For 40 years, the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence has elevated public education.
We couldn’t have done it without the support of thousands of Oklahoma public school champions who have donated, volunteered and assisted us in so many ways.
Here’s a look at what we’ve accomplished over the years!
Then-U.S. Sen. David L. Boren gathers a group of business and community leaders to discuss improving public education in Oklahoma, and OFE is born.
The first Academic Awards Banquet takes place at Oklahoma City’s Myriad Convention Center, celebrating the first class of Academic All-Staters and four Medal for Excellence recipients.
OFE launches the Local Education Foundation Outreach (now known as the Oklahoma School Foundations Network).
President George H.W. Bush speaks at the Academic Awards Banquet, drawing more than 2,400 guests.
At the request of founding trustee Ed Joullian, OFE begins partnering with the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute to send Oklahoma educators to the renowned teacher institute.
The foundation offices in downtown Oklahoma City are destroyed in the bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building. Just weeks later, the Academic Awards Banquet goes on as planned.
OFE launches OFE.org. Academic All-State alum Jay Porter, who was OFE’s communications director at the time, created the site.
OFE begins offering funds for teachers to pursue professional development.
OFE partners with the national Fund for Teachers organization and the Tulsa Community Foundation to offer self-designed professional development to Oklahoma educators.
Recognizing the proven impact of mentoring on student success, the foundation establishes a mentoring initiative.
The foundation begins offering grants to youth mentoring organizations.
