The University of Alabama has named the College of Engineering in honor of Lee J. Styslinger Jr., following a $25 million gift commitment from his wife, Catherine Styslinger.
The UA System Board of Trustees approved the gift and the College’s naming at its meeting Friday, Oct. 17.
The Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering enrolls more than 5,500 students across seven departments, offering 14 undergraduate degree programs and 16 graduate degree programs.
Styslinger is the third college on UA’s campus to be named, joining the Hugh F. Culverhouse College of Business and the J. Frank Barefield Jr. College of Arts & Sciences, announced earlier this year.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Styslinger family for investing in our students’ future,” UA President Peter J. Mohler said.
“This transformational gift empowers the College of Engineering to think bigger through education, research and innovation. Our graduates will turn knowledge into impact as they lead solutions to critical challenges in energy, manufacturing, space, mobility, data and AI — and this is only the beginning.”
The support from the Styslinger family provides the college with a fully discretionary endowment to position UA at the forefront of engineering and computer science, expanding its reach and ability to make lasting contributions for the state and beyond by:
- Strengthening the College’s research enterprise and attracting preeminent faculty
- Responding to emerging opportunities and innovating boldly
- Creating transformative experiences for UA engineering students
“The power of this endowment lies in its flexibility,” said Dr. Clifford L. Henderson, dean of the Styslinger College of Engineering.
“With discretionary resources of this scale, we can respond quickly to opportunities, enhance the student experience, recruit outstanding faculty and so much more. It positions us for immediate impact while giving us the means to invest strategically in the future.”
About Lee J. Styslinger Jr.
Lee Styslinger Jr. was born in Birmingham in 1933 and pursued a degree in mechanical engineering at UA before leaving at age 19 to take over management of the Birmingham-based Alabama Truck Equipment Company after his father and the company’s founder passed away.
“Lee was a humble man, but he would be so proud to know the college was being honored in his name,” Catherine Styslinger said. “He would have wanted other students to have the education that he received there.”
Lee Styslinger Jr. passed away in 2021 at age 88.
Now known as Altec, Inc., the company became a worldwide leader in providing equipment and services to the electric utility, telecommunications and tree care industries under Lee Styslinger Jr.’s leadership.
“I’ve never seen a more determined guy than he was,” Catherine Styslinger said. “Once he said he was going to do something, he did it. And he never gave up. He had a strong determination and character.”
Lee Styslinger Jr.’s commitment to service and philanthropy was a cornerstone of his life. In 1997, he and his wife established the Altec/Styslinger Foundation, focusing on education and workforce development in the communities served by Altec.
Additionally, Lee Styslinger Jr. served on leadership boards for various non-profit organizations, including Highlands Day School, Children’s Harbor, Junior Achievement of Greater Birmingham, St. Vincent’s Hospital and the American National Red Cross.
Catherine and Lee Styslinger Jr. have three sons, Lee III, Jon and Mark.
About the Styslinger College of Engineering
One of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering instruction, The University of Alabama has more than 185 years of engineering education excellence.
Styslinger College of Engineering students are among the best and brightest in the country, including a nation-leading 600 National Merit finalists.
Additionally, 3,086 engineering and computer science students received merit-based scholarships during the 2024-25 academic year.
Styslinger faculty are excelling at a high rate. For the first time in its history, the College received more than $100 million in new external research awards in a single fiscal year, with just over $100.5 million in new awards for fiscal year 2024.
This accomplishment marks a period of vast growth and success by the college and its faculty, staff and students, signified by a 244% increase in research grant awards over the past five years. Additionally, more than 70% of Styslinger College of Engineering faculty received new funding in fiscal year 2024 through 383 newly awarded grants in this record-breaking year.
About The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign
The Rising Tide 2.0 capital campaign is the most successful capital campaign ever for higher education in the state of Alabama.
The Rising Tide 2.0 surpassed its $1.8 billion goal in June, more than 15 months ahead of schedule. This most recent milestone came just 16 months after the campaign reached its original goal of $1.5 billion and announced an even more ambitious goal of $1.8 billion.
The campaign continues to raise funds to support UA students, faculty and staff through September 2026, when the campaign draws to a close.
To date, The Rising Tide 2.0 has generated more than 1,200 new endowed scholarships, produced 66 new endowed faculty support funds and supported the construction or renovation of more than 500,000 square feet of campus facilities.
Courtesy of The University of Alabama.
