Ira A. Fulton

Who is Ira A. Fulton?

Ira A. Fulton is an Arizona philanthropist, land developer, and businessman. BusinessWeek has listed Fulton 36th on its list of "The 50 Most Generous Philanthropists" for 2006. The Arizona Legislature has also recognized his generosity.

According to BusinessWeek, Fulton and his wife have given away about $265 million, approximately 60% of their net worth. Major recipients include Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, and Utah Valley University. Both Arizona State's Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering at ASU and BYU's Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology are named after Fulton. Additionally the Mary Lou Fulton College of Education at ASU is named for his wife. Other major recipients include Huntsman Cancer Foundation.

According to an article in Slate, Fulton is rumored to have used his influence as a major donor to ASU to block a one-year appointment for Michael Quinn, a noted scholar and critic of the LDS Church. Fulton called Quinn a "nothing person."