Allen donated a 50 - acre ( 20 ha ) parcel of land for establishment of the university .
Much of the initial funding and planning for the university was undertaken by Ira Allen , who is honored as UVM 's founder .
Ira Allen donated a 50 - acre ( 20 ha ) parcel of land for establishment of the university .
Much of the initial funding and planning for the university was undertaken by Ira Allen , who is honored as UVM 's founder .