University of Alabama updates - Page 76

SpawnOfVulcan · #**1501** Posted **Jan 10, 2026, 12:32 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packer16

A great move by the three UA Campuses and the BOT to promote more unity between the "Family". Look for better collaboration in the very near future. RTR

https://news.ua.edu/2025/12/ua-syste...8tgWpuDsNEFIcg

Definitely a good move.

Speaking of the UA "family", anyone ever thing that UA should expand its footprint? I know there is a limited number of undergraduate applicants within the state, but the system could stand to merge with a few schools plus at a campus or two.

North Alabama and West Alabama seem like some obvious additions (South Alabama would be, too, if it didn't have its own medical school). Plus, new campuses in Dothan, Decatur, and Gadsden/Anniston could use a UA member. These new campuses wouldn't need to pilfer potential students from The University of Alabama, there are plenty that resort to going to 2 year colleges for lack of 4 year college nearby. The system could even buy the Birmingham-Southern campus and turn it into a liberal arts campus of UAB. Would free up space on the Southside for more STEM related work.

Just thoughts that occassionally jangle around my head...

atlanta68 · #**1502** Posted **Jan 11, 2026, 3:14 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpawnOfVulcan

Definitely a good move.

Speaking of the UA "family", anyone ever thing that UA should expand its footprint? I know there is a limited number of undergraduate applicants within the state, but the system could stand to merge with a few schools plus at a campus or two.

North Alabama and West Alabama seem like some obvious additions (South Alabama would be, too, if it didn't have its own medical school). Plus, new campuses in Dothan, Decatur, and Gadsden/Anniston could use a UA member. These new campuses wouldn't need to pilfer potential students from The University of Alabama, there are plenty that resort to going to 2 year colleges for lack of 4 year college nearby. The system could even buy the Birmingham-Southern campus and turn it into a liberal arts campus of UAB. Would free up space on the Southside for more STEM related work.

Just thoughts that occassionally jangle around my head...

Miles College's purchase of BS fell through so that might work! But I don't want UAB surpassing UA, so hope that does not happen.

Packer16 · #**1503** Posted **Jan 12, 2026, 5:33 PM**

Damn Spawn!!! You're opening Pandora's Box! Great question, though. I don't think we're going to see growth in the sense of a new Extension Center that grows into an autonomous campus, like UAH or UAB. UA had an Extension Center for decades in Gadsden that closed last Spring. But, I do think UA and the System will continue it's presence around the State. (for instance: In Mobile, we have offices in the National Maritime Museum in downtown that works to help recruit industry to the area; We have a presence on Dauphin Island for our Marine Biology program and research activity; We have a presence throughout West Alabama with University Medical Centers (UMC) in Demopolis, Northport, Fayette, Carollton, and Livingston. They provide health care to rural areas and train medical school residents and nurses for UA's Medical School. (look for this to expand in the near future); An office on the UAH campus for business and government recruitment for the area.; plus, other involvement around the State). Dr. Mohler wants to expand UA's visibility and collaboration with the System's sister campuses. He's been traveling the State and talking to a lot of shareholders. I'm looking forward to seeing what his new ideas produce.

My dream is expansion of the Medical School with the purchase of DCH and developing it as a true research hospital (Plus, rebranding of the Medical School). And, the investment and development of the "Innovation District" on the old Tuscaloosa Country Club site. When these changes come to fruition, I can die a happy man. RTR

SpawnOfVulcan · #**1504** Posted **Jan 12, 2026, 11:56 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packer16

My dream is expansion of the Medical School with the purchase of DCH and developing it as a true research hospital (Plus, rebranding of the Medical School). And, the investment and development of the "Innovation District" on the old Tuscaloosa Country Club site. When these changes come to fruition, I can die a happy man. RTR

I think DCH should have been purchased by the UA system long ago. What would be the happiest of outcomes would be UA having a single entity in a med school that incorporates both work in Birmingham and efforts in Tuscaloosa. I don't want to take away UAB's status as prime med school in the state, but I'd like to see even more cooperation between system folks that work at UAB and those that work in Tuscaloosa.

Packer16 · #**1505** Posted **Feb 4, 2026, 8:47 PM**

I think Chad will like this. Check out #50. RTR

2026 Top Engineering Schools

https://empowerly.com/majors/best-engineering-colleges/

chadinhsv · #**1506** Posted **Feb 5, 2026, 2:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packer16

I think Chad will like this. Check out #50. RTR

2026 Top Engineering Schools

https://empowerly.com/majors/best-engineering-colleges/

Love it! Great find Packer! Thanks for sharing. I found another list created by Leland and it showed the top undergraduate schools for producing CEOs in S&P500. UA was ranked #19 with 4 CEOs which came out to be 3rd in the SEC behind Texas A&M and Florida. For whatever reason I cannot seem to find the link but it's on LinkedIn somewhere.

Packer16 · #**1507** Posted **Feb 5, 2026, 4:43 PM**

Great news, Chad! I know our Alumni network is one of the strongest in the Nation. I consistently see us ranked in the top 25-50. And, that's saying something when you consider all the Ivy League schools and their networks..

This article is about a recent hire made possible by Senator Shelby's appropriation of a $100 million endowment for UA to recruit top STEM faculty. The endowment dollars were invested over a year ago and are now producing interest that is used for 4-year renewable appointments. Read the last paragraph. Guess where we hired her from.

