Reviewed by: Sharron Swain
One $40M gift transformed Auburn’s Harbert College of Business—here’s how
Reading time: 5 minutes
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In 2013, Auburn alumni Raymond J. and Kathryn D. Harbert made a transformational $40 million gift to Auburn University’s College of Business. Over the following decade, the college saw unprecedented growth in student enrollment, hired top-tier faculty, added exciting new opportunities for students and much more.
Bham Now interviewed faculty, students and alumni of the Harbert College of Business to learn more about the impact of the Harberts’ gift.
About the naming gift
“Over the last decade, the transformational gift provided by Raymond and Kathryn Harbert to the Harbert College of Business accelerated the college’s growth and lifted its reputation into a new class of business school.”
Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, KPMG Professor and Interim Dean, Harbert College of Business
When Auburn University alumni Raymond J. and Kathryn D. Harbert announced their standalone $25M donation to the then-unnamed College of Business, they also offered a generous matching incentive—drawing in an additional $15M from other alumni and friends.
But the giving didn’t stop in 2013.
Inspired by the Harberts’ generosity, donors’ philanthropic support increased by 106% and the number of additional gifts increased by 23% over the following decade.
As an immediate result of the Harberts’ gift, the Harbert College of Business was able to support a massive influx of new students. According to Interim Dean Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, the college saw more than a 78% growth in student enrollment in the decade since the gift—from 3,800 students in 2013 to 6,800 students in 2023.
Improving the student experience
In order to prepare its ever-growing student population for life beyond graduation, the Harbert College of Business has been able to provide its students with a variety of enhanced learning opportunities and support, including:
- State-of-the-art learning facilities at Lowder and Horton-Hardgrave Halls
- Personal career guidance from career coaches, Program Champions and alumni mentors
- New international programs for undergraduate students
- Institutes such as the Harbert Investment Center and the Center for Supply Chain Innovation
“The gift enabled us to create new centers and institutes in the college, such as the Harbert Investment Center. This center is a space where our financial management association of students can come to study investment practices and design investment strategies in a state-of-the-art facility. In fact, Auburn’s FMA students regularly beat out Ivy League schools in internationally-recognized competitions.”
Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, KPMG Professor and Interim Dean, Harbert College of Business
In addition, the gift has enabled more than 825 Auburn undergraduates to embark on long- and short-term business trips to Latin America and Europe over the past 10 years—something that wouldn’t have been possible before. These trips allow Auburn undergrads to gain valuable international business insight, all while earning credit towards their degree.
“The resources in Lowder and Horton-Hardgrave Halls have truly allowed me to be the best student possible. They’re safe, clean and comfortable and I love that I can come at any time to rent out a private study room or work on a group project.”
Audrey Osbourne, Senior, Auburn University Harbert College of Business
Investing in world-class faculty
It’s no secret that teachers are the backbone that supports any educational institution. Since 2013, the Harbert College of Business has been able to hire promising junior faculty while retaining highly-regarded senior professors—something the college struggled with in the years before the gift.
“Thanks to the Harberts’ gift, we doubled our number of endowed professorships in the college and created eight Eminent Scholar positions—held by the top scholars in their fields. The gift has allowed us to competitively hire and retain the best faculty, which helps draw the highest quality undergraduate and graduate students. It also enabled us to create a new doctoral program in finance.”
Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, KPMG Professor and Interim Dean, Harbert College of Business
Building on the skills and knowledge gained from these professors, the outcomes for Harbert College of Business graduates have skyrocketed—in fact, graduates beat the SEC average when it comes to student salaries.
“When I take on new internship opportunities, I can tell that my professors at the Harbert College of Business have given me the tools and knowledge I need to excel. Once I graduate, I know that I’ll be prepared to tackle any opportunity or challenge thanks to what I’ve learned from my professors.”
Audrey Osbourne, Senior, Auburn University Harbert College of Business
Learn more about the Harbert College of Business
To learn more about opportunities with the Harbert College of Business, visit their website to request more information, plan your visit or apply to the college.
“We invite you to come and visit us at the Raymond J. Harbert College of Business. Tour our world-class facilities and meet our knowledgeable faculty and incredible students.”
Jennifer Mueller-Phillips, KPMG Professor and Interim Dean, Harbert College of Business
Want to see what makes the Harbert College of Business a special place? Make sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn to learn more!
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