Oklahoma City University has been named a beneficiary in a series of endowment gifts totaling nearly $8 million, university officials announced today.
The endowments are part of an overall $22.5 million estate gift given to the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation by Robert and Alice Dangott, active members of the Okmulgee First United Methodist Church who passed away in 2014 and 2020, respectively.
The estate gift is the largest ever received by the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation, officials said.
Oklahoma City University (OCU) was named a 1/3 beneficiary of the Dangott estate, with just shy of $7.5 million endowed in the name of OCU as part of the Dangott Family Endowment. An additional gift will be added to that endowment in the form of real estate and/or minerals yet to be liquidated, with around $58,000 also endowed in a separate life insurance trust, bringing OCU’s total gift to nearly $8 million.
OCU officials anticipate the gift will generate more than $500,000 a year to benefit the greatest needs of the university. The funds were given with no restrictions, allowing the university to use the proceeds in critical areas at the discretion of OCU leaders.
“We are truly grateful to the Dangott family and the Oklahoma Methodist Foundation for this gift,” OCU President Kenneth Evans said. “The importance of unrestricted gifts like this cannot be overstated. These funds will allow us the flexibility to address important issues on campus as they arise year to year, for many years to come.”
The Dangotts were married in Okmulgee in 1955. They had two daughters, both of whom passed away prior to Alice Dangott’s death.
Robert Dangott, a native of Pennsylvania, was a World War II veteran and an award-winning salesman and manager for Scott Paper Co. and later Warner Chilcott Laboratories, where he retired after 22 years of service. Alice Dangott was born in Henryetta, earned a master’s degree in education from the University of Oklahoma, and was active in philanthropy and community causes in the Okmulgee area.
Oklahoma Methodist Foundation President Billy Meade said the couple’s gift will have a lasting impact.
“This significant gift will extend the generosity of the Dangotts for years to come,” Meade said. “It’s a true testament to the power of faith, community and service to others.”
