UA Preview — April 29-May 5, 2024

📰 BEST BETS 

Spring Commencement  

The University of Alabama will hold spring commencement with eight ceremonies May 3-5 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus. 

Why This Matters: About 6,000 are expected to graduate, with about 5,400 of those participating in these ceremonies. Each year, UA awards around 9,000 degrees and of the graduates that may be tracked since 2015, 52% remain in Alabama. 

UA Education is Solid Investment 

A degree from UA has proven to provide an abundant return on investment for graduates, setting the stage for legendary careers while also creating priceless experiences and memories according to the latest economic impact report from the UA Center for Business and Economic Research. 

Why This Matters: Data shows that despite the costs of a college education such as tuition, room and board, and books, investing in an education at UA yields better long-term annual rates of return than most stocks, stock indexes and bonds. 

Shelby Institute Opens

UA recently cut the ribbon on the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership, a student-focused academic and service program concentrating on educating and training students interested in policy.

Why This Matters: The Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership, housed in newly renovated Tuomey Hall, will provide a premier, immersive learning community for students committed to shaping public policy and focus on nurturing and equipping the next generation of leaders through the Shelby Scholars program.

Bama Blitz 

UA raised more than $5 million in gifts during its seventh annual giving days, Bama Blitz. More than 1,742 gifts from 1,531 UA supporters in 50 states were made during the crowdfunded, social media-driven campaign. 

Why This Matters: All gifts to Bama Blitz are part of The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign, UA’s 10-year, $1.8 billion effort to elevate the campus to new heights through enhancing scholarships, faculty endowments, facilities and athletics. The Rising Tide 2.0 recently eclipsed its goal of 1,000 new endowed scholarships, further demonstrating the commitment of UA’s alumni and friends to support future generations of UA students 

Boren Scholars 

UA students Aparna Bhooshanan, of Madison; Hari Gunda, of Montgomery; and Madeleine Luther, of Cincinnati have received Boren Scholarships for the study of languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. 

Why This Matters: Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in such regions as Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. 

Guggenheim Fellowship 

Dr. Heather Cass White, professor of English at The University of Alabama, was recently selected by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation as a Guggenheim Fellow. 

Why This Matters: As established in 1925 by founder Senator Simon Guggenheim, each fellow receives a monetary stipend to pursue independent work at the highest level under “the freest possible conditions.” Since its inception, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation has awarded over $400 million in fellowships to more than 19,000 fellows. 

Youth Summer Camps 

UA will offer a variety of youth summer camps for children and teenagers from around the state and nation that provide engaging learning opportunities. 
 

Why This Matters: With options featuring a wide range of subject matter and activities, UA Youth Programs’ summer camps offer something for all children and teenagers. Around 20,000 youth participated in UA summer camps last year. 

💬 CURRENT COMMENT 

Rebecca Burney, instructor in the department of clothing, textiles and interior design, is available to discuss fashion trends for the upcoming summer season. Burney can be reached at rrburney@ua.edu.  

📅 EVENTS 

BFSAA Hallowed Grounds Tour 

May 2; Gorgas House  

Need a subject matter expert on news-making topics? See our frequently updated experts directory here.  

Visit the UA News Center for more story ideas. 

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.