KeyFacts
The University of Alabama is ranked among the nation's top 50 public universities in U.S. News & World Report's 2002 edition.
The University of Alabama's graduates include 15 Rhodes Scholars, 15 Goldwater Scholars, and nine Truman Scholars. Our most recent Rhodes Scholar is Bradley Tuggle, an English major who received the award in 2001.
The University of Alabama's chapter of the prestigious liberal arts honor society Phi Beta Kappa is the oldest of the three chapters in the state.
Approximately 66 percent of UA's undergraduates receive some type of financial aid.
UA ranks as one of the top public universities in enrollment of National Merit, National Achievement, and National Hispanic Scholars. Our fall 2000 freshman class accounts for 94 of these 300 outstanding undergraduate students.
For over a decade, The University of Alabama has been one of the top public flagship universities in the Southeast in enrollment of African-American students. In fall 2000, African-Americans comprised 14.9 percent of freshmen and 14.5 percent of total undergraduate enrollment, and 13.6 percent of the student body overall. Enrollment of African-American students in UA's Graduate School has increased by 44 percent since 1996.
U.S. News & World Report has ranked the University of Alabama School of Law among the top 50 in the nation for three consecutive years while our undergraduate business program has made the top 50 nationally for two years.
Across our beautiful 1,000-acre campus, several buildings dating back to the founding of the university are still in use today—alongside other historic structures and recent construction housing state-of-the-art technology. We offer excellent facilities for study and research, including campus-wide computer labs, multimedia classrooms, and online libraries.
More than 20 percent of the university's entering freshmen and 22 percent of all undergraduates received merit scholarships for the academic year 2000-01.
The University of Alabama debate team holds 14 national championships—two more than our football team!
UA offers 215 degree programs.
Founded in 1831, The University of Alabama was the state's first university.
UA to Honor 40 Pioneers at "Opening Doors" Event
The University of Alabama will honor 40 outstanding pioneers who played key roles in breaking racial barriers on campus as part of "Opening Doors," a three-day program planned for June 9-11 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first successful enrollment of African-American students at UA.
The 40 individuals were chosen for their contributions to overcoming racial barriers at UA from 1956-1976, a 20-year period in which dramatic changes took place both on the UA campus and across the nation. The 40 individuals include African-American students who broke color barriers in specific areas of the UA campus, as well as individuals who were involved directly with the desegregation of the university.
The Pioneers will be honored June 10 at a Pioneer scholarship dinner and a Pioneer recognition program. The events will benefit UA's existing scholarships in honor of Autherine Lucy Foster, Vivian Malone Jones, and James Hood. Attendance is by reservation only; table sponsorships begin at $2,500, and individual tickets are $250.
"We are honored to be able to recognize these individuals who had the courage to take a stand for change and inspire all of us to do likewise," says Samory Pruitt, assistant to the UA president for corporate and community affairs and chair of the planning committee of "Opening Doors."
The Pioneers and their accomplishments are described below:
Autherine Lucy Foster became the first African-American to enroll at UA in 1956. Following three-days of tumultuous demonstrations, she was suspended and later expelled by the Board of Trustees. She earned a master's degree from UA in 1991, during the same ceremonies in which her daughter, Grazia, received her bachelor's degree in finance.
Dr. James Hood, together with Vivian Malone, was one of the first two African-American students to enroll at UA in 1963 during the "Stand in the School House Door." He returned to UA to earn his doctorate in 1997.
Vivian Malone Jones, together with James Hood, was one of the first two African-Americans to enroll in 1963 during the "Stand in the School House Door" and the first African-American to graduate from The University of Alabama in 1965.
The Honorable Bill Baxley, a 1963 law student, is a former attorney general and lieutenant governor of Alabama. As attorney general, he appointed the first African-American assistant attorney general, Myron Thompson, who later became a federal judge.
John Bivens, a student leader during the 1970s and among the first African-American Association presidents, is a highly successful attorney.
Scott Henry Black, Jr., a 1963 Crimson White editor, facilitated articles that documented the story of UA's integration.
Dr. John L. Blackburn, the 1963 dean of men for whom the Blackburn Institute for Student Leadership is named, helped students participate in the university's desegregation.
James Blackmon, a barber and a friend to James Hood, was contacted by federal officials to assist James Hood during his efforts to integrate UA.
Terry Points-Boney was active in residence life and campus leadership; she became UA's first African-American homecoming queen in 1973.
Buford Boone, former editor of The Tuscaloosa News, is a recipient of the Pulitzer Prize for his editorials in support of integration.
