Trustees approve namings, endowed professorships and recognize major gifts across system campuses

At the annual meeting and committee sessions, trustees approved a slate of naming resolutions, endowed chair and professorship appointments, and acknowledged donor gifts across the system’s three campuses.

Dr. Stephen Mueller (presenting as UA representative) asked trustees to approve naming requests at UA, including revisions to naming opportunities in Bidgood Hall, Rice, and the Student Well‑being Hub, namings in Mary Huell Alston Hall and the Culver House College of Business, and the creation or revision of multiple endowments. Dr. Mueller said the board was asked to approve 33 endowments and create one quasi‑endowment.

At UAB, President Ray Watts outlined namings for facilities and training rooms in the School of Dentistry and University Hospital, as well as establishment of 19 endowments supporting education, health and research missions. UAB also requested closures or removals of several centers where funding mechanisms were no longer available.

From UAH, Dr. Chuck Carr presented gifts and named funds, including an estate gift of $250,000 to the David Allen Business Excellence Fund and a $3,000,000 payment from the UAH Foundation toward a $20,000,000 pledge for the Raymond B. Jones Engineering Building (the $3,000,000 brings the total received toward the pledge to $14,000,000). Trustees moved, seconded and approved the resolutions. Presenters noted appreciation for donors and emphasized that approved endowments and namings will support student scholarships, faculty positions and program activities.

Separately, UA requested and the committee approved appointments to multiple endowed professorships and Shelby distinguished professors; Dr. Jim Dalton presented the roster of five new Shelby distinguished professorships at UA and asked trustees for approval. The board approved those faculty appointments as part of the UA administrative action items.