Don Logan
2005 COSAM Distinguished Alumnus
Don Logan '66
Don Logan, mathematics '66, graduated magna cum laude from Auburn University. He retired as chairman of Time Warner Inc.'s Media and Communications Group, a position where he oversaw America Online, Time Inc., Time Warner Cable and the Time Warner Book Group, in January 2006.
"Classes dealing with abstract math challenged you to open your mind and look at all sides of an issue to prove or disprove – to find what was really true," said Logan. "In every business decision I have been involved with, that discipline and training have been very valuable."
From 1994 to 2002, Logan was chairman and chief executive officer of Time Inc., the largest magazine publisher in the world and a leading direct marketer of music and videos. Previously, he had served as Time, Inc.'s president and chief operating officer since June 1992.
Logan joined Southern Progress Corporation in 1970. He was named president of Oxmoor House, its book publishing division, in 1978, and became chairman and chief executive officer of Southern Progress in 1986. Southern Progress, the largest regional magazine and book publisher in the U.S., was acquired by Time Inc. in 1985.
Logan earned his master of science from Clemson University, and he has received honorary doctorates from Auburn University, Clemson University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
He currently serves on the boards of Time Warner Cable and Birmingham Business Alliance.
In 2001, Logan received the Henry Johnson Fisher Award, the magazine industry's highest honor. He was inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor in 2003 and The University of Alabama, College of Communication and Information Sciences Hall of Fame in 2004. In March 2005, he was presented the Auburn Alumni Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and in March 2009 was inducted into the American Advertising Federation Hall of Fame.
In 2006, the Logan family purchased the Birmingham Barons Minor League franchise, becoming the 11th owner in a storied history that spans more than 100 years. The family also owns Birmingham-based Seek Publishing and recently acquired, along with two partners, the B.A.S.S. organization. B.A.S.S.,LLC is the largest membership organization of bass anglers in the U.S.; its multimedia platforms include web properties, televised professional fishing events as well as two publications.
He and his wife, Sandy, committed over $1.2 million to COSAM, and their generous gift created the first endowed chair in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics, the Logan Chair. Endowed chairs are vital to attracting and retaining internationally acclaimed faculty members and play a significant role in strengthening the department. Additionally, their gift supports graduate fellowships in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. The generous donation is the largest gift ever given to the department.
The Logans reside in Birmingham and have two sons, Stan (Julie) and Jeff (Katrina), three granddaughters and two grandsons.