Last week we celebrated the completion of The Rising Tide 2.0, the most successful higher education capital campaign in Alabama history, with more than $2.1 billion in charitable commitments. That generosity has already created lasting impact — expanding access for our students, strengthening support for our faculty, opening new opportunities for learning and discovery and transforming the spaces where we teach, create and lead.
Thank you to every member of the UA community and every donor who helped make this progress possible. We are carrying that momentum forward as we shape what comes next for Alabama.
– Peter
DEVELOP | Prepared to Lead
Every Alabama student should graduate with the knowledge, confidence and experience to pursue ambitious goals and succeed in a changing world of work.
- Keep building your path. Our Graduate School reached record enrollment this fall, with nearly 6,500 students pursuing advanced degrees here. That growth reflects the strong relationships our faculty and staff build with students. If graduate education is part of your path, explore the opportunities available here and talk with the people who can help you determine your next step.
- Practice for the opportunity ahead. October brings campus programming, career fairs, interview preparation, networking opportunities and direct connections with employers across a wide range of fields. Students, make the most of them! Use these experiences to sharpen how you communicate your skills, build confidence and prepare for the interview that could launch your career.
SERVE | Strengthening Alabama
Service is one of the ways we put an Alabama education into action. It begins with seeing where we can make a difference and being willing to help.
- Turn rivalry into impact. Beat Auburn Beat Hunger is in its 33rd year, giving our students another opportunity to lead while supporting the West Alabama Food Bank and communities throughout our region. Students, faculty and staff, I encourage you to take part. Every contribution helps turn the fun of one of our greatest rivalries into something that makes a real difference for our neighbors.
- Prepare to vote. Students, make sure you understand the rules about voting through our Student Voter Guide, whether you are a resident of Alabama or another state. Voter registration deadlines for the November midterm elections are approaching.
STEWARD | What We Carry Forward
Stewardship is about how we care for one another, our campus and the Alabama experience we share.
- Take care of what matters. Faculty and staff, the work you do every day makes this University stronger, and I want you to make full use of the benefits and resources available to you. Open Enrollment runs Oct. 15-31, and some elections require action for 2027. Please take time to review your options early, ask questions and use the support our Benefits team is providing throughout the enrollment period.
- Look out for one another. October is National Crime Prevention Month and a timely reminder that every member of our community has a role in campus safety. Students, faculty and staff, speak up if something does not seem right and take the everyday steps that help protect you and those around you. A safe campus is something we all help create.
- Celebrate Homecoming on Oct. 24. Homecoming is one of the best times to see the Alabama experience on full display. I encourage everyone to participate in the events and traditions and celebrate the connections that bring generations of the Alabama community together.
Voices of UA
Each of this year’s five Homecoming Queen candidates has shared the experiences that shaped her and the difference she hopes to make through the Homecoming Queen Endowed Impact Fund.
Students, I encourage you to hear directly from the candidates and learn what matters to them before making your voice heard when voting opens Oct. 20.
Meet the 2026 Homecoming Queen candidates and hear their stories.