Summer 2023 BOA Newsletter – Community Affairs

Summer Updates

UA News for the Division of Community Affairs Board of Advisors

[SEPTEMBER 2023]

To connect you with what’s happening at the Capstone, we’ve gathered some recent news that may be of interest to you as alumni and as members of the Board of Advisors.

We plan to publish periodically, not only to keep you informed of what’s happening on campus, but also of what’s happening in the world of the BOA membership.

60th Anniversary of UA Desegregation.
The University of Alabama honored the 60^th anniversary of the desegregation of UA with events on June 11 and 12.
> Learn more.

UA Research Ranks No. 2 in Growth Among Peers.
The University of Alabama’s leading-edge research enterprise is the second fastest growing among the nation’s top-tier research institutions.
> Learn more.

CCHS Professor Receives Lahoma Adams Buford Peace Award.
Dr. Pamela Payne-Foster, a professor of community medicine and population health with The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, received the prestigious 2023 Lahoma Adams Buford Peace Award May 8 at the Tuscaloosa River Market in recognition of her professional and personal advocacy in causes that promote peace and justice.
> Learn more.

Greek Assembly Hall Celebrates Opening to Students.
Guests and members of the United Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Council celebrated the opening of the Greek Assembly Hall with a ribbon-cutting Aug. 29. Construction on the 12,600-square-foot facility was complete in July and is now open to students.
> Learn more.

UA, Shelton State Strengthen Ties Through New Agreement.
The University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College have signed a transfer agreement to create a seamless pathway to earning a bachelor’s degree from the Capstone for Shelton State students.
> Learn more.

UA Receives $3.5 Million to Confront Nursing Faculty Shortage.
The University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing is addressing the need to grow and diversify Alabama’s nursing education workforce with the support of more than $3.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Labor.
> Learn more.

SEC Announces 2023–2024 Executive Committee; UA’s Dr. Bell to Serve as President.
University of Alabama President Dr. Stuart Bell will begin a two-year term as the president of the SEC’s Executive Committee starting July 1, the Southeastern Conference announced Tuesday.
> Learn more.

UA Expands Effort Responding to Rural Health Inequities.
A project led by The University of Alabama to equip communities in the state to be more resilient to health disparities is expanding its reach. The Equitable Neighborhoods Initiative is adding five communities after a 1-year, $3.7 million extension of the original grant.
> Learn more.

Alabama Business Hall of Fame to Induct 6.
Six individuals who have brought lasting fame to the state of Alabama through their business contributions will be inducted into the Alabama Business Hall of Fame Class of 2023 during a ceremony at Haven in Birmingham Nov. 9.
> Learn more.

UA Junior Wins Obama Foundation’s Voyager Scholarship.
University of Alabama junior Kate Herndon is a recipient of the Obama Foundation’s Voyager Scholarship that recognizes college students with a passion for helping others through public service.
> Learn more.

Summer Days in Tuscaloosa Reception Recognizes Visiting Fulbright Scholars.
The Division of Community Affairs’ Office of Global and Community Engagement hosted the inaugural Summer Days in Tuscaloosa reception to honor Fulbright scholars on June 5 at Capital Hall.
> Learn more.

Swim to the Top 2023 Showcase Recognizes Campers’ Success.
Campers demonstrated their skills in swimming, STEM, arts education, physical education and dance during the Swim to the Top final showcase at the Benjamin Barnes Branch YMCA on June 30. Four junior swim instructors were also recognized during the ceremony for their leadership.
> Learn more.

STEM Entrepreneurship Academy Showcases Students’ Creativity.
Winning projects from the 2023 STEM Entrepreneurship Academy (SEA) were announced at the final showcase in North Lawn Hall on July 14.
> Learn more.

BLAST Academy Helps K–8 Students Build Confidence and Knowledge.
BLAST Academy concluded its second year with a final showcase on July 28 at the English Building on the University of Alabama campus. Participating K–8 students demonstrated new confidence and skills learned during the four-week program. BLAST stands for Building Leaders Through the Arts STEAM and Teamwork.
> Learn more.

