Witt Scholarships Awarded
TUARA has awarded two Robert E. Witt First Generation Scholarships for the spring 2025 semester.
The first recipient is Ruth Allen of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, a sophomore majoring in accounting. Ms. Allen hopes to follow up her BS in accounting with a Master’s in Tax Accounting, then pass the CPA exam. She is minoring in Personal Wealth Management, so she also plans to earn the Certified Financial Planner license.
The second recipient is BreLeah Smith of Decatur, Alabama, a sophomore majoring in social work. Ms. Smith plans to earn a BSW, followed by a Master of Social Work. Her goal is to work in child welfare or counseling.
Congratulations to both of these students!
Voting on Revised TUARA Constitution Underway
Current TUARA members received an email from TUARA President Kevin Whitaker on February 3 inviting them to review and vote on proposed revisions to the TUARA Constitution. If you are a member in good standing (dues paid for the 2024-2025 year), you are invited to vote. Follow the instructions in the email to access the digital ballot. Voting will conclude at 11:59 p.m. on March 3, 2025. If you have questions, please send them to our email account at tuara.ua@gmail.com.
Save the Date: TUARA Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting, April 14
This year’s Spring Luncheon and Annual Meeting sponsored by the UA President’s Office will be held at the Hotel Capstone on Monday, April 14, 2025. Mark your calendar now! More information will be forthcoming closer to the event.
TUARA Award Nominations Due
Now is the time to recognize a fellow retiree with a nomination for one of TUARA’s annual 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. Last year’s winner was Pamela Pruitt, whose numerous service commitments included a term as TUARA’s Vice President for Membership.
The TUARA Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service to the West Alabama community. Last year’s winner was Pamela Parker, who also has been deeply involved in many service organizations, including Reading Allies and the Boys and Girls Club, among others.
More information and nomination forms are available on the TUARA website at https://tuara.ua.edu/awards/. The nomination deadline is March 15. Awards are presented at the Annual Meeting in April.
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. | |
| OLLI | Taking a class or a trip, teaching a course | |
| 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.