Jim and Alison Gorrie of Birmingham committed $2 million to the McWhorter School of Building Science, the University announced Friday.
Jim is a 1984 Auburn graduate and the CEO of Birmingham-based Brasfield & Gorrie, a national construction company with 11 offices in six states. Alison is a 1984 Auburn graduate and the co-founder of Dorm Décor.
Their gift was made in support of the "Because this is Auburn" campaign, the University's $1 billion fundraising effort. As of Friday, the campaign had raised $887 million, 88.7 percent of its goal.
“We are committed to the success of Auburn University and we hope that this gift allows the school to provide students additional opportunities to experience real-life projects that are embedded in their communities,” Jim said in the announcement. “We also are pleased to provide support for recruiting faculty members who will continue the school’s exceptional construction education.”
A portion of the gift will be used to "enhance hands-on learning opportunities that enable students to use their construction education to impact their communities through projects focused on community needs," according to the announcement. Seventy-five percent of the gift will be used to create two endowed professorships within the school for recruiting and retaining outstanding faculty members.
“The Jim and Alison Gorrie gift is an elegant example of the convergence of enlightened philanthropy with mission-critical, strategic priorities in our building science program and the college," said Vini Nathan, dean of the College of Architecture, Design and Construction. "I am delighted about the sustained and significant impact this gift will have on our students, our faculty, the construction industry, and our communities regionally, nationally and internationally.”
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