Congratulations to Dr. Nicole Prewitt on being selected for UA’s Leadership U 2023–2024 cohort! Learn more.

Dr. Nicole Prewitt, director of Programs and Partnerships for Community Engagement, and James Renshaw, program coordinator for Programs and Partnerships for Community Engagement, presented at the annual International Town and Gown Association Conference on June 7–9 at Colorado State University.

In June, Dr. Lane McLelland, executive director of Crossroads Civic Engagement Center, and Dr. Jackson Harris, director of Community and Civic Engagement, presented research at the Civic Leadership and Democratic Engagement conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Additionally, the summer months provided the Crossroads team an opportunity to make progress on research projects in the areas of dialogue-based learning experiences, as well as civic education theory.

The ongoing “Crossroads on the Road” initiative continued with visits to the Energizers Club in Headland (Henry County), the Rotary Club in Demopolis (Marengo County), and the National Alumni Association Chapter in Barbour County. These visits to community organizations are a chance for Crossroads representatives to share the story of civic education and engagement efforts at UA, while also learning about the evolving civic challenges and successes across Alabama communities.

Join us in welcoming Tara Jimerson, who joined Community Affairs as the Administrative Assistant. In this role, she will provide high-level and confidential administrative support; will manage our office in Rose 250; and will serve as our office liaison to other UA administrative offices, faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni, donors, community partners and key stakeholders.

Join us in welcoming Paige Rentfro, who joined the Community Affairs team as a program coordinator for Community Education. In this role, she will support the Vision Days Program, our K–12 summer programs and other existing and emerging Community Education programs.

Jessica Sanders Walker partnered with SEA for Aviation Day in July 2023.
It looked like a scene out of “Top Gun” with Kenny Loggins’ “Danger Zone” playing in the background as STEM Entrepreneurship Academy students donned their aviator sunglasses and posed for pictures outside the hangar of Sanders Aviation and Sanders Flight Training Center in Jasper, Alabama, during a special aviation day of camp on Wednesday, July 12.
> Learn more.

Dr. Elliot Knight, BOA member and executive director of the Alabama State Council on the Arts, presented an Art Talk on Thursday, August 24, at the Mobile Museum of Art. Participants toured one of the museum’s newest installations, Contemporary Alabama, and discussed the arts scene in the Deep South.

BOA members Holly and Michael Luther ran into Annabel Roth, who accompanied Governor Kay Ivey when she visited the Cahaba Medical Care clinic in Wilcox County on August 14. Michael is a doctor serving in Perry and Wilcox counties. The time together provided an opportunity to discuss healthcare in the Black Belt region.

Congratulations to BOA member Brodie Croyle and his father, John, who were honored with the President’s Award at the 51st annual Alabama Sports Writers Association convention June 11.
> Learn more.

Congratulations to journalist, author and inaugural BOA member Victor Luckerson, who recently published “Built From the Fire: The Epic Story of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, America’s Black Wall Street.” Luckerson, who served as editor-in-chief of The Crimson White when he was a UA student, moved from Montgomery, Alabama, to Tulsa, Oklahoma in 2019 and immersed himself in the community in order to tell the stories of the survivors who rebuilt Greenwood and the challenges their descendants still face today. The book is widely available at booksellers both large and small.

As BOA members are also UA graduates, we know how invaluable your experience as UA alumni has been. If you have not already done so, please consider joining the National Alumni Association.
> Learn more.

Have life events updates news to share with us?

If you have not already done so, we encourage you to follow us on X (formerly Twitter) at @UACommAffairs, on Facebook at @UACommunityAffairs and at @UA.CCBP and on Instagram at @ua_community_affairs

Additionally, did you know the Board of Advisors has its own Facebook group page? This is a place for you to connect with your fellow board members, as well as share news of potential interest to members of the group. Search “ua community affairs board of advisors” and ask to join the group. We’ll approve you right away!

You can follow the initiatives and news of the Division of Community Affairs on the web at communityaffairs.ua.edu. Your Board of Advisors web pages live here under the Community Collaborations link.