Dr. Ray A. Gross Jr. (BS 1961; Chemistry) is proud to be a member of the TU Chemistry Department’s class of 1961 because each member of this ambitious class went on to earn a doctoral degree (Dr. Gross at the University of Oklahoma). These motivated students were guided through their studies by talented professors, but two stand out in Dr. Gross’ mind – Dr. Ralph J. Kaufmann and Dr. T. Gardner.
Ray Gross was definitely a go-getter; he not only majored in chemistry with his sights on graduate school, but he also played on the men’s basketball team, earning his place as a three-year letterman.
Dr. Gross went on to forge an extraordinary 30-year career in the United States Army, attaining the rank of Colonel after serving in the Vietnam War and in other professional capacities, including in Army Research, Development and Engineering, and as a chemistry professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Ray Gross embarked on a second career in higher education after he retired from the military, serving as Professor of Chemistry at Prince George’s Community College just outside Washington, D.C. He enjoyed this phase of his career immensely, ultimately retiring after years of teaching, research and publication.
Dr. Gross continues to have fond memories of The University of Tulsa, and he has supported his alma mater since 1970, making several gifts to support both academics and athletics.
In 2018, Gross committed an estate gift to The University of Tulsa to fortify the Ralph J. Kaufmann Endowed Scholarship Fund, which was established in memory of Dr. Kaufmann in 1985 by his colleagues, former students and family members, and which supports deserving students in any field of study.
Through the Dr. Ray A. Gross, Jr. Gift for the R. J. Kaufmann Memorial Scholarship Endowment Fund, Ray Gross is able to support the students who will follow in his footsteps on TU’s campus while also paying tribute to one of his favorite TU professors. The TU family is deeply grateful to Dr. Gross for this important planned gift that will foster opportunity for TU students for generations to come.
