The Mound on the University of Alabama Quad

UA Honors Week 2021 Highlighted by Tapping on the Mound

The Mound on the University of Alabama Quad
The Mound on the UA Quad.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama will recognize the achievement of outstanding students and faculty during Honors Week, April 5-9, culminating in the Tapping on the Mound, a UA tradition since the early 1900s.

An in-person Tapping on the Mound ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. Friday, April 9, on the Mound at the west side of the UA Quad for honorees and two guests per honoree. The Center for Public Television and Radio will stream the full ceremony live for additional guests on the UA Parent and Family Programs Facebook page.

The rain location will be Foster Auditorium. In the event the ceremony is moved due to weather, each honoree will be limited to one guest.

“Although this year’s in-person ceremony will have some modifications, we thought it was important to use Honors Day, again, as an opportunity to highlight how far our students and our nation have come since this time last year,” said Dr. Rosalind Moore-Miller, executive director of student engagement with UA’s Division of Student Life. “Despite a pandemic, these students represent a group who have academically excelled and have continued to build on the legacy of excellence at UA.”

University honor groups Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Blue Key National Honor Society and Anderson Society will induct members.

ODK’s membership includes students of junior standing or above who are in the top 35 percent of their class scholastically and who exhibit leadership. Mortar Board membership, one of the highest honors granted to college seniors, is based on leadership, scholarship and service.

Blue Key National Honor Society recognizes seniors who represent high scholastic ideals, leadership and diversity of background. The Anderson Society recognizes UA students who have made significant contributions to the University or the Tuscaloosa community.

“At the end of the day, our goal through the Honors Day Tapping on the Mound is to always shine a light on our phenomenal students,” said Moore-Miller. “This year’s in-person event will allow us to safely engage in the tapping ceremony with modifications to allow our students the chance to experience one of the best traditions UA has to offer.”

Contact

Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, bryant.welbourne@ua.edu