April 7, 2017
AUBURN, Ala. – The Auburn University Board of Trustees approved today a major gift of $5 million from the Raymond Harbert Family to kick off the fundraising for the Jordan-Hare Stadium South End Zone renovation. The gift is the single largest in Auburn Athletics history.
“This is a historic day for Auburn Athletics, and we are extremely grateful to Raymond and Kathryn for all they have done and continue to do for Auburn,” Auburn University Director of Athletics Jay Jacobs said. “The Harberts have shown us time and again that they believe in Auburn and love it. Our hope is that their generous support and loyalty will inspire other alumni to support our athletic programs and the student-athletes who represent us at the highest level possible.”
Harbert and his wife, Kathryn Dunn Harbert, a 1981 Auburn alumna, are also responsible for two of the four largest gifts in Auburn University history. The Harberts serve as co-chairs of Because This is Auburn —A Campaign for Auburn University.
The Harbert family has made generous philanthropic investments in the Harbert College of Business and Auburn Athletics, granting them membership in Auburn’s most distinguished recognition societies - The Tower Circle of the 1856 Society and Tigers Unlimited’s Oaks Society. Harbert is also a member of the Auburn University Board of Trustees.
“Auburn University and Auburn Athletics has been an important part of my family’s life” Harbert said. “We want to see Auburn thrive on all levels – academically and athletically. Recruiting is the life-blood to building successful teams. Kathryn and I are pleased to invest in a project that will build on Auburn’s history of attracting top-talent.
The Auburn Board of Trustees approved the $28 million project to renovate the South End Zone of Jordan-Hare Stadium at its February meeting. The project will add locker room and recruiting space for the Auburn football team, as well as two levels of club space amenities for greater game day hospitality.
The project is scheduled to be completed before the 2018 season.