UA trailblazer and professor Archie Wade dies at 85

Dr. Archie Wade, the first Black University of Alabama professor who helped set the course for racial equality at the University, died on Jan. 13 at the age of 85. Wade, associate professor emeritus of the UA Department of Kinesiology, was a historic trailblazer at the Capstone, instrumental in both the integration of sports and education on campus. He served UA for 30 years.

"Dr. Archie Wade’s passing is a profound loss for The University of Alabama. As UA’s first Black faculty member, his leadership and vision created opportunities that continue to benefit future generations," UA President Dr. Stuart R. Bell said in a statement. "Through his 30 years in the Department of Kinesiology and his dedication to supporting students, student-athletes and colleagues, Dr. Wade profoundly shaped our campus and community. Wade Hall stands as a lasting tribute to his extraordinary legacy. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and all who were inspired by his life and work."

Born in Big Cove, Alabama, in 1939, Wade attended Stillman College, where he played baseball and coached baseball and basketball before going on to play professional baseball and earn his master’s degree at West Virginia University.

Wade was a highly skilled athlete, known by some as "the University of Alabama's Jackie Robinson." He played for legendary baseball coach Sparky Anderson as a minor league player and was a starter in a record-breaking, 29-inning game in 1966. That same year, he led the Class A Florida League with a .338 batting average.

In 1964, he, Joffree Whisenton and Nathaniel Howard were given tickets to the Alabama vs. Georgia football game by President Frank Rose with the goal of desegregating Bryant-Denny Stadium. Together, the three men accomplished exactly that.

Wade spent two years as a recruiter for legendary Alabama football coach Paul “Bear” Bryant while teaching and working on his doctorate degree at UA. During this time, the Tide began recruiting Black players, breaking yet another racial barrier at the Capstone. Though he had a storied career in athletics, it is Wade's role as a pioneer, a professor and a mentor that he and others cherish most.

Selected by then-UA president Dr. David Matthews, Wade became the first Black faculty member on campus when he joined the Department of Kinesiology in 1970. This was a key contribution to the College of Education as well as the University as he successfully integrated the professoriate, paving the way for other Black faculty members to join the Capstone.

Wade earned his doctorate from UA in 1974, and in 1975, he was one of the founding members of the University’s Black Faculty and Staff Association. He continued his career at the Capstone until his retirement in 2000.

The YMCA inducted Wade into their hall of fame In 2010 for his significant contributions to the institution, beginning with organizing baseball and basketball leagues for Black youths during the late 1950s and early '60s.

In 2013, Dr. Wade was honored by UA with a ceremony and a plaque within the series of celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the University’s integration. That plaque is located in what is now Wade Hall, named in his honor in 2021, and the home of the Department of Kinesiology. Wade was also inducted into the College of Education Hall of Fame in 2015.

Wade has been described as courageous and resilient as well as gentle, refined and gracious. The way he spoke to his students, dealt with colleagues and interacted with the public spoke volumes of his love for humanity and his attitude of services. Dr. Wade will forever be remembered as a gentleman, an athlete, and a trailblazer.

ECE students present final pre-internship projects for guest reviewers

Elementary and early childhood pre-service teachers completed their Early Childhood (ECE) pre-internship in December 2024 with a final presentation in Autherine Lucy Hall. Guests joined the session to review students' experiential learning and to engage in discussion.

This was the first time since 2020 that the event has been held in person, and the room was abuzz with excitement as more than 60 pre-service teachers and over 15 guest reviewers collaborated.

Thank you to guest reviewers Drs. James Hardin, Kimberly Tomeny, Kimberly Blitch and April Kendrick, graduate research students Kristen Johnson, Emmanuel Babalola and Francis Yakubu, UA instructors and staff members Michelle Darabaris, Jenna Hall and Diana Winchester as well as UA supervisors from the Office of Clinical Experiences for collaborating to support these pre-service teachers on their journey to dual certification in ECE and Elementary Education.

Online event previews 'MAKE A CIRCLE,' hosts early child care and education experts

Early childhood academics and advocates had the opportunity to attend a special webinar on Jan. 15 and preview the award-winning documentary "MAKE A CIRCLE."

