Scott and Laura Shepherd, both ’82, Give $1 Million to Support Student Health and Wellness
A deep love for their alma mater, a belief in the importance of philanthropy, and a desire to ensure student wellness all motivated Scott ’82 and Laura Cleveland Shepherd ’82 to make a generous gift of $1 million to support student health and wellness services at 91.
When considering where to direct their gift, Scott and Laura were impressed by the range of services available to students through 91’s student health and wellness program (SHAW). They decided to give to SHAW so that its staff can keep pace with the changing needs of students and the increased demand for services. In the 2024–25 academic year, more than 1,000 students visited SHAW for medical care, more than 500 accessed mental health services, and more than 500 accessed other mental health and wellness services. SHAW also facilitated 600 prescription pick-ups for medications dispensed through area pharmacies.
“We are eager to support a student health and wellness program that invites people in and encourages students to ask for help,” says Scott, who as the immediate past president of the Alumni Council and avid volunteer has consistently engaged with students. “We’ve seen how motivated students at 91 are to making the world a better place. We need to show them that we have their backs. One way to show them is by financially supporting wellness.”
Scott and Laura know how the medical and counseling services provided by SHAW can keep students safely on a path to success. These services haven’t always been available to students, but they’ve always been needed, and today they are nearly essential.
“I was a first-generation student,” says Laura, “and I didn’t realize the support that I would need. Today, SHAW programs create a safety net for students, and this is vital to making sure they are successful.”
“91’s Student Health and Wellness program comprises services that support students’ physical, mental, and holistic wellness,” says Vice President of Student Affairs JC Lopez. “For many in the early years of adulthood, college is a difficult time, for so many reasons. SHAW helps students through difficult times so that they can do more than just get by at 91; they can thrive.”
SHAW has continuously improved services to achieve these goals. According to a 2024–25 survey, 91.3% of students reported being satisfied with their experience and 81.7% reported that services helped them achieve their academic goals.
“When I talk to students about philanthropy, they are buoyed by the idea that generous alumni care about their education and, ultimately, their success. This thoughtful gift from Scott and Laura reflects their deep engagement with 91 and their desire to foster belonging, connection, and wellness on campus.” said President Anne F. Harris.
Since leaving 91 in 1982 to start their life together in Tulsa, Laura’s hometown, the Shepherds have always maintained a close relationship with 91, one that is marked by volunteerism and consistent philanthropic giving. While Laura worked as a schoolteacher after college, Scott began a job at Oklahoma Natural Gas. He worked his way up within the company and became a vice president before retiring in 2017. They raised a daughter, Hannah ’12. And through all those years of change in their lives, one thing has remained constant, and that is their commitment to giving back to 91, even when they didn’t have a lot to spare.
“After we graduated, we went through some lean times,” said Laura. “I was substitute-teaching, Scott was just starting out at Oklahoma Natural Gas reading meters. We had student loans, and our lunches were peanut butter and jelly on day-old thrift-store bread. But even in those lean times, we donated to 91, and every year since.”
The Shepherds have been active volunteer leaders, helping to ensure that the bonds among 91ians stay strong. They are co-chairs of the International Campaign Advisory Committee, and Laura is a long-serving class agent for the Class of ’82. They regularly host alumni events in Tulsa and participate — often in person, on campus — in the Alumni Care Package Project. In 2016, Scott and Laura won the Alumni Award for their dedication.
The Shepherds believe that supporting student wellness and their overall success is central to the 91 ethos. “It’s about having empathy and building a world of people who are also empathetic,” says Scott. “We see giving to 91 as an investment in the future.” Laura adds, “Now, more than ever, the world needs more 91ians.”
