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UWA names Tucker President Emeritus upon retirement

The University of West Alabama honored retiring president Dr. Ken Tucker during commencement exercises on December 13, naming him President Emeritus upon his forthcoming retirement at the end of the year. Tucker is the first in the institution’s history to be recognized as president emeritus.

Faculty/Staff

Four UWA faculty & staff awarded for service

Four of UWA’s most outstanding faculty and staff were recognized by peer-voted awards for their service and excellence. Pictured left to right are UWA Provost Dr. Tina N. Jones; Rhonda Faulkner-Wooley, McIlwain Bell Trustee Professor Award recipient; Chris Theriot, McIlwain Bell Professional Staff Excellence Award recipient; Shelly Fast, McIlwain Bell Support Staff Excellence Award recipient; Dr. Valerie Burnes, Nellie Rose McCrory Service Excellence Award recipient; and UWA President Dr. Ken Tucker.

Faculty/Staff

Mother and son celebrate together at UWA’s fall commencement

Leslie Hood was three months pregnant with her son Wesley when she walked across the stage to receive her diploma at Valley High School’s graduation in 1999. Twenty-four years later, mother and son walked across the stage at UWA’s 2023 fall commencement, only this time, they each received a diploma.

Alumni

Advisory board has instrumental role in UWA’s Engineering Technology program’s success

One way The University of West Alabama’s Division of Engineering and Technology ensures that they help students graduate and become better all-around employees is through expertise offered by their E&T advisory board. The board comprises 15 Alabama industry professionals, eight of whom are UWA alumni and now work for corporations like WestRock, Volkert Engineering, Two River’s Lumber, Cemex and Lavender, Inc.

Academics Community Engineering Technology

Gurley family creates lifelong memories at UWA

When Matt Gurley moved to Livingston in 1996 to play football at the University of West Alabama, he had no inkling he and his family would develop intrinsic ties to the university and the community they now call home.

Alumni Students

UWA sets sights on respiratory therapy degree program

As a respiratory therapist and medical educator in Birmingham, Jerry King was keenly aware of Alabama’s lingering shortage of professionals trained to care for one of patients’ essential needs: the ability to breathe.

Academics Natural Sciences & Mathematics

UWA records all-time high enrollment for fall 2023

The University of West Alabama has recorded its highest enrollment in university history for the fall of 2023, with total enrollment at 6,195. The nearly-six percent increase from the previous fall represents both on-campus and online enrollment, ranging from freshman undergraduate through doctoral degree students.

Academics

UWA science professors set out to make science fun for high school students

For the past few years Dr. Lucas Johnson has been a man on a mission. An assistant professor in the College of Natural Science and Mathematics at the University of West Alabama, Johnson is determined to go into every high school in the area that will invite him in.

Community Faculty/Staff

First generation college student takes advantage of opportunities to excel at UWA

An insatiable appetite for learning led first generation college student Zaria Gulley to the University of West Alabama, and a future in public health.

Academics Natural Sciences & Mathematics Students

UWA students explore options at Tiger Career Fair

Students eagerly waited in line for the annual Tiger Career Fair to kick off Tuesday, Oct. 17 in the Student Union Building (SUB) at the University of West Alabama. The all degree fair is held each fall. Almost 200 students filed in the SUB over the course of the three-hour fair to speak to potential employers, engage in networking and gain resources from Career Services.

Community Students