Published on April 2, 2025 by Gunnar Sadowey  
Gary Hutto
Gary Hutto

Gary W. Hutto, a seasoned finance professional and current member of the Howard College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board, has made a lasting commitment to future generations of students through a $1 million estate gift to Samford University.

Hutto’s planned gift will provide $500,000 to the Department of History and $500,000 to the Samford general scholarship fund as part of his future estate plans.

A Birmingham native and Vietnam-era U.S. Air Force veteran, Hutto earned his first degree from The University of Alabama in 1976, graduating summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in commerce and business administration. He was inducted into Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma and the Accounting Society for his academic excellence.

Following a successful career in accounting, finance and mortgage banking, Hutto returned to school and earned a Bachelor of Arts in history from Samford University in 2019, again graduating summa cum laude. He has since remained active in the university community including his service on the Howard College of Arts and Sciences Advisory Board.

Originally wishing to remain anonymous when he submitted his estate intention form in 2023, Hutto now hopes his gift will inspire others in the Samford community to consider similar legacy commitments.

“After 40 years as a CPA and consultant, I began a new chapter at Samford in 2016,” said Hutto. “Returning to college at sixty-five was challenging—but deeply rewarding. I came to appreciate how Samford instills a love of learning and equips students for a lifetime of purpose. Becky and I chose to pay that forward by designating part of our estate to Howard College and the History Department.”

The university is grateful for Hutto’s generosity and for his continued service on the advisory board where he helps support the mission of Howard College of Arts and Sciences to foster academic excellence, civic engagement and a lifelong love of learning.

 
Samford is a leading Christian university offering undergraduate programs grounded in the liberal arts with an array of nationally recognized graduate and professional schools. Founded in 1841, Samford is the 87th-oldest institution of higher learning in the United States. Samford enrolls 6,101 students from 45 states, Puerto Rico and 16 countries in its 10 academic schools: arts, arts and sciences, business, divinity, education, health professions, law, nursing, pharmacy and public health. Samford fields 17 athletic teams that compete in the tradition-rich Southern Conference and ranks with the second highest score in the nation for its 98% Graduation Success Rate among all NCAA Division I schools.