A Message from the President – September 5, 2023
- September 5th, 2023
- in Messages from the President
Dear Students, Faculty and Staff,
What a fantastic start to the fall semester, with Weeks of Welcome events encouraging new connections and fostering a sense of unity. There is nothing more exciting to me than welcoming new and returning students to campus. Our fall Get on Board Day last Thursday featured hundreds of student organizations and UA departments that help our community get engaged in fun activities, leadership opportunities and service to others — and there’s more to come this month. It’s inspiring to see the UA family continue to grow and thrive.
I’m sure you have noticed a few new construction and renovation projects recently completed or currently underway. We continue to offer facilities and amenities, such as the new Greek Assembly Hall and the newly constructed Drummond Lyon Hall, that further our students’ success and overall campus experience.
One such devoted student is junior Kate Herndon — one of 100 students from across the nation and the first from UA to receive the Obama Foundation’s Voyager Scholarship for public service. We’re also proud of the over 500 students who participated in our annual Ripple Effect day of service at more than a dozen local nonprofit and community organizations.
In addition, the University Medical Center has expanded its health care reach to clinics in West Alabama through a recent partnership between UMC-Livingston and the University of West Alabama community. And, 17 UA faculty and staff from various divisions, colleges and schools in leadership roles within their departments were recently selected as members of the 2023-2024 Leadership U class to prepare for expanded influence.
I know you enjoyed the season opener in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. We made several upgrades to enhance our fans’ game day experience, and we can all look forward to another exciting run for the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Roll Tide!
Stuart R. Bell
President