As the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation celebrates 50 years of advancing STEM education and developing the next generation of engineers, we are revisiting the companies that helped make that mission possible. Among the early supporters was ONG.
As the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation celebrates 50 years of advancing STEM education and developing the next generation of engineers, we are revisiting the companies that helped make that mission possible.
Among those early supporters was Oklahoma Natural Gas (ONG), one of Oklahoma’s oldest and most recognizable utility companies.
Founded in 1906, Oklahoma Natural Gas has served Oklahoma communities for more than a century, providing natural gas service to homes, businesses, schools, and industries across the state. Today, the company serves more than 900,000 customers and remains a critical part of Oklahoma’s energy infrastructure.
When the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation was established in 1976 by leaders of the engineering profession, support from companies such as Oklahoma Natural Gas helped create a foundation for programs that would inspire students to pursue careers in engineering, mathematics, and technology.
That commitment to education and workforce development continues to align with ONG’s mission today. Modern utility companies depend on engineers in nearly every aspect of their operations, including pipeline design, infrastructure maintenance, system reliability, safety, environmental compliance, and emerging technologies.
Over the decades, Oklahoma Natural Gas has invested in communities throughout the state through charitable giving, volunteerism, educational initiatives, and workforce development efforts. The company’s support has helped strengthen opportunities for students while contributing to Oklahoma’s economic growth.
As OEF enters its next 50 years, the need for engineers remains as important as ever. From energy production and infrastructure to aerospace and advanced manufacturing, Oklahoma employers depend on a strong pipeline of STEM talent.
We are grateful to Oklahoma Natural Gas for its historical support of the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation and its longstanding commitment to building stronger communities across Oklahoma.
This story is part of OEF’s 50 Stories for 50 Years series, highlighting the people, companies, and organizations that have helped shape the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation since its founding in 1976.
Today, OG&E is one of Oklahoma’s most recognizable companies and one of the state’s largest engineering employers. Founded in 1902, the utility has spent more than 120 years generating and delivering electricity to homes, businesses, schools, and industries across Oklahoma and western Arkansas.
Less widely known is the company’s connection to the early history of the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation.
When Oklahoma’s engineering community came together in 1979 to establish a permanent home for the profession, Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company was among the organizations that stepped forward to support the effort. The company’s name remains engraved on the original donor plaque displayed in the Oklahoma Engineering and Design Professionals Center today.
The contribution reflected a long-standing relationship between engineering and electric utilities. Every aspect of providing reliable electric service depends on engineering expertise, from power generation and transmission systems to substations, distribution networks, and grid reliability. For more than a century, engineers have played a central role in helping OG&E meet the growing energy needs of Oklahoma.
The company traces its roots to the territorial days of Oklahoma. Founded five years before statehood, OG&E helped bring electric service to communities during a period of rapid growth and development. As cities expanded and industries emerged, engineers worked to design and build the infrastructure necessary to power homes, businesses, and public services.
By the time OG&E supported the Engineering Center campaign in 1979, the company had already become one of Oklahoma’s most established institutions. Its investment helped create a shared home for engineering organizations and professionals across the state, strengthening collaboration and leadership within the profession.
In the decades that followed, OG&E continued to expand and modernize its operations. Today, the company serves more than 900,000 customers and remains headquartered in Oklahoma City. Engineers continue to play a critical role in maintaining and improving the systems that deliver electricity safely and reliably across the region.
The appearance of OG&E on the original donor plaque serves as a reminder of the partnership between Oklahoma industry and the engineering profession. Companies depended on engineers to solve complex technical challenges, while organizations such as OEF worked to strengthen the profession through education, outreach, and leadership development.
As OEF celebrates its 50th Anniversary, stories like OG&E highlight the lasting impact of organizations that invested not only in their own success, but also in the future of engineering in Oklahoma. More than four decades after supporting the Engineering Center campaign, OG&E remains an important part of the state’s engineering, economic, and civic landscape.
This story is part of OEF’s 50 Stories for 50 Years series, highlighting the people, companies, and organizations that have helped shape the Oklahoma Engineering Foundation since its founding in 1976.