The film follows a group of child care providers whose mission is to change how society values the education of its youngest citizens.

"MAKE A CIRCLE" is a heartfelt message of appreciation to our tireless and dedicated early childhood educators but also serves as a rallying cry for a child care system in crisis, aiming to inspire a discussion on policy change and creating a child care and education system that works for everyone.

After the film, attendees heard from a panel of early child care and education experts, including the College's own Dr. Alison Hooper, associate professor of early childhood education; Jen Bradwell, co-director of the film; Patricia Moran, family child care provider and Child Care Providers United Union leader; and Albert Wat, senior policy director at Alliance For Early Success.

Pre-service teachers wrap up semester of literacy work with local elementary students

In November 2024, undergraduate students in CRD 369, Foundations of Reading, visited Central Elementary School with Clinical Associate Professor and
Program Coordinator of Early Childhood & Elementary Education Dr. Cailin Kerch with Tuscaloosa City Schools Educator Ambassador Rachel Goggins and Northport Elementary School with Adjunct Instructor Dr. Jessie Sartain.

CRD 369 students worked with Tier 1 or Tier 2 students on their early literacy skills with side-by-side support from course instructors throughout the semester.

Through this partnership between local schools and the College, Professor of Literacy Education and Belser Parton Literacy Center Director Dr. Carol Donovan and Clinical Assistant Professor of Elementary Literacy Dr. Cortney Dilgard support students' interpretation of literacy data, using it to construct phonics lessons using evidenced-based materials.

In the Media

'We are making great strides': Tuscaloosa County schools implementing new Whole Child program designed to support students

The Tuscaloosa County School System, in conjunction with the University of Alabama, is adapting that concept to establish a winning culture in the system's schools. The Whole Child Development concept is being implemented throughout the system.

To read the full article written by Tuscaloosa News Director of Photography Gary Cosby Jr., visit www.tuscaloosanews.com.

Honors & Achievements

Dr. Holly Morgan now a National Board Certified Teacher

Dr. Holly Morgan, director of the UA/University of West Alabama Regional Inservice Education Center, became a National Board Certified Teacher in December 2024.

Dr. Hutchison selected for literacy research board of directors

Fayard Endowed Chair in Literacy Education Dr. Amy Hutchison has been elected to the Board of Directors for the Literacy Research Association. She began her three-year term at the annual conference held in Atlanta, Ga., in December 2024.

Dr. Lisa Hsin awarded grant for language development project

On Dec. 13, Dr. Lisa Hsin, associate professor of educational psychology and neuroscience, was awarded a $20K grant under the Facilitating Uni-PI Science and Engineering (FUSE) Program at the University for her project "Modernizing First Language Development Research with Baby Word Tracker."

Dr. Hee Jung Gong chosen for KAERA early career scholar program

Dr. Hee Jung Gong was recently selected for the Korean-American Educational Researchers Association (KAERA) Early Career Scholar Program Cohort 2 (2024-26).

The KAERA Early Career Scholar Program is a highly selective scholarship and mentoring program for emerging Korean and Korean American scholars who are beginning their careers in higher education.

Dr. June Preast receives inaugural emerging leader award in school psychology

Dr. June Preast was recently honored by the Council of Directors of School Psychology Programs and named the winner of the Emerging Leader Award.

This inaugural award recognizes early career school psychology faculty who are serving or plan to serve as program training directors.

Dr. Kerch selected to join NIEER peer learning group, reappointed to Ala. Literacy Taskforce

Dr. Cailin Kerch was selected to join the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) Peer Learning Community (PLC): Building Stronger ECE Systems Peer Learning Community with representatives from the Alabama State Department of Education and Alabama Early Childhood Department of Education. This PLC team will focus on pre-kindergarten through third Grade systems. Eight states- Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Nevada, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington have identified state teams and goals for the PLC.

Kerch has also been reappointed as Early Childhood Representative to the Alabama Literacy Taskforce by Secretary Jan Hume. She has served on the Alabama Literacy Taskforce since it began in 2019 supporting implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act for the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE). The Alabama Reading Initiative (ARI) and ALSDE are committed to supporting early literacy development and related teacher development.

