End of the Semester Update
- April 26th, 2018
- in Messages from the President
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:
Another academic year is about to close, and I want to thank you for making The University of Alabama your home this year. You are the essence of this University, and we take pride in your achievements.
Our students are busy studying as they head into finals, and Susan and I always enjoy hosting them for a late-night breakfast to get them fed and refueled. We look forward to seeing the students tonight for a complimentary breakfast from 10 p.m. until midnight at Fresh Foods, 500 Margaret Drive. Please note this is a new location from years past due to renovations at Lakeside Dining.
In the last few weeks, we have had several reasons to celebrate. Two of our students – Elizabeth Rowe of Chicago and Donna Xia of Tuscaloosa – became our newest Goldwater Scholars. Congratulations to both of them. This brings our total to 53, and we continue to be one of the top two producers of Goldwater Scholars across the nation.
Have you heard we won two more national championships this week? Our wheelchair tennis team won its third consecutive national championship, and fourth overall, defeating the University of Florida. Also, senior Jalen Drummond of Wedowee, Alabama, won first place in informative speaking at the 41st American Forensics Association Individual Events Tournament Championships. Congratulations to them and everyone who works with our highly successful forensics and adapted athletics programs.
We also won another SEC championship this month when our students won first place in the SEC Student Cyber Challenge. They had 48 hours to develop a solution in a hackathon-style challenge. Team members are Kevin Poorman, Austin Lucas, James Woods and Austin Hose. Their team adviser is Dr. Matthew Hudnall.
During last week’s Spring Campus Assembly, we were pleased to recognize Dr. David Hale and Lee Harris for their commitment to service and excellence as members of UA’s faculty and staff. Dr. Hale, professor of information systems, statistics and management information in the Culverhouse College of Business, received the E. Roger Sayers Endowed Distinguished Service Award. Lee Harris, assistant chief of the UA Police Department, received the Dr. Minnie C. Miles Endowed Excellence Award.
Next week, more than 5,600 of our students will graduate and begin a new chapter in their lives. Susan and I look forward to hosting them at a reception at the President’s Mansion from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, May 4, and we look forward to seeing many of you May 4-6 for commencementceremonies at Coleman Coliseum.
Susan and I wish all of you the best as you begin your summer, and we look forward to seeing you back here in the fall.
Roll Tide!
Stuart R. Bell
President