ADA, Okla. – The East Central University (ECU) Foundation has awarded more than $850,000 in scholarships for the Fall 2025 semester, marking a historic high for any fall semester in the Foundation’s history.

This unprecedented level of support reflects a nearly $300,000 increase compared to Fall 2024, when $569,500 in scholarships was awarded.

“This fall, the ECU Foundation has awarded a record number of scholarships—a milestone made possible by the extraordinary generosity of donors,” said Buffy Lovelis, Chief Operating Officer of the ECU Foundation. “This support is creating meaningful opportunities and touching every department across campus. We are truly honored to partner with each donor to help ECU students reach their fullest potential.”

Currently, the Foundation manages 382 scholarships, up from 369 in the 2023-24 academic year. Every academic department is represented among the recipients, including ECU Tiger Athletics and the ECU Pride of Tigerland marching band.

With another strong scholarship cycle anticipated for the Spring 2026 semester, the ECU Foundation is on track for a record-setting academic year.

The ECU Foundation’s mission is to secure private funding for the scientific, literary, charitable, educational, and artistic benefit of East Central University, its faculty, students and programs. Guided by its core values of Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication, and Excellence, the Foundation fosters meaningful relationships with alumni and donors to maximize their philanthropic investment in ECU and support a thriving campus community.

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