Tagged: University of Alabama

In Memoriam: Archie Wade, 1939-2025

Hired as the university's first Black faculty member in 1970, Archie Wade taught in the College of Education at the University of Alabama for 30 years.

School Segregation is Widening Racial Achievement Gaps in U.S. Public Schools

A new study from scholars at Stanford University, the University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Alabama, has found racial achievement gaps grow more quickly in districts where Black and Hispanic students attend higher-poverty schools than their White peers.

Kemeshia Swanson Receives 2024 Eudora Welty Book Prize

Dr. Swanson, an assistant professor at Mississippi State University, has been recognized for her new book, Maverick Feminist: To Be Female and Black in a Country Founded Upon Violence and Respectability.

New Faculty Appointments for Six Black Scholars

Here is this week’s roundup of Black scholars who have been appointed to new faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to [email protected].

New Faculty Appointments for Six Black Scholars

Here is this week’s roundup of Black scholars who have been appointed to faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to [email protected].

Marcheta P. Evans Named First Black Woman President of St. Catherine University in Minnesota

Dr. Evan's appointment as president of St. Catherine University is the second time she has been named the first African American president of a higher education institution. She previously served as the first woman and first Black president of Bloomfield College in New Jersey.

In Memoriam: Lena Prewitt, 1931-2024

In 1970, Dr. Prewitt joined the faculty at the University of Alabama as its first-ever Black woman professor. She served the university as an associate professor of business for over two decades prior to taking on academic and administrative leadership positions with Stillman College.

Safiya George Named President of the University of the Virgin Islands

“As a servant leader, I am confident I will be an effective President for the University of the Virgin Islands and will remain humble and grounded with a sincere desire to improve outcomes and the lives of students, faculty, staff, and the community," says Safiya George, who will assume the role of president of the University of the Virgin Islands this summer.

University of Alabama Creates Database Relating to History of Slavery on Campus

Scholars from the University of Alabama created an online database housing information on the history of slavery on the university's campus. The new website is the latest effort in a larger initiative from the Consortium of Universities Studying Slavery to uncover the history of enslaved individuals who labored for colleges and universities across the world.

University of Mississippi’s Viola Acoff Honored for Her Policymaking Role in Materials Engineering

Dr. Acoff became dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Mississippi on July 1. She is the first woman and first African American to hold the position. From 2014 to 2023, she was the associate dean for undergraduate and graduate programs at the University of Alabama.

Higher Education Grants or Gifts of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Four Black Scholars Are Taking on New Roles Relating to Diversity in Higher Education

Taking on new positions in higher education relating to diversity are Russell T. Griffin at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida, Adrienne Morgan at the University of Rochester in New York, Karin Lee at the University of Alabama, and Kathy Goodridge-Purnell at Southern Adventist University in Collegedale, Tennessee.

Universities Announce the Appointments of Four African Americans to Dean Positions

The four new deans are Tracey Weldon at the University of South Carolina, Jelani Cobb at Columbia Journalism School in New York City, Stacy L. Jones at the University of Alabama, and James Sattrfeld Jr. at Boise State University in Idaho.

Honorée Fanonne Jeffers Wins the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction

Honorée Fanonne Jeffers, a professor of English at the University of Oklahoma and author of five poetry collections, was the winner in the fiction category of the National Book Critics Circle Awards. She was honored for her novel The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois.

In Memoriam: Autherine Juanita Lucy Foster, 1929-2022

In 1956, Autherine Lucy enrolled in a graduate program in education at the University of Alabama. She was the university's first Black student. Angry protests by White students ensued. She was suspended three days later “for her own safety” and she was later expelled.

The University of Alabama Renames Hall Honoring a KKK Member, and Then Renames It Again

Graves Hall, honoring former Governor Bibb Graves, a Grand Cyclops of the KKK, was renamed Lucy-Graves Hall to also honor Autherine Lucy the first Black student at the university. After an outcry that Lucy's name should not be joined with the name of a KKK leader, the university renamed the building Autherne Lucy Hall.

Miles College President Gets a Vote of Confidence and a Contract Extension

The board of trustees of Miles College in Fairfield, Alabama, has voted to extend the contract of President Bobbie Knight through May 2024. Knight was originally selected to serve as interim president of the college beginning September 1, 2019. She was named permanent president of the college in March 2020.

Racist Group Chat Among Sorority Members Exposed at the University of Alabama

According to published reports, the president of Alpha Phi sorority wrote to group chat members, “I’m gonna yack, it smells so bad in here,” referring to the atmosphere in a local bar. Another member agreed, before another member wrote, “cigs, weed, and black girl.”

Jinx Coleman Broussard Honored for Her Mentoring Work in Public Relations

Jinx Coleman Broussard, the Bart R. Swanson Endowed Memorial Professor in the Manship School of Mass Communication at Louisiana State Univerity, has been selected as the 2021 Bruce K. Berger Educator Honoree from the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations. The center is housed at the University of Alabama.

University of Alabama’s New Program Seeks to Increase Diversity in the Real Estate Industry

The Career Opportunities in Real Estate initiative is an eight-week online credentialing course consisting of eight modules featuring live and self-paced real estate career content, as well as professional development resources, soft skills training, and access to life coaching.
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F. DuBois Bowman Named President of Morehouse College in Atlanta

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"Returning to Morehouse as its thirteenth president is the honor of a lifetime," said Dr. Bowman. "This institution shaped who I am — instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse's transformative story."

A Change in Leadership at Jackson State University

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Jackson State University President Marcus Thompson abruptly resigned on May 7. Denise Jones Gregory, the HBCU's provost, has been tapped to serve as interim president.

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