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Trustees approve $35 million gift and rename College of Arts and Sciences for donor J. Frank Barefield
Summary
The University of Alabama board accepted a $35 million commitment from alumnus Frank Barefield and voted to name the College of Arts and Sciences in his honor, marking the largest single academic naming announced at the June 6 meeting.
Trustees of the University of Alabama System on Friday approved a $35 million gift commitment from alumnus Frank Barefield and voted to rename the University of Alabama’s College of Arts and Sciences to recognize his contribution.
The gift, presented by President Stuart R. Bell during the board meeting, will create a fully discretionary endowment for the college. "Today marks a truly transformational moment in our college of arts and sciences," Bell said as he asked the board to accept the donation and approve the proposed name change to the J. Frank Barefield College of Arts and Sciences.
The nut graf: the College of Arts and Sciences is the system’s largest academic unit, awarding the most credit hours and serving a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs; university leaders told trustees the endowment will support priorities across those programs and provide discretionary funds for dean-level decisions.
In presenting the request, Bell described Barefield as a longtime supporter of UA and the broader system and noted the donor was present in the meeting room. "We respectfully request the board’s favorable consideration of this resolution," Bell said. Board members responded with a motion and second and then approved the naming by voice vote.
Background and details: Bell said the college serves dozens of majors and a large alumni base and that the $35 million commitment is intended to be a permanent endowment. The board’s action was taken during the regular June meeting after the committee reports and followed the customary motion, second and voice vote. Trustees did not attach conditions in the meeting minutes to restrict use beyond the donor’s stated intent for a discretionary endowment.
Ending: Board members thanked Barefield and his spouse for the gift at the meeting. The naming takes effect upon formal acceptance of the gift and execution of gift documents, and university officials said they will provide implementation details and stewardship plans in coordination with the donor and the college.
