Save the Date: Spring Luncheon and Business Meeting
TUARA’s annual spring luncheon and business meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 24. Watch for further details closer to that date.
Scholarship Recipients Named
TUARA has awarded two Robert E. Witt First Generation Scholarships for the spring 2024 semester.
The first recipient is Mary Beck Weaver of Guntersville, Alabama. Weaver’s major is interior design; after graduation, she hopes to continue her education with a further degree in architecture. She states, “I am blessed with the endless opportunities this university has given me and how they have allowed me to flourish as a student and person. I cannot wait to see what the rest of my time here holds. Thank you and Roll Tide!”
The second recipient is Coriel Cameron of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, who is majoring in electrical engineering. He states, “I would like to design equipment that can help make a difference in the world such as helping to generate power and clean water in developing countries. I want to be able to use my knowledge to help others.”
Congratulations to both of these students!
Nominations open
Nominations are now being considered for positions on the TUARA Executive Board. We are also accepting nominations for the following TUARA awards:
The Judy Bonner Award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the leadership and service characteristics set forth during Dr. Bonner’s tenure at The University of Alabama.
The TUARA Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service to the West Alabama community.
Please submit your Executive Board nominations by email to tuara.ua@gmail.com. For award nominations, please follow the instructions on the appropriate nomination form.
Volunteer Opportunity: Reading Allies
TUARA members are invited to serve as volunteer tutors in Tuscaloosa area elementary schools through Reading Allies, a University of Alabama System initiative. TUARA is a Reading Allies community partner. Volunteers work one-on-one with striving readers through an individualized curriculum. Per the Reading Allies website (http://readingallies.org), “Reading Allies sessions are about 30 minutes. Programming generally runs for 10 weeks per semester, with sessions occurring twice per week.” To volunteer, complete the online form at http://readingallies.org/volunteer.
Save-a-Life Training Offered
Save-a-Life Training (S.A.L.T.) teaches skills used to keep someone alive in a medical emergency until the arrival of emergency services personnel. It covers CPR, bleeding control, and more. Free two-hour classes are offered on the third Friday of every month. Contact mteparker2@ua.edu or 205-535-8908 to sign up or for more information.
Connect with TUARA
Follow TUARA on Facebook at facebook.com/tuara.ua.
Volunteer Hours
Whether you volunteer weekly or just occasionally, please report your volunteer hours to TUARA. We share reported hours with AERA. AERA, in turn, uses retirees’ volunteer hours statewide to demonstrate the value that retirees bring to Alabama’s economy and quality of life. It’s easy! Just email your hours, broken down by the categories in the chart below, to tuara.ua@gmail.com. Please report any previously unreported hours from January 1, 2024 through the present.
Service hours should include activities in Alabama for which you have not received financial reimbursement. Hours should also not include 1) Sunday school and church attendance, 2) Caring for family members, and 3) Participation in AERA activities on state committees or the Board of Directors. You may include hours spent on TUARA activities, except for attending board meetings.
| Categories | Examples | # of Service Hours |
| Arts | Children’s Hands-On Museum, theater, opera, arts | |
| Church | Church related service projects (not attendance for worship services) | |
| Civic | Organizational projects, civic and special interest | |
| Health | Bloodmobile, clinics, nursing home, nutrition, home care | |
| Education | Mentoring, literacy projects | |
| Transportation | Shopping, errands, escort services | |
| RSVP/Volunteer Programs | Shut-Ins, telephone, etc. | |
| Youth Work | Big Brothers Big Sisters, work related to youth programs | |
| TUARA | TUARA volunteer activities, administrative work, communications, etc. | |
| Other (specify) | ||
| Total Hours |
TUARA
• Advocates for retiree benefits on campus and in Montgomery
• Promotes retirees’ volunteer service
• Awards the Robert E. Witt First-Generation Scholarship
• Provides networking and fun with colleagues and friends
Annual membership is only $25! Visit www.tuara.ua.edu for more information.