President Kenneth Evans and the ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ community extend deepest condolences to the Love family as we learn today of the passing of Judy Love.
Love, one of Americaβs most successful businesswomen and a renowned philanthropist, had been a long-time member of the ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ Board of Trustees. A regular benefactor of educational causes in Oklahoma and beyond, Love and her family have been generous supporters of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½.
Love and her late husband, Tom, founded Loveβs Travel Stops & Country Stores in Watonga, Oklahoma, in 1964, growing the venture into a multi-billion-dollar company headquartered in Oklahoma City. The success of the company paved way for the formation of the Love Family Fund, which has been a major source of philanthropic giving since its inception.
΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ honored Judy Loveβs business success in 2009 with induction into the universityβs Commerce & Industry Hall of Honor. This followed her husbandβs induction in 1998, and preceded the induction of her daughter β Jenny Love Meyer β into the hall last month.
In 2010, Judy Love was given one of the stateβs highest honors when she was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. In 2015, the university awarded her an honorary doctorate degree in Humanities and Letters. In 2021, she was recognized by the Societies of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ as the recipient of the Societies Lifetime Servant Leadership Award, acknowledging her exceptional involvement and service toward the nonprofit community and university. She was also recognized by the Societies of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ in 2002 with the Distinguished Philanthropist Award.
Judy and Tomβs support of the university included the establishment of the Loveβs Entrepreneurial Center within the Meinders School of Business and a significant contribution to help fund construction of the Wanda L. Bass School of Music building, as well as regular support of various performing arts initiatives at ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½.
βJudy Love was nothing less than a giant in the American business and philanthropy communities,β President Evans said. βWe are deeply grateful for her service and support of ΄σΟσ΄«Γ½ and its students throughout the years.β
