YEAR IN
REVIEW
2024-2025
YEAR IN REVIEW
2024-2025
Dear Friend of the Capstone,
Each academic year at The University of Alabama brings fresh opportunities to learn, lead and grow, and recent accomplishments have shown just how far we can go together.
As president, I’m proud to serve a university driven by purpose and defined by impact. In my short time, I have already seen what’s possible when talented people bring their ideas, expertise and energy to a shared mission — advancing teaching, research and service that make a real difference.
This year, our campus community showed up with pride and drive, committed to collaboration and united by a shared vision in what UA can do for our students and the state we serve. The results speak for themselves: from groundbreaking research and immersive learning to meaningful partnerships across Alabama, these achievements reflect a university continuing to gain ground across all areas of impact.
With deep appreciation for Dr. Stuart Bell’s decade of leadership, I’m also thankful for the faculty, staff, students, alumni and supporters whose influence strengthens our shared progress. We have built a powerful foundation, and I’m confident our momentum will carry far into the future.
ROLL TIDE!
Peter J. Mohler
President
ENROLLMENT
BY THE NUMBERS
IN-STATE FOCUS
FACULTY AND STAFF HIGHLIGHTS
Dr. M.N.V. Ravi Kumar, distinguished university research professor at The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences, received the 2025 Southeastern Conference Faculty Achievement Award in February. This annual award honors educators for their contributions to academic excellence. Kumar is a leading expert in translational science, known for developing innovative drug delivery systems that enhance the efficacy of pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals.
Dr. Dan Layzell joined The University of Alabama as vice president for finance and operations and treasurer in September 2024. He brings more than two decades of experience in administration, strategic planning and financial oversight in higher education.
Mike Shelton began his tenure as the vice provost and chief information officer at UA in December 2024. Shelton moved into his new role after serving as deputy chief information officer for the UA office of information technology since 2019.
Two Capstone College of Nursing faculty members, Dr. Amy Lee and Dr. Kristi Acker, were inducted as fellows into the 2024 American Association of Nurses. The 2024 Class of Fellows represents a cross-section of nursing’s most dynamic leaders who are making positive change in their systems and communities to champion health and wellness.
Dr. Sergei Gleyzer, a professor of physics and astronomy, was elected a 2024 Fellow of the American Physical Society, becoming only the third fellow in his department's history. He is honored for his significant advancements in physics, particularly using AI algorithms and machine learning, as well as his method for locating hidden exoplanets, which gained fame in an Apple commercial.
ADVANCING THE CAPSTONE
The Rising Tide 2.0 is the most successful capital campaign ever for higher education in the state of Alabama. In early June 2025, The Rising Tide 2.0 Capital Campaign reached its $1.8 billion goal with more than 15 months left in the original campaign timeline. UA eclipsed its initial campaign goal of $1.5 billion in March 2024 and announced The Rising Tide 2.0 with an enhanced goal of $1.8 billion. The Rising Tide 2.0 will continue raising funds to support its four campaign pillars through September 2026, when the 10-year campaign draws to a close.
University of Alabama alumnus J. Frank Barefield, Jr. gave a $35 million gift to The University of Alabama to name UA’s College of Arts and Sciences. The J. Frank Barefield, Jr. College of Arts and Sciences was announced on campus on June 6, following approval by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees. It is the second college or school on campus to be named.
UA’s National Alumni Association received an $8 million gift from the estate of Bill Decas in May 2024 to enhance four previously created in-state scholarships and create a fifth endowed scholarship for out-of-state students. Though Decas is not a UA alumnus, his is the largest single gift the NAA has ever received.
In March, UA president Dr. Stuart R. Bell was honored by a gift to create an endowed engineering chair position in his name. The Stuart R. Bell Distinguished Chair of Engineering, established through a contribution from Cappie and Ed Drummond, will assist the College of Engineering in attracting and retaining nationally recognized scholars and experts in the field of engineering who will elevate the quality of the College’s teaching, research and service.
BOLD PROGRESS IN RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
UA Marks Record Year in External Funding and Research
The University of Alabama research enterprise marked a decade 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. The University received $269.9 million in sponsored awards, marking an all-time high in external funding.
