A Message from the President – April 18, 2023

• April 19th, 2023
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Stellar achievements from our legendary students abound at the Capstone!

• Congratulations to Skylar Elliott and Riley Nold for being selected by the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program as UA’s newest Goldwater Scholars, bringing our total to 62. 
• The Alabama Forensic Council claimed its 24th team national championship and nine individual event national championships, in addition to other awards. 
• For her excellent work, senior Jadyn Fields was recently named the 2022-2023 UA Student Employee of the Year by the department of human resources.

We also commend our faculty and staff for their notable achievements:

• As we continue to focus on updating the general education curriculum at the University, Dr. Erik Peterson has been named associate provost for general education and will help identify future opportunities for student success.
• Eight UA faculty will be honored tomorrow at the annual Faculty Research Day for their contributions to research, scholarship and creative endeavors.
• Our newest Everyday Champion, Cyndi Elliott, is unwavering in the compassionate support she provides at the Women and Gender Resource Center. 

Today marks the beginning of the University’s annual Bama Blitz. Every gift, regardless of the amount, counts toward our goal of providing impactful projects and initiatives. Thank you in advance for your generosity. 

Faculty and staff, I look forward to seeing you at Spring Campus Assembly in the North Zone tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.

A-Day is scheduled for this Saturday, and I hope you will come out to Bryant-Denny Stadium and cheer on the Crimson Tide in their last practice of spring training. 

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell

President

A Message from the President – March 21, 2023

• March 21st, 2023
• in Messages from the President

A Message from the President – March 7, 2023

• March 7th, 2023
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

At The University of Alabama, excellence is more than a pursuit; it is our standard. Recently, six students and three faculty members were recognized with Premier Awards, the highest honors bestowed at the Capstone. Congratulations to Elizabeth Prophet, Dr. Adam Brooks, Kennedy Carter, Dr. Jeff Gray, Mae Farmer, Abigail Foes, Izzy Boyd, Jacob Camden and Dr. Robert Brooks for exemplifying UA’s principles of scholarship, service, leadership and character.

Congratulations also to the Crimson Tide men’s basketball team for securing the 2023 SEC regular season title, remaining undefeated in Coleman Coliseum and earning a perfect 15-0 record there.As the weather warms up, Alabama baseball and softball are now in full swing. The Tide baseball team boasts a perfect 12-0 record while Alabama softball improved to 17-3 with stellar pitching performances from Jaala Torrence and Montana Fouts over the weekend. Commendations are also due to women’s basketball players Brittany Davis and Hannah Barber who captured First Team All-SEC Honors and the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, respectively. We also celebrate the 12 student-athletes awarded Indoor Track and Field All-SEC honors and Alabama men’s golfer Nick Dunlap, who was recently named SEC Freshman of the Week.

If you will be staying in town during spring break or are looking for fun educational activities to enjoy with friends or family this month, plenty are planned on campus and around town. One treasured UA must-see is the Paul R. Jones Museum, which contains one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of 20th century African American art in the world.

Enjoy your time off to rest and recharge so you can return with momentum for the remainder of the semester.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – February 21, 2023

• February 21st, 2023
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

For the sixth time in eight years, The University of Alabama has been distinguished as a Top Producing Institution for Fulbright U.S. Student Awards, further enhancing our reputation for excellence and attracting impressive students.

Congratulations to UA junior Lilly Saub who was recently selected as one of only 47 undergraduates in the nation to earn the competitive Brooke Owens Fellowship. Communitywide, UA students continue to demonstrate a heart for service and support of Children’s of Alabama through the student-run Dance Marathon. This year’s BAMAthon resulted in proceeds of just over $200,000, which will make a lasting impact on the lives of many children and their families.

We continue to foster networking and support for the whole campus community through the recent launch of The University of Alabama Asian American and Pacific Islander Association. And as our work begins in earnest to update the general education core curriculum, Dr. Chapman Greer has been appointed associate provost for general education to provide strategic leadership to those efforts.

Preparations for spring commencement are already underway, with eight ceremonies scheduled for May 5-7 in Coleman Coliseum. As we continue to cheer on future graduates and all our favorite teams, we commend our 85 student-athletes named to the 2022 Fall Southeastern Conference Academic Honor Roll. At UA, we not only set the national bar in athletics, but we equip all our students for professional success and legendary impact.

