Business college at MSU becomes Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business

MURRAY, Ky. — Murray State University’s board of regents approved the naming of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business at its quarterly meeting Friday. This naming honors a Distinguished Alumnus of the university and one of its most dedicated and generous supporters. 

Dr. Arthur J. Bauernfeind, an investment and portfolio manager, is the largest single donor to the college of business at Murray State and is among the top donors to the university. He has given generously to MSU for many years, both financially and of his time. His significant gifts to Murray State and the college of business include the establishment of the Arthur J. Bauernfeind Endowed Chair of Investment Management. 

The Susan E. Bauernfeind Student Recreation and Wellness Center, named for his late daughter, was officially dedicated in 2005. Dr. Bauernfeind’s gift was significant to the completion of the state-of-the-art facility. 

A 1960 graduate of Murray State with a B.A. in business, Bauernfeind was active on campus in organizations including Sigma Chi fraternity. He was also a member of the baseball team and a Distinguished Military Graduate. He earned an M.B.A. from the University of Kentucky in 1961. 

Bauernfeind is a member of the MSU Foundation board of trustees, serving as its chairman for the past 10 years. He was designated an MSU Distinguished Alumnus in 1996. In 1998, Murray State awarded him an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters in recognition of his success and his support of the university. 

“My time at Murray State was spent adjusting, growing and maturing. The faculty and the people of Murray were always friendly and supportive. Friendships were made which have lasted since college days,” Bauernfeind recently said. “Murray State provided a terrific education, a degree and an Army commission, which prepared me for the challenges of graduate school, the military and the world beyond. Perhaps I was naive, but no job, no task seemed too difficult. My education at Murray State prepared me for that, and I am forever grateful.” 

“This is yet another historic day in the life of Murray State University,” said Dr. Randy J. Dunn, MSU president. “We are deeply grateful to Dr. Bauernfeind for this transformational gift to the college of business. Given its magnitude and purpose, it will undoubtedly have a profound and lasting impact on the university and its students. Art has been one of this institution’s most steadfast benefactors with both his time and treasure, and his leadership to our MSU Foundation has been immense. He has been unwavering in his support to Murray State and this gift is but one more example of that generosity.” 

Now Chairman Emeritus of Westfield Capital Management Company in Boston, Bauernfeind previously served as that firm’s chairman and CEO, and president and COO. Westfield manages $15 billion of pension, endowment, foundation and private wealth common stock portfolios. Bauernfeind and his wife, Diana, divide their time between Florida and Boston, where he is a member of the Boston Security Analysts Society, the Boston Economic Club, the Financial Analysts Federation and the American Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts. 

“Echoing President Dunn, it is indeed another historic day for Murray State and especially the college of business,” noted Dr. Tim Todd, dean of the college. “The one critical process here focuses on teaching and learning, and it is in this process where minds are molded, lives are changed and quality of life is enhanced. Dr. Bauernfeind knows this and his gift will truly be transformational as we educate the next generation of accountants, economists, finance professionals, management and marketing leaders, computer information systems specialists, organizational communication managers and executives, journalists and public relations professionals. The college of business thanks Dr. Bauernfeind for his leadership and generosity, which will be felt by our students for many, many years to come.”