Opportunity Profile
LEADERSHIP
President Stuart R. Bell
Dr. Stuart R. Bell became the 29th president of The University of Alabama on June 18, 2015. He previously served the Capstone for 16 years as a faculty member and then department head of mechanical engineering.
Under his leadership, UA has seen an increase in both student retention and graduation rates; increased faculty headcount; grown sponsored program awards crucial to direct learning and experience opportunities for students; and benefited from historic fundraising. New interdisciplinary research centers have been established and join many other programs on campus focused on solving critical, real-world challenges. Through an intentional and on-going effort, UA graduates continue to gain cultural competencies which allow them to live and work effectively in an increasingly diverse and global society.
In September 2021, Dr. Bell announced the launch of The Rising Tide, the largest capital campaign in University and state history. The transformative fundraising campaign will serve as a catalyst for heightened enrollment, advanced research and creative endeavors and expanded opportunities for students to benefit from the premier educational, leadership and research opportunities available as part of the Alabama experience. At present, the campaign has raised over $1.1 billion in charitable commitments toward its $1.5 billion goal.
Prior to becoming UA’s president, Dr. Bell was executive vice president and provost at Louisiana State University and served as both the chief academic officer and the chief operating officer. Before his time at LSU, Dr. Bell served the University of Kansas as dean of the School of Engineering.
With research concentrations in combustion engines, Dr. Bell has expertise in fuels for engines, innovative engine designs and modeling of engine and engine processes. He founded and directed UA’s Center for Advanced Vehicle Technologies, an interdisciplinary research center producing new generations of engineers and scientists. Dr. Bell was also inducted as an Engineering Department Fellow by UA’s department of mechanical engineering. He was awarded the Society of Automotive Engineers’ Ralph Teetor Award for Outstanding Contributions to Research and Teaching and the T. Morris Hackney Faculty Leadership Award for the College of Engineering.
Dr. Bell was also honored with the Richard S. Woodbury Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, was selected as a recipient of the Dwight Look College of Engineering Outstanding Alumni Award from Texas A&M University and was elected to the Academy of Distinguished Alumni in Mechanical Engineering at his alma mater.
An Abilene, Texas native, Dr. Bell earned a degree in nuclear engineering from Texas A&M in 1979. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in mechanical engineering from the same university in 1981 and 1986, respectively.
It was also at Texas A&M that Dr. Bell met his wife, Susan. They are the proud parents of three adult children, Stuart, Stacy and Stephen, three delightful granddaughters and a grandson. Both of Dr. Bell’s sons followed in his footsteps and are engineers. His daughter is a UA alumna.
ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
UA is part of the University of Alabama System and located in the city of Tuscaloosa and is one of the nation’s premier public universities offering bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 200 fields of study. UA’s more than 1,000 acres of tree-lined pathways and state-of-the-art facilities are a source of inspiration for students, faculty and staff. UA is among the nation’s fastest-growing flagship universities with more than 40,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, attracting more than half of its students from out of state. The Carnegie Foundation lists The University of Alabama among the top doctoral research universities in the United States. UA employs more than 2,100 faculty and was recognized in 2024 by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers and Best Employers for New Graduates. Faculty members work closely with students, and many involve students at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels in basic and applied research.
MISSION
The University of Alabama will advance the intellectual and social condition of the people of the state, the nation and the world through the creation, translation and dissemination of knowledge with an emphasis on quality programs in the areas of teaching, research and service.
VISION
The University of Alabama will be known as the university of choice for the best and brightest students in Alabama, and all students who seek exceptional educational opportunities. The University of Alabama will be a student-centered research university and an academic community united in its commitment to enhance the quality of life for all Alabamians and the citizens of the nation and world.
STRATEGIC GOALS
1. Provide a premier education that enhances the lives of our students, graduates and the communities they serve.
2. Increase the University’s productivity and innovation in research, scholarship and creative activities that impact economic and societal development.
3. Enrich our learning and work environment by attracting, welcoming and supporting all faculty, staff and students.
4. Foster an environment that will aid in the recruitment, retention, growth and support of outstanding faculty and staff.
FALL ENROLLMENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Total enrollment: 40,846
- Undergraduate enrollment: 34,389
- Graduate enrollment: 6,001
- Professional enrollment: 456
COMMITMENT TO SUCCESS
The University of Alabama is steeped in tradition. Founded in 1831, it is the state’s oldest and largest public university. It carries a proud heritage, built on the foundations of academic excellence, student and faculty accomplishment, athletic achievement and alumni pride.
