Named Endowments generally support specific subject areas, such as the purchase of materials for a major academic program or new or smaller academic programs. Most importantly, they are a great way to honor someone or contribute back to your specific area of interest through library materials that will benefit others with the same interests. Book plates will be provided for all new Named Endowments. You can start a new one or contribute to some of our already established Named Endowments (listed below) in the Arts and Humanities, Management, English Literature, and Special Collections. New named materials endowments can be started with a fairly modest commitment of $10,000 over a five year period.

The Dale McConathy Collection - bookplate for McConathy Collection

Valued at more than $100,000 in 1989, the McConathy Collection and an accompanying endowment were presented to UCO by the parents of Dale Edward McConathy. The Collection includes over 3,600 volumes (23 of them by McConathy), and approximately 400 recordings. Dale McConathy was a distinguished graduate of UCO. He went on to a career as a literary editor and a gallery and museums director and consultant. His collection centers on the arts and humanities, specifically 20th Century American art. Gifts to the McConathy Collection help us grow our resources for the arts and humanities. The endowment also funds an annual scholarship for arts and humanities majors.

Chumley Endowment
The J. Gale and Lucy L. Chumley Book Collection supports the purchase of materials in Management and Literature. The fund was established in 1996 in honor of the Chumleys, both alums of UCO.

Forsythe Endowment
Established in 1994 by Paul Forsythe in honor of Carolyn Freeman Forsythe, a 1935 graduate of UCO, the fund provides general support for the Special Collections and Archives department of Chambers Library.