📰 BEST BETS
UA Again Named Top Fulbright Producer
The University of Alabama has again been recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Students, a distinction that UA has now earned eight times in the last 10 years.
Why This Matters: The Fulbright Program is an international academic exchange program with the goal of increasing mutual understanding and supporting friendly and peaceful relations between the people of the United States and other countries. Fulbright Top Producing Institutions are grouped by Carnegie Classification and represent the range of institutions engaging with the Fulbright Program and ensuring its broad impact on American communities across the country.
For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
Addressing State’s Need for Psychiatrists
The UA College of Community Health Sciences is launching the newly accredited UA Tuscaloosa Psychiatry Residency Program to address the critical need for psychiatrists in the state.
Why This Matters: Alabama has the lowest ratio of all states of mental health providers per capita, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The state has a higher suicide rate than the national average and high rates of depression and substance abuse.
For more information, contact Leslie Zganjar at lzganjar@ua.edu.
Standing on its commitment to provide resources and opportunities to rural communities, The University of Alabama hosted 20 high school counselors from rural Alabama for a two-day event to learn more about the college experience at the Capstone.
Why This Matters: Through the support of the STARS College Network, UA hosted the Counselor Drive-In Feb. 24-25 that provided insights into educational opportunities, campus life and other resources available to UA students.
SEC Honors Distinguished Professor
Dr. M.N.V. Ravi Kumar, Distinguished University Research Professor with The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, has been selected as UA’s recipient of the 2025 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award.
Why This Matters: The annual SEC Faculty Achievement Awards highlight the vital role educators play in advancing the mission of the SEC and its institutions, as well as their dedication to fostering academic excellence through teaching, innovation and service.
Spring Commencement Dates Announced
UA will hold spring commencement with eight ceremonies May 2-4 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus.
Why This Matters: About 6,700 are expected to graduate, with about 6,000 of those participating in these ceremonies. Each year, UA awards around 9,500 degrees, with graduates infusing the state and nation’s workforce with highly educated talent.
The Alabama Writers Hall of Fame will induct eight new honorees on Friday, March 7 at the Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa.
Why This Matters: Induction in the Alabama Writers Hall of Fame is the highest honor bestowed upon Alabama writers. Authors will be available for interviews between 4:45 and 5:45 p.m. prior to the event.
For more information, contact Michael Pearce at pearc007@ua.edu.
💬 CURRENT COMMENT
As the clock springs forward this weekend, Dr. John Burkhardt, associate professor with the department of psychiatry and behavioral medicine, is available to discuss how longer days can enhance a person’s mood.
Dr. Alain Plattner, assistant professor with the department of geological sciences, is available to talk about Earth’s magnetic north pole shifting.
📅 EVENTS
March 4; Gorgas House Museum
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The University of Alabama strives to remain neutral on public policy issues. Strategic Communications may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its leadership, and do not constitute a statement on behalf of the University unless explicitly designated.