Martha Burger of Oklahoma City received bachelor’s degrees from OSU’s College of Arts and Sciences and the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Business Administration from Oklahoma City University. She had a successful career at Chesapeake Energy, where she retired as the senior vice president of human and corporate resources in 2013. In June 2018, Burger became the first female president of Oklahoma City University in its 114 years.

 

Rob Terry, department head for OSU’s Department of Agricultural Education, Communications and Leadership, nominated Burger for her exemplary leadership and passion for supporting students.

 

In his nomination letter, Terry wrote, “Although Martha did not not attend OSU’s Oklahoma City campus or participate in FFA, she felt inspired to make a substantial scholarship donation to support these organizations. She was so impressed with the FFA students that she landed on it as a passion area for funding scholarships.”

 

During Burger’s time at Chesapeake, she was introduced to the Oklahoma FFA organization through philanthropic efforts. She created the single largest scholarship gift to FFA within the state of Oklahoma. The Martha Burger FFA Leadership Scholars Fund was established for Oklahoma State FFA officers and national officers to provide financial support to these leaders who are unable to work during their years as officers as they travel to meet with local chapters and attend leadership training events.