UA, USGS Open World-Class Facility
The University, in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey, officially opened the USGS Hydrologic Instrumentation Facility near the Alabama Water Institute and NOAA National Water Center in August 2024. This new 92,000-square-foot facility, which replaces the previous location at Stennis Space Center, will employ around 50 USGS staff who will collaborate with University students and staff. It features a state-of-the-art hydraulics lab and a network operations center to enhance coordination with federal partners on water hazards like floods. The facility will advance the USGS Next Generation Water Observing System program and provide equipment sales, rentals and servicing as well as technology evaluation for hydrologic equipment.
Center Providing Support for National Security
A new five-year cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Defense will enhance the Global Water Security Center’s efforts to support global security through environmental intelligence. Under the agreement, the GWSC will continue to support key DoD decision-makers by providing detailed analyses to navigate the complex intersections of water and national security.
UA ranks among the National Academy of Inventors’ Top 100 U.S. Universities for U.S. Utility Patents, highlighting our consistent excellence. Notably, UA maintained its top 100 position in both 2023 and 2024, reflecting our ongoing commitment to innovation.
STUDENT LEADERS
Student Veterans Honor Fallen Soldiers
Four University of Alabama student veterans laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., in March. This shared moment among the vets marked the first time any current UA student or student from a school in the Southeastern Conference participated in this ritual honoring U.S. military members who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Inaugural Class of Shelby Scholars Selected
In September 2024, The Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership introduced its inaugural class of 39 Shelby Scholars, an undergraduate program established following Senator Richard Shelby’s donation of his congressional materials to The University of Alabama. The Institute aims to foster future leaders. This academic year, Shelby Scholars will engage in a speaker series featuring leaders and a course on the Constitution. The program includes curated mentoring and experiential learning opportunities such as internships and research, offering students from various fields a comprehensive understanding of policy and public service.
University of Alabama System Capitol Scholars Announced
The University of Alabama System welcomed 16 students to the 2025 class of Capitol Scholars. Now in its second year, the program offers UA System students interested in federal government careers an immersive summer internship in Washington, D.C. Scholars will participate in internships with Alabama congressional offices and governmental agencies, enhancing their understanding of government affairs, developing leadership skills and networking with policy experts and alums. Open to students from The University of Alabama, UAB and UAH, this cohort includes rising juniors to graduate students across various disciplines like political science, finance, history, public health and business administration.
Student Philanthropy Supports Children’s UA Miracle
The University of Alabama’s largest student-led philanthropic organization raised $223,725 over the past year to support Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham. The amount was revealed February 15 during BAMAthon, the group’s annual 12-hour dance marathon, held at the UA Student Center. UA Miracle has raised more than $3 million since the group’s inception in 2011.
Adapted Athletics Champions
The University of Alabama’s women’s wheelchair basketball team earned another national championship in March. This marks the team’s fifth consecutive national title and 11th in program history. The wheelchair tennis team won the national championship in April. UA freshman Francesco Felici earned the singles national championship and was named Rookie of the Year by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association, the sport’s governing body. This win brings the wheelchair tennis team’s total championships to nine and 23rd for the Adapted Athletics program overall.
CAMPUS COMMUNITY
Leaders to Legends
Leaders to Legends, launched in February for the 2025-2026 school year, aims to develop character, career paths and community outreach for high school sophomores in Tuscaloosa County. The program empowers student leaders to be changemakers through monthly hands-on sessions that explore the local landscape, with mentorship from community leaders in character-building activities and service projects.
Collaborating with Rural High School Counselors
Standing on its commitment to providing resources and opportunities to rural communities, UA hosted 20 high school counselors from rural Alabama for a two-day event to explore college life at the Capstone. Supported by the STARS College Network, the Counselor Drive-In offered insights into educational opportunities and resources available to UA students.
Meeting Mental Health Needs in Alabama
The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences is launching a new four-year Psychiatry Residency Program to address the state’s psychiatrist shortage. Starting in June 2026, the program will accept six residents annually and aims to produce board-eligible psychiatrists attuned to the mental health needs of Alabama communities.
Holle Center
The College of Communication and Information Sciences opened the Holle Center for Communication Arts in September. This incubator and collaborative space for modern storytelling is located on the fourth floor of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium, next to the Digital Media Center. It includes a digital storytelling collaboratory with a podcast studio, editing workspace and cyclorama. The center was established through a $10 million gift from The Holle Family Foundation in 2019.
