Missouri University of Science and Technology alumnus Philip Wade, founder
and CEO of Bluegrass Energy in Tulsa, Okla., has donated $250,000 to his alma
mater.

Wade, a 1971 petroleum engineering graduate, and his wife, Diane, have been
long-time supporters of Missouri S&T. Since graduation, the couple has
given more than $50,000 to the university in addition to this most recent
donation, which is the couple’s largest contribution to date.

“I have had some success in life, and any success I have is from the people
I’ve come in contact with, and the institutions,” Wade says. “You should give
back to those institutions that gave you the opportunity to be successful. I
have no doubt I can be thankful for the degree I got at Missouri S&T that
enabled me to do what I am doing. I consider Missouri S&T to be a great
school, and it provided the means to develop skills during my formative
years.”

Of the Wades’ $250,000 donation, $100,000 will fund Missouri S&T’s
Energy Research & Development Center (ERDC). The ERDC’s mission is to
increase the visibility of energy issues while enabling teams of scientists,
engineers and policy makers to prioritize, address and solve key energy issues.
This is an area of particular importance to Wade, who believes alterative
energy should be explored while existing sources of energy continue to be
pursued.

“I’ve been in the energy field a long time,” Wade says. “From our country’s
point of view, we need to develop technology in the future to meet our energy
needs.”

Half of the recent donation also will fund the Philip & Diane Wade
Endowed Scholarship, which is awarded to students in the high-need category of
financial aid. These are students whose income combined with that of their
families is less than $40,000 annually.

Finally, $25,000 of the Wades’ donation will fund Philip & Diane Wade
Geological Engineering Field Trips, which are in the process of being
arranged.

Wade says no matter where his dollars go, he’s happy to support Missouri
S&T.