Students, mark your calendars for SGA general elections Feb. 28 to vote for executive council and senators for each college or school.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – February 7, 2023

• February 7th, 2023
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

I am pleased to share two bold new initiatives made possible thanks to our friend and UA alum, the newly retired U.S. Senator Richard Shelby, which were approved last week by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. First, the $100 million Shelby Endowment for Distinguished Faculty will strengthen the University’s recently updated strategic plan by investing in the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty in STEM disciplines, building on our renowned academic programs and innovative research.

In addition, the newly created Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership will prepare students interested in public service to cultivate, apply and assess policy solutions for some of humanity’s biggest challenges. We are thankful for the longstanding and ongoing support of Senator Shelby and his wife, former UA professor Dr. Annette Shelby, of our mission, students and faculty.

Congratulations to the 12,791 students named to the dean’s or president’s list for the fall 2022 term. Our students continue to distinguish themselves academically, and I am proud of the prominent scholarship you consistently achieve.

UA community, I encourage you to participate in The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development’s 17th annual Books for the Black Belt campaign that continues through Feb. 24. Our goal is to provide educational resources for every child in the Black Belt counties, over 30,000 books. Public outreach — especially that which prepares and inspires children and young adults — is vital to supporting our next generation of legends.

Finally, we are excited to witness the recent success of our winter sports programs. Fresh off two conference wins last week, including the largest SEC win in program history, the Alabama men’s basketball team continues to climb in the national rankings. Our women’s basketball team earned another tough road victory on Saturday to improve to 17-6 on the season. And our women’s gymnastics team defeated Auburn in thrilling fashion in front of a sold-out Coleman Coliseum crowd Friday night. Our programs’ distinction and the success we are witnessing have been fostered by the leadership of Coach Nate Oats, Coach Kristy Curry and Coach Ashley Johnston. We appreciate the investment they make in our student-athletes as they pursue excellence in the classroom and in the competitive arena.

It is my ongoing honor to serve as your president.

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – January, 19 2023

• January 19th, 2023
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

A Message from the President – December 1, 2022

• December 1st, 2022
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

We are on the cusp of concluding another record-breaking fall semester at The University of Alabama!

Students, semester exams begin Monday, and I encourage you to prepare well, prioritize your mental health and take time to enjoy the final days of the fall term. I look forward to seeing many of you at our Late Night Breakfast at Lakeside Dining tonight. I am proud of your dedication, and I know you will finish strong and accomplish your goals.

Faculty and staff, there is still time for you to be part of the University’s United Way Campaign. Today at 2 p.m. we will gather on the lawn of Autherine Lucy Hall to celebrate our combined contributions. If you have not yet donated, you can still do so today. We are United in Lifting Lives to support the citizens of West Alabama.

Students, congratulations for breaking a school record and winning this year’s Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Food Drive by raising over 565,000 pounds of food for the West Alabama Food Bank. Families in nine Alabama counties will benefit from your kindness as we help address food insecurity in our state.

What an impressive week it has been for our amazing student-athletes! Last Friday night our top-seeded Alabama soccer team delivered an overtime victory in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinal match and will be making their first appearance in the College Cup on Friday. Last Saturday in Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide clinched a third-straight Iron Bowl victory with unyielding intensity. The very next evening, our men’s basketball team defeated No. 1 UNC in a riveting quadruple overtime game. Our premier athletic programs remain unrivaled.

One of the final and most anticipated moments of the semester is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 10, when we will hold two commencement ceremonies. The Fall Class of 2022 is primed for legendary success. We cannot wait to see how you will use your degree from the Capstone for a lifetime of influence.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – November 8, 2022

• November 8th, 2022
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Today is Election Day. I urge you to make your voice heard and exercise your right to vote in the general election.

If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a creative idea, I also encourage you to sign up for theannual River Pitch Competition hosted by the Alabama Entrepreneurial Institute, a program founded by our Culverhouse College of Business. The contest is open to students, faculty, staff and members of the West Alabama community to win prize money and gain valuable feedback about their original business proposals.

