Alumni Gift Transforms Real Estate Studies At UA

In this era of rising expenses and tuition, as well as reduced legislative financial support for public higher education, donor giving to campuses has become increasingly important. Realizing that, a discretionary $5 million gift to the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business will give a major boost and a new name to the college's real estate program.

The Rance M. Sanders Real Estate Program will include an all-new undergraduate major and an existing minor thanks to the gift from UA alumni Rance M. and Angie L. Sanders of Vestavia Hills in Jefferson County.

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Rance Sanders is the president and CEO of The Sanders Trust, LLC, a healthcare real estate firm holding properties across 30 states. He is also a member of the university's President Council and a board member of the 1831 Foundation.

“I want to give students two things: one is access to a good education, and number two, we want them to get the very best professors and experience hands-on learning to hone real-world skills, within the real estate program,” Sanders said in the school's press release. “We just see so many students who are promising, who are capable, but are struggling financially. To be able to give them a hand and make a difference in whether they can stay in school or not — that really means a lot.”

The gift is just an extension of Sander's support for Culverhouse. He endowed the Rance M. Sanders Real Estate Scholarship in 2007. It currently awards approximately $7,500 to as many as six students each academic year.

“Rance often shares that it was here at Alabama where he learned the value of preparation, perseverance, and showing up, even when it wasn’t easy,” Culverhouse College of Business Dean Kay Palan said. “That credo carried him through law school, into business, and into a life of purpose. And today, he and his wife Angie are giving back in a way that reflects their belief in the power of education.” 

Over the last five years, Culverhouse has seen a 300% increase in students pursuing a minor in real estate. Students in the new major will learn to develop, purchase, sell, lease, appraise, and manage real estate.

The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign has passed its $1.8 billion goal with over a year remaining in the original campaign timeline. It is the most successful capital campaign in the history of higher education in the state of Alabama.

The UA Division of Advancement website details procedures and guidelines for giving.