In January 2008, the UCO College of Liberal Arts officially announced the creation of the Finney Scholarship Fund, which honors our founding dean, Dr. Frank Finney, Jr., and provides Liberal Arts’ students with essential scholarship dollars.
Dr. Frank Finney was known as a dedicated and outstanding teacher, a skilled administrator and a loyal staff member. Dr. Finney joined Central State University in 1959 as Assistant Professor of English. In 1965, he was selected Chairman of the English Department, and in 1971 he became the first dean of the newly-formed College of Liberal Arts, a position he held until his death in 1984. Dr. Finney was passionate about developing the creative potential of students and giving them a sound background in their academic disciplines and laid the ground work for the University of Central Oklahoma’s College of Liberal Arts.
In March 2010, the “Hour for an Hour” Scholarship Event, featuring our student scholarship recipients, was created to increase scholarship dollars at a “one credit hour ask” event where guests have the opportunity to hear from our scholarship recipients about how much the alumni and community’s support has positively impacted their lives.
Since the creation of the Finney Fund, more than $200,000 has been raised to provide Liberal Arts majors with essential scholarship dollars. Students from each department benefit from this scholarship every year. In 2020, $12,000 was awarded to 17 College of Liberal Arts’ students for the ’20-’21 academic year.
Your gift is significant and will have an immediate and positive impact at UCO! More than 65% percent of UCO students receive financial aid and most of our students work at least one job. We thank you for investing in our talented students and for easing their burdens as they continue to complete their education. In addition, your contribution is also an investment in your community, as many of our students return to their respective communities across the state and work hard to improve the quality of life for all Oklahomans.
