Community Affairs’ Advisory Board to Host Gala at Harbert Center

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama Division of Community Affairs’ board of advisors will host a “Coming Back, Giving Back” gala Monday, Sept. 10, at the Harbert Center, 2019 Fourth Ave. N., in downtown Birmingham.

A cocktail social will begin at 5 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m. The purpose of the gala is to increase awareness of the board and to raise additional funds for its work in support of UA students.

This advisory group supports campuswide initiatives designed to increase student success and improve retention, facilitate student involvement in entrepreneurship and innovative initiatives, and develop effective global and community leaders. It consists of 57 former students who provided leadership and service to the University during a period of accelerated growth and change in the student body from 2003–2013.

Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin will welcome attendees. Terri Brewer, communications director for Tuscaloosa County Schools, will serve as emcee. Attendees will hear a performance by Grammy-award-winning singer/songwriter Sebastian Kole, who is under contract with EP Entertainment and Motown Records. Kole is a UA School of Music graduate and Birmingham native.

“The influence of this group in such a short time, and their positive impact on numerous UA students and future students, is commendable,” said Dr. Samory T. Pruitt, UA vice president for community affairs. “And they’re just getting started.”

Projects include recruiting and retaining students from rural and underrepresented areas in Alabama; supporting student business ventures through workshops and grant applications; and funding study-abroad and domestic-study opportunities to develop leadership skills and cultural competency. Member Tyrell Jordan, who holds accounting and law degrees from UA, has made a commitment to endow a scholarship for underrepresented students from his area.

“The board allows us to give back to the University in ways we never thought possible,” said Divya Patel, of Americus, Georgia, the board’s treasurer and gala planning committee chair. “I commend Dr. Pruitt on his vision in establishing this board and am honored to have been a part of it from the beginning.”

“The University of Alabama was instrumental in our lives as individuals and as a couple,” said advisory board members Zac and Elizabeth Riddle.  “We met at the University and are thankful for the opportunity to serve, together, through the board of advisors. As we raise our four children, we are working to instill in them a commitment to give back to the things that impact their lives in positive ways.”

Together the Riddles are actively involved in leadership roles with the Jefferson County Alumni Association.

Katie Boyd Britt, a 2004 UA honor graduate with a major in political science, is president of the board of advisors. Since 2016, she has been chief of staff for Alabama’s senior U.S. senator, Richard Shelby.

Tickets are $65 per person or $500 for a table of 10. Seating is limited. Cocktail attire is requested. To purchase tickets, visit http://communityaffairs.ua.edu/coming-back-giving-back-gala/.

For gala updates, visit the event page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/812193695837199/.

For questions about the gala or board initiatives, contact Anna Catherine Roberson at 205-561-4144 or acrobers@southernco.com.