Dr. Crista Banks publishes new book chapter on student-created podcasts in science education

In December, Assistant Professor of Elementary Social Science Dr. Crista Banks' most recent book chapter was published, focusing on how incorporating student-created podcasts in elementary social studies methods course can dismantle spaces of silence:

Willson, A. S., & Banks, C. K. (2024). Amplifying untold stories: Utilizing student-created podcasts to disrupt spaces of silence in an elementary social studies methods course. In E.B. Claravall & J. Ferreras-Stone (Eds.), Dismantling spaces of silence in social science education. Information Age Publishing.

Drs. Bynum, Mendiola, Sims discuss education in Finland in recent magazine article

Clinical Professor of Educational Leadership Dr. Yvette Bynum, Clinical Professor of Educational Administration Dr. Brenda Mendiola, and Academic Associate Dean Dr. Emily Sims had an article published in the Winter 2025 issue of "CLAS School Leader."

In their article, "Education in Finland," Drs. Bynum, Mendiola and Sims share their experiences as Teacher Leader Fellows in Finland, studying the country's educational system, parliament, and culture.

They discuss the core principles and the structure of the Finnish Educational System, giving a glimpse into what it might be like to attend school in what has been ranked the happiest country in the world for a seventh year by the 2024 World Happiness Report.

You can view article here on pages 24-25 and 31.

Mikayla Cain a member of OCT Staff Assembly for 2024-2025 academic year

Administrative Assistant for Educational Studies in Psychology, Research Methodology, and Counseling Mikayla Cain is serving on the Office, Clerical and Technical Staff Assembly (OCTSA) for the 2024-25 academic year. She is currently the only College of Education staff member on the assembly.

Cain was appointed OCTSA Representative for the Campus Master Plan Committee on the University Standing Committees. She also joined the OCTSA Professional Development Committee and Service/Outreach Committee.

The Assembly represents and advocates for the needs of non-exempt staff to the UA administration, working with members of the Faculty Senate, Professional Staff Assembly, and Student Government Association to address employee concerns and improve campus life.

If you are interested in joining the Assembly, email OCTstaff@ua.edu. Multiple members from the same college are welcome.

Sellers, Cain and Alsobrook take on new COE Staff Council positions beginning this month

Starting January 2025, the following staff members will begin serving in their new Staff Council positions:

Tracie Sellers, Chair
Mikayla Cain, Chair-elect
Melinda Alsobrook, Secretary

Kinesiology doctoral student Cristal Benitez wins diversity in sports science award

Exercise science doctoral student Cristal Benitez recently received the 2024-25 Gatorade Sport Science Institute Diversity in Sports Science Award. She is currently working with Assistant Professor of Exercise Science Dr. Elroy Aguiar.

Northridge senior Rhyana Mahatsente places 1st in state science and engineering fair

Associate Professor and Educational Neuroscience Program Coordinator Dr. Firat Soylu's advisee Rhyana Mahatsente, a senior at Northridge High School, was awarded first place in the 2024 Alabama Science and Engineering Fair (ASEF) in May with her project titled "Voxel-Based Morphometry of Temporal Lobe Epilepsy for Detection of Ictal Impaired Consciousness." She also received the 100+ Women Strong Achievement Award during the fair.

Mahatsente went on that weekend to represent Alabama in the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF) in Los Angeles.

Dr. Carl Hancock inducted into AMEA Hall of Fame

Dr. Carl Hancock, professor and head of the Department of Music Education, was inducted into the Alabama Music Educators Association (AMEA) Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the annual AMEA Professional Development Conference in Birmingham on Jan. 24. This honor represents Dr. Hancock’s outstanding contributions to music education in Alabama as well as his service to AMEA over the years.

Alumni News

Caroline Morris named director of technology integration for Hoover schools

Caroline C. Morris has been named the new director of technology integration for Hoover City Schools (HCS).

