Temple University ends record $55 million gift from alumnus amid federal probe

Temple University has terminated a $55 million philanthropic commitment from alumnus and former trustee Christopher Barnett, ending what the school described as the largest gift in its history after federal investigators raised allegations involving Barnett and his company.

What the university said

In a message to the campus community, Board of Trustees Chair Mitchell L. Morgan and Temple President John Fry said the university and Barnett “mutually agreed” to end the gift relationship. The donation, announced in October 2025, had included the naming of Temples College of Public Health along with funding for other campus spaces and programs, the university said.

Temple said Barnett resigned from the Board of Trustees as federal authorities pursued an investigation into his business. The university also noted that Barnett “strenuously denies” the allegations and intends to defend himself. President Fry said no criminal charges have been filed and that, under the terms of the gift agreement, no payments had become due.

Federal allegations described in court filings

Court documents referenced by Temple and reported by local media allege that Barnetts company, ABA Centers of America, fraudulently billed federal and private health-care programs for services to autistic children. Investigators additionally allege that proceeds from the alleged scheme were used to finance a luxury lifestyle, including purchases and leases such as luxury cars, a leased $20 million estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and a private jet. The filings say the alleged scheme involved two other companies controlled by Barnett and several executives.

The filings also include an account from a former employee who described Barnett as a hostile employer who used fear to force compliance, according to reporting.

Campus reaction and practical effects

Students and campus groups reacted with disappointment about the loss of anticipated funding. April Harwood, a senior at Temple and president of the universitys chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, told reporters she was upset that the funding commitment was withdrawn and wants to see continued investment in the College of Public Health, which she said is particularly important given Temples urban setting and current public-health financing concerns.

Temple acknowledged that the termination of the commitment will be “deeply disappointing” to students, faculty, staff, alumni and donors connected to the College of Public Health, but stated the college remains a priority. The university also highlighted that it recently completed a record fundraising year, reporting $159 million raised in fiscal year 2026.

What remains unresolved

• No criminal charges have been filed against Barnett as of the universitys announcement; that point was explicitly noted by Temple.
• Barnetts name remains on the College of Public Health building, and Temple has not announced whether the name will be removed in the future.
• Temple said the decision to terminate the gift was mutual; reporting indicates the universitys actions followed the appearance of the federal allegations and the investigation.

Timeline of key public events (from reporting)

1. October 2025: Temple announced the $55 million commitment that included naming rights for the College of Public Health.
2. Prior to September 9, 2026: Federal investigators filed court documents alleging fraudulent billing by ABA Centers of America and related companies; those filings and reporting about them prompted scrutiny.
3. September 9, 2026: Temple publicly announced a mutual termination of the gift and that Barnett had resigned from the Board of Trustees.

Context and implications

Large naming gifts are a common funding mechanism for U.S. universities, but they can create difficult governance questions when donors face legal or ethical scrutiny. Temples statement underscores a choice universities often confront: balancing stewardship of philanthropic support and donor relationships against reputational and legal risks. The university emphasized that its College of Public Health remains a priority even without the pledged funds.

The federal allegations as described in court documents, if they result in charges, could affect not only Barnett and his companies but also prompt institutional reviews of donor vetting and gift agreements at higher-education institutions. Temples message notes that no payments were yet due, which affects the immediate financial impact; however, students and program leaders say the loss of the commitment removes a projected source of funding for college priorities.

Disagreements and sourcing

Reporting and Temples announcement present two consistent facts: the gift has been terminated and federal investigators have alleged misconduct involving Barnett and companies he controlled. The university reported that Barnett denies the allegations. The sources in this package are local reporting and republished summaries; this article attributes those claims to the university statement, court documents cited in reporting, and Temple students who spoke to reporters.

What to watch next

• Whether federal investigators file criminal charges related to the allegations in the court filings.
• Whether Temple decides to remove Barnetts name from the College of Public Health or takes other steps to reallocate or replace the pledged funds.
• Any institutional policy changes at Temple or peer universities regarding donor acceptance and naming agreements following the announcement.

“The loss of the gift will be deeply disappointing,” Temple said in its message to the campus community, while also noting the College of Public Health remains a priority.

Reporting for this article is based on Temple Universitys message to its community and local media coverage of court documents and campus reaction.