leadership officers attending OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Once the gift is matched by the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, its total impact is $1.25 million.
The Oklahoma State FFA Officer team recently hosted Ms. Burger at a luncheon to thank her for the FFA portion of the scholarship gift. In the picture here, Martha is surrounded by the 2010-2011 State FFA Officer Team and National FFA President Riley Pagett, who is also from Oklahoma. Emily Beanland, State President is seated by Ms. Burger and Pagett is on the other side. Standing are Owen, Hossack, Trevor Lucas, Katie McCauley, Courtney Maye, Dakota Miller and Marty Jones.
The $250,000 gift for FFA leadership officers attending OSU's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources and represents the single largest scholarship gift to FFA within the state of Oklahoma.
Burger was not involved in FFA, but has become a fan of the organization through Chesapeake, which is a big supporter and she regularly visits with FFA student officers and leadership.
"I make sure that periodically I sit down and spend an hour or two with the FFA officers," Burger said. "I'm always impressed by their ability to interact with professionals and just how business-savvy they are. It has been a really, really great experience for me to get to know these student leaders and, after knowing them, I am confident of the positive contributions that they will make to our state and country in the future."
Both gifts qualify for the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match, which will provide a one-and-a-half-times match from Boone Pickens' estate resulting in a total gift of $1.25 million.
We talked with Burger after that luncheon in Bricktown- and you can hear our full conversation with her by clicking on the LISTEN BAR below.
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