At Harbert: Naming Event
J ust like so many other parents whose Auburn journey began with a kid going to school here, Greg Winchester started out as a Dad. His daughter Mary-Elsye came to Auburn, and during his many visits with his wife Jan, Greg came to love it. Little did he imagine that in September of 2024, after the fourth of his six kids had graduated from Auburn, that there would be a real estate institute here on the Plains, with his name on it. The Winchester Institute for Real Estate Development at Auburn University opened its doors in the Fall of 2022 with the help of a generous gift from Greg and Jan. The naming ceremony held at the atrium of Horton Hardgrave Hall on September 13 th , was in honor of that generosity. Greg has been involved with real estate development through his previous company, Trimont Real Estate Advisors, for many years — some of them not exactly for the faint of heart. As he puts it, he went through “four unforgettable economic downturns in the real estate industry and had a front row seat in the clean-up of over $30 billion of distressed assets.” Those downturns were largely attributable to less than astute business practices, and impressed upon Greg how vital it was to make improvements in the industry as a whole. Greg credits the late Dr. Harris Hollans and Professor Emeritus Michael Robinson who co-founded Auburn’s Masters of Real Estate Development program for the initial vision for the Institute, which he feels is a perfect fit for Auburn. “The world of real estate in all its variations, intersects with the major colleges and programs at the University, such as business, architecture, building science,
engineering, agriculture, forestry, hospitality, athletics, and others. Connecting these colleges and programs with the Institute will allow Auburn to become known throughout the industry as the best academic hub for real estate in our country.” The Institute will focus on better academic training for real estate professionals, high-level industry and community research, and national engagement. The idea is to help create a more unified real estate industry that embraces and encourages smart developments, that create thriving communities and great cities. Greg feels strongly that the Institute can lead the way toward those worthy aspirations. And maybe it’s the Auburn dad in Greg, but he also believes that instilling the values and ethics of the Auburn Creed in future real estate professionals will not only positively impact them, but the industry as a whole. One thing’s for sure, while his kids may have President Chris Roberts underscores the power of philanthropy at the Winchester Institute’s formal naming event. Through research, education and industry engagement, the Institute will have a significant impact on real estate development, nationwide.
graduated and moved on, Greg’s got a brand-new baby on the Plains – The Winchester Institute for Real Estate Development. And it’s only getting started.
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