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Jackie Joyner-Kersee to speak at Women for OSU Symposium |
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Friday, 17 April 2009 |
 Six-time Olympic medalist Jackie Joyner-Kersee will speak about the importance of philanthropy at the Women for OSU Spring Symposium on April 23 at the Wes Watkins Center in Stillwater.
(STILLWATER, Okla., April 17, 2009) – Jackie Joyner-Kersee, world-famous athlete and philanthropist, will speak about the importance of charitable giving at the Women for OSU Leadership and Philanthropy Council’s inaugural symposium on April 23 at the Wes Watkins Center on the OSU Stillwater campus.
Joyner-Kersee reached the pinnacle of the athletic world, winning six Olympic medals, including three golds during her track and field career. She was the first woman to win consecutive gold medals in the heptathlon. In that event, she was also the first woman to surpass 7,000 points and still holds the world record at 7,291 points. Sports Illustrated for Women voted her “Athlete of the Century” and ESPN ranked her the 23rd greatest North American Athlete of the 20th Century.
Now she is focused on philanthropy as the founder of the Jackie Joyner-Kersee Foundation. Its mission is to provide youths, adults and families with resources to improve their quality of life and to enhance communities worldwide.
“Once I leave this earth, I know I’ve done something that will continue to help others,” Joyner-Kersee said.
The Women for OSU symposium is a unique opportunity for women from all areas to gather in Stillwater to gain valuable knowledge about financial planning, philanthropic decision-making and leadership development.
“The purpose of the spring symposium is to stimulate enthusiasm and pride for Oklahoma State University. It will bring passionate OSU women together to gain the skills and information needed to build greater confidence in leadership and in giving,” said Pat Knaub, director of Women for OSU.
At the symposium, alumna Marilynn Thoma will be honored as Philanthropist of the Year. The 1970 Oklahoma State University human environmental sciences graduate will be recognized for her extensive volunteer work. For more than 20 years, Thoma has served nonprofits in the Chicago arts community, and has given generously to OSU. The Woodward, Okla., native endowed the Marilynn Thoma Chair within the College of Human Environmental Sciences in 2006, and has provided lead gifts for the college’s teaching restaurant, The Ranchers Club, and the biannual Oklahoma Wine Forum.
Women for OSU will also recognize Sarah Cary, civil and mechanical engineering junior, as the Student Philanthropist of the Year. The Tulsa native has demonstrated leadership in philanthropy as Project Manager for Engineers without Borders, which supports community-driven development projects worldwide through the design and implementation of sustainable engineering projects. She has examined projects in Bolivia and South Africa and is developing a project in Honduras to build dorms for doctors, dentists and instructors. In addition to this honor, Cary will receive a $2,000 OSU scholarship.
Symposium tickets are now available for $80. For more information or to register for the event, please visit OSUgiving.com/women.
The Women for Oklahoma State University Leadership and Philanthropy Council’s mission is to create a culture that inspires and celebrates the leadership and philanthropic impact of Oklahoma State women. Originally called Women in Philanthropy, the program was created in the College of Human Environmental Sciences in 1995 but was reorganized in 2008 to serve the entire university. Women for OSU seeks to reconnect OSU women through campus and regional events. |
