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A Prominent UA Alumni Couple Contributes the Largest Arts and Sciences Endowment in More Than Two Decades

Susan and Gaylon McCollough, UA President Bell and Dean Olin
Mrs. Susan N. McCollough, Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough, UA President Stuart R. Bell and Dr. Robert Olin

Two prominent University of Alabama alumni, Dr. E. Gaylon and Mrs. Susan N. McCollough, have gifted the College of Arts and Sciences with its largest academic endowment in more than two decades – for the purpose of creating two unprecedented initiatives: The Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars and the Susan N. McCollough Art Biennale.

The gift was formally announced at a news conference today.

The Institute, which is slated to be considered by The University of Alabama Board of Trustees in June 2017 and welcome its first class in the 2019-2020 academic year, seeks to attract the best and brightest students in the country.

The McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars will offer innovative interdisciplinary pre-medical training focused on academic excellence, applied analytics, leadership, community service, scholarly research and ethical professionalism.

“Susan and I have long been committed to the pursuit of excellence. We have dreamed of creating unique educational experiences in an academic environment that enlighten the mind and buoy the spirit,” Gaylon McCollough said.   Dr. McCollough goes on to say “We envisioned a broad-based course of study, uniquely designed to prepare aspiring physicians for the scholastic and professional challenges that lay ahead and a venue through which scholars pursuing careers in art could see their works appreciated by individuals from all walks of life.  We are convinced that the Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars at The University of Alabama will be the fulfillment of a major part of our vision and place our alma mater at the top of institutions attended by the most promising of tomorrow’s physicians and surgeons.”

Similar to other living-learning communities on campus, the McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars will provide tomorrow’s physicians the opportunity to live with a cohort of students with similar interests—in this case, the pursuit of a medical career.

Learn more about the McCollough Institute by reading the full article on the UA news site.