Wentz Foundation Programs

Louis Haines Wentz (1877-1949), the son of a blacksmith, was reared in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania with six brothers and sisters. During the 1920's he came to Oklahoma and became a millionaire in the oil business. He lived a life of service and was a benefactor of many worthy programs, especially those involving young people.

In 1926, Lew Wentz established foundations for students at four Oklahoma Colleges. OSU was of those four and today OSU's Wentz Foundation supports OSU scholars with awards totaling more than $500,000 per year.

This special program supports serious research opportunities and exceptional scholarships for OSU's most accomplished students. The Wentz Research Project Awards provide $4,500 for a year's scholarly activity with an OSU faculty mentor. Each, year the awards range across the curriculum and all OSU colleges. Recent award winners have capitalized on their Wentz opportunities. Ryan Scott (Physics and Math) and Nick Rasmussen (Zoology) parlayed their Wentz projects into Goldwater Scholarships. Nick also went on to receive a prestigious Morris Udall Scholarship for his environmental work.

The Wentz Scholarships recognize 100 of OSU's best scholar-leaders for their academic work and activities in support of the campus and community with a $2,750 award. Wentz Textbook Awards are designed to assist non-traditional and transitional students cover the cost of textbooks and supplies to help them achieve their educational and career goals.

The Wentz programs have provided support to OSU students who found success as Rhodes and Truman Scholars and winners of other prestigious national honors. The partnership between OSU and the Lew Wentz Foundation offers deserving students financial assistance and opportunities to receive a world-class education competitive with any school in the country.