UA National Alumni Association Receives Largest Single Gift Ever

TUSCALOOSA, AL — The University of Alabama’s National Alumni Association on Wednesday announced it has received an $8 million gift from the estate of Massachusetts attorney Bill Decas.

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The $8 million represents the largest single gift the National Alumni Association has ever received and will go toward enhancing four previously created in-state scholarships.

The gift will also be used to create a fifth endowed scholarship for out-of-state students.

Decas, who died in 2023, practiced law with his brother George at Decas, Murray & Decas and co-owned Decas Farms — a family farm with a presence in the cranberry business for a nearly a century.

While Decas never attended The University of Alabama, he was an active supporter of the UA school and was captivated by the Crimson Tide football team during the 1960s thanks to legendary coach Paul “Bear” Bryant.

Decas then developed a deeper appreciation for UA and forged numerous friendships in Tuscaloosa, including previous National Alumni Association Director Pat Whetstone.

This friendship reportedly led to the creation of Decas’ existing four in-state Alumni Crimson Scholarships — the NAA’s most prestigious scholarship that see recipients receive yearly tuition along with a $300 annual book grant, a $3,500 stipend and an additional, one-time $2,000 study-abroad and research stipend.

“The relationship between Pat Whetstone and Bill Decas stands as a fantastic example of the power of relationships,” NAA Executive Director Jimmy Warren said. “Their story reminds us that meaningful friendships and a commitment to giving back can spark transformation far beyond what individuals can achieve alone.”

Before meeting Whetstone in 1998, the NAA says Decas attended UA football games alone and donated unused tickets for prospective students.

Decas then met Whetstone and then-president of the NAA Bob Shaw on a bus trip to the Alabama-LSU football game and was invited to dinner and to join them at the game.

This friendship ultimately led to his first gift, which established the Crimson Scholarship through the NAA.

“Trust and friendship were factors in Bill supporting UA,” Whetsone said. “And when he got to meet the scholarship recipients, I think that really attracted him to growing the scholarships even more.”

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