DATE: April 24, 2012

MEDIA CONTACT: Stephanie Balzer, 520-621-5581

Bruce R. and Patricia A. Bartlett Donate $2M to UA's SALT Center

TUCSON, ARIZ.– Bruce R. and Patricia A. Bartlett have committed $2 million to support the University of Arizona's Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center, which provides comprehensive academic support services, such as tutoring, educational planning and workshops to aid UA students with learning and attention challenges. The gift is the largest ever donated directly in support of the Center.

To honor the donors and their generosity, the building that houses the SALT Center will be renamed the Patricia A. Bartlett Building. The unveiling of the new name is anticipated for fall 2012.

"This gift is like a dream come true," said Jeff Orgera, assistant vice president for Student Affairs. "Patricia and Bruce have been terrific champions of the SALT Center. There is no other family that has been more supportive of its mission and work."

The Bartletts have supported the SALT Center since 2005. Both are former educators whose son attended the UA and benefitted from SALT programs, as do about 600 students annually.

"Many of our SALT Center students choose the UA because of our comprehensive model for academic success," said Robin Wisniewski, director of the SALT Center. "Patricia and Bruce's kind support will help us maximize our efforts in arming these students with learning strategies and other tools that will help them succeed at the University and in our global society."

The couple's most recent gift will have a broad impact on SALT programming, with $1 million designated toward the previously established Patricia A. Bartlett Scholarship Endowment, $400,000 toward the previously established Health and Wellness Endowment, and $600,000 toward the newly established Patricia A. Bartlett SALT Center Program Endowment.

The funds will be used to increase student access to SALT Center programs, in addition to aiding SALT students in their transition to college and providing them with new technology to enhance their learning opportunities.

"The SALT Center at the University of Arizona is very important to us for personally helping Ben become the confident young professional he is today, and for helping so many other students reach their goals," Patricia said. "I cannot think of a more worthy cause."

The Bartletts' gift places them as members of the Founder's Society, an elite donor recognition society of the University of Arizona Foundation comprised of individuals, corporations and foundations who have donated at least $1 million to the University in their lifetime.

The Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques (SALT) Center promotes the achievement of individuals with learning and attention challenges. Through a student-centered model, SALT provides comprehensive services to maximize student success and support the University of Arizona community. SALT students receive individualized educational planning and monitoring, assistance from certified tutors with coursework, access to computing and tutoring labs, and an array of workshops geared toward their individual academic needs.

The University of Arizona Foundation is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to advancing the University of Arizona. Managing an existing asset base of more than $600 million, the UA Foundation has helped generate more than $2 billion in private funding to support the University. Learn more about the Foundation at uafoundation.org.