By Jerry Shottenkirk
As printed in The Journal Record, March 12, 2008.

The Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation's tall order for a new research tower got a boost Tuesday when the Samuel Roberts Noble Foundation promised to inject $6 million into the project.

The donation will be given in $2 million increments over the next three years.

OMRF President Stephen Prescott launched the drive in September. The first $15 million for the $125-million estimated project was granted by the Oklahoma Opportunity Fund. So far, the building fund is up to nearly $44 million.

Construction on the tower, which will be about half a block north of existing offices at 825 NE 13th, is set to begin in November.

"At so many crucial times in our history, the Noble Foundation's vision and generosity have enabled OMRF to embrace the future of medical research," Prescott said in a prepared statement. "Today, the Noble Foundation's support will once again allowance OMRF - and medical research in Oklahoma - to take a giant step forward."

The tower is expected to include eight floors and about 180,000 square feet and will help OMRF expand its immunology, cardiovascular biology, cancer and neurodegenerative disease research.

Prescott said the tower will add 300 jobs, and the average salary would be about $58,000, up from the current employee wage of $47,676. It's expected to open by 2010.

Michael A. Cawley, president and chief executive officer of the Noble Foundation, said the foundation is happy to help. "We hope the dividends it pays will be longer, healthier lives for Oklahomans and mankind," he said.

This article appeared in The Journal Record, www.journalrecord.com, on March 12, 2008.