Samford President Tells UA Grads that Constitutional Reform is Key to Alabama’s Progress

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Speaking at The University of Alabama summer commencement exercises today, Samford University President Thomas E. Corts, told graduates that he lays the blame for Alabama’s problems with its outdated constitution and he is pleased with the current efforts to reform Alabama’s state constitution.

“I believe that Constitution and our archaic form of state government contribute to a profound cynicism that grips our citizens. People in Alabama have a low opinion of state government, fueled by ethical lapses, by legislative preoccupation with local issues such as bingo games, and by our obvious failure to develop a K-12 education system that meets the challenges of our time,” said Corts, who also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from the Capstone.

“I am pleased that so many Alabamians are properly coming to blame the 1901 Constitution for laying a poor foundation on which to build a great progressive state.

“As I have said many times, Alabama is a blessed state, a state of manifold advantages, but its progress has been constrained by a state government deemed the least effective in the nation, a state government narrowly formed by an outmoded constitution intended to curb the excesses of Reconstruction,” he said.

Corts has gained attention recently in his role as chairman of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, a non-profit, public interest organization devoted to updating the Constitution of the State of Alabama.

He said both gubernatorial candidates have said they favor reform, but differ in their approach.

“While our organization is on record favoring a (constitutional) convention, the need for change and renewal is so great, so crucial to the future of Alabama, that we accept and applaud support for the cause, however reform might be attained,” he said.

With this graduating class of 1,000, UA has awarded more than 182,000 degrees since its founding in 1831 as the state’s first public university. UA holds commencement ceremonies three times a year.

Samford president since 1983, Corts previously served as president of Wingate College in North Carolina for nine years. He has served as chair of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, president of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, president of the American Association of Presidents of Independent Colleges and Universities, and president of the National Fellowship of Baptist Educators. Also, he is vice-chairman of the President’s Advisory Council of the Association of Governing Boards.

His numerous honors include the Outstanding Educator Award in Alabama, Citizen of the Year Award, the National Council of Accreditation for Teacher Education’s Most Supportive President Award, and induction into the Alabama Academy of Honor.

Corts holds a bachelor’s degree from Georgetown College of Kentucky, and a master’s and doctorate from Indiana University.