The University continues to be a national leader in higher education and is widely recognized for academic quality, student caliber, research achievements and athletic honors.
Throughout its progress, the University’s commitment to the state has remained steadfast. UA continues to enroll the best and brightest students with an enrollment that reflects a diverse population. A record-breaking number of in-state first-year students highlights UA's fall 2024 total enrollment of 40,846, surpassing 40,000 for the first time. The second-year retention also reached an all-time high at nearly 90%. Graduate School enrollment jumped 5.4% with 6,001 students. The number of in-state graduate students increased 8.3%. The University has a record enrollment of 10,111 minority students, an 8.2% increase from 2023. With students from all 67 Alabama counties, all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 95 countries, UA is educating and graduating more students than any college in the state.
The Capstone remains firmly committed to educating and graduating students from around the world, but especially from the state of Alabama; as the state’s flagship university, it is a vital part of the University’s mission. To underscore that commitment to students residing in Alabama, the University is offering more competitive scholarships for in-state students. During the 2023-2024 degree year, UA graduated a total of 9,106 students. With more than 100 active alumni chapters and close to 130,000 alumni living in state boundaries, UA has a large footprint at home while continuing to welcome students from across the nation and around the globe.
ACCREDITATION
The University of Alabama has earned reaffirmation of its accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC made the announcement at its annual meeting in Houston, Texas, on Dec. 8, 2015. The University’s accreditation will run through 2025.
Reaffirmation is the culmination of a process designed to verify that the University adheres to standards of quality as judged by its peers. It involved a significant self-study by the University and the development of a Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) to improve student learning and the environments that support student learning. Peer evaluators conducted an on-site visit in March 2015 to review the QEP, which was accepted without recommendations. UA was first accredited in 1897.
UA has a sound financial base and demonstrated financial stability to support the mission of the institution and the scope of its programs and services.
The University has provided strong, compelling evidence to confirm that the institution has adequate physical resources to support its mission and current programs as well as comprehensive plans to continue to do so in the future.
ACADEMIC OFFERINGS
UA offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 200 degree programs, with a student/faculty ratio that averages 20:1 with nearly 50% of classes having 19 or fewer students.
- 72 undergraduate degree programs through 12 colleges and schools
- 125 master’s educational specialist and doctoral degree programs
- Distance learning that includes online courses, video streaming, Gadsden Education and Research Center and blended formats.
- More than a thousand global learning opportunities in over 200 locations in 60+ countries through the University’s 60 faculty-led study-abroad, 28 exchange and numerous affiliate programs
- An impressive student-to-faculty ratio of 7-to-1 in the University of Alabama School of Law with a curriculum that is traditional but includes offerings in emerging areas of the law.
NATIONALLY RANKED PROGRAMS
UA appeared on 13 U.S. News and World Report lists ranking the Best Online Programs, including five programs ranked in the top 10 of their respective lists.
UA was listed among the Best Value Colleges by The Princeton Review.
The UA Culverhouse College of Business is ranked No. 31 among public universities on U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Undergraduate Business Programs.
The UA Manderson Graduate School MBA Program is ranked No. 29 among public universities on the list of best business graduate schools by U.S. News and World Report.
The UA School of Social Work master's program ranks No. 17 among public universities on U.S. News and World Report's list of Best Schools for Social Work as part of its Best Graduate Schools rankings.
UA is listed among Fortune magazine’s Best MBA Programs for 2025.
UA ranks in the top 2.4% out of 20,966 universities worldwide in the 2024 Global 2000 list by the Center for World University Rankings.
The library and information studies program ranks No. 27 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of the Best Library and Information Studies Programs.
The School of Law is ranked No. 14 among public universities on the list of best law schools by U.S. News and World Report.
The UA Capstone College of Nursing ranks No. 26 on U.S. News and World Report’s list of Best Bachelor of Science in Nursing Programs.
Time magazine listed UA as one of its Best Colleges for Future Leaders 2025.
POINTS OF PRIDE
UA was recognized as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Students for the seventh time in nine years as well as a Top Producing Institution of Fulbright U.S. Scholars for the first time. UA is one of 12 universities in the nation to receive both designations.
