California engineer commits $5 million challenge grant to OU's Heart Rhythm Institute

11/04/09

A $5 million challenge grant to establish a $10 million endowment for the University of Oklahoma’s life-saving cardiac arrhythmia center was announced Nov. 4 by OU President David L. Boren at the November meeting of the Board of Regents.  The gift brings to a total $12 million in gifts and pledges from an entrepreneur who has never lived in Oklahoma or attended OU.

In 1982, the only thing California native and lifelong resident Wilton “Will” Webster knew about Oklahoma was “the song.”  And then, Webster, an inventive engineer specializing in making cardiac catheters when no big companies would, responded to an inquiry from OU scientist Dr. Warren “Sonny” Jackman.  Jackman, a board-certified cardiologist and electro-physiologist who uses highly sophisticated techniques to measure heart rhythms and correct abnormalities, had a hunch about how to tackle electrical problems of the heart in a way no one else had.

Webster had a small engineering firm and occasionally placed a small note in engineering magazines offering to make one-of-a-kind catheters.  Jackman saw the note and called.  He and Jackman teamed up to develop catheters for radio frequency ablation of cardiac arrhythmias.  Webster created the closely spaced electrodes for mapping, and he later invented a steerable electrode catheter that could map and pinpoint defective tissues in the heart.

“The University has no more loyal and generous supporter than Will Webster,” Boren said.  “We are deeply honored that he has decided to join the OU family by choice.”

The procedure originated by Jackman and aided by Webster’s engineering expertise established the now almost universally accepted treatment program for cardiac arrhythmias, which was developed at OU.  Patients from most of the 50 states and many foreign countries now seek treatment at OU.  Those benefiting from this work include corporate executives, college students and, in particular, a family member of the Sultan of Brunei, who traveled to Oklahoma City for their loved one to undergo the life-saving treatment procedure. 

Webster’s longtime support and major gifts over the years helped establish OU’s Heart Rhythm Institute, including an active Advisory Board on which he serves.  A member of OU’s Campaign for Scholarships Committee, he previously contributed $1.5 million for an endowment for Sooner Heritage Scholarships. Before announcement of his latest gift, Webster, a graduate of the California School of Technology, had given the University of Oklahoma he had grown to love so much, more than $6.7 million.

Since beginning his relationship with OU, Webster has worked to ensure the finest in technology for the Institute, helped establish the Advisory Board and faithfully attended quarterly meetings of the Institute in addition to providing financial support.

“I consider the day Sonny Jackman called me as one of the luckiest in my life – not because of the business that ensued – but because I got to be a part of developing electrophysiology to become a therapeutic activity and ultimately save thousands of lives,” Webster said.

“The reason I adopted the University of Oklahoma is not because I felt I ‘owed’ the University something, but because I discovered how unique the University of Oklahoma is:  it’s unique in location, it’s beautiful, and it is an outstanding academic institution.  OU is very, very special to me,” he said.

Will and his wife, Helen, live in Altadena, Calif. His hope is that his $5 million grant will encourage others to contribute toward a match of his gift to ensure a $10 million endowment for the Heart Rhythm Institute.

Today, he knows more about Oklahoma than many Oklahomans do having become an avid student of Oklahoma history.  His visits to Oklahoma each quarter for the Board meetings always include a “side trip” to learn more about Oklahoma, including tours of the OU museums, libraries, Oklahoma rose rocks, the “Iron Forest,” and many other facts and sites unique to Oklahoma.  

In 2008, this California-turned-OU-fan received a special honor from his adopted second home when President Boren presented him with the Regents’ Award for Outstanding Service to OU.