Special Commencement Address
In a historic moment for The University of Alabama, the sitting President of the United States delivered a special commencement address, marking a first for the institution. This extraordinary opportunity was a memorable occasion for the 2025 graduating class and their families.
BUILDING BAMA
Tree Campus USA
UA was recognized as a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation for the 10th consecutive year.
McLure Library
After massive renovations, the first since 1954, the McLure Library will reopen in 2025. The UA School of Library and Information Studies relocated from the seventh floor of Gorgas Library to the remodeled facility. Updates include a new entrance structure as well as a plaza and gathering space. Fresh landscaping and site lighting complement all new internal systems, making the classic building — which, over its 100-year life has been home to a student cafeteria, post office, supply store, campus soda shop and even a dorm for male students — ready for its next century of service.
University Club
The historic University Club reopened in May 2024 after a more than $17 million renovation. The University Club supports the University’s mission and the campus community by providing an immersive learning experience for UA students as well as a premier dining and social establishment for faculty, staff, alumni and visitors.
Campus Security Enhancements
Sixty emergency blue phones have been upgraded with new cameras, significantly enhancing situational awareness. These cameras allow UAPD dispatchers to see the caller and have a 360-degree view of the blue phone. These improvements will help dispatchers better assess the situation when someone uses the blue phone to report an emergency. Additionally, outdoor lighting has been enhanced in 13 locations across campus to improve safety for individuals on campus at night.
Smart Communities and Innovation Building
Formerly the Alabama Transportation Center, this building was renovated to install smart and resilient grid technology, small-scale alternative electric generation (solar), battery testing equipment and necessary research equipment, including a 3,851-square-foot garage lab. The $54 million building will house ALDOT, ATI, city and county traffic engineering professionals and the Alabama Mobility and Power Initiative, a partnership between the University, Alabama Power Company and Mercedes-Benz U.S. International to provide research infrastructure for Alabama’s transportation industry.
ATHLETICS
Men’s and Women’s Basketball
As a follow up to its first Final Four appearance in 2024, Alabama men’s basketball made another deep run during March Madness, advancing to the Elite Eight for the second consecutive year.
For the first time in program history, the WNBA drafted three Alabama women’s basketball players: the Los Angeles Sparks selected Sarah Ashlee Barker ninth overall, Aaliyah Nye was picked 13th overall by the Las Vegas Aces and the Washington Mystics chose Zaay Green 32nd overall.
UA Gymnastics
Gymnastics advanced to NCAA Championships. This marked the program’s 40th appearance in the championships and second straight trip.
Lemngole Wins on the Track and in the Classroom
Alabama distance runner Doris Lemngole swept SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year honors in cross country, indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field. She also won the Honda Sport Award for Cross Country. Maintaining a 4.00 GPA while majoring in sports management, Lemngole has won SEC and NCAA championships in the same calendar year.
Alabama Honors 50 Years of Women’s Athletics
The University of Alabama athletics department celebrated the 50th anniversary of women’s varsity athletics with events April 25-26, 2025. The weekend honored five decades of female student-athletes and welcomed around 130 former athletes, coaches and staff. Attendees had the opportunity to reconnect and reflect on the achievements that shaped women’s sports at the University.
Cheering Our Way to Victory
UA’s cheer team won the Cheer Division IA Co-Ed Championship in January, achieving a 94.8 raw score to narrowly beat South Florida’s 94.6. This marks Alabama’s seventh national championship and its first coed title since 2015.
Crimson Tide Football
Head coach Kalen DeBoer closed his first season at Alabama with nine wins, tying him with Frank Thomas (1931) for the most victories by a first-year head coach in UA football’s legacy of excellence.
Athletics Opens New Golf Training Facility
The University of Alabama’s new golf facility, the Crimson Reserve, opened in fall 2024. Former UA golfers and PGA pros Justin Thomas and Trey Mullinax visited to explore the course layout. The facility aims to be the nation’s top collegiate training ground for future UA golf legends.
Alabama Athletics Completes an Exceptional Year in the Classroom
- Student-athletes combined for a 3.501 grade point average in spring 2025 — the highest mark of all time at UA.
- In terms of Academic Progress Rate (APR), all 21 athletics teams continue to score well above the national cutoff standard figures that cover the four-year period (2020-21 through 2023-24).
- A total of seven teams led the nation in APR rankings (men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s golf, softball, women’s tennis and volleyball), with women’s golf earning the honor for the 14th consecutive year.