📰 BEST BETS
UA awards around 1,300 degrees over weekend
The University of Alabama awarded around 1,300 degrees during its summer commencement ceremony Aug. 1. The summer 2026 class includes graduates from 53 Alabama counties, 42 states and 25 countries.
UA among 6 U.S. institutions selected for Entente Cordiale Challenge
UA is among a select group of institutions chosen to participate in Entente Cordiale Day, a prestigious international academic competition among leading universities in the United Kingdom and France.
Why This Matters: Since its founding, the competition has brought together students from top universities in the United Kingdom and France to tackle pressing global challenges. Six U.S. universities will now join this elite group.
For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
Windgate Foundation quadruples support for book arts program
The Windgate Foundation has awarded a $4 million grant to expand scholarships for graduate students in the book arts program at UA — quadrupling the Arkansas-based foundation’s original $1 million investment in the program, which it established in 2005.
Why This Matters: The new endowment, combined with the existing fund, will supplement Windgate fellowships, create new opportunities for graduate assistantships, provide targeted scholarship support and fund studio equipment upgrades.
For more information, contact Alex House at alex.house@ua.edu.
UA student-athlete earns $10k for foundation
Sydney Blackhurst, a senior accounting major on UAs swimming and diving team, earned first place in the SEC Startup Competition.
Why This Matters: The prize comes with $10,000 to help grow her business, Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation, which offers one-on-one adaptive swim lessons for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities.
For more information, contact Jennifer Brady at jennifer.brady@ua.edu.
📅 EVENTS
Saturday in the Park: Hoop dancing
Aug. 8; Moundville Archaeological Park
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