The Capstone College of Nursing boasts a 99.56% National Council Licensure Examination pass rate among its 2023 graduates, far exceeding the national average of 69.66%.
The UA research enterprise marked 10 years of continuous growth in fiscal year 2024, with gains in overall funding, new awards and the number of proposals submitted. New awards classified as research grew by nearly 21% compared to the previous fiscal year. In total, the University received $269.9 million in sponsored awards, marking an all-time high in external funding.
UA was named a “Tree Campus USA” for the ninth consecutive year by the Arbor Day Foundation.
The U.S. Geological Survey opened the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility on the UA campus near the NOAA National Water Center, providing a trifecta of opportunity for advancing water science and technology.
Three UA students were among 47 from around the nation selected for the prestigious Brooke Owens Fellowship, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit program that awards exceptional women and gender minorities with an internship in the fields of space and aviation.
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program selected UA students Jackson Maxwell, Lena Seyfarth and Michael Zengel as Goldwater Scholars for 2024-2025.
Dr. M.N.V. Ravi Kumar was awarded the 2024 American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists Global Leader Award which celebrates scientists who are role models in the pharmaceutical science community.
Three UA faculty and staff members were selected for Fulbright awards for educators.
UA researchers are upcycling agricultural and industrial waste into affordable and greener construction materials through a $6 million grant through the NSF EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement-Focused EPSCoR Collaborations Program focused on building climate resilience and strengthening STEM education in regions that have traditionally received less funding.
Sean Coffman Atchison, a May 2024 graduate, has been named a Fulbright-John Lewis Civil Rights Fellow.
UA researchers will develop and test a novel diesel-engine technology in collaboration with the Alabama Port Authority to reduce idle emissions, save on operating costs, and improve efficiency in diesel trucks with the support of a $4 million grant from the United States Department of Transportation.
Dr. Heather Cass White, professor of English, was selected by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation as a Guggenheim Fellow.
Kate Herndon was among 32 in the nation to receive the Rhodes Scholarship, the most prestigious academic award for American college graduates and the oldest award for international study.
UA’s Global Water Security Center will receive $11.5 million in funding over the next two years from the U.S. Department of Defense to enhance its crucial work that supports national security. The funds will support the center’s analysis of global environmental factors affecting politics and security.
UA is one of 18 institutions across the nation chosen for the first-ever investment to accelerate the translation of academic research into solutions with societal and economic impact that grow the nation’s economy.
UA is among the National Academy of Inventor’s Top 100 U.S. Universities Granted U.S. Utility Patents.
UA students Aparna Bhooshanan, Hari Gunda and Madeleine Luther received Boren Scholarships for the study of languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad.
Drs. Nilesh Kumar, Mizan Rahman, Tibor Szilvasi and Shunqiao Sun received National Science Foundation CAREER Awards, one of the nation’s most prestigious recognitions of top-performing young scientists.
UA made Forbes’ lists of Best Employers for New Graduates 2024 and America's Top Colleges 2023.
John Richardson, a May 2024 graduate, was one of four in the nation to be named an Eisenhower Global Scholar.
2024 FRESHMAN CLASS
UA’s unwavering commitment to student success led to a record-breaking enrollment, which includes 3,434 freshmen from Alabama, marking the largest number of in-state freshmen ever. This 7.9% increase in in-state first-year students is UA’s sixth consecutive year with an in-state increase.
STUDENT SUCCESS
- UA’s McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars once again achieved 100% medical school acceptance in 2024. The McCollough Institute students were accepted into medical schools and programs including the Baylor School of Medicine, UAB Heersink School of Medicine and Washington University at St. Louis School of Medicine.
- UA Miracle raised $233,200 over the past year for the Children’s Miracle Network Hospital at Children’s of Alabama.
- University of Alabama students raised 431,120 pounds of food during the 31st annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive.
- UA was one of 12 North American universities selected to compete in a premier national competition to design, build, test and integrate an advanced battery pack into a commercial electric vehicle.
- Six UA students received the Critical Language Scholarship from the U.S. State Department to study overseas this summer.
- The Fulbright Program selected 14 UA students for various awards for the 2024-2025 academic year.
