We look forward to seeing many of you at the luncheon and annual meeting this Wednesday, April 27, 2022. See below for more information about the election of officers and board members and a reminder that we will be collecting books and donations for Books for the Black Belt.
TUARA Election Information
Since the last TUARA Update was published, Karen Chapman has been added to the slate as a nominee for the final open member-at-large position. Here is the full slate of nominees approved by the TUARA Executive Board 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)
Karen Chapman
Chapman will retire on June 1, 2022 as professor and director of branch libraries in the University Libraries. She joined UA in 1988 and served as assistant director of the Angelo Bruno Business Library for many years. During her tenure at Bruno, she created the Bruno library network, the first public network in the library system, and the Bruno Library website, also the first for the UA Libraries.
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.
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.
Checks made out to The University of Alabama will also be accepted if you prefer to donate funds instead of bringing books.
Scam Alert
Some TRS members have reported scam calls concerning bonus checks. As always, do not respond to unsolicited emails, text messages, or phone calls requesting personal information to verify your retirement account or bank information.
Renew Your Membership Today
TUARA’s membership year runs from Oct. 1-Sept. 30. If you haven’t renewed your membership for 2022 yet, please go to Membership Application at www.tuara.ua.edu, print the membership form and send it with your $25 annual membership dues to Box 861493, Tuscaloosa, AL 35486-0013. If you prefer, you can pay your dues by PayPal or credit card by clicking here. Click on “Check out as guest” to pay by credit card.