The University of Tulsa has received a transformative $12 million gift from the Asbjornson Foundation to support student scholarships and high-impact learning opportunities, dramatically expanding access to a UTulsa education and empowering students to pursue lives of purpose, leadership and innovation.
“This extraordinary gift will positively influence generations of UTulsa students,” said UTulsa Interim President Rick Dickson. “We are profoundly grateful to the Asbjornson family for their vision and generosity. Their commitment to affordability, creativity and cultural enrichment aligns perfectly with UTulsa’s mission and will create pathways that allow our students to thrive academically and personally.”
The gift will establish a suite of endowed funds that support undergraduate and graduate scholarships, summer tuition assistance, global study and experiential learning with priority given to students from the state of Montana and transfer students from the Tulsa area. Together, these investments are designed to remove financial barriers, accelerate student success and prepare new alumni to make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.
“We believe deeply in the power of education to open doors and change the trajectory of a life,” said Scott Asbjornson, a proud alumnus of UTulsa’s Collins College of Business. “Our family’s experiences in both Montana and Tulsa have shaped that belief, and we are proud to support students from these communities. Our hope is that this investment removes barriers for talented students and creates opportunities for them to learn, explore and grow in ways that prepare them to lead with purpose. We are proud to support The University of Tulsa and the students who will carry that impact forward.”
The cornerstone of the gift is the Norman H. Asbjornson Undergraduate Scholarship Endowment for Engineering, Business and Entrepreneurship, which will support full-time undergraduate students pursuing degrees in engineering, computer science, data science, finance and emerging innovation-focused fields. The scholarships will allow students to focus fully on learning, discovery and leadership development while removing the financial burden of a college education.
The gift also establishes the Norman H. Asbjornson Graduate Scholarship Endowment for Engineering, Business and Entrepreneurship, expanding access to advanced education for students pursuing graduate degrees in high-impact, technology-driven disciplines. These scholarships will help UTulsa attract and retain talented graduate students who are eager to advance research, innovation and applied leadership in their fields.
To further support students’ academic momentum, the Norman H. Asbjornson Summer Tuition Scholarship Endowment will assist undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in summer coursework. The fund enables students to stay on track for timely graduation, accelerate their studies, add on academic minors or a second/third major and take advantage of summer learning opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
Recognizing the importance of thoughtful engagement in a connected world, the Norman H. Asbjornson Endowed Stipends for Global Experiences will support study-abroad opportunities. These funds will help students broaden their perspectives, deepen cultural understanding and gain global competencies that enhance their education and career readiness.
Complementing academic and international experiences, the Norman H. Asbjornson Endowed Stipends for Experiential Learning will provide critical support for hands-on opportunities beyond the classroom. From research and conferences to leadership programs and professional development experiences, the stipends will ensure students can participate in activities that enrich learning, foster confidence and prepare them to lead.
This generous gift reflects the Asbjornson family’s deep commitment to education, innovation and workforce development, as well as their multigenerational connection to The University of Tulsa.
Scott Asbjornson (B.S.B.A. ’91, MBA ’95) joined AAON, Inc. in 1988, serving in various positions before serving as chief financial officer of AAON, Inc. from 2012 to 2021. Now retired from AAON, Asbjornson offers his time and talent by serving on three key boards at his alma mater: the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Advisory Board (chair), the Provost Advisory Committee and the Collins College of Business Executive Advisory Board. Asbjornson was also the founding LP investor in Hurricane Ventures, which supports founders and startups that emerge from The University of Tulsa.
His father, Norman H. “Norm” Asbjornson, is a Montana native and a proud mechanical engineering alumnus of Montana State University. He founded AAON, Inc., a worldwide leader in high-efficiency, advanced HVAC systems in 1988. AAON, Inc., a publicly traded corporation headquartered and founded in Tulsa, is one of the city’s largest and most valued employers. Norm Asbjornson continues to serve on the board of directors.
“Education has always been the foundation on which people can build better lives and stronger communities,” he said. “My own journey showed me what becomes possible when someone invests in your potential. Seeing my family extend that commitment to students is deeply meaningful, because every opportunity we create today becomes someone’s future tomorrow.”
Scott Asbjornson’s eldest son, Erik (B.S. ’23, M.S. ’24), continued the family’s tradition of innovation by working in the Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge program while he was a student in UTulsa’s College of Engineering & Computer Science and is currently employed with CymStar, LLC.
“As a recent UTulsa graduate, I’ve seen how meaningful opportunities inside and outside the classroom can shape a student’s path,” Erik Asbjornson said. “I’m proud that my family is helping make those experiences accessible to more students, and I hope that one day these students will invest in others just as others invested in them.”
Scott Asbjornson’s middle son, Andrik Ramirez, plans to enter The University of Tulsa in fall 2026.
To learn more about how to support scholarships and other student opportunities, please visit give.utulsa.edu.