STUDENT COMMUNITY
With more than 650 political, social, religious, intramural sports and service groups, the University is home to a vibrant student population. Since fall 2011, UA has held the coveted honor of being the largest fraternity and sorority community in the nation with regard to overall membership. In 2018, UA’s Panhellenic Association won a National Panhellenic Conference College Panhellenic Excellence Award.
SUPPORTIVE ALUMNI FAMILY
Through earnings generated from investment of endowments combined with its operating budget and other available funds, the National Alumni Association was responsible for awarding $5 million in scholarship assistance to more than 3,000 students for the 2023-2024 academic year.
ATHLETICS
Intercollegiate athletics, intramural sports, club sports, adapted athletics and two student recreation centers ranked among the best in the nation give every student an opportunity to participate in the pride and tradition that define Alabama Athletics.
The Crimson Tide ranks No. 9 in the annual Learfield Directors Cup, which ranks NCAA athletics departments. The ranking for 2023-2024 is the second-highest in program history.
The football team finished 12-2 on the season, highlighted by its 30th SEC Championship and 11th title via the championship game.
The men's basketball team reached the NCAA Final Four for the first time in program history.
Sixteen current and former student-athletes competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
A total of eight programs scored a perfect 1,000 with 12 Crimson Tide teams earning program record high numbers in the latest Academic Progress Rate (APR). Altogether, UA achieved a program-best average APR score of 995.5 across the University's 21 sports in 2022-23, surpassing the previous mark of 995.0 which was set a year ago. In fact, this year's report marks the sixth consecutive year of improvement for Alabama's overall average score.
Football's mark of 997 was not only the best in the SEC, but also set a program record for APR and was one of 11 Alabama squads to achieve the same feat (gymnastics, men's and women's golf, men's and women's tennis, men's swimming, softball, women's cross country, women's track & field and volleyball).
As a sophomore at UA, Nick Dunlap won The American Express becoming the first amateur to win a PGA Tour event in more than three decades.
Distance runner Doris Lemngole became Alabama's first national champion in the 3,000-meter steeplechase after running a lifetime-best 9:15.24 to secure the collegiate, meet and school records.
Chris Robinson won the Crimson Tide's first outdoor individual NCAA title since 2021 and the program's first individual win in the 400-meter hurdles.
Filip Planinsek made men's tennis program history recording the first-ever NCAA title in addition to claiming the school's first-ever singles crown between the men's and women's tennis programs.
COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS
COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
The College of Arts and Sciences is one of the oldest and largest liberal arts colleges in Alabama, and among the finest in the region. It is nationally recognized for the number of undergraduate and graduate students who receive national awards and scholarships, including Fulbright and Goldwater scholars. The College’s 80+ majors, minors, concentrations and pre-professional tracks include several unique to the state of Alabama.
COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION SCIENCES
The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences is a comprehensive, multidisciplinary college in which teaching, research and service are focused on shared creation, presentation, dissemination, retrieval, collection, analysis and evaluation of messages and meanings in a variety of settings. The mission is supported by one of the country’s most diverse combinations of academic and service programs. The College is made up of four academic departments offering five undergraduate degree programs, five master’s degree programs and one interdisciplinary doctoral program. The C&IS public relations program is consistently ranked among the top five in the nation.
COLLEGE OF COMMUNITY HEALTH SCIENCES
The UA College of Community Health Sciences is home to one of the nation’s largest family medicine residencies – The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program – and offers post-graduate fellowships in behavioral health, emergency medicine, geriatrics, hospital medicine, obstetrics, pediatrics and sports medicine. In its role as a regional campus of the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, the College provides the third and fourth years of clinical education and training to a portion of medical students. Through a series of nationally recognized pipeline programs, the College recruits and mentors students from rural Alabama who wish to return to their hometowns or similar areas to practice.
The College operates University Medical Center, with five locations that together comprise the largest community medical practice in West Alabama as well as the UA Student Health Center and Brewer-Porch Children’s Center. The College also houses the Institute for Rural Health Research, which conducts research focused on improving the health and lives of Alabama’s rural citizens.”
