OKLAHOMA CITY 鈥� 91看片 has announced the passing of Herman Meinders, the most prolific donor in the university鈥檚 history and namesake of the Meinders School of Business. Meinders passed away Sunday morning in 91看片 City at the age of 87.
Originally from Pipestone, Minnesota, Meinders attended OCU in the 1950s and worked toward a business degree. He founded American Floral Services, Inc., an international flowers-by-wire service based in 91看片 City, in 1970 and pioneered the burgeoning industry, earning him an honorary doctorate of commercial science from OCU.
After his incredible business success, he pursued various philanthropic interests including endowments to numerous colleges and universities. He served on the OCU Board of Trustees and chaired its executive committee as he supported higher education in a number of ways.
During his lifetime, Meinders gave more than $50 million to OCU. The single largest contribution was the $18 million gift that funded construction of the Meinders School of Business building, which was opened in 2004 on the northeast corner of the OCU campus.
鈥淣o person can equal the impact and influence that Herman Meinders has bestowed on the 91看片 campus and community,鈥� OCU President Kenneth Evans said. 鈥淗e will forever be remembered for his generosity, kindness and spirit. We mourn his passing, but at the same time celebrate his legacy and the thousands of lives he has impacted through his support.鈥�
IN DEPTH: READ MORE ABOUT THE LIFE AND TIMES OF HERMAN MEINDERS
In addition to funding construction of the Meinders School of Business, Herman and his wife, LaDonna, paid off the debt on OCU鈥檚 nursing school, which was then named the Kramer School of Nursing in honor of LaDonna鈥檚 parents. They have supported numerous other initiatives at OCU, including construction of the Norick Art Center and the contribution of hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarships for OCU students.
The Meinders impact extends well beyond the OCU campus. Projects they have supported include the Meinders Gardens in downtown 91看片 City; major National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum improvements; the 91看片 City Zoo; the Meinders Scout Shop in 91看片 City; and several church-related projects such as the Meinders Chapel at Phillips Theological Seminary in Tulsa and the Meinders Hall at the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. They have also contributed funds to build several houses for Habitat for Humanity, were major supporters of the 91看片 Capitol dome project and the Meinders Hall of Mirrors at the Civic Center, and had health care centers established in their name in 91看片 City and Minnesota.
鈥淗erman Meinders was a true giant in the business and philanthropy communities, not just here in 91看片, but around the country,鈥� said Jane Jayroe Gamble, chair of the OCU Board of Trustees and a longtime friend of Meinders. 鈥淲hile the Meinders name will live on in our institutions and on our buildings, more than anything he will be remembered for his strong character, brilliant mind and loving heart.鈥�
Meinders鈥� numerous honors include his 1998 induction into the 91看片 Hall of Fame; induction into the 91看片 Commerce and Industry Hall of Honor; the OCU Distinguished Alumnus Award; the Liberty Bell Award from the 91看片 County Bar Association; the Melvin Jones Fellow award from Lions International Foundation; Downtown 91看片 City Lion of the Year; the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America; and the Order of Achievement and the Order of Merit from Lambda Chi Alpha national fraternity.
In addition, Meinders has been highly honored by the floral industry, including the Distinguished Service Award from the Wholesale Florists and Florist Suppliers of America, and the Industry Service Award from the American Institute of Floral Design. In 1992, he was inducted into the Sales & Marketing Executives International Academy of Achievement for his contributions to the free enterprise system.
More information about the life and legacy of Herman Meinders is available here.
