Temple terminates record $55 million gift from alumnus amid federal investigation

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Temple University has terminated a $55 million philanthropic commitment from alumnus and former trustee Christopher Barnett, ending what had been the largest gift in the university's history after federal allegations emerged against Barnett and his company.

The gift, announced in October 2025, included the naming of Temple's College of Public Health and several other spaces and programs across campus. Temple and Barnett "mutually agreed" to terminate the commitment, according to a message issued Monday by Board of Trustees Chair Mitchell L. Morgan and Temple President John Fry.

Barnett's name still remains on the College of Public Health, though some members of the Temple community are now questioning how long it will stay there.

Temple said Barnett resigned from the university's Board of Trustees as he and his company face what the university described as "serious allegations." The university said Barnett "strenuously denies" those allegations and intends to defend himself.

According to Fry, no charges have been filed and no payments had yet become due under the gift agreement.

Still, the allegations and federal investigation appear to have prompted the university's decision to sever ties with Barnett.

According to court documents related to warrant applications, federal investigators allege Barnett's company, ABA Centers of America, fraudulently billed federal and private health care programs for services provided to autistic children.

Investigators also allege Barnett used proceeds from the scheme to support a lavish lifestyle, including the purchase of luxury cars, the lease of a $20 million estate in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the purchase of a private jet.

Federal investigators say the scheme involved two other companies controlled by Barnett and several executives.

Court documents further state that a former employee described Barnett as a hostile employer who used fear to force employees to comply with his directives or risk being fired.

The university's decision drew concern from some students, including April Harwood, a Temple senior and president of the university's chapter of Students for Sensible Drug Policy, which she said is funded through the College of Public Health.

Harwood has expressed disappointment over the loss of the funding commitment.

"I want to make sure the school can continue to invest in the College of Public Health. I think it's really important being in an urban area, especially in a time when maybe the federal government's not investing in public health. I was really excited to see that donation and to have that taken away; I was just disappointed," she said.

In its message to the Temple community, the university acknowledged that the loss of the gift would be "deeply disappointing" to students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters of the College of Public Health, but emphasized that the college remains a priority.

Despite the loss, Fry said Temple is coming off a record-breaking fundraising year. The university reported raising $159 million during fiscal year 2026 and said the College of Public Health remains one of Temple's strongest academic units.

Temple said the decision to terminate the gift and end its relationship with Barnett was mutual.