HONORS COLLEGE
The UA Honors College was established in 2003 and is home to an engaged and diverse community of transdisciplinary scholars. Honors College faculty are dedicated to educating students to become critical and creative thinkers, ethical and empathetic citizens, and collaborative and inclusive leaders. The College offers several distinctive honors programs across numerous disciplines including the University Honors Program, Randall Research Scholars Program and University Fellows Program. Honors College students have earned prestigious awards including the Rhodes, Goldwater and Marshall Scholarships, among others
CULVERHOUSE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
The Culverhouse College of Business is the largest college with 10,439 students enrolled, and its mission as the oldest business school in Alabama is to provide its students an education they can use to solve challenges of the global society. Everything at Culverhouse is strategically designed to develop tomorrow’s professionals: a proven curriculum, state-of-the-art facilities, top scholars and researchers, opportunities and partnerships with local and national companies. Along with a strong classroom experience, several student and professional organizations and societies offer outstanding outside-the-classroom instruction and opportunities for students to develop the problem-solving, communication and leadership skills demanded by employers.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
The University of Alabama has long been concerned with programs for the preparation of public school personnel. In 1844, only 13 years after the University’s establishment in 1831, a Normal Department was provided for those who wished to prepare for teaching careers. Through many name and administrative changes, the present College of Education was established in 1928. Until 1924, the University’s offerings in teacher education were almost entirely limited to undergraduate programs for elementary and secondary teachers. Graduate work in school administration was added in 1924; and all programs, undergraduate and graduate, were greatly expanded during 1927 and 1928. Doctoral programs were authorized in 1951. Its mission is to be a leader in Alabama and across the nation in teaching, scholarship, advocacy and service by developing professionals with pedagogic and disciplinary expertise who advance the intellectual and social conditions of all learners in a globalized society.
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has 5,400 students and more than 300 faculty and staff. The College is home to the Alabama Astrobotics team, which continues to dominate NASA’s annual robotics competition, claiming its seventh title in a row in 2022 and eight out of the past nine championships. The Capstone Engineering Society is the alumni association of the College of Engineering, supporting growth, fostering relationships, encouraging philanthropy, investing in students and engaging alumni. The CES Endowed Scholarship currently holds more than $2 million student scholarship dollars.
GRADUATE SCHOOL
The Graduate School is a leader in post-graduate education and offers over 150 master’s, educational specialist and doctoral degree programs. The Graduate School offers nationally prominent programs featuring top faculty mentors. Its goal is not to be the largest graduate school in the Southeast and nation, but to be the graduate school of choice for the best, brightest and most diverse student body desiring a student-centered approach to their graduate education. That commitment to student welfare and professional development runs deep, from financial support programs for student research and professional travel to innovative, student-led support and mentorship programs.
COLLEGE OF HUMAN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
The College of Human Environmental Sciences (CHES) at The University of Alabama is one of the largest divisions of Human Sciences in the country, enrolling more than to 3,900 students. Throughout its history, CHES has achieved a national reputation for excellence through the quality of its academic programs and faculty, as well as through the success of its graduates. A common thread running through each area of study is the determination to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities. Students graduating from CHES obtain the best of both worlds — a solid liberal arts education and a sound degree from a highly respected professional school.
UA SCHOOL OF LAW
The University of Alabama School of Law is a national leader in legal education, producing attorneys who have become leaders locally, nationally and globally. Alabama Law provides a top-rate education at a reasonable cost in a supportive and diverse environment. The school has close to 400 JD students and a 7 to 1 student to faculty ratio, 7 clinical programs, and first-year JD students currently representing 23 states and 48 undergraduate institutions. Though nationally recognized by academic journals nationwide, UA’s focus is a top-tier education.
CAPSTONE COLLEGE OF NURSING
The Capstone College of Nursing (CCN) prepares graduates for the professional practice of nursing. The college is a national innovator in clinical simulation in nursing education, using simulators and telehealth technology in teaching, research and health care delivery. It partners with a variety of well-respected health care facilities to provide clinical experiences that ease the transition into the working world and prepare graduates for challenges after school. In addition to a traditional BSN program, CCN has online and blended degree programs that offer practicing nurses the opportunity to advance their education. Programs include an RN Mobility track leading to a BSN or MSN, Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degrees, a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Doctorate of Education in Nursing (EdD).
SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK
The School of Social Work was established in 1965 by an act of the Alabama Legislature to address Alabama’s critical shortage of and pressing need for professionally trained social workers. Prior to this time there were fewer than 100 trained social workers in the state, accounting for about 19 percent of the persons employed in the state’s social welfare positions. Forty-eight of the state’s 67 counties had no professional social workers. The School was accredited in 1969, and the first class received master’s degrees the same year. UA is the only university in the state that offers degrees in all four levels of social work education: Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). The School offers 300 field opportunities for BSW and MSW students.
