If you didn't know Gean Atkinson, a glance at his bio might make you think he was making this stuff up -- president of his own advertising agency, former state legislator, director of communications for a governor, college instructor, published author and decorated marine, just to name a few.

Gean Atkinson is also a financial supporter of the UCO's College of Liberal Arts and received his bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at UCO.

Of all the possible places to donate money, why does Atkinson choose to help fund scholarships and awards at UCO?

It's partly because the university offers such a great value.

Atkinson's initial decision to attend UCO was partially motivated by economics. It was affordable. His experience at the university led him to conclude that high prices didn't always mean good value.

"Once I got there, it was the level of personal discussion and interaction that really made the difference," he said. "I would have paid twice as much for the education I got."

"Whatever success I enjoy is, in large part, due to the education I received at the University of Central Oklahoma."

Today, Gean Atkinson is giving other students the same opportunities he had. "I remember the help I received when I went to school," he said. "I like to help people who are in the same situation I was."

Hopefully, that help will translate into the same kind of success for those students.