News Summary
The University of Alabama has renamed its College of Arts and Sciences to the J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences following a $35 million donation from alumnus J. Frank Barefield Jr. The donation aims to enhance educational opportunities and is expected to generate $1.5 million annually for college activities. The college enrolls over 9,000 students across various programs and has experienced a significant increase in research funding, highlighting its vital role in the university’s academic structure.
Tuscaloosa, Alabama – The University of Alabama (UA) has announced the renaming of its College of Arts and Sciences to the J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences, following a remarkable $35 million donation from alumnus J. Frank Barefield Jr. This generous contribution is aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and programs within the college.
The UA System Board of Trustees approved the name change and Barefield’s significant gift on June 6. The donation will allow for greater discretionary funding, significantly impacting the college’s ability to support a variety of initiatives. This financial endowment is expected to generate approximately $1.5 million annually for college activities, helping to attract and retain top educators and outstanding students from around the globe.
The College of Arts and Sciences is a critical component of UA’s academic structure, enrolling over 9,000 students across 80 majors, minors, concentrations, and graduate programs. The college plays a vital role, providing nearly half of all credit hours earned by students and housing prestigious pre-med and pre-law programs within its 22 departments. In a demonstration of its academic prowess, the faculty generated $41.5 million in grants for impactful research in 2024 alone, signifying a 42% increase in research funding over the last five years compared to the previous five-year period.
J. Frank Barefield Jr., a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), is the owner and president of Abbey Residential, LLC, a multifamily real estate firm based in Birmingham, Alabama. His firm manages over $2.5 billion in assets. Barefield holds both a bachelor’s degree in finance from UA and an MBA from the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Additionally, he is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, where he achieved the rank of captain, and is notably recognized for his athleticism, having been the 1974 world powerlifting silver medalist.
The naming of the college after Barefield reflects both his contributions and the longstanding tradition of support among UA alumni. Only two colleges within the university bear the names of donors, highlighting the significance of Barefield’s generosity. Beyond this donation, he has also committed $10 million to UAB, which will facilitate the naming of its department of criminal justice and its entrepreneurship program.
In expressing his motivations, Barefield underscored the profound impact that his education at UA had on his career and success. He articulated a desire for his philanthropic efforts to foster an enriching environment within the university, ultimately benefiting future generations of students and educators alike.
UA President Stuart R. Bell acknowledged Barefield’s contributions, stating that his generosity embodies the spirit of giving that is integral to the university’s identity. This gift not only cements Barefield’s legacy within the institution but also represents a critical investment in the future of the College of Arts and Sciences as it seeks to enhance its offerings and continue to attract talent from both near and far.
As the J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences embarks on this new chapter, it stands poised to strengthen its role in providing quality education, fostering impactful research, and contributing to the vibrant academic community that defines the University of Alabama.
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University of Alabama’s College of Arts and Sciences Renamed
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