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One cannot say Curtis W. Mewbourne of Tyler doesn't love the University of Oklahoma.

In the fall 2006, the OU Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy benefactor challenged fellow alumni and college supporters by pledging to match, dollar for dollar, any gift made by individuals to endowed scholarships or graduate fellowships in the College of Earth and Energy.

At the time, OU President David Boren jokingly urged alumni to give generously enough to put Mewbourne in the poorhouse.

Not to worry, the founder of Mewbourne Oil Co did not end up in the poorhouse. He followed through with his pledge. By the time the match period ended on March 31, he had matched 1,360 gifts totaling $5.1 million.

With other corporate and annual gifts that fell outside the match criteria were included, the total raised for Earth and Energy scholarships and fellowships was more than $14.5 million.

"Curtis Mewbourne's challenge match ultimately helped us raise more than $14.5 million in scholarship funds for students in the Mewbourne College of Earth and Energy," Boren said. "This is an extraordinary accomplishment that involved more than 1,000 of the college's alumni and friends. We are deeply grateful to Curtis and everyone who contributed to this special campaign."

Mewbourne also thanked OU alumni and friends who made the gifts.

"The generosity of the graduates of these two great and storied schools provides a powerful statement about their belief in the future of our new College of Earth & Energy."

Mewbourne is also chairman of the Mewbourne College's capital campaign, which has raised nearly $55 million. The campaign's goals include support for fellowship and scholarship endowments, faculty endowments, facilities and resources and enrichment endowments for students, faculty research and the Youngblood Energy Library.

A 1958 OU petroleum engineering graduate, Mewbourne has long been involved in and supportive of OU's energy related programs and the students in them. In 2000, OU regents named the School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering in his honor.

When the College of Earth and Energy was formed on Jan. 1, 2006, bringing together the Mewbourne School of Petroleum and Geological Engineering and what would become the ConocoPhillips School of Geology and Geophysics, Mewbourne stepped up to be an alumni leader and supporter of the new college. In October 2007, OU Regents voted to name the College of Earth and Energy for him.

Mewbourne Oil, which Mewbourne founded in 1965, is one of the most active exploration and production companies in the Anadarko and Permian basins. It has been the largest supporter of engineering student scholarships and internships for 25 years.

Leadership Tyler announced it opened the application process for the 22nd class. Those interested can obtain an application from the Web site at www.leadershiptyler.org.

An information session will be offered at noon May 5 at the Tyler Chamber of Commerce. The session will allow prospective applicants the opportunity to hear more about the process and program as well as have their questions answered. Seating is limited so early reservations are requested by e-mailing cklein@tylertexas.com or calling 903-535-9242.

Potential candidates are also invited to attend the third Alumni Association NO-Play Golf Event, a virtual tournament with scratch-off golf cards and a Nintendo Wii golf contest, 5:30 May 6 at Hollytree Country Club. A fajita dinner will be served as many of the 550 alumni gather to raise proceeds for Leadership Tyler scholarships. Sign up at www.leadershiptyler.org.

The Tyler Economic Development Council was again recognized by the International Economic Development Council as one of 23 economic development organizations in the United States and Canada with IEDC recognition as an Accredited Economic Development Organization.

Originally accredited in February 1999, the IEDC reaccredited the organization in 2002 and 2005. Following three more successful years of activity as an AEDO member, the TEDC again achieved reaccreditation thru January 2011, which will result in 12 consecutive years of accreditation.

"The Tyler Economic Development Council displays the professionalism, commitment and technical expertise that is deserving of this honor," said Jeff Finkle, IEDC president and chief executive officer.

The AEDO program is a comprehensive peer review process that measures economic development organizations against commonly held standards in the profession. The program consists of documentation review and an onsite visit. Each phase is designed to evaluate information about the structure, organization, funding, program, and staff of the candidate economic development organization.

Barham Fulmer, TEDC chairman, said, "Earning the AEDO accreditation tells the community and prospects that the Tyler Economic Development Council has attained a measure of excellence assuring their trust is well placed and their business is in good hands."

The TEDC was the first economic development group accredited in Texas.

Business Editor Greg Junek may be reached at 903-596-6280, or by e-mail at business@tylerpaper.com.