Key Campus Landmarks
DENNY CHIMES
Directly across the Quad from Gorgas Library stands Denny Chimes, built in honor of UA President George H. Denny. Around the base of Denny Chimes are handprints and footprints of Crimson Tide football legends. Denny Chimes rings out the hours and also plays for special occasions, such as Veterans Day programs, memorials and celebrations.
THE PRESIDENT'S MANSION
Located opposite University Boulevard from Denny Chimes and directly adjacent to Rose Administration Building, the President’s Mansion houses the University president and his family. One of only seven buildings on campus that survived the Civil War burning of the University in 1865, the historic Greek Revival style Mansion contains a great deal of historical significance and beauty for the Capstone and the Tuscaloosa community.
ROSE ADMINISTRATION BUILDING
Completed in 1969 and named for President Frank A. Rose, Rose Administration Building is centrally located on campus and is the University’s administrative headquarters. The president and all vice presidents occupy offices in the building. The Graduate School is located on the first floor. Visitors and students alike enjoy taking pictures in front of the unique bull elephant topiary in front of the building.
STUDENT RECREATION CENTER
The Student Recreation Center with the Outdoor Pool Complex (the Rec) is the main building of the three UREC facilities that also include the Aquatic Center and the Robert E. Witt Student Activity Center. The Rec is home to Intramural Sports, Sport Clubs, Outdoor Recreation, Group Exercise and Fitness Services, and Drayer Physical Therapy unit. The SRC consists of four group exercise studios, six racquetball courts, one combative art studio, climbing wall, multi-activity room, personal training studio, a 25-yard four-lane indoor lap pool, the north gym with five basketball courts, the south gym with four basketball courts, an upstairs cardio area that also includes adaptive cardio equipment, and a downstairs weight room, family changing rooms, men’s and women’s locker room facilities, an outdoor pool complex, a 12-court tennis complex, and a multi-use 29-acre fields complex.
MALONE-HOOD PLAZA
On June 11, 1963, segregation in the UA student body officially ended as Gov. George Wallace’s unsuccessful efforts to preserve segregation by “standing in the schoolhouse door” at Foster Auditorium made headlines around the globe. Summer 2013 marked the 50th anniversary of this historic event, commemorated by two public events on campus and a yearlong series of programs featuring speakers and musical performances. Foster Auditorium was one of several buildings on campus built with Public Works Administration funds. It was completed in 1939 and renovated in 2010, with a plaza honoring Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood and a clock tower honoring Autherine Lucy Foster, the three African American students whose enrollment began desegregation on UA’s campus.
WOODS QUAD
The academic buildings surrounding Woods Quad — Presidents Hall, Woods Hall, Clark Hall and Garland Hall — are premier examples of the ornate Victorian architecture favored immediately after the Civil War. Woods Quad was the original campus Quadrangle and the site of the first Alabama football game.
THE ROUND HOUSE
Built in Gothic Revival style in 1860, the Round House stands in the shadow of Gorgas Library. A guard house during the University’s days as a military school and one of just four buildings left standing after federal troops burned the campus in the waning days of the Civil War, it is said to be haunted by Civil War ghosts. The Round House is now a memorial to all UA honor societies.
WADE HALL
The University of Alabama officially dedicated Wade Hall in honor of Dr. Archie Wade, the first Black faculty member at the Capstone, during a ceremony on Nov. 3, 2021. In 1970, Wade became the first Black faculty member at UA and worked in the department of kinesiology for 30 years. During that time, he earned his doctorate from UA, achieved the status of tenured professor, and was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association. In 2013, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the integration of the University, a plaque honoring Wade was placed in the building that now bears his name.
SABAN FIELD AT BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM
Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium is not only one of the most iconic facilities on The University of Alabama campus, but it is also often one of the most visited destinations in the state. The current seating capacity of 100,077 makes Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium one of the nation's largest on-campus football stadiums. Located on the southwestern edge of campus, the history-laden stadium ranks among the nation’s top 10 on-campus football stadiums with a seating capacity of 101,821 after completion of the latest expansion in summer 2010. Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium derives its name from Coach Paul William Bryant and Dr. George H. Denny. In 2024, the field was dedicated in honor of Coach Nick Saban.
