The late Raymond E. “Ray” Batchelor, Jr. (BS ’57) and his wife, the late Janada L. Batchelor, were devoted friends and supporters of The University of Tulsa, who played prominent roles in TU’s development, especially in the area of athletics. Their many investments in university programs, facilities and scholarships resulted in the couple’s recognition as members of the Circle Society, the President’s Council, and as Annual Fund Challengers for the Collins College of Business.
The Batchelor family had strong ties to The University of Tulsa. Both Ray and his late brother, Robert, majored in management and graduated in 1957, and they both were members of Sigma Chi Fraternity while on campus. After graduation, the brothers went on to distinguish themselves in the community and in their careers. Mr. and Mrs. Batchelor’s daughter, Carene, graduated from TU in 1981 and 1983, with a BS and MA in education.
Ray and Janada met while at TU and married in September 1957. They had three children – Lisa “Carene,” Margaret, and Trey – and eight grandchildren. Ray began his career in the petroleum business with Bovaird Supply Company until he formed BHC Pipe & Equipment Company in 1987. He remained president of the company until he passed away in 2016.
Janada became a volunteer extraordinaire, including spending 13 years working with Emergency Infant Services. In 1998, Ray and Janada opened their beloved Grand Lake home to a tour benefiting Home of Hope. On a mission trip to Tanzinia, Janada took one of her grandsons, Christopher. For him, the trip sparked an idea for a nonprofit he called “Chicks for Africa,” which developed poultry farming as a livelihood for orphaned boys. He later established the Janada Batchelor Foundation for Children, which assisted abused girls. Janada Batchelor passed away in 2012.
The Batchelors’ generosity touched a wide array of programs at TU, including the Collins College of Business, the TU Annual Fund, the TU International Alumni Association, academic scholarships and several athletics initiatives. They supported the construction of both the Case Athletic Complex at H.A. Chapman Stadium and the Donald W. Reynolds Center while also providing program support for the men’s basketball team, the football team, men’s tennis and women’s golf. They also were longtime members of the Golden Hurricane Club, with Ray serving a term as a director of the club. The couple also joined the Gilcrease Council in support of Gilcrease Museum.
Perhaps their greatest legacy is being sustained by the Raymond and Janada Batchelor Scholars. Ray and Janada felt it was important to encourage TU’s student-athletes, and they established two namesake athletic scholarships – The Raymond and Janada Batchelor Athletic Scholarship Endowment Fund for Basketball and The Raymond and Janada Batchelor Athletic Scholarship Endowment Fund for Football. These vital scholarships will continue to provide opportunity for student-athletes at TU for generations to come while also serving as meaningful remembrances of two dear friends of the TU family.
