Institute Founders, David and Laura Owen
Proud supporters of OU, Dave Owen and his wife Laura recently pledged $250,000 for the stablishment and programming of the David C. Owen Leadership Institute at Ottawa University.
“Perhaps nothing we do is more important for future generations than equipping leaders with servant leadership principles and a strong moral compass,” says Owen. “That is the goal of the David C. Owen Leadership Institute at Ottawa University, and Laura and I are delighted to be the catalyst for launching this important initiative.”
The Institute will be centered at the Ottawa campus and governed by the University as part of its School of Business. It will operate collaboratively with the University’s academic leadership to ensure appropriate program quality and compliance with regulatory accrediting bodies and governmental requirements. One of the intended outcomes of the Institute will be to involve people with no prior connection to Ottawa University as a way of significantly expanding the University’s reach; another will be to carry its message to other countries as a way of sharing the OU experience abroad and increasing enrollment.
Throughout his lifetime, Owen will serve as chairman of the Institute and serve as a member of the Board of Advisors for Ottawa University’s Angell Snyder School of Business. Laura will be a lifetime member of the Institute’s Advisory Committee.
Owen is a 1960 graduate of Ottawa University, where he was a standout athlete in both basketball and track. He was elected to the OU Braves Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and is a past president of the Hall of Fame. He is currently a member of the Ottawa University President’s Council. Professionally, Owen holds more than 40 years of business experience in the financial industry and has an extensive civic and political background. He has also been highly involved with the Greater Kansas City Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
“Ottawa University gratefully accepts this tremendous financial and personal service pledge from Dave and Laura. We look forward to many years of positive impact on the life of Ottawa University and the students we serve,” said Vice President for University Advancement Paul Bean.