AMELIA GAYLE GORGAS LIBRARY
Located opposite the Quad from Denny Chimes and forming the north leg of the UA Quad, the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library supports teaching and research needs in humanities, social sciences and government information as the campus’ main library. Among the research libraries in the state of Alabama, Gorgas Library provides the latest technology-driven services and unparalleled print and online research collections. Gorgas Library is named for Amelia Gayle Gorgas, the first female librarian at The University of Alabama and was the first academic building on campus named after a female. Students and faculty make close to 900,000 visits to the Library each year.
THE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA STUDENT CENTER
The University of Alabama Student Center is the heart of campus. The Student Center hosts different events and programs for students, student organizations, University departments, faculty and staff. The staff also partners with student groups and University departments to organize events for the student body. In addition, spaces can be reserved for student organizations and University departments. The UA Student Center’s staff enhances each student’s learning experience by supporting, supplementing and complementing the overall academic, research and service mission of The University of Alabama with a wide range of high-quality services, collaborative programming and leisure time activities.
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING COMPLEX
The Science and Engineering Building opened in fall 2009. Adjacent to Shelby Hall, the building features state-of-the-art teaching and research labs as well as collaborative space to encourage interdisciplinary work and student engagement. The new facility is U-shaped and similar to Shelby Hall in exterior appearance. The 212,000-square-foot structure connects to Shelby Hall on the northeast corner with first-floor access between the two buildings. It is home to the all-freshman chemistry instructional laboratories; biological sciences teaching labs (including freshman and upper-level labs); parts of the College of Engineering, including faculty and students from the chemical and biological engineering, and computer science departments; science teaching labs for the College of Education; and space for the Science in Motion biology program. In addition, the building houses the administrative offices of the department of biological sciences along with research facilities for faculty and students from the department.
THE EDGE INCUBATOR AND ACCELERATOR
The EDGE Incubator and Accelerator include The EDGE, a 26,000-square-foot off-campus business incubator that opened in February 2019 as a collaboration between UA, the City of Tuscaloosa and the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama, and the EDGE Labs, an on-campus wet-laboratory that serves as the strategic counterpart to The EDGE. The EDGE Labs feature laboratories and equipment necessary for new businesses and provides technical infrastructure that helps UA faculty, researchers and students develop and test processes and prototypes that can be translated into products for the marketplace. The EDGE Incubators are a partnership between the Culverhouse College of Business and the Office for Research and Economic Development.
AUTHERINE LUCY HALL
Autherine Lucy Hall is the home of the College of Education. In June 2020, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees convened a diverse working group to conduct an in-depth review of named buildings, structures and spaces on UA System campuses relative to its fundamental Shared Values. The Board of Trustees voted to amend the name of Graves Hall on the University of Alabama’s campus to Lucy-Graves Hall in honor of Dr. Autherine Lucy Foster’s leadership and to recognize her life as a dedicated educator. As the first African American student to attend the University of Alabama, Dr. Foster opened the door for students of all races to achieve their dreams at the University.
CAMPUS EVENTS
There is always something going on at UA. Lectures, book signings, plays, art exhibits and musical performances keep our campus and community intellectually and culturally stimulating. For a complete listing of campus events, visit the Campus Calendar. The School of Music, housed in the Moody Music Building, presents a number of events every school year. View their updated calendar at music.ua.edu/events. The department of theatre and dance offers selections ranging from musical comedy to experimental theatre. View their calendar at theatre.ua.edu.
THE STRIP
A brief stroll down University Boulevard takes you from Bryant-Denny Stadium to the Strip, an area of small shops, restaurants and cafés with a decidedly “Roll Tide!” atmosphere
ON-CAMPUS RETAIL LOCATIONS
- The University of Alabama Student Center (Union Market, Subway, Auntie Anne’s, Subway, Wendy’s, Panda Express, Chick-fil-A, Blenz)
- The Market at John England Hall
- Shake Smart at the Student Recreation Center
- Cooper Cafe at Hewson Hall
- The Fresh Food Company
- Lakeside Dining Hall + Dunkin' Donuts
- Law School Cafe
- Mary B's Market at Burke Hall
- Raising Cane's at Paty Hall
- Stewart's Corner at Lloyd Hall - (Pizza Hut Express, Boar's Head Deli, Chick-fil-A, Fruited)
- Subway/The Bistro at Alston Hall
- Convenience Markets - (Freshman Hall, Science & Engineering Complex, The Bus Hub, Nursing School
ON-CAMPUS COFFEE SHOPS
- Java City at Gorgas Library
- Starbucks at UA Student Center
- Starbucks Drive-Thru on Bryant Drive
- Dunkin Donuts at Lakeside Dining Hall
Tuscaloosa was founded on December 3, 1819 and was named for Chief Tuskaloosa (which means “Black Warrior”). A pillar of the educational infrastructure for the state, Tuscaloosa is home to The University of Alabama, Shelton State Community College and Stillman College. Several multi-national corporations, including Michelin Tires and Mercedes-Benz, have selected Tuscaloosa as a site for their manufacturing plants, establishing Tuscaloosa as a mainstay of the global economic community.
