📰 BEST BETS
Beat Auburn Beat Hunger Fights Food Insecurity
The University of Alabama’s Beat Auburn Beat Hunger raised a record 630,624 pounds of food during its annual food drive, providing meals to West Alabamians struggling with food insecurity.
Why This Matters: All food and monetary donations collected during the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive benefits the West Alabama Food Bank. In the food bank’s service area, including Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Marion, Pickens, Sumter and Tuscaloosa counties, food insecurity rates range from 15% to 31%, significantly higher than the national average of 12.7%.
For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
UA’s Economic Impact Sets Records
UA continues to be an economic driver for the state as its flagship university set record high economic and fiscal impacts for the 2023-2024 academic year.
Why This Matters: According to latest UA economic impact report conducted by the Center for Business and Economic Research in the UA Culverhouse College of Business, the University’s $3.4 billion economic impact on the state and $2.354 billion impact on the Tuscaloosa metro area economy are record highs.
For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu.
LEAD Program Named for Late Alumnus
The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has approved the naming of the Culverhouse College of Business’ signature student leadership and professional development initiative in recognition of a $5 million gift commitment from the family of the late Robert James “Jim” Kelly.
Why This Matters: The R. James Kelly Leveraging Engagement to Advance Development program, or Kelly LEAD for short, prepares undergraduates to lead with integrity, empathy and strategic insight through immersive workshops and events, one-on-one mentoring and community engagement projects to help students develop in-demand soft-skills.
For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu.
Million Dollar Band Selected for 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in 2026
UA’s Million Dollar Band was selected from a highly competitive pool of applicants as one of the 10 marching bands to participate in the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade® in 2026 and showcase the incredible talents of their musicians.
Why This Matters: Selected from more than 100 applicants, the bands chosen for the 100th Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will each receive a $10,000 grant from Macy’s to kick-start fundraising efforts and help fund the march and prepare for their trip to New York City.
For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu.
💬 CURRENT COMMENT
Sheena Gregg, a registered dietician nutritionist and director of the department of health promotion and wellness, is available this week to discuss how to maintain your healthy eating goals during the holidays. Contact Gregg at sqgregg@ua.edu.
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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.