The Michael and Morgan Hart family, of Edmond, has been named to the SWOSU Tomorrows planned giving society in Weatherford.
Dr. Randy L. Beutler, president of Southwestern Oklahoma State University, recently made the announcement.
The Harts have generously made provision for SWOSU in their estate planning. Their thoughtful investment in SWOSU will be used to provide substantial endowed support to the SWOSU football program through the SWOSU Football Legacy Fund with the SWOSU Foundation, Inc.
“We love SWOSU and SWOSU football, and we are delighted to be named to the SWOSU Tomorrows Planned Giving Society,” the Harts said. “It is our hope other SWOSU alumni and friends will contact SWOSU and learn how they can strengthen the university through planned giving.”
Michael D. Hart was raised in Southwest Oklahoma and in Oklahoma City. He graduated from Putnam City West High School and went on to play football at SWOSU. Michael lettered in football at SWOSU every year. He led the Bulldogs in NCAA career tackles until 2017 and was team captain during his senior year.
Following graduation from SWOSU, Michael worked for American Fidelity in Arkansas, Colorado and Michigan before returning to Oklahoma to lead the company’s brokerage division. In June 2020, Michael joined Dillingham Benefits as an employee benefits consultant.
Michael currently serves as a trustee of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. where he chairs the Investment Committee. He also sits on the governing board of the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and is a director of the SWOSU Athletic Association.
Morgan Hart is a native of Pauls Valley, where she graduated from high school before completing her undergraduate work at Oklahoma State University in 2008.
Morgan has been employed as marketing director for Foundation Surgery Affiliates in Oklahoma City and led marketing efforts for Oklahoma City’s One Million Pounds campaign under then-Mayor Mick Cornett. Morgan also has worked as a realtor for the largest real estate brokerage in southeast Michigan.
The Harts are proud parents of a daughter, Becklynn, and a son, Walker.
“SWOSU stands firmly on the Hilltop today because of visionary private investors and partners like Michael and Morgan Hart,” said Beutler. “We are honored the Hart family chose to invest in SWOSU by including our institution in their estate planning. Their generosity will enhance our SWOSU football program for decades.”
To better equip those who choose to remember SWOSU in their estate planning, the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. has launched www.SWOSUTomorrows.com, a comprehensive website with updated information about how planned gifts of any size and type can be made to SWOSU.
Donors who choose to record their planned gifts to SWOSU will be named as part of the SWOSU Tomorrows giving society and recognized according to their wishes and preferences, joining a special place of honor amongst the university’s many benefactors. Former SWOSU Presidents Dr. Joe Anna Hibler and the late Dr. John Hays served as the founding honorary co-chairs of the SWOSU Tomorrows effort under the guidance of the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. Board of Trustees.
The SWOSU Tomorrows planned giving program is coordinated by the SWOSU Foundation, Inc. The Foundation was established in 1977 to promote philanthropy and distribute funds to support the activities and programs of SWOSU. Located on the Weatherford campus in the historic Burton House, the Foundation currently stewards over $26 million in assets for the benefit of SWOSU.
For information on how to make a planned gift to SWOSU or to notify SWOSU a provision has been made for the university in estate planning, please contact the SWOSU Foundation by telephone at (580) 774-3267; by e-mail to Executive Director Garrett King at garrett. king@swosu.edu; or by visiting www. SWOSUTomorrows.com.