At a glance
“My wife and I are investing in Alfred State College scholarships for today’s hard-working students to allow them to continue their education,” Barber said.
Dean Emeritus Douglas Barber is a firm believer that Alfred State College changes the lives of graduates by providing a solid educational foundation.
As a result, Barber continues to be a strong supporter of the college and has decided to donate to ASC’s Major Gifts Campaign. This initiative launched in September to raise $8 million for athletics, new programs, scholarships, technology, and the greatest needs of the college.
“My wife and I are investing in Alfred State College scholarships for today’s hard-working students to allow them to continue their education,” he said. “Even small donations, when added together, can have a major impact on the college’s scholarship fund. My wife and I are supporting this (Major Gifts) initiative and hope you will also.”
Barber is a 1966 graduate of Alfred State’s construction technology program, which he says laid the foundation for many of his personal and professional achievements. He joined the Alfred State staff in 1967, when he was hired as a technical assistant in the Civil Engineering Technology Department. Barber became a faculty member in 1975 and would hold a number of positions at the college over the years, including associate professor, assistant vice president, and dean of the School of Management and Engineering Technology.
During his time at Alfred State, Barber helped the construction programs attain TAC/ABET-accreditation. He also participated in the development of baccalaureate-level engineering-technology courses and cultivated relationships with area and regional businesses and various alumni, resulting in donations to the engineering technology programs. Additionally, Barber served as an evaluation team member for the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology and was active in the Rochester Construction Specifications Institute. He retired from Alfred State in 2005 and was awarded the college’s President’s Medallion in 2019.
Outside of the classroom, Barber established a construction company that helped build the village of Alfred. He also served as a member of the Educational Foundation of Alfred, Inc., the Crandall Hook and Ladder Volunteer Fire Department, and the Alfred 21st Century Group Board of Directors.
Barber has not slowed down since his retirement. He is a member of SCORE (Senior Corps of Retired Executives), a group that works to support and mentor small business owners. Additionally, he manages five rental properties and is developing building lots in Sittee, Belize. He also continues to enjoy his 26-year hobby of scuba diving and taking underwater pictures.
For more information on Alfred State’s Major Gifts Campaign, contact Major Gifts Officer Jay Wilder at 607-587-4010 or at wilderjj@alfredstate.edu, or reach out to Director of Development Jason Sciotti at 607-587-3936 or at sciottjm@alfredstate.edu.