Dr. Joseph Frank Busta, Jr., born in Cleveland, Ohio to Lillian and Joseph Busta Sr. in July of 1946, passed away on May 26, 2026 after a battle with cancer. Dr. Busta, a towering figure in higher education advancement and a devoted advocate for academic and philanthropic growth, will be remembered for his warmth, visionary leadership, and the relentless dedication he brought to the institutions he served. Dr. Busta leaves behind a transformative and enduring legacy across the state of Alabama and the greater Southeast.

A 1969 graduate of Auburn University, Dr. Busta was an active brother of the Delta Chi Fraternity, embodying the deep love for his alma mater that would define much of his life and career. He later returned to Auburn to serve in vital leadership roles, including as Vice President for Advancement and as President of the Auburn University Foundation, where he championed the university's growth and alumni engagement.

For 9 years, he served with distinction, as President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), where he worked to ensure critical educational opportunities and advocacy were available for those who needed them most. One of his most cherished projects while at AIDB was to find an artist and raise funds that created a sculpture of Helen Keller gifted by the State of Alabama to the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center.

Dr. Busta’s professional journey was marked by his exceptional ability to connect people with causes that mattered. In 2002, Dr. Busta joined the University of South Alabama (USA) as Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations, a role in which he would leave an indelible mark before his retirement in 2016. Under his guidance, the university launched "Campaign USA," its first comprehensive fundraising campaign. Originally setting a goal of $75 million, Dr. Busta’s leadership propelled the campaign to raise an astounding $93.5 million. These funds were instrumental in building the Mitchell Cancer Institute, erecting the Moulton Tower and Alumni Plaza, funding USA Children's & Women's Hospital, and establishing countless student scholarships.

Before his retirement, he also laid the groundwork for USA’s subsequent "Upward & Onward" campaign and helped grow the USA National Alumni Association to over 5,000 members, culminating in the campaign for a new alumni center on campus. In recognition of his monumental contributions to the university community, he was honored with the prestigious V. Gordon Moulton Distinguished Service Award in 2020.

Beyond his professional accolades, Joe was a cherished friend, a mentor to many in the world of university advancement, and a devoted family man. Joe was passionate about sharing his love of fishing in the Gulf with his family. In retirement, he dove into woodworking as an outlet for his artistic skills.

Dr. Busta is remembered not just for the campus skylines his efforts helped shape or the endowments he secured, but for the countless lives he touched through his generosity, his enduring optimism, and his unwavering belief in the power of education. Joe’s children (Brian and Sarah), stepchildren (Melea and T.K.), sister Lynne, and wife Jackie will miss him greatly.

In Lieu of a memorial Service, donations can be made to The Performing Animal Welfare Society or The Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind https://aidb.org/donations.

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