RTR

https://news.eng.ua.edu/2025/11/stys...augural-class/

TheCapstone · #**1508** Posted **Feb 9, 2026, 11:46 AM**

Would like to hear more from the new UA president. Seems like he's been relatively quiet and hasn't really laid out any plans whatsoever on STEM research, raising admissions standards, and reimaging UAs poor academic reputation.

Packer16 · #**1509** Posted **Feb 9, 2026, 11:23 PM**

Auburn fans are a little testy these days. I love this response by UA!!! RTR

https://www.tuscaloosanews.com/story...s/88597025007/

atlanta68 · #**1510** Posted **Feb 15, 2026, 11:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packer16

Great news, Chad! I know our Alumni network is one of the strongest in the Nation. I consistently see us ranked in the top 25-50. And, that's saying something when you consider all the Ivy League schools and their networks..

This article is about a recent hire made possible by Senator Shelby's appropriation of a $100 million endowment for UA to recruit top STEM faculty. The endowment dollars were invested over a year ago and are now producing interest that is used for 4-year renewable appointments. Read the last paragraph. Guess where we hired her from.

RTR

https://news.eng.ua.edu/2025/11/stys...augural-class/

Where was she hired from? Not seeing it in the piece you shared. This endowment is the least the USA can do after what it did to our beloved campus in 1865. Never forget what was done to UA! It is the main reason why Auburn received the Land Grant status. UA was too devastated to win that status.

Packer16 · #**1511** Posted **Feb 16, 2026, 2:00 AM**

She was a Distinguished Professor at Auburn. And, the University of Alabama did receive reparations after the Civil War. https://universitylands.ua.edu/history/ It's the reason our Endowment is much larger than the $$$ reported. RTR

TheCapstone · #**1512** Posted **Feb 16, 2026, 11:52 AM**

Where would you all stand on UA exploring options to expand its online degrees offerings?

TheCapstone · #**1513** Posted **Feb 16, 2026, 4:20 PM**

University of Alabama announces major nursing program expansion amid growing shortage of trained health professionals

SpawnOfVulcan · #**1514** Posted **Feb 16, 2026, 6:03 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCapstone

Where would you all stand on UA exploring options to expand its online degrees offerings?

I'm on the fence. It would do a lot to grow our brand, but I don't want the school to become one of those online campuses like UMGC or SNHU. It would certainly bring in a lot of revenue, but I imagine that would be it, financially. I wouldn't expect an alumnus of an online campus to feel compelled to give money to the University as an on-campus student would. I'd say look into it, but I would be keeping an eye on schools like Ohio State, Indiana, or Penn State to get an idea of how to do it properly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheCapstone

University of Alabama announces major nursing program expansion amid growing shortage of trained health professionals

This is fantastic news. We've known there will be a nursing shortage for a while now, I wonder why it took this long to really spearhead this. Either way, excellent.

atlanta68 · #**1515** Posted **Feb 17, 2026, 3:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Packer16

She was a Distinguished Professor at Auburn. And, the University of Alabama did receive reparations after the Civil War. https://universitylands.ua.edu/history/ It's the reason our Endowment is much larger than the $$$ reported. RTR

Here is a link to an Auburn College of Engineering website talking about her and they list her as already at UA. https://www.eng.auburn.edu/~aesmith/

Kinda weird that they are bragging on her even though she already left for Bama.

As for reparations, the Feds can't do enough to make up for what was done to UA. Had this not happned to UA, Auburn would have remained a little Methodist private school.

ttownfeen · #**1516** Posted **Feb 21, 2026, 5:59 AM**

Looking for renderings of the new ROTC and student veterans center.

Packer16 · #**1517** Posted **Feb 21, 2026, 3:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttownfeen

Looking for renderings of the new ROTC and student veterans center.

https://buildingbama.ua.edu/projects...terans-center/

SpawnOfVulcan · #**1518** Posted **Feb 23, 2026, 2:06 AM**

UA expands statewide reach with new Wiregrass Hub in Enterprise

Yellowhammer News

Found this on Facebook so I'll just type up the highlights.

The University of Alabama announced it is expanding its statewide footprint with a new Wiregrass Hub in Enterprise, a facility designed to strengthen research capabilities, support economic development, and connect local communities with the University's expertise.

*Scheduled to open in Fall 2026 in downtown Enterprise.

I think this is a great move. The Wiregrass doesn't have a true 4 year university and I think Enterprise is a great place to start this endeavor. Easily accessible from Dothan, Geneva, Hartford, Ozark, and Elba.

Packer16 · #**1519** Posted **Feb 23, 2026, 5:06 PM**

I wonder if it's a coincidence that Katie Britt is from Enterprise, Alabama?

Packer16 · #**1520** Posted **Feb 23, 2026, 5:29 PM**

Phase 3 (The final Phase) of the Jack Warner Pkwy/ MLK Blvd widening and improvements will begin construction in March. This is huge because it will provide a connector to the proposed "Tuscaloosa Innovation District". Construction should take 2 and a half years. Katies Britt needs to begin working to secure some future dollars (grants or appropriations) to launch the TID. People have told me she could develop into a very powerful Senator. It would be great for us if she does.

https://thecrimsonwhite.com/126937/n...ement-project/

Click on "connector project" to see a map.