Neil Griffin donated $10-million dollars to the College of Business. At a public ceremony, ASU-System President Dr. Charles Welch read a letter from Governor Asa Hutchinson. Hutchinson expressed his gratitude for Griffin’s gift:
I am excited and appreciative to see members of the business community invest in Arkansas, and I am particularly inspired when it is accomplished in ways to elevate citizens through education. To have a native Arkansan remember his Alma Mater with, not only an impactful gift, but also with a thoughtful one speaks volume about Neil Griffin. While this is the largest gift by an individual in Arkansas State University history, it is structured to benefit both faculty and students.
Griffin is a 1948 graduate of the university. He said that he hopes the university will use his gift to prepare students and faculty for a rapidly changing economic future.
You guys who are going to college, I know it’s tough [and] maybe you’re taking out a lot of loans. But, I want to tell you that there’s no way to really change your life without an education. You’ve got to get it. I’m so please to be able to give money to Arkansas State, to not only help the students, but also to make sure you have a high quality faculty to teach you.
The Board of Trustees passed a resolution to name the College of Business after Griffin. The Northeast Arkansas native has given multiple times to the university and to other philanthropic causes. In 2012, he gave $5-million-dollars to the university to establish an endowment program. Griffin now resides in Kerrville, Texas.