Since 2020, she has worked as a technology integration coach at Spain Park High School and Robert F. Bumpus Middle School in Hoover, leading technology-driven initiatives and empowering educators to incorporate digital tools effectively into their classrooms.

Morris graduated from UA with her bachelor's in education and a master’s degree in instructional technology.

She started her career in education as a teacher at Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson, Ala., before joining Bumpus Middle School as an English teacher.

Dr. Debra Schade becomes president-elect of Calif. School Boards Association

In December, Dr. Debra Schade was announced as president-elect of the California School Boards Association at the CSBA Annual Education Conference in Anaheim.

Schade has served as a trustee on the Solana Beach School District Board of Education for 22 years and led as board president in 2024. For the past nine years, she has represented San Diego County school districts as a delegate and regional director.

Schade earned a doctorate in public health education and promotion from the University in 1997 through a joint program with the UAB School of Public Health.

David Dai receives NSF Presidential Award for Excellence in Math, Science Teaching

David Dai recently earned a National Science Foundation (NSF) Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

He is National Board Certified in Early Adolescence-Mathematics and is currently completing his educational specialist degree as part of the state’s first cohort of mathematics specialists.

Dai currently teaches students enrolled in Math 8 Accelerated and Geometry with Data Analysis and has taught mathematics for the past three years at Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies. He previously taught at Alma Bryant High School and Hillcrest High School.

Dai earned a B.S. in mathematics with a concentration in statistics and an M.A. in secondary mathematics education from The University of Alabama. While at the Capstone, he was an NSF Noyce Scholar in 2016-17, in the NSF Master Teacher Fellows from 2020-2025, and a UA Practitioner Leaders for Underserved Schools in Mathematics cohort member, helping set the standard and pathway for the secondary math education program (SEMA) accelerated math program (AMP).

Courtney Latham to be featured in Marquis Who's Who for behavioral health care work

Courtney Rollings Latham, was honored by Marquis Who’s Who for her expertise and work in behavioral health care.

Latham is a dedicated professional in behavior analysis and special education and the owner and Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) at Evner Behavior Services, which she founded in 2021. She also offers behavioral therapy in schools, homes, and communities, and provides parent training and workshops for the Down Syndrome Association of Jacksonville (DSAJ) as well as conducts classroom management and behavior training for educators.

Latham's experience in education includes serving as a special education teacher at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center, the North Florida School of Special Education, and The Joseph Sams School from 2012 through 2016. She has also worked in educational support.

Latham earned her bachelor's degree in multiple abilities, Summa Cum Laude, from UA in 2012. She is certified in applied behavior analysis by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and holds a Florida Professional Teaching Certificate with endorsements in Special Education, Elementary Education, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

December 2024 Teacher Pinning Ceremony

The College of Education's Winter 2024 Teacher Pinning Ceremony took place in Autherine Lucy Hall auditorium on Dec. 13. Family, friends, and mentors of graduates showed their support for our future educators with the graduate's person of choice joining them at the front to present them with their commemorative pin.

Congratulations to all of our Winter 2024 graduates!

Mark Your Calendars

FEB. 7
College of Education Night 🏀

UA Adapted Athletics invites COE faculty and staff to attend the UA Early College Classic from 5-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, as the Alabama men's wheelchair basketball team takes on the University of Arizona in Stran-Hardin Arena. Tipoff is at 6 p.m. and food will be provided in the VIP area. This game will also feature T-shirt and Scooters Coffee giveaways.

Please RSVP to Carina Larbig by Feb. 1.

MARCH 7-16
Spring Break ☀️

Classes dismissed and UA offices closed.

Student Deadlines

FEB. 10
Classes Start for Spring 2 📚

FEB. 21
Degree Application Deadline 🎓

Last day for graduate and undergraduate students to submit a degree application online through myBama.

MARCH 24
Summer & Fall 2025 Registration Begins 💻

Summer and Fall 2025 registration time assignments will be available by March 1.

APRIL 4
Honors Day 🏅

Classes dismissed.

UA offices open.

COE students in need of assistance can apply for support here.

Have news or story ideas you want to share? We want to hear from you!
Email Kelcey Sexton at kelcey.sexton@ua.edu.

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