University of Alabama renames College of Arts and Sciences after $35M gift
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The University of Alabama has announced a rebranding for its College of Arts and Sciences after receiving a sizable donation from an alumnus.
J. Frank Barefield Jr. recently made a $35 million commitment to the university which will in turn name the college after Barefield.
“Mr. Barefield’s remarkable generosity reflects the spirit of giving that defines The University of Alabama. His gift further elevates the College of Arts and Sciences, which educates thousands of students across disciplines and fosters excellence in research and creativity.”
Stuart R. Bell, UA president
The newly-named J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences enrolls over 9,000 students across 80 majors, minors, concentrations and graduate programs. It is now one of only two colleges at the University to be named.
J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts and Sciences
The UA System Board of Trustees approved the gift and the College’s naming at its meeting on June 6.
Barefield’s gift provides the College with a fully discretionary endowment that allows its leadership to “act quickly, think boldly and lead purposefully” with initiatives such as:
- Launching innovative research the moment opportunity strikes
- Retaining top scholars with competitive support
- Intervening when students face unexpected hardships
- Investing in bold, high-impact initiatives across Alabama and beyond
Each year, the Barefield College of Arts and Sciences provides nearly half of all credit hours for UA’s students.
In 2024, the Barefield College of Arts and Sciences’ faculty generated $41.5 million in grants, which funded meaningful research in areas that impact Alabama, our nation and the world. In the past five years, research funding increased by 42% over the prior five-year period.
The College has more than 55,000 alumni throughout 64 countries and all 50 states.
“With this support, the College is poised to elevate its excellence in teaching, innovation, research and creative endeavors, reinforcing its commitment to meaningful impact and academic distinction. Mr. Barefield’s belief in our work affirms our mission. We are profoundly grateful for this support and look forward to the remarkable progress it will inspire in the years to come.”
Dr. Joseph P. Messina, dean of the Barefield College of Arts and Sciences
J. Frank Barefield Jr.
Barefield holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from UA, an MBA from UAB + is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst. He is an owner and the president of Abbey Residential, LLC, a multifamily real estate firm headquartered in Birmingham.
Barefield said his motivation to make the gift was to help UA students “dream big, because anyone can achieve their goals.”
“My goal with this gift is to assist the University in its ability to attract and retain the top educators and students from around the world. I am humbled and honored that the College of Arts and Sciences will forever bear my name… It’s a difficult thing to wrap your head around, that a school the size of The University of Alabama, and my name would somehow be associated with it.”
J. Frank Barefield Jr.
Barefield also made a sizable gift commitment of $10 million to UA’s sister institution, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to name its department of criminal justice and its entrepreneurship program.
He said he’s proud to extend his philanthropy to his alma mater and “can’t wait to see its impact on one of the top educational institutions in the world.”
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