Please join me in congratulating many talented student-athletes! Women’s soccer dominated with a perfect 10-0 regular SEC season, with the team positioned as the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NCAA tournament beginning at 6 p.m. Friday. Men’s and women’s track and field also merit praise for their impressive victories. For the first time in program history, they swept the SEC team championships with four women’s team runners in the top seven finishers and one of the closest men’s races on conference record.

We also celebrate another record-breaking achievement for UA’s research enterprise. For the ninth straight year, sponsored awards that elevate our students’ learning experience reached record highs. Federal sponsored awards reached unprecedented levels in 2022, and outside support for research more than doubled over the past four years.

Faculty and staff, it was good to see many of you at Fall Campus Assembly. Congratulations to our award winners for their dedication, innovation and commitment to the Capstone. Recognition is also due to Dr. Samory Pruitt, vice president for the Division of Community Affairs and proud UA alumnus, for his recent induction into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame. Since 2004, Dr. Pruitt has steadfastly served our campus and the surrounding region through leadership roles focused on public outreach and civic engagement.

Fall commencement is just over one month away, and more than 1,600 degree candidates are expected for the two ceremonies. A boundless future begins right here at The University of Alabama.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – October 25, 2022

• October 25th, 2022
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

It was so good to witness the outpouring of UA pride this past weekend at homecoming! Not only did we welcome back friends, fans and alumni for an impressive Crimson Tide victory, we also celebrated our homecoming court and announced our 2022 queen, Ellery Hill, who was crowned during halftime on Saturday.

Students, I appreciate you taking time to thank the many donors who support our mission and generously contributed or pledged close to $226 million in another record fundraising year. Our donors support our efforts to provide world-class educational opportunities for all students through the outstanding work of UA faculty and researchers. Annual funding from UA’s industry partners has also increased by nearly 500%, furthering opportunities for students, innovation and job growth in the state.

Congratulations to Executive Vice President and Provost James Dalton for his formal induction into the National Academy of Medicine earlier this month after a pandemic-based delay. Membership is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine.

Every October, we recognize National Disability Employment Awareness Month and commend the contributions of our community members with disabilities past and present. Recently, UA was named an “Employer of the Year” by the Alabama Governor’s Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities.

Finally, the results from the second campuswide CHIME IN workplace experience survey of UA faculty and staff reveal continuing strengths and opportunities for progress as part of our culture of persistent improvement. The feedback provided bolsters our strategic plan, Advancing the Flagship: The Next Phase, by fostering an environment that aids in the recruitment, retention, growth and support of our outstanding faculty and staff.

There is no other community like ours at The University of Alabama — the place Where Legends Are Made. I look forward to seeing faculty and staff at Fall Campus Assembly tomorrow afternoon. It is my ongoing honor to serve as your president.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President

A Message from the President – September 13, 2022

• September 13th, 2022
• in Messages from the President

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,

Once again, The University of Alabama is breaking records, with our largest total enrollment ever and some of the nation’s most academically gifted students! We boast the most National Merit Scholars in school history, the largest freshman class on record and an increased enrollment of students of ethnic and racial minorities. In-state student enrollment rose for the fourth year in a row, and students joined us from every state and 88 countries. The Alabama experience is emboldening rising legends for immediate impact.

Applications are currently being accepted for the Capstone’s highest honor, the Premier Awards, to recognize UA students, faculty and staff who exemplify the utmost standards of scholarship, service, leadership and character. I encourage you to nominate a worthy member of our community who personifies our mission and vision.

Recently, the University was awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop an HBCU bridge program for undergraduate students interested in renewable energy. Building Bama projects continue to enhance our campus landscape this semester, with the upcoming ribbon-cutting of Tutwiler Hall and celebration of the future home of Drummond Lyon Hall later this week.

Students, I hope you are continuing to take advantage of the many organizations on campus designed to help you feel at home. As you’re expanding your social networks, you are also preparing for your future and professional goals. The Career Center will be hosting several career fairs this fall, and I encourage you to sign up and use UA resources such as the Root Crimson Career Closet. Congratulations to the nearly 400 excelling students named to the dean’s list or president’s list for the summer semester.

It will be another exciting Saturday in Tuscaloosa this weekend, and I look forward to joining you and all our Alabama fans in Bryant-Denny Stadium. As the Tide continues to rise, I’m grateful you are part of our team. Together, our aspirations become reality.

Roll Tide!

Stuart R. Bell
President