📰 BEST BETS
Gift Creates Faculty Endowment in School of Leadership and Policy
Longtime benefactor Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. has gifted the first endowment to support The University of Alabama School of Leadership and Policy through the Hugh F. Culverhouse Jr. Endowed Professorship in Leadership and Policy.
Why This Matters: Culverhouse’s $500,000 gift will help the School attract and retain nationally recognized scholars and experts in public policy and leadership. The endowment is pending approval by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees in February.
For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu.
The University of Alabama Police Department has named former deputy chief and longtime police executive Scott Thurmond as chief.
Why This Matters: Thurmond, who has been serving as interim chief since August 2025, brings more than 25 years of policing experience, including serving as chief of the Birmingham Police Department from 2022 to 2024. As chief of UAPD, Thurmond will lead day-to-day operations and implement goals, policies, procedures and standards.
Realizing the Dream Events Start Friday
The Realizing the Dream Committee is ushering in the 2026 season under the theme “Realizing the Dream Through Faith and Action,” unveiling a lineup of events that will feature nationally acclaimed voices in film, ministry and music.
Why This Matters: The annual Realizing the Dream events, which celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., are organized by a committee that includes representatives from Shelton State Community College, Stillman College, the Tuscaloosa chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and The University of Alabama.
📅 EVENTS
Movement in the Museum: Candlelit Yoga
Jan. 13; Alabama Museum of Natural History
Huxford Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition
Jan. 16-18; Moody Music Building
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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.