Hugh Culverhouse Jr. Makes $500K Gift to Launch UA's New School of Leadership and Policy

The University of Alabama's new School of Leadership and Policy has received its first major endowment, a $500,000 gift from longtime benefactor Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. that will establish the Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. Endowed Professorship in Leadership and Policy.

The gift, pending approval by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees in February, will help the school attract and retain nationally recognized scholars and experts in public policy and leadership as it prepares to welcome its first students in fall 2027.

A Vision for Civic Excellence

The School of Leadership and Policy will offer undergraduate and graduate degrees in public policy and leadership starting fall 2027, with an interdisciplinary, practice-oriented education that will prepare students to engage in civic life and government by focusing on foundational principles shaping laws and discourse.

Through internships and community projects, students will encounter diverse viewpoints and organizations, gaining the skills needed to tackle complex challenges and develop effective solutions in the public sphere.

For Culverhouse, the school's mission resonated deeply with his commitment to developing future leaders who can serve Alabama and the nation. His support was inspired by the school's promise to prepare students to become effective leaders, policymakers, and public servants, as well as the leadership displayed by former Senator Richard Shelby and Senator Katie Britt, both University of Alabama alumni.

"This has the promise of changing the world for the better," Culverhouse 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 Milestone in Generosity

The endowed professorship marks a significant milestone for Culverhouse and his wife, Eliza: their charitable giving to the University of Alabama has now surpassed $20 million over nearly 13 years. Their philanthropy has touched multiple areas of campus, making them exemplars of sustained commitment to higher education.

"Hugh and his wife, Eliza, are an incredible example of generosity," said a university spokesperson. "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."

The Culverhouse family's name is perhaps most visible through the Culverhouse College of Business, one of the university's premier academic units that has benefited significantly from their support over the years.

Building Faculty Excellence from the Start

The $500,000 endowment comes at a critical juncture for the School of Leadership and Policy. As a brand-new academic unit, the school faces the challenge of building its reputation and attracting top-tier faculty who can establish rigorous programs and mentor the first generation of students.

Endowed professorships are among the most powerful tools universities have to recruit and retain exceptional scholars. The positions provide competitive salaries, research support, and the prestige that draws accomplished academics to new programs. For a school launching in 2027, having an endowed professorship secured two years in advance signals institutional commitment and financial stability to prospective faculty members.

The Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. Endowed Professorship in Leadership and Policy will generate ongoing funding in perpetuity, with the principal amount invested and the annual returns used to support the professor's salary, research, and professional development.

The Rising Tide of UA Philanthropy

Culverhouse's latest gift comes during a period of unprecedented philanthropic momentum at the University of Alabama. The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign has galvanized thousands of alumni and supporters, leading to the creation of more than 1,100 new scholarship and program support endowments.

The success of the campaign recently prompted the university to increase the minimum gift required to establish an endowment for scholarships and support funds from $25,000 to $50,000, effective October 1, 2025. The change aims to maximize the impact of endowments and provide more substantial support to students, better aligning administrative costs with the scale of funding.

Other major gifts in recent months demonstrate the university's fundraising strength:

• $35 million from alumnus J. Frank Barefield Jr. to name the College of Arts and Sciences
• $5 million from the family of the late Robert James "Jim" Kelly for the Culverhouse College of Business' student leadership initiative
• $5 million from alumni Rance M. and Angie L. Sanders to establish the Rance M. Sanders Real Estate Program, including a new undergraduate major

A Model for Civic Education

The School of Leadership and Policy arrives at a moment when civic education and public service face significant challenges nationwide. Declining trust in institutions, polarization in public discourse, and concerns about civic literacy have prompted calls for renewed emphasis on leadership education grounded in foundational principles.

The school's interdisciplinary approach—combining political science, ethics, history, economics, and practical governance—aims to produce graduates who can navigate complexity, engage respectfully across differences, and contribute meaningfully to democratic institutions.

By emphasizing hands-on experience through internships and community engagement, the curriculum will give students real-world exposure to policymaking processes and leadership challenges. This practice-oriented model reflects growing recognition that effective public servants need both theoretical knowledge and applied skills.

Alabama's Leadership Legacy

The University of Alabama has a distinguished history of producing leaders in public service, with alumni serving in Congress, state legislatures, gubernatorial offices, and federal agencies. Former Senator Richard Shelby, who represented Alabama in the U.S. Senate for 36 years, and current Senator Katie Britt, the first woman elected to represent Alabama in the Senate, exemplify the university's tradition of preparing leaders for national service.

The new School of Leadership and Policy will formalize and expand this legacy, creating a dedicated academic home for students passionate about public service and providing structured pathways into careers in government, policy analysis, nonprofit leadership, and civic engagement.

Looking Ahead

With its first endowed professorship secured and plans progressing for the fall 2027 launch, the School of Leadership and Policy is building the foundation for long-term success. University officials anticipate additional philanthropic support as the school's vision becomes more concrete and early faculty hires establish its academic direction.

As Culverhouse noted, his endowed gift won't be the last. For a school designed to prepare the next generation of leaders and policymakers, attracting multiple endowed positions will be essential to competing with established programs at peer institutions and achieving excellence from the outset.

The University of Alabama, as the state's flagship institution, continues to drive economic growth and educational opportunity across Alabama and beyond. With over 200 degree programs and more than 30 research centers, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry, and knowledge while maintaining its commitment to student success.

For Hugh and Eliza Culverhouse, their investment in the School of Leadership and Policy represents faith in the university's ability to shape leaders who will, as Hugh put it, "change the world for the better"—a vision aligned with Alabama's motto: "We will lead."