COLLEGE OF HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
The Tide has risen at the College of Human Environmental Sciences. Through the commitment of our supporters, CHES continues to lead the field of human sciences – growing, thriving and fulfilling our mission of improving lives. The generosity of our alumni and friends has elevated our college to new heights and provided for a new generation of CHES graduates.
LETTER FROM THE DEAN
As The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign comes to a close, I want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who helped make it the most successful capital campaign in the institution's history and in the state of Alabama. Together, we not only surpassed our campaign goal for the University but also exceeded expectations for our College. The collective impact of your philanthropy has been extraordinary, and the benefits will be felt for years to come.
At the College of Human Environmental Sciences, our mission is to empower students to improve the quality of life for all. Through a wide range of disciplines that focus on the interactions between individuals, families and their environments, we prepare future leaders to address some of society's most pressing challenges.
Fulfilling that mission requires constant innovation. We are committed to providing transformative educational experiences through updated technologies, enhanced learning environments and hands-on opportunities that prepare students for success after their time at the Capstone.
Because of your generosity, we have advanced these priorities in remarkable ways. Your support has enabled us to expand our physical presence on campus, equip classrooms and laboratories with state-of-the-art technology and create opportunities that once seemed beyond our reach. Most importantly, your gifts have opened doors for our students, faculty and staff – strengthening academic programs and fueling research discoveries that will have a lasting impact on our community and world.
This campaign has not only made an immediate impact on CHES but has also helped us plan for the future through the many endowed funds established. I am humbled by the generosity our CHES alumni, friends and parents have shown through the last 10 years, and to be part of making history for a better future for the College of Human Environmental Sciences.
Thank you for your support and belief in what we do. Roll Tide!
Stuart Usdan
Dean
College of Human Environmental Sciences
THE MOMENTUM WE BUILT
$33M
TOTAL RAISED
34
NEW ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
$18M
PROGRAM SUPPORT
THE IMPACT OF RISING TOGETHER
PRIDE: DRUMMOND LYON HALL
Providing a permanent home for The Fashion Archive, Drummond Lyon Hall has been especially transformative. Home to more than 5,500 garments and accessories dating from the nineteenth century to today, the archive serves as an active teaching resource. Purpose-built spaces for preservation, research and object study allow students to engage directly with historical textiles, construction techniques and design innovations, enriching their understanding of both fashion history and the future of the industry.
The facility has also expanded opportunities for community engagement, supporting initiatives such as the Adaptive Apparel Design and Merchandising Undergraduate Certificate, which addresses the needs of individuals historically underserved by the apparel industry.
"Drummond Lyon Hall has increased our footprint on campus in a very tangible way,” said Brian Taylor, chair of the department. “More people are seeing the breadth of the work we do, from creative practice and technology to research, preservation and community engagement. It gives us the visibility and resources to become a center for design at The University of Alabama."
Today, Drummond Lyon Hall stands as a testament to the power of philanthropy and vision. Because of the philanthropic generosity of so many, students have a place where learning thrives, ideas come to life and future industry leaders are made.
An apparel and fashion design student works on a project inside Drummond Lyon Hall.
An apparel and fashion design student works on a project inside Drummond Lyon Hall.
PROMISE: PARENT PHILANTHROPISTS ESTABLISH SCHOLARSHIP
Students in the Department of Human Development and Family Studies' Child Life program, within the College of Human Environmental Sciences, are required to complete an internship as part of their degree. Because Child Life is a highly specialized field, internship opportunities can be difficult to secure, often requiring students to relocate and absorb significant out-of-pocket expenses.
Kaitlin O'Connor Wyatt, an exceptional student in the program, earned a coveted Child Life internship at Boston's Children's Floating Hospital. As Patrick and Kelly O'Connor helped their daughter make the move, they witnessed firsthand the financial burden students face while completing these required experiences. Travel, housing, supplies and day-to-day living expenses quickly add up, creating obstacles that can stand between talented students and their career goals.
Determined to ensure that financial circumstances would not limit opportunities for future students, the O'Connors established the Kaitlin O'Connor Wyatt Endowed HES Support Fund. Created during The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign, the endowment provides financial assistance to Child Life students completing their required internships, helping them pursue valuable professional experiences no matter where those opportunities may take them.
Today, the O'Connor family remains actively engaged with The University of Alabama community. Their generosity continues to open doors for aspiring Child Life specialists, providing critical support to students as they work toward fulfilling their dreams.
Through this endowment, future generations of students will have greater access to the experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers, ensuring that passion, talent and dedication, rather than financial circumstances, determine their path forward.
