Culverhouse Gives $500K For UA's School Of Leadership And Policy's First Endowment

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Longtime University of Alabama benefactor Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. has made a $500,000 gift to establish the first endowment for UA’s new School of Leadership and Policy.

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The Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. Endowed Professorship in Leadership and Policy will support efforts to recruit and retain nationally recognized scholars in public policy and leadership, pending approval by the UA System Board of Trustees in February.

UA says the School of Leadership and Policy, set to launch undergraduate and graduate degree programs in fall 2027, will focus on preparing students for civic engagement, public service and government careers through interdisciplinary coursework, internships and community projects.

“This is a school where you’re emphasizing thoughtfulness and solutions,” Culverhouse said. “This has the promise of changing the world for the better. It’s an honor to invest in the future of the School and have the first endowed gift — it won’t be the last.”

Culverhouse’s gift continues more than a decade of philanthropic support for UA, bringing his total giving to more than $20 million across programs including business, performing arts, student scholarships and athletics.

“Whether it's the ballet theater, the Two Iron Club Scholarship in the business college, the women's golf team or the new golf course, our support aims to improve the entire university,” Culverhouse said. “And the professorship in the School of Leadership and Policy gives me something that I want to grow. This $500,000 is just the beginning.”

UA Vice President for Advancement Bob Pierce praised Culverhouse and his wife, Eliza, as “an incredible example of generosity,” noting the wide impact of their contributions across campus.

For their philanthropy to the University to cross the $20 million mark, and for it to have touched so many areas of campus, is truly remarkable," Pierce said. "We are grateful to have them in the UA family."

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