The Honorable Delores Boyd was the first African-American member of UA's debate team in 1970. After practicing law since 1976, Delores was recently appointed United States magistrate judge for the Middle District of Alabama.
The Reverend Sylvester Croom—father of successful football player under Paul "Bear" Bryant, Sylvester Croom—served as chaplain for UA athletes. He also later served as a Tuscaloosa pastor and community leader.
Morris S. Dees was a student leader in the late 1950s and co-founder of the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Dr. Arthur Dunning was among the first class of African-American undergraduates following Vivian Malone Jones's graduation. He currently serves as vice president for public affairs and outreach at the University of Georgia.
The Honorable John England was one of the first African-American graduates of UA's School of Law and is currently a member of Board of Trustees of The University of Alabama.
Edna Miller Gardner was among the first African-American master's students in 1966; she is currently a retired educator.
Fred Gray, attorney for the NAACP during the Montgomery bus boycott, represented Vivian Malone Jones and James Hood in their successful suit against the university trustees. He currently serves as president of the Alabama State Bar Association.
The Reverend Emmet Gribbin, pastor of Canterbury Episcopal Chapel, displayed courage during the violence associated with the enrollment of Autherine Lucy in 1956 and the hostility with which some greeted the enrollment of James Hood and Vivian Malone in 1963.
Dean Sarah Healy—1963 dean of women—played a pivotal role in facilitating the enrollments of Autherine Lucy, James Hood, and Vivian Malone.
Wendell Thomas Hudson was the first African-American men's scholarship basketball player at UA in 1970.
Wilbur Jackson was one of the first African-American scholarship football players at UA in 1970.
Burt Jones, residence hall director in 1963, played a key role assisting Dean John L. Blackburn in facilitating the enrollment of James Hood and Vivian Malone.
Sylvester Jones was the first African-American executive vice president of SGA and student representative to the UA Board of Trustees in 1975.
Diane Kirksey—student leader and founding member of UA's African-American Association—was the first African-American Bama Belle and the first African-American member of the homecoming court.
Ralph Knowles, SGA president in 1967, is known as a humanitarian and defender of human rights, and he is currently an attorney in Atlanta.
George LeMaistre is the Tuscaloosa community leader and prominent businessman who publicly addressed the need to rally to the cause of law and order in his speech "The Price of Defiance."
Brenda McCampbell Lyons, an outstanding student who became the first African-American cheerleader in 1973, is now a retired educator.
Dave Mack McGlathery was the first African-American to enroll at the University of Alabama-Huntsville on June 12, 1963, the day following the "Stand in the School House Door." He enrolled at the university without incident.
Joseph W. Mallisham, a community leader, is the first African-American elected to the Tuscaloosa County Commission.
Dr. David Mathews—UA president from 1969-1980—was instrumental in building a diverse campus and appointed the first African-American special assistant to the president. He currently serves as president of the Kettering Foundation.
John Mitchell, Jr., a 1972 UA All-American football player, is in his 24th season as the defensive line coach for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Honorable Constance Baker Motley is the NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney who was the principal in the cases of Autherine Lucy, James Hood, Vivian Malone Jones, and Dave McGlathery. She currently serves as a judge in New York Circuit Court.
Ozzie Newsome, Jr. is a UA All-American football player and humanitarian who became the first African-American general manager in NFL history in 2002.
Kathy Elmore Sawyer—leader of the African-American Gospel Choir and charter member of one of the first African-American sororities at UA, currently serves as the Commissioner of Mental Health for the State of Alabama.
Arthur D. Shores, a Birmingham attorney, was lead counsel for Autherine Lucy and Pollie Anne Myers and worked with the NAACP Legal Defense Fund team to successfully desegregate UA. Pollie had applied to the university with Autherine, but the board of trustees rejected her application.
Donald Wilbur Stewart was UA's SGA president in 1963 that invited James Hood to his lunch table in Paty Hall, thereby rallying students to assist James in his daily schedule. He went on to become a United States senator and successful attorney in Alabama.
Cleophus Thomas, Jr. became UA's first and only African-American SGA president in 1976. He is a UA trustee emeritus.
Dr. Archie Lee Wade was among the first African-American faculty members at UA and a mentor to many students during the 1970s.
Donald V. Watkins was appointed by President David Matthews as a special assistant in 1974; he is currently a successful attorney and businessman.
Dr. Joffre T. Whisenton became the first African-American doctoral student to earn a Ph.D. from UA in 1966. He currently serves as a higher education consultant.
For more information on "Opening Doors," visit the UA Web site at www.ua.edu/openingdoors or contact Samory Pruitt at (205) 348-8375.