PRIDE: ADVANCING SPACE AND RESOURCES TO CHILDREN WITH VARYING ABILITIES
For more than 50 years, The RISE Center, within the College of Human Environmental Sciences, has transformed lives through early intervention and inclusive early childhood education for children with varying abilities throughout the Tuscaloosa community.
By providing specialized services in a classroom setting, including music, physical, occupational and speech-language therapies, RISE equips children with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in school and beyond.
As the needs of the children served at RISE grew, so did the need for innovative resources to support their development. One of the most significant advancements during The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign was the creation of a state-of-the-art sensory suite, designed to provide children of all abilities with new opportunities to learn, explore and succeed.
Made possible through the generosity of Amanda and Dana Garmany, the Mason Ray Garmany Sensory Suite was established as a transformative resource for RISE therapists, children and families. Named in honor of their grandson, the space reflects the family's commitment to supporting children and expanding access to high-quality therapeutic services.
"Amanda and I have long admired what RISE provides to the community," Dana Garmany said. "The sensory lab is a unique component that adds to the amazing suite of services already offered."
As members of the College of Human Environmental Sciences Capital Campaign Committee, the Garmanys understood the profound impact philanthropy can have on children and families. Their gift created an innovative environment where therapists have additional tools and resources to engage children, support developmental growth and help each child reach their fullest potential.
The impact of the sensory suite has been remarkable. Children who struggle to connect with others now have a comfortable and supportive environment where meaningful interactions can take place. Therapists have witnessed breakthrough moments, including children making eye contact and engaging with others in ways they had never done before.
For children who become easily overstimulated in a busy classroom setting, the sensory suite provides a calming space that enhances therapeutic outcomes and supports individualized learning. These experiences not only benefit children during their time at RISE but also help prepare them for success in future educational settings.
As the nation's first RISE Center, the Tuscaloosa center has long served as a model for similar programs across the country. Maintaining that standard of excellence requires ongoing innovation and support. Thanks to the generosity of the Garmany family, the Mason Ray Garmany Sensory Suite is helping RISE continue its leadership role while creating life-changing opportunities for the children and families it serves.
A RISE Center student experiences the Mason Ray Garmany Sensory Suite.
A RISE Center student experiences the Mason Ray Garmany Sensory Suite.
PROMINENCE: A FAMILY LEGACY, A FUTURE OF DISCOVERY
Dr. Sikalidis Angelos is the Roberta M. and John L. Rhoads Endowed Chair in Human Nutrition.
Dr. Sikalidis Angelos is the Roberta M. and John L. Rhoads Endowed Chair in Human Nutrition.
Among the some of the most significant achievements of The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign within the College of Human Environmental Sciences, was the establishment of the Roberta M. and John L. Rhoads Endowed Chair in Human Nutrition, made possible through a generous bequest from the late Ann Rhoads.
As the first named chair in the College of Human Environmental Sciences, the Rhoads Endowed Chair represents a transformative investment in the future of nutrition education, research and service.
The endowment reflects the Rhoads family's longstanding commitment to The University of Alabama and their enduring support of programs and facilities across campus. Inspired by her own experiences with health challenges related to diet and nutrition, Ann Rhoads fulfilled a promise to her late husband, John, to establish a chair honoring his first wife, Roberta Moorer Rhoads, a 1942 graduate of the College’s dietetics program.
A registered dietitian and passionate advocate for nutrition's role in lifelong health, Roberta believed deeply in the power of healthy living and evidence-based nutrition education. Through the creation of the endowed chair, her influence continues to shape future generations of students, researchers and practitioners dedicated to improving health outcomes through nutrition.
Ann's generosity extended beyond the chair itself. Her estate also established an endowed scholarship supporting students in the Department of Human Nutrition, Hospitality and Sport Management, while supporting numerous other areas across campus. Although she preferred to remain out of the spotlight, Ann's vision and philanthropy have created a lasting legacy that continues to benefit The University of Alabama community.
Following a national search, Dr. Angelos Sikalidis was selected as the inaugural holder of the Rhoads Endowed Chair, bringing extensive expertise and leadership to the field of human nutrition.
"Holding the Rhoads Academic Chair is an immense honor and a deeply meaningful privilege, generating a great sense of responsibility toward my colleagues who have entrusted me with it, as well as the visionaries who established it through their generosity and spirit of service,” Sikalidis said. “I am committed to stewarding the Chair in advancing human nutrition research that benefits Alabama communities and beyond, while engaging students and colleagues in meaningful scholarly activities.”
Today, the Rhoads Endowed Chair stands as a testament to the power of philanthropy to advance academic excellence. Through Ann's thoughtful commitment and the Rhoads family's enduring connection to the Capstone, this investment continues to elevate nutrition research, enrich student learning and improve lives for generations to come.