Individuals interested in making gifts to the Department of Zoology can consider donations directly to the Department or to one of the endowments listed below. Please feel free to contact Loren Smith, Department Head, at 405 744-5555 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it for more information.

The Department is also trying to establish more named endowed scholarships, distinguished speakership series, professorships, and directed building renovations. The Department has little in endowments relative to other programs and given rising educational costs the need is especially high now. The Department of Zoology also does not have a facility for storage of field equipment (boats, trucks, ATVs, etc.) or supporting construction projects (e.g. building nest boxes, traps, etc.) and providing infrastructure support for field studies. Consequently, the Department is also currently seeking a sponsor to fund a facility to support the field research activities of students and faculty within the Department. Estimated cost of the base facility is $350,000, includes naming rights by the donor, and would be located in Stillwater, Oklahoma. We appreciate your support.

Department of Zoology Endowments

• Zoology Scholarship – Established in 1986 to fund a Zoology scholarship. Recipient will have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Consideration will be given to leadership as demonstrated in worthwhile out-of-class activities. Need also may be considered a factor.

• Dr. G. Michael Steelman Scholarship in Zoology- This endowment was established in 2008 by Dr. G. Michael Steelman for the purpose of supporting an undergraduate scholarship in the Department of Zoology at Oklahoma State University. It was the first donor named scholarship in the department. The scholarship is awarded annually. Junior and senior students majoring in either Zoology or Physiology in the Zoology Department will be eligible for the scholarship. Students must have a 3.5 grade point average on a 4.0 scale to be considered for the scholarship. Dr. G. Michael Steelman received a B.S. in Zoology from Oklahoma State University in 1969 and is leading a long distinguished career in medicine. He is a second generation OSU graduate; his father was also an OSU Zoology graduate and a physician. Dr. Steelman is a past President of the American Society of Bariatric Physicians and was named Bariatrician of the year twice by that society. He is the only individual to have received that honor twice (1993, 2006) and has an award named in his honor in that professional society. Moreover, Dr. Steelman continues to conduct cutting edge research relative to health and nutrition, as well as maintaining an extremely active practice and is currently the editor of the American Journal of Bariatric Medicine.

• Zoology Graduate Scholarship – Established in 1987 to fund a Zoology graduate scholarship. Recipient must be a graduate student enrolled in the Department of Zoology. Consideration will be given to leadership as demonstrated in worthwhile out-of-class activities. Need also may be considered a factor.

• Dr. S. L. "Bud" Burks Memorial Graduate Research Endowment in Zoology (223590) – Established in 2008, through the efforts of Jerry Wilhm and others, the endowment will allow an annual award to be given to an M.S. or Ph.D. student in the Department of Zoology who has a research emphasis in aquatic ecology/toxicology. The award is intended to help support the students's graduate research project. Dr. S. L. "Bud" Burks was a professor and Director of the Water Quality Laboratory in the Zoology Department at OSU. During Dr. Burks' tenure at OSU, he was an important part of many activities in the Department of Zoology. His courses in environmental sciences and toxicology enabled many students to obtain unique lecture and laboratory experiences. He guided many graduate students in research topics related to aquatic toxicology. Dr. Burks interacted with many individuals in industry and was instrumental in maintaining and obtaining funds from the Oklahoma Oil Refiners' Waste Control Council. The funds generated from these awards supported the research of many graduate students. Although he had a heavy research load, Dr. Burks was always available to serve on committees and to assist in departmental and university development.
• Jerry & Winona Wilhm Zoology Teaching Assistant Award – Established in 2001 by former department head Jerry Wilhm. The award is intended to be given to the outstanding undergraduate or graduate teaching assistant(s) in the Department of Zoology. The following criteria shall be considered during the selection process:.

                         Outstanding performance in his/her teaching assignments
                         A minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
                         Within the following time periods for pursuing his/her degree:
                         Four years for an undergraduate student.
                         Two years for an M.S. degree student.
                         Four years for a Ph.D. degree student. 
                         Participation in departmental or university activities, such as, but not limited to: 
                         Member of university, college or departmental committees.
                         Student representative to Graduate College or departmental councils.
                         Presentations or publications of papers.
                         Attendance at departmental seminars.
                         Miscellaneous academic service

• Zoology Department Development Endowment – Established in 2007 by Zoology Department faculty in recognition of the keen need for additional endowments and gifts in the Department. The purpose of the endowment is to further development opportunities which includes efforts to attract any gifts or endowments made to the Department including professorships, scholarships, laboratory equipment, building renovation, etc. Expenditure of interest from the endowment is restricted to costs associated with attracting these additional gifts and endowments for the Department of Zoology. Those costs would typically include travel to visit potential donors, and communication (print and digital) efforts.