RSVP for TUARA’s Annual Spring Luncheon by April 20
Please join us for TUARA’s spring luncheon, hosted by UA President Stuart Bell, at the Capstone Hotel at 11 a.m., Wednesday, April 27. Dr. Bell will provide an update on news and activities at the University. TUARA’s annual business meeting, awards presentations, and election of officers and executive board members will follow the luncheon. If you haven’t already done so, remember to RSVP by Wednesday, April 20 by calling 205-348-9237 or sending an email to specialevents@ua.edu.
Books for the Black Belt
As part of the annual luncheon, we will collect books for the UA Center for Economic Development’s Books for the Black Belt project. Books for the Black Belt collects new or gently used K-12 books and distributes them to school libraries in Alabama’s Black Belt. In 2020 UACED collected and distributed more than 2,100 books to 29 schools in 13 counties. UACED strives to help children develop a love of learning and reading.
What kinds of books are appropriate to donate?
Any classic literature texts and other award-winning schoolbooks (fiction and non-fiction). Reference lists for appropriate books are available at Books for the Black Belt project. There is currently a specific need for books appropriate for middle school readers.
Can’t decide?
Sites like The Book Bundler or O3 Books offer bundles of gently used books at affordable prices. Checks made out to The University of Alabama will also be accepted if you prefer to donate funds to the project instead bringing books.
TUARA Election Information
The TUARA Executive Board has approved the following slate of nominees for open officer and member-at-large positions:
Vice-President for Membership
Pamela Hudson Pruitt
Pruitt is a retiree from the College of Arts and Sciences’ Brewer Porch Children’s Center, where she served as the education director. She currently serves the Tuscaloosa community by volunteering and supporting philanthropic efforts. She has served as TUARA vice-president for membership for the last two years and has been nominated for a second term.
Recording Secretary
Angela Wright
Wright retired in 2017 as an associate professor with the University Libraries after 25 years of service. She has served on the TUARA board as a member at large and has been acting secretary for 2021-2022.
Members-at-Large
Nominees for Three-Year Terms (2022-2025)
Caryl Cooper
Cooper is associate professor emerita in the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences’ department of advertising and public relations. Her career includes working in the advertising industry in New York City and teaching for 25 years at the Capstone.
Tim Hebson
Hebson came to UA as director of judicial affairs in 2002 having worked previously at Samford University nine years, Auburn University two years and the University of Montevallo 11 years. He was named associate dean of students in 2003 and became dean of students in 2007. He was given the title of dean of students emeritus when he retired in 2020.
Michael Spearing
Spearing retired in 2020 as chief University counsel after 32 years of service in the UA Office of Counsel. He served as legal counsel to several UA foundation boards and has been a member of numerous boards in his private capacity. He served on the Tuscaloosa Historic Preservation Commission, including as chair, and currently serves on the boards of Caring Days and the West Alabama Food Bank.
Nominees for Completing Vacant Two-Year Terms (2022-2024)
Kevin Almond
Almond began his 30-year career in the UA department of intercollegiate athletics in 1990. He started in academic support services for student athletes and finished his career in athletic administration as deputy director of athletics. During his career at the University, he served on numerous University-wide committees.
Marie Parsons
Parsons retired in 2002 from the journalism faculty in the College of Communication and Information Sciences. In addition to classroom instruction, she was director of the Alabama Scholastic Press Association and founding director of Minority Journalism Programs at UA from 1983 onward. She filled an unexpired term on the TUARA board for 2021-2022.
In addition to these positions, one three-year member-at-large position is still open for nominees. If you would like to nominate someone for this position or nominate an additional candidate for one of the other positions, please reply to this email with your nominee’s name and contact information by Monday, April 25. Nominees must agree to be nominated before names are submitted.
UA Changes Retiree Email Policy
At its March meeting, the TUARA executive board passed a resolution requesting that the University administration reconsider the decision to change retired faculty and staff ua.edu email addresses to retiree.ua.edu and add a mandatory footer to emails indicating the email address was provided as a courtesy to retirees. The resolution noted that TUARA had received numerous complaints objecting both to the changes made and the process by which the changes were made. Thanks to TUARA’s advocacy on behalf of retirees, President Bell has had the mandatory footer removed from retiree email accounts. While the retiree.ua.edu addresses remain in effect, emeritus faculty and retired faculty who are currently teaching or advising students or currently engaging in research or scholarly activities on behalf of the University may apply for an exemption to the policy. Retired staff who are actively engaged in the operations of the University or academic programs may also apply for an exemption. The link to the exemption request is available on the Office of Academic Affairs website. Click on Terms of Use of Electronic Accounts Email Exemption Request. Reply to this email to request a copy of TUARA’s resolution regarding the email policy.