Culverhouse Gift to Create Faculty Endowment in UA School of Leadership and Policy

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Longtime benefactor Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. has gifted the first endowment to support The University of Alabama School of Leadership and Policy through the Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. Endowed Professorship in Leadership and Policy.

Culverhouse's $500,000 gift will help the School attract and retain nationally recognized scholars and experts in public policy and leadership. The endowment is pending approval by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees in February.

The School of Leadership and Policy will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in the fields of public policy and leadership starting fall 2027. Its interdisciplinary, practice-oriented education will prepare students to engage in civic life and government by focusing on foundational principles shaping laws and discourse. Through internships and community projects, they will encounter diverse viewpoints and organizations, gaining the skills needed to tackle complex challenges and develop effective solutions.

"This is a school where you're emphasizing thoughtfulness and solutions," Culverhouse said. "That appeals to me tremendously."

Culverhouse's support of the School's mission to prepare students to become effective leaders, policymakers and public servants for the state of Alabama and beyond inspired his investment, as well as the leadership displayed by former Sen. Richard Shelby and Sen. Katie Britt, both UA alumni.

"This has the promise of changing the world for the better," he said. "It's an honor to invest in the future of the School and have the first endowed gift - it won't be the last."

A Legacy of Support

Culverhouse's endowed professorship at the UA School of Leadership and Policy continues nearly 13 years of charitable giving across UA's campus, now totaling more than $20 million.

"Hugh and his wife, Eliza, are an incredible example of generosity. 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. We are grateful to have them in the UA family," said Vice President for Advancement Bob Pierce.

The Culverhouses, who reside in Coral Gables, Florida, have supported the Culverhouse College of Business, which carries his father's namesake, along with other endowments to support programs, faculty and scholarships across campus including:

• The Eliza and Hugh F. Culverhouse Endowed Student Assistance Scholarship, which has awarded more than $2.8 million to 227 students, who are called Two Iron Club Scholars, since 2014.

• A $3 million gift to name the dance theater in the Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts in Eliza's name.

• A $250,000 contribution to create the Eliza P. Culverhouse Graduate Support Fund in Dance, which supports graduate students in the dance Master of Fine Arts program in furthering their craft.
• Support for the UA women's golf program through the Joy McCann Culverhouse Endowed Women's Golf Scholarship in honor of Hugh's mother, who played golf at UA.

"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."