TU Law alumnus Joseph R. “Joe” McGraw, Jr. (JD ’59) and his wife, Carol A. McGraw, have been steadfast supporters of The University of Tulsa’s programs in academics and athletics for many years, reflecting the gratitude Joe has felt toward his alma mater.
As an industrious young man, Joe McGraw worked at Kewanee Oil Company during the day and attended the TU College of Law at night to earn his degree. He added duties as the TU Law librarian after his night classes for his last two years of law school, demonstrating the determination and strong work ethic that would lead to his tremendous career achievements in Tulsa’s real estate sector.
McGraw graduated from law school and went to work for a bank briefly before entering the real estate business, where he discovered his true calling. He founded McGraw Breckinridge Company Realtors in 1965, which merged with another company in 1986 to create McGraw Davisson Stewart, before establishing his most recent enterprises, McGraw Realtors and McGraw Commercial Properties.
In addition to his real estate enterprises, Joe McGraw worked for his fellow Oklahomans by serving in the Oklahoma House of Representatives (1964-66) and the Oklahoma State Senate (1966-1972). His sense of civic duty also led to his service as a Director of RELO, The International Relocation Network, based in Chicago, Illinois, and on the TU College of Law Advisory Board.
Joe and Carol McGraw have been community and philanthropic leaders in their hometown of Tulsa, supporting the arts, nature conservation (Tulsa Botanic Garden), health initiatives, and programs for disadvantaged youth, including Brush Creek Youth Ranch in Jay, Oklahoma, which was founded and chaired by Carol McGraw.
Their loyalty to The University of Tulsa has led to several gifts supporting an array of programs, and the couple has been recognized as members of the esteemed Circle Society, the Chapman Legacy Society and the President’s Council.
With gratitude for the opportunities Joe enjoyed in his TU Law studies, Joe and Carol McGraw established a planned gift in 2019 to create an endowment fund. The Joseph R. McGraw, Jr. Endowment for the College of Law will provide perpetual support for the TU Annual Fund for the College of Law, providing vital resources for future law students.
The University of Tulsa is deeply grateful for this important endowment fund, which will foster academic excellence in the TU College of Law for generations to come while extending the caring legacy of Joe and Carol McGraw.
