UA alumnus increases pledge to $130 million

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat Photo Courtesy of UA News Services James and Beverly Rogers

He also pledged $15 million to the University of Arizona to be used for purposes other than improving the law school.

"There are so many good causes out there," Rogers said.

Rogers, owner of Sunbelt Communications and Las Vegas television station KVBC, said his foundation will disburse the additional $50 million to the UA after he dies and the TV station is sold.

"In the first place, it's a good university," Rogers said last night from Helena, Mont. "In the second place, it's a really fine law school. The only thing it needs is more money to expand the programs."

Rogers said he hopes portions of the money will be used to fund more instructors in the law college from where he received his Juris Doctor degree in 1962.

"The foundation is there to do everything that we need to, but you can't get some more quality faculty if you don't get some more money," he said.

College of Law Dean Joel Seligman and UA President Peter Likins said $15 million of the law school donation will be matched dollar for dollar with alumni, student and parent donations.

Likins called Rogers "a very special man" who is making a statement.

"When a man steps forward like that, it absolutely transforms the university," Likins said last night from Phoenix. "It is just breathtaking."

Likins acknowledged that Rogers' donations will not pour in forever.

"He's not infinitely wealthy," Likins said. "He's committing a very substantial share of his wealth."

UA officials, including Seligman, have praised Rogers for not placing restrictions on his donations, leaving the disbursement decisions up to the university.

"I can't operate your law school," Rogers said. "I figure they know what they're doing."

Rogers credits his UA education for his successful career, Seligman said.

"He loves sensing that the school is progressing," Seligman said. "He wants to say 'I've had a wonderful life' and he wants to share it with others."

Part of the reward, Seligman said, is that the law college will probably not have to increase attendance costs.

"We don't anticipate we'll have to raise tuition through special increases," he said.

The law college's curriculum committee is preparing a five-year financial plan for the donations, Seligman said.

UA Provost Paul Sypherd said Rogers is "obviously feeling very generous" toward the law college.

"He sees that his financial contributions will aid immensely to its growth and stature as a place of legal education," Sypherd said yesterday. "We're all saying 'God bless him'."

Rogers has also given money to schools in Las Vegas, Helena and Idaho State University.

His total grant to the UA exceeds any single donation made to a law school in the United States.

David J. Cieslak can be reached via e-mail at David.J.Cieslak@wildcat.arizona.edu.