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| Plans for the Gregory Barnes Center for Biotechnology Business Development at Clarion University are reviewed by Barnes (right) and Major Gifts Officer Charles Desch. |
Greg Barnes, a retired business faculty member and investor, always wanted to talk the talk and walk the walk when it came to supporting Clarion University. His $1.2 million gift, one of the largest individual contributions from a living donor, allows him to walk tall.
The contribution will help fund the construction of the Bradford George Carmack Barnes Residence Hall at Clarion University - Venango Campus in Oil City and the Gregory Barnes Center for Biotechnology Business Development at Clarion University.
Working hard, living simply, and wisely investing his money over the years brought the former accounting professor to the point where he was able to consider such a contribution.
"I gave because I perceive that President Joseph Grunenwald is a businessperson and a proponent of capitalism," said Barnes. "I also believe that it is my social responsibility."
While capitalism and philanthropy may seem at odds, Barnes hopes his gift will open some eyes. "I believe that we should all support education; society as a whole has an obligation to support education," said Barnes. "I think that many of my peers in higher education don't understand the business community. I wanted to send a clear message to academia that business people strongly support education. I want to challenge faculty members to financially support the university."
Investing in higher education
"We are honored to receive this gift from Greg Barnes," said President Grunenwald. "His generosity will advance the attractiveness of Venango Campus and generate higher enrollment and a better living and learning environment. In addition, his contribution will greatly enhance Clarion University's economic development programs and lead to a significant expansion of available technology jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage."
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| Greg Barnes (left) receives a recognition Eagle award from President Joseph Grunenwald. |
The value of education was stressed to Barnes at an early age by his parents. "My parents have always stressed education. My mother and father always wanted all of their children to be better than they were. I can remember from elementary school them encouraging all of us to aspire to go to college."
The investing bug also came after his father joined an investment club when Barnes was a child. Barnes himself started investing in 1975. Citing a good ride before the market turndown that he saw coming for at least a year, he is glad he could make the gift.
Thrift was also a reason for his financial success. "I live very thriftily," said Barnes. "I'm not here to impress anybody. I feel very comfortable with my life. I don't need a big house or a fancy car. I also wanted to donate now while I have the ability to do it myself."
Belying his thrifty nature, Barnes did not want to announce the contribution until it was completed. He wanted the gift to be something more than a pledge.
Son initial inspiration for gift
"The passing of my son was clearly an inspiration for this gift," said Barnes. "After I settled on a contribution in his honor with the naming of a residence hall, I wanted to do more. I looked at what Clarion was doing to encourage the development of business growth and I settled on the Biotech Center."
His mother Olive, 95, recently passed away and his father, William, 94, lives in Deerfield, N.H. He has one daughter, Laura Rosalind Barnes of Sewickley, Pa. He also has two brothers and one sister: Bonnie Bennett of Leesburg, Va.; Marston Barnes of Easton, Md.; and Gary Barnes of Northwood, N.H.
A career in teaching leads to Venango Campus
Barnes started teaching at Venango Campus in 1976 after his first wife, Barbara, accepted a physician's position with Titusville Hospital.
Earlier in his career he served in Vietnam and intended to practice accounting after graduation from college, but he quickly realized that teaching of accounting was what provided greater satisfaction. He worked as an accountant with a Big Eight national accounting firm, earned a CPA certification, and started his college teaching career in 1974 at Temple University.
Advice about support is simple and direct from Barnes. "My advice would be that the emotional rewards from donating to the university far exceeds any materialistic satisfaction from having a large home," said Barnes. "Hey, I could have purchased a nice home in Oil City or whatever, but it just didn't mean anything to me anymore.
"I lived in an apartment and I've lived simply, saved money, and as long as I can live comfortably and visit places, I'd rather donate the money to serve society or to my four nieces and four nephews."
Bradford George Carmack Barnes Residence Hall: A two-story student housing building with four apartments and four bedrooms in each apartment. Each apartment also includes a kitchen, two baths, living room, dining room and Internet access. Construction has started and an opening is planned for August 2009.
Gregory Barnes Center for Biotechnology Business Development: A three-story, brick veneer steel frame building built for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating Silver Certification. The first floor will house the Small Business Development Center and Trinity Point Development Corporation, while the upper two floors will house incubator space for biotechnology development. Construction is expected to start soon and finish in Summer 2009.
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