Austin Ramsey
News Editor
The University Board of Regents voted to rename the College of Business the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business Friday at the quarterly meeting.
The renaming comes after a large donation by Bauernfeind, a University alumnus of 1960, whose 7-digit contribution marks the highest monetary gift in the college’s history.
President Randy Dunn introduced the proposal, saying it would allow the University to welcome a new unit to the University academic body.
“This is the kind of thing you see on larger campuses, but this time, we get to see it in the College of Business,” he said.
Dunn said the building complex housing most business-related majors and minors would bear Bauernfeind’s name, including new signage.
“We’re very pleased to recommend to the Board the naming of the Arther J. Bauernfeind College of Businesss,” Dunn said.
Board members unanimously approved the naming in what Dunn called a historic event in the University’s history.
Bauernfeind, who was designated a distinguished alumnus in 1996, has acted as a major contributor to the University for many years, helping fund the initial building of the University Susan E. Bauernfeind Wellness Center in 2004, which is named after his daughter.
He has been chair of the MSU Foundation’s board of trustees for 10 years, overseeing major University gifts, including those to help fund the Science Complex and the surpassing of the original $60 million Hold Thy Banner High Campaign.
Bob Jackson, associate vice president of Institutional Advancement, said Bauernfeind’s contributions to the University made the renaming make sense.
It was only fitting and right that this college bear his name,” he said. “We are very grateful to Art for his continued support of the University.”
A naming committee chaired by Jim Carter, vice president of Institutional Advancement, in charge of developing naming proposals before they are presented to the Board oversaw the drafted presentation and voted unanimously, Jackson said.
He said the committee members felt Bauernfeind’s continuously positive relationship with Murray State necessitated reciprocal action.
“He has been extremely generous with his time in assisting the Foundation in managing its assets during the past 20 years and has been a very loyal and major donor,” Jackson said.
He said the money Bauernfeind’s donated will be funneled directly into the College of Business, benefiting students,
Dunn said an official renaming ceremony should be set for late in April.