Allyn and Janice Donaubauer of Fort Smith, Ark., have made a $75,000 gift to University of the Ozarks in support of the Thomas and Frances Wilson Athletic Complex.
The gift will go to support the baseball and softball batting cages facility at the new $10.75 million complex that opened this past academic year. In recognition of the Donaubauers’ donation, the University will name the batting cages area the Donaubauer Launch Pad.
Allyn Donaubauer is the chair of the University’s Board of Trustees and the couple are long-time supporters of Ozarks.
“Education can be a ‘launch pad’ in several ways, acting as a foundation for future opportunities and personal growth,” Allyn Donaubauer said. “It provides the knowledge and skills necessary for career advancement, higher education, and personal development. It also serves as a launching point for navigating life’s transitions, such as entering the workforce or pursuing further education. A ‘launch pad’ for the Eagles’ baseball and softball teams is the hard work they put in to help achieve both their personal and team goals. We are happy to provide our name for a batting and workout facility that will help ‘launch’ our athletes into the best they can be.”
Allyn is the founder of The Donaubauer Group of Raymond James and has worked in the financial planning industry for more than five decades. He first joined the U of O Board of Trustees in 2001.
The University has raised approximately $9 million toward the $10.75 million complex, including the lead gift of $6.2 million from Mr. and Mrs. Thomas D. Wilson of Tulsa, Okla.
The University is fund-raising the remaining $1.75 million of the project’s total cost and there are numerous naming rights available for various areas of the new complex, including the soccer and softball fields, BBQ deck, dugouts and locker spaces. Construction on the complex was completed earlier this year.
Topics: Giving