A partnership that provides for the future

Auburn University is maintaining its position as a leader in the hot mix asphalt industry through a recent gift from the National Asphalt Paving Association Research and Education Foundation (NAPA REF).

NAPA REF has committed a $10 million endowment to the Auburn University Foundation (AUF). NAPA REF has already provided $4.7 million and has committed an additional $5.3 million over the next five years. The gift will provide funding for research, education and information services provided by the National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) at Auburn University.

“This fund solidifies what has already been a wonderful relationship between Auburn University and NAPA,” says Al Giffin, director of Auburn’s Transportation Research Center. “This partnership puts NCAT on long-term footing for continued work with the asphalt industry.”

The endowment had been under management by NAPA as part of an agreement with Auburn and was used to provide seed funding for the work done by NCAT. The transfer of the NAPA REF funding to the Auburn University Foundation was made in part to take advantage of the economies of scale allowed by consolidating fund management to Auburn’s larger investment program.

“It is an ideal collaboration,” Giffin says. “NAPA can continue to look out for the needs of the asphalt industry and NCAT can continue to provide research and education.”