Houston, Texas, Nov. 1, 2023 – Houston Christian University (HCU) announced that The John M. O’Quinn Foundation has made a commitment of $2.5 million to endow a Chair in counseling at the university. The announcement was celebrated with the dedication of a plaque in the Brown Administrative Building at a ceremony open to the HCU community followed by a luncheon hosted by HCU President, Dr. Robert B. Sloan and wife, Sue.
The gift, the largest from The Foundation to date “will allow many students to be well trained, positively impacting the lives of many in the community and across the globe,” read the plaque’s inscription.
“We believe that our counseling area is highly capable and truly prepared to tap into the deep roots of the broken and restless hearts all around us, and it’s The O’Quinn Foundation’s generous gift that is enabling us not only to speak to these needs individually but to provide opportunities for healing and restoration – the restoration of persons, families and ultimately culture,” said HCU President Robert Sloan.
A Texas trial lawyer and founding partner of The O’Quinn Law Firm, John M. O’Quinn dedicated his life to advocating for the needs of the underprivileged. He created The John M. O’Quinn Foundation in 1986 to fund charitable organizations with a focus on conservation, education, health, and programs benefiting underprivileged youth in Houston.
The John M. O’Quinn Foundation President Rob C. Wilson III described O’Quinn’s passion for supporting institutions that address the mental health needs of the community.
“Mr. O’Quinn was a big supporter and advocate for mental health care in Houston, as he was directly impacted by it during his lifetime. We honor his legacy with this endowed Chair, knowing it will be a valued resource for hope and healing for many in the community,” said Wilson.
Dr. Michael Cook, Director of HCU’s Student Counseling Center, expressed his heartfelt appreciation to The Foundation for their gift, the faculty members and students it will enable the University to train, and the countless lives it will allow them to impact in the future.
The commemorative plaque, bearing O’Quinn’s image, hangs on a dedicated endowed chair donor wall in honor of The John M. O’Quinn Foundation’s generosity to the university.
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About The John M. O’Quinn Foundation
John M. O’Quinn (1941-2009) established The John M. O’Quinn Foundation (the “Foundation”) in 1986. With his death in 2009, Mr. O’Quinn willed his entire estate to the Foundation. As of December 31, 2022, the Foundation has awarded more than $156 million in grants. Most of the funds have been given within the state of Texas with a special emphasis on Houston, Mr. O’Quinn’s home since his youth. Although the Foundation supports a wide variety of charitable activities, in honoring Mr. O’Quinn’s legacy, the Board of Trustees focuses on Houston and its surrounding areas for conservation, education, health, and programs benefitting underprivileged youth.
About Houston Christian University
For more than 60 years, Houston Christian University has equipped students to lead, collaborate, and embody a deep sense of spiritual purpose. The university offers a wide range of majors, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs, as well as NCAA Division I athletics in the Southland Conference. Located in the heart of one of the nation’s largest metropolitan centers, HCU’s culture of excellence molds the next generation of educated disciples to be pillars in their communities, preparing them to think critically and biblically as they impact the world.