Education as a Means to Elevate Us All
A passion for education drives much of Slawson’s philanthropic giving. A prime example is the family’s donation of $16 million for the new Slawson Hall, one of two buildings in the Earth, Energy and Environment Center at the University of Kansas.
Slawson Hall meets LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards while providing teaching and research facilities focused on geology, engineering, environmental studies and other earth-science related fields.
The center promotes cross-disciplinary research to shape our energy- and water-hungry future. There, students will tackle current and future issues in legacy energy exploration, water quality and availability, and geothermal energy.
Slawson Companies helps lessen the disadvantages faced by low-income children and young people. It supports groups such as Three Affiliated Tribes’ Head Start Program in New Town, North Dakota, an organization that makes sure children are ready to transition to kindergarten with school-ready skills.
It also works to improve the lives of students in inner-city Denver and Oklahoma City. Whiz Kids Oklahoma, one Slawson-supported program, offers one-on-one tutoring and mentoring program for at-risk students in metro Oklahoma City. Whiz Kids post considerably higher test scores than those outside the program, helping them achieve goals and putting them on a path that leads to a college education.