BAMA THEATRE
Once the community’s grand movie house, the Bama Theatre is now downtown Tuscaloosa’s visual and performing arts center, located at 600 Greensboro Avenue.
CAPITOL PARK
Tuscaloosa was the state capital from 1826 to 1846. The last vestiges of the capitol can be found at Capitol Park, a combination of original and recreated remains using building materials and architectural features. Visitors enjoy strolling the lawns, seeing the architectural footprint of the original capitol foundations and reading the historical markers. The park is located just west of downtown Tuscaloosa on Sixth Street.
CHILDREN'S HANDS-ON MUSEUM
The Children’s Hands-on Museum offers three floors with 25 exhibits for children of all ages to explore through play. Open Monday-Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays and major holidays. Admission charged. 205-349-4235; 2213 University Boulevard.
HOLIDAYS ON THE PLAZA
During the month of December, visitors will enjoy ice skating, music, movie nights and more at the 60’ X 100’ outdoor ice rink at Government Plaza. Admission is free to all guests; however, skate pass tickets are required for skate rental and access to the ice rink.
DICKINS DOWNTOWN
Downtown Northport transforms into a scene from Dickens’ London on the first Tuesday of December. Merchants in Victorian dress open their shops, while carolers and a bagpipe group provide music. Horse-and-carriage rides, falling snow (arranged especially for the occasion) and an appearance by Queen Victoria launch the holiday season.
LIVE AT THE PLAZA
Live at the Plaza – Join the City of Tuscaloosa every Friday in June and July for free, live local music. Live at the Plaza is family (and pet) friendly. Bring your blanket or folding chairs.
KENTUCK
Across the Black Warrior River from campus is historic downtown Northport, a charming blend of old-fashioned shops, homes, modern folk art galleries and restaurants. An artists’ enclave thrives here, and the Gallery at Kentuck and the Kentuck Museum of Art showcase both folk and experimental artists. The focal point of the Kentuck art life is the Kentuck Festival of the Arts, which is held the third weekend in October at Kentuck Park. Tickets may be purchased in advance or on the day of the festival.
THE PARK AT MANDERSON LANDING
Longtime UA friends Lewis and Faye Manderson have given generously to the University through the years. To honor their loyalty and commitment to The University of Alabama, the park and northern entrance to the University has been named in their honor. Located on Jack Warner Parkway, the Park at Manderson Landing is enjoyed by the entire Tuscaloosa community.
PAUL R. JONES MUSEUM
The museum honors the late Paul R. Jones who, during his lifetime, amassed one of the largest collections of African-American art. In 2008, he donated 1,700 pieces of his collection to UA. The museum features a rotating selection of pieces from the Jones collection along with works by UA students and faculty. Open Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.; First Fridays, 12:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.; closed Saturday and Sunday. Free admission. 205-345-3038; 2308 Sixth Street.
TUSCALOOSA AMPHITHEATER
Nestled on the banks of the Black Warrior River, the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater is within walking distance of the city’s downtown shops and restaurants and just a mile from the UA campus. The Tuscaloosa Amphitheater is located at 2710 Jack Warner Parkway; 205-248-5280. Please visit the website for event and ticket information.
TUSCALOOSA RIVER MARKET
There’s nothing quite like buying local when it comes to fresh produce. Growers and farmers from around our community have selected their finest crops for you to enjoy. Come out and support local farmers while enjoying fresh and healthy foods. The Tuscaloosa River Market is located along the River Walk, 1900 Jack Warner Parkway; 205-248-5295.
