In Recognition of the Historic $55 Million Gift, Temple’s College of Public Health Will Now Be Known as “The Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health”

Earlier this fall, Temple University’s College of Public Health moved into its new home. Now, the college has a new name to match.

On October 10, during the official grand opening ceremony for the newly renovated and reimagined Paley Hall, Temple President John Fry announced that University Trustee Christopher Barnett is committing $55 million to support the College of Public Health. It is the largest gift in Temple’s history and in recognition of Mr. Barnett’s generosity, the College of Public Health will now be known as “The Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health.”

“Today, I am thrilled and quite frankly deeply moved to announce that Chris Barnett has just made a $55 million gift to the College of Public Health, the largest gift ever to Temple University,” President Fry said. “As everyone knows the word philanthropy comes from the Greek, meaning ‘love of humankind.’ Chris’ gift is the truest expression of that love. It will create many more opportunities for students to join the vanguard of future healers, researchers, and leaders across the health sciences and professions.”

The gift comes at a time of considerable momentum for both Temple and the College of Public Health. With the opening of the 306,000-square-foot LEED and WELL certified Paley Hall, students, faculty and staff in the College of Public Health now have a unified home for the first time in the college’s history. Prior to the opening of Paley Hall, the College of Public Health was spread across 11 buildings on both the main and health science campuses.   

“At a time when public health is under attack by misinformation and funding cuts, my family and I asked ourselves how we could be part of the solution – and how we could help create the change we wish to see in the world. This gift reflects our belief that education is the most powerful force for progress and that, by strengthening the public health workforce, we can help shape a healthier, more equitable future for all,” said Mr. Barnett, who is the Founder and Chairman of ABA Centers.

For Mr. Barnett, the naming gift also represents a full-circle moment. Years ago, when he first applied to Temple, he was denied admission. However, Mr. Barnett met with an admissions counselor and pleaded his case, promising to graduate with a 4.0 GPA and give back as soon he was able to do so.

In the years since, he has gone on to launch ABA Centers, which has become the fastest-growing autism care provider in the world and currently provides services to families in more than 60 markets across 12 states and Puerto Rico. The organization employs more than 2,500 team members across the globe and, since its founding, has opened more than 30 autism care centers, including three throughout Temple’s home region of Southeastern Pennsylvania.

ABA Centers’ success has gained Mr. Barnett considerable recognition. In 2024, he was named the winner of the 2024 EY Entrepreneur Of The Year National Overall Award. He was the first healthcare provider to win EY’s national overall award.

As Mr. Barnett’s career has progressed, he has never forgotten where he came from – and he has never forgotten the promise that he made so many years ago. In fact, Mr. Barnett first gifted Temple with $1 million in 2022 to establish the ABA Centers Autism Lab, a multidisciplinary hub that conducts research, trains students, and offers diagnostic services to patients regardless of their ability to pay. He went on to support the university’s on-campus food pantry, now dubbed the Barnett Irvine Cherry Pantry, and in 2024, alongside the School of Social Work, he established Maddy’s Room, a sensory-friendly respite for students and faculty.

“What is remarkable about Chris’ story is that it really is one of the best examples of what it means to be Temple Made,” President Fry said. “At Temple and then throughout his career, he has persevered time and time again, and his career path should serve as an inspiration for all of us. I am incredibly grateful to Chris for his generosity and delighted that he continues to be so deeply committed to this university and its future success.”

Mitchell L. Morgan, FOX ’76, LAW ’80, chair of Temple’s Board of Trustees, echoed President Fry’s sentiments: “I have come to know Chris well over the last several months, as we have served together as trustees, and I have been so impressed with how deeply he cares about Temple and its mission. This gift reflects that, as it will have a positive impact on the Temple community for years to come.”

“This moment marks a new era for our college – one that honors our mission and amplifies our impact. The Christopher M. Barnett College of Public Health will stand as a beacon for changemakers who believe, as Chris does, in the power of opportunity, compassion and perseverance to shape our communities,” added Dean Jennifer Ibrahim.

The $55 million gift is the second record-setting commitment that Temple has received in just over six months’ time. In April, the university received $27.5 million from Caroline and Sidney Kimmel to support the new home for the Klein College of Media and Communication and the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts. This was the largest gift in Temple’s history prior to Mr. Barnett’s commitment on Friday, which doubles the previous largest gift. The commitment from Mr. Barnett is also the largest gift that has ever been given to support a college or school of public health in the Philadelphia region.