UA Preview — April 27-May 3, 2026

BEST BETS

UA Holds Spring Commencement

The University of Alabama will hold spring commencement ceremonies May 1-3 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus.

Why This Matters: More than 7,000 degrees will be awarded. Each year, UA awards around 9,000 degrees, with graduates infusing the state and nation's workforce with highly educated talent.

For more information, contact Alex House at [email protected].

Gift to Capstone College of Nursing Aims to Generate Growth

The Bedford Falls Foundation-Donor Advised Fund is investing $1.5 million over five years to the UA Capstone College of Nursing to support in-state student scholarships and programs.

Why This Matters: This landmark gift from the Bedford Falls Foundation-DAF will provide the College with around 60 scholarships annually for in-state, undergraduate nursing students and support student success initiatives.

For more information, contact Alex House at [email protected].

UA Launches AI-Readiness Initiative

UA will be among the first higher education institutions in the country addressing the steady growth of artificial intelligence campuswide when the UA AI Experience launches this fall.

Why This Matters: As the use of AI continues to expand across academic, research and administrative contexts, the University plans to establish a coherent, campus-wide foundation for effective, responsible and future-ready engagement.

For more information, contact Alex House at [email protected].

English Professor Receives Burnum Award

Dr. Heather Cass White, a professor of English in the Barefield College of Arts and Sciences and an internationally recognized authority on modernist American poetry, is the recipient of the 2025 Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award.

Why This Matters: Established by Dr. and Mrs. John F. Burnum of Tuscaloosa, the award recognizes and promotes excellence in research, scholarship and teaching during a distinguished UA career.

Bama Blitz Collects More Than 1,500 Gifts

UA raised more than $1 million in gifts during its ninth annual giving days, Bama Blitz.

Why This Matters: This year's campaign, Bama in Bloom, celebrated the many ways charitable giving helps students grow both personally and professionally at the Capstone, highlighting a variety of funds and passion-driven projects across campus. UA supporters made 1,586 gifts during the crowdfunded, social media-driven campaign

For more information, contact Alex House at [email protected].

EVENTS

Cotton, Cloth and Community: Alabama Quilting Traditions

Open through May 30; Catherine and Pettus Randall Welcome Center

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VISIT THE UA NEWS CENTER FOR STORY IDEAS.

The University of Alabama strives to remain neutral on public policy issues. Strategic Communications may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its leadership, and do not constitute a statement on behalf of the University unless explicitly designated.