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UWA professor pens true crime thriller about 1950s shooting on Sand Mountain

Lesa Carnes Shaul spent the first 18 years of her life on Sand Mountain, where the Kilpatrick shooting, as it was known locally, took place. Compelled to revisit it, she describes her book as her "love letter to home."

College of Liberal Arts Faculty/Staff

UWA’s College of Business names new director of first of its kind online doctoral degree

Longtime UWA business professor Dr. Uchenna Akpom was recently named director of the University’s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) in Rural Business program. The first of its kind degree program was introduced two years ago at UWA and features relevant courses that focus on critical issues as well as strategies and solutions related to rural businesses and designed to offer innovative solutions to global rural business challenges.

Academics College of Business Faculty/Staff School of Graduate Studies

For one UWA couple, there really is something about this place

More than a slogan or tagline, there really is something about The University of West Alabama that drew Hannah and Josh Millwood back to their alma mater.

Alumni Faculty/Staff

Hollis receives Ralph M. Lyon Award

Brandon L. Hollis of Carrollton, Alabama, received the University of West Alabama’s top graduating student award at fall commencement exercises.

Natural Sciences & Mathematics Students

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