Mr. & Mrs. Bartlett
Bruce and Patricia Bartlett met in college at Bridgewater State University in Massachusetts. The two had careers in teaching and accounting and later founded several companies in construction and manufacturing.
Originally from New England, the Bartletts moved to San Diego and discovered the University of Arizona when their son, Benjamin Bartlett, attended. Benjamin, who graduated in 2010, was a student at the university's Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center, which helps hundreds of students each year overcome their learning and attention challenges.
As parents and former teachers, the Bartletts were so impressed with the SALT Center and its learning experts that they began supporting the center through donations. Since 2004, they have been actively involved in helping the center with building renovations, scholarships and bringing the center's model to all University of Arizona students through the THINK TANK.
Their support has been longstanding and generous. Most recently, the Bartletts made a $10 million commitment to support SALT Center to provide its students with scholarships for program fees and mental health services; recruitment scholarships for the UA Honors College; and support of medical research at University of Arizona Health Sciences.
Their recent gift also established Bartlett Labs, an international research community aimed at advancing the understanding of issues that impact learning and attention challenges for undergraduate students. Bartlett Labs will have a home in the Student Success District, a project that is transforming the Main Library, the Albert B. Weaver Science-Engineering Library, Bear Down Gym and a new four-story Bartlett Academic Student Success building into an interconnected district with resources dedicated to helping students thrive during their time at the University. The Student Success District is scheduled to be completed in 2022.
The Bartletts also fund scholarships, internships and research at several universities related to student success, the sciences and American history. American history has been one of Bruce’s passions for nearly all his life. He has collected historical documents and has searched for ways to help people understand and appreciate this great country.