Raise the Torch
The Campaign for Florida State

Chastains increase gift to $1.5 million to further enhance eminent scholar chair in real estate

J. Harold Chastain (pictured, middle) has said that the Florida State University College of Business prepared him for successful careers in banking and real estate. As a way to show his gratitude, the 1955 graduate and his wife, Barbara, have been generous supporters of the college, and their giving continues to grow.

Last month, the Chastains added $400,000 to their original $1 million J. Harold and Barbara M. Chastain Eminent Scholar Chair in Real Estate, which is housed in the Department of Risk Management/Insurance, Real Estate and Legal Studies. They pledged an additional $100,000, bringing the total to $1.5 million and making it the largest endowed faculty research position in the College of Business. Chastain said he is hopeful the additional funding will continue to make the Chastain Chair relevant in the years ahead.

“Whatever successes I have enjoyed, I owe in large part to Florida State University,” he said. “If our financial endowment helps play a small part in the national recognition of FSU’s real estate program as one of the country’s very best, then we have accomplished our objective and been generously rewarded.”