A University of South Alabama graduate has made a $1.5 million gift to the school’s College of Engineering, a donation large enough that the department of mechanical engineering will now carry his name.
William B. “Bill” Burnsed Jr., who earned his engineering degree from the university in 1972, made the gift to support instruction, research and community outreach within the department. In recognition of the contribution, the program will be renamed the William B. Burnsed Jr. Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Burnsed spent 20 years working as an engineer for South Central Bell and BellSouth before leaving the telecommunications industry to start his own company, Burnsed Oil Co. Inc., which explores for and produces crude oil. He has said his engineering training at South Alabama gave him the foundation to build that later career.
“I had always planned on giving back to South,” Burnsed said in a statement announcing the gift. “I never would have gotten to where I am today if I had not received my engineering degree, and South best fit my needs to be able to accomplish this.”
University of South Alabama President Tony Waldrop said the donation would have a lasting effect on students and faculty in the College of Engineering.
“This generous gift will allow our College of Engineering faculty to continue to provide exceptional academic curricula, and it will lay the foundation for transformational growth in the department of mechanical engineering,” Waldrop said. “Through Mr. Burnsed’s generous support, South’s engineering students will continue to become the problem solvers and leaders of tomorrow.”
John Steadman, dean of the College of Engineering, called the gift a turning point for the department.
“Bill Burnsed represents the epitome of what engineers do,” Steadman said. “He uses his knowledge of science and mathematics to create systems and a business that make life better for everyone. His achievements and generosity have brought honor and recognition to the college, for which we are truly grateful.”
Named departments are relatively rare at the University of South Alabama, and officials say gifts of this size typically help fund scholarships, faculty positions, laboratory equipment and other resources that a department could not otherwise afford. The mechanical engineering program trains students who go on to work in manufacturing, energy, aerospace and a range of other industries across the Gulf Coast region and beyond.
This is not the first time Burnsed has supported his alma mater. He and his wife previously established the William B. Burnsed and Amy Burnsed Barter Scholarship Endowment, which provides financial assistance to undergraduate students in the College of Engineering. He has also contributed to construction of the Julian and Kim MacQueen Alumni Center and to Hancock Whitney Stadium, the university’s football venue.
University officials said Burnsed’s continued involvement reflects a broader pattern of alumni support that has helped the College of Engineering expand its programs in recent years. The college has grown its enrollment and added research initiatives as South Alabama has sought to build its reputation in engineering fields statewide.