$20 million to university performing arts center by Clay and Cameron Smith and family
Clay Smith, along with his wife Cameron and his mother Linda, made a transformative philanthropic gift to the University of Alabama in honor of his late father, Mark Smith, cofounder of ADTRAN.
This donation is one of the most significant in the university’s history and is dedicated to supporting the performing arts.
This is the largest donation ever made for an academic facility at the university.
The generous donation will fund the construction of the new Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts, which will serve the Department of Theatre and Dance.
The new center will feature four modern theaters and will be connected to the historic Bryce Main building.
Construction is expected to be finished by 2026.
This gift also helped the university’s Rising Tide Capital Campaign surpass the $1 billion milestone, bringing it closer to its $1.5 billion goal. The campaign aims to create more scholarships and faculty positions for the university.
University President Stuart R. Bell thanked the Smith family, saying the new facility will “showcase our students’ exceptional talents and make UA a beacon for the performing arts.”
Clay Smith, Mark Smith’s son, said, “Music and the arts have impacted our family tremendously. To give back to the community in this way while honoring my dad’s memory is incredibly rewarding.”
The Smith Family Center for the Performing Arts is expected to become a major hub for arts education and performances, benefiting students, the university, and the wider community for years to come.