University of Alabama business school gets $1.5 million gift
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 23
The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration has received a $1.5 million gift from alumni and a pledge for matching funds from the family of the college’s namesake. “We are excited about the Faryards’ gift, as well as the Culverhouse match,” said Michael Hardin, dean of the business school. Alumni Gary Fayard and his wife, Nancy Fayard, gave $1.5 million to the business college, money that will be used to create the Fayard Endowed Chair in Accounting, according to Hardin. The gift is the largest endowment in the history of the Culverhouse School of Accountancy. Hardin said he believes the gift will help increase the prominence of the accountancy school. The gifts and fundraising help the school and college stay competitive, allowing it to attract premier faculty and students, he said. “It’s something for the university and the state to be proud of,” Hardin said. Fayard, a retired Coca-Cola Co. executive, is a 1975 graduate of the business college, and his wife is a 1975 graduate of the college of education, Hardin said.
Apple CEO, Alabama coach to be honored Monday
Decatur Daily – Oct. 23
Apple CEO Tim Cook and University of Alabama football coach Nick Saban will be among eight people inducted into the Alabama Academy of Honor on Monday in Montgomery. The academy recognizes 100 living Alabamians for their accomplishments and service. The academy announced that in addition to Cook and Saban, the inductees will be University of Alabama President Judy Bonner, Big Oak Ranch founder John Croyle, HudsonAlpha Institute co-founder Jim Hudson, former Mountain Brook Mayor Margaret Porter, U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and business executive Edgar Welden. The induction ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday at the state Capitol is open to the public. Cook, who grew up in Robertsdale, will make remarks on behalf of the new academy members.
Alabama President Judy Bonner on search committee to choose new SEC commissioner
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 23
University of Alabama President Judy Bonner will be a member of the search committee that will choose the next commissioner of the Southeastern Conference. Mike Slive last week announced that he will retire on July 31 after 13 years as the SEC’s commissioner. “First of all, let me express my deepest appreciation to Mike Slive for the extraordinary leadership he has provided during his tenure as SEC commissioner,” Bonner said in a statement released Thursday. “I am honored to be a member of the search committee and I am fully committed to working with the committee to select the person who will continue to ensure the traditions of athletic and academic success that define the SEC.” Nicholas S. Zeppos, chancellor of Vanderbilt University and chairman of the SEC’s Presidents and Chancellors, appointed the committee that will select the league’s eighth commissioner.
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Oct. 23
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Oct. 23
Alabama Business Confidence Index positive but less confident
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Oct. 23
Alabama business executives maintain a positive outlook for the fourth quarter, but confidence has weakened from the previous quarter. The latest Alabama Business Confidence Index from the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama continues to indicate moderate optimism statewide at 54.2 for the fourth quarter. A score above 50 indicates an optimistic outlook. Executives statewide are more optimistic about Alabama’s economic outlook than the national economic forecast.
UA rowing facility (Photo gallery)
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 24
University of Alabama director of Athletics Bill Battle speaks at the grand opening of the UA Rowing Facility at Manderson Landing Thursday, Oct. 23, 2014. Construction of the 11,463 square foot Boathouse began in the fall of 2013. It is adjacent to a floating dock on the Black Warrior River.