The Kelley School of Business is pleased to recognize Al Oak, MBA’72, and Shary Oak for their dedication and commitment to education. They are the Kelley School honorees for the 2019 Spirit of Philanthropy Award.
Each year, the IUPUI Spirit of Philanthropy Award is presented to individuals, corporations and foundations that have demonstrated dedication and commitment to the academic and cultural well-being of IUPUI and its faculty, staff and students through generous donations, volunteerism and other notable investments.
Part of a generous gift from Al and Shary Oak helped to name the directorship of the Kelley School’s Center for Real Estate Studies. It also helped to expand the center’s real estate workshop to the Kelley School at IUPUI.
“From our perspective, the education and relationships developed as a result of the Kelley experience were exemplary,” Al Oak said of their donation . “We hope to provide assistance to others so they may enjoy the same opportunity.”
“We are grateful for the generous support we receive from Al and Shary Oak,” said Phil Powell, associate dean of academic programs at the Kelley School of Business at IUPUI. “Their dedication to education has enhanced the diversity of our programs and the experiences of our students. The expanded workshop offering in Indianapolis has helped our students grow in their understanding of the real estate sector, and it is preparing them to hit the ground running after graduation.”
Al is CEO and chairman of the architectural and engineering firm Cripe. In addition to numerous board positions and awards, he is a member of the Kelley School’s Academy of Alumni Fellows. His wife, Shary, is a member of the Cripe board of directors and a graduate of Purdue University.
Posted by: Teresa Mackin, tmackin@iu.edu