Bryant Bank Commits $250K to UAH Athletics, Extending Longstanding Partnership
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has received a $250,000 pledge from Bryant Bank to support its Athletics program over the next five years. The commitment adds to the bank’s ongoing support of the university, which has included contributions to the Colleges of Nursing and Business, as well as previous donations to UAH Athletics.
“We are so honored and humbled that Bryant Bank would choose to make such a long-term investment in our athletic department,” said UAH Director of Athletics Dr. Cade Smith.
“They do so much for us, our campus and our community already, and this just further cements their impact upon UAH Athletics. All of these funds will make a significant impact on the experience for our student-athletes and our staff members. We could not be more thankful for their partnership!”
Ken Watson, North Alabama Market Leader for Bryant Bank, and Mike Johnston, President of Bryant Bank Huntsville, said the bank’s contributions to UAH align with its broader mission of community investment and support. Watson describes Bryant Bank’s involvement with UAH as a way of “manifesting continuity” – demonstrating their long-term commitment to their customers, their community and the institutions that help the community thrive.
“Bryant Bank will be here as long as UAH is here,” Watson said. “Both UAH and Bryant Bank are invested in Huntsville. It is our focus to create the next generation of leaders in our community. There’s no better way to do that than to invest in the students and programs here at UAH.”
“These student-athletes are outstanding,” Johnston noted. “The line of 4.0 students – that’s just amazing. They’ve been so successful in the classroom and in competition. We’re happy to support them. Our support for the university will continue to be unwavering moving forward, and we’re excited about that.”
The latest gift from Bryant Bank is directed to the UAH Athletics Excellence Fund, continuing the bank’s support of the university’s intercollegiate athletic program, which began with annual contributions in 2019.
In addition to its support for Athletics, Bryant Bank pledged $3 million in 2014 to the UAH College of Nursing over a 30-year period. That commitment funds the Early Promotion into UAH Nursing Program (EPNP), a non-endowed scholarship initiative for highly qualified freshmen who declare nursing as their major and are accepted into the college’s honors program.
“Over the past 10 years, the Bryant Bank Scholarship has invested in 150 nursing students who have become registered nurses working in our North Alabama community,” said Dr. Karen Frith, dean, College of Nursing. “I thank Bryant Bank for investing in Alabamians to empower their potential, which is one of the core values of Bryant Bank.”
Bryant Bank further diversified its UAH support in 2021 when the bank made a 15-year, $1.5 million commitment to the College of Business to help fund the Bryant Bank UAH Business Scholarships, a non-endowed fund designed to benefit business students.
“We are tremendously grateful for the impact that Bryant Bank has on UAH, our students and our community,” said Dr. Jason Greene, dean, College of Business. “Their generous gifts will open doors for countless aspiring business professionals. Thanks to their leadership and commitment to their community, UAH students can focus on achieving their full potential as they earn their college degrees and launch their careers.”
Bryant Bank, Watson said, is focused on long-term growth and strategic planning – not just for the next quarter but for the next 25 years, 50 years and longer.
Bryant Bank has 18 branches in Alabama, including two in Huntsville and one in Athens.
