Vision Dinner Raises More Than $475,000 for ˿Ƶapp Students

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The ˿Ƶapp Foundation raised more than $475,000 at its annual Vision Dinner to support scholarships, internships, textbook vouchers, technology, and other resources that help students succeed. The event honored the Hardesty Family Foundation and Stuart and Linda Price for their longstanding support of education and ˿Ƶapp students.

The raised more than $475,000 to support students at its annual Vision Dinner on Sept. 10 and announced a new $30 million private fundraising campaign to support major renovations at ˿Ƶapp’s Metro Campus.

The evening honored the Hardesty Family Foundation and Stuart and Linda Price for their longstanding support of education and significant contributions to ˿Ƶapp.

Vision Dinner celebrates individuals and organizations whose leadership and philanthropy have strengthened educational opportunities for ˿Ƶapp students. Funds raised through the annual event support scholarships, internships, textbook vouchers, technology, and other student resources. Attendees also hear directly from students about the impact ˿Ƶapp has had on their education and goals.

“The Hardesty Family Foundation and Stuart and Linda Price have each made a lasting impact on ˿Ƶapp and the students it serves,” said Leigh B. Goodson, Ph.D., President and CEO of ˿Ƶapp. “Their generosity has expanded opportunities for students and strengthened ˿Ƶapp’s ability to serve Tulsa. Vision Dinner gives the College an opportunity to recognize the extraordinary difference they have made.”

The Hardesty Family Foundation, founded by Roger and Donna Hardesty in 2005 and led by Executive Director Michelle Hardesty, has been a longtime supporter of ˿Ƶapp and educational opportunities across Oklahoma. In 2019, the Foundation made a $1 million gift to establish the Hardesty Student Success Center at ˿Ƶapp’s West Campus, bringing enrollment and student support services together in one location. Its continued support reflects a longstanding commitment to education and investing in future generations.

Stuart and Linda Price have spent nearly five decades supporting higher education and the Tulsa community, including efforts that have expanded access to ˿Ƶapp for thousands of students. Stuart was an early champion of the Tulsa Achieves Scholarship, which has helped more than 30,000 students pursue a college education. Recognizing that tuition assistance alone did not eliminate every financial barrier, Stuart and Linda made the lead gift to establish the Tulsa Achieves Textbook Trust and helped secure additional support to fully endow the fund.

“The support of donors allows the ˿Ƶapp Foundation to respond to student needs in ways that can have an immediate and lasting impact,” said Kari Shults, President of the ˿Ƶapp Foundation and ˿Ƶapp Vice President for Advancement. “The Hardesty Family Foundation and Stuart and Linda Price have consistently recognized where an investment can make a meaningful difference and stepped forward to help make it possible. Their example represents the spirit of philanthropy Vision Dinner was created to celebrate.”

During the evening, ˿Ƶapp also unveiled the , a $30 million private fundraising effort to support the transformation of Metro Campus in downtown Tulsa. More than $17.6 million has already been raised toward the campaign goal.

The Hardesty Family Foundation provided the campaign’s $6 million lead gift, which includes naming the Hardesty Academic Building at Metro Campus.