Kansas State University has announced a bequest of $17 million from alumnus Robert Campbell.

As part of his estate plan, Campbell established the Robert E. Campbell Opportunity Scholarship and Robert E. Campbell Opportunity Scholars Recognition Fund, which are in addition to a $1 million gift he made in support of the College of Business Administration in 2018.

Campbell was a first-generation student who studied business administration at K-State via the GI Bill after serving in WWII with the United States Army Air Corps, a precursor to the U.S. Air Force. After his 1950 graduation from the College of Business, he sold bonds before researching “how the oil business worked” and in 1963 launching Robert E. Campbell Oil and Gas Operations, which he operated for 56 years.  

“Thousands of students will benefit from this incredible gift as it helps K-State achieve our land-grant promise of providing access to higher education,” said Kansas State University president, Richard Linton. “Bob Campbell’s desire to give back and make a difference in the lives of our students serves as a shining example of what the K-State family is all about. We are grateful for his generosity and support.”

(Photo Credit: Getty Images/jacoblund)