Collat
Eric Jack, Charles Collat, and Ray Watts
INTRODUCING THE UAB COLLAT SCHOOL OF BUSINESS Patsy and Charles Collat Make Generous Lead Gift to The Campaign for UAB The Collats’ gift will establish an endowment, the earnings from which are to
THE UAB SCHOOL OF BUSINESS HAS A NEW NAME. In recognition of Patsy and Charles Collat and their $25 million in gifts and pledges, it is
provide vital funding for scholarships and support for programs throughout the
now the Charles and Patsy Collat School of Business, making it the first school
school, such as industrial distribution and entrepreneurship, that will enhance
at UAB to carry the name of a benefactor.
student experiential learning opportunities. “We are so grateful for the Collats’ continuing support for our school, and
The naming was made as the university prepared to publicly launch The
we will carry our new name with tremendous pride,” says Eric Jack, Ph.D.,
Campaign for UAB: Give Something, Change Everything, its most ambitious fund-raising campaign to date, with the Collat donation as the lead gift. Charles
dean of the school. “This generous gift will enable us to grow in our targeted
Collat, former CEO of Mayer Electric Supply Company Inc., one of Birmingham’s
areas of strategic excellence, and it will have a transformational impact on
largest privately held companies, and his wife, Patsy, are longtime UAB
the lives of thousands of students. It also will raise our profile as one of the continued on page 4
supporters, and their collective gifts represent the largest philanthropic support from any individual to UAB. Calling theirs a “transformational gift,” UAB President Ray L. Watts says, “We are so proud that our business school will bear the Collat name. Charles and Patsy have set a tremendous example for others who want to see UAB faculty, staff, and students continue to bring recognition to our city and state through outstanding education, patient care, research, and service. This is just the beginning.” Shirley Salloway Kahn, Ph.D., vice president for development, alumni, and external relations, noted that the Collats’ support during the last three decades “has helped UAB grow into the dynamic institution it is today, and their generous gift and confidence in our ambitious plans come at a crucial time in our growth strategy. The naming of the school in their honor is so fitting, as they have been so faithful to UAB and the School of Business with their service and support throughout the years.”
Eric Jack, Charles Collat, and Bob Holmes
GIVE SOMETHING
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