The Road Ahead
Planning
with a vision for the future has always been a major activity at The
University of Alabama. To achieve at the highest level, strong
leadership is needed to steer the way to success. With the right leader
and the right tools, great things can and will happen. When things are
being done the right way, anticipation for the future is at a peak. The
following are some “Good News” facts about The University of Alabama
that should wet your appetite. Enjoy. -Vision Research
Corporation (VRC), founded by University of Alabama alum and company
President, James C. Kennemer, was recently inducted into the NASA Space
Technology Hall of Fame at the 19th National Space Symposium, held in
Colorado Springs, Colorado in April of 2003. As one of only 44
companies to ever receive this honor, VRC was recognized for its
“outstanding efforts of the innovators who commercialize space
technology for the benefit of humankind”. Vision Research Corporation
uses a camera device, developed by NASA, to test for eye problems in
children. Over the last seven years, VRC has screened over 2 million
children in public schools across the United States. -The
University of Alabama has more than its share of alumni who have become
national icons in the arts. Listed below, are but a few UA alums that
have contributed greatly to the world of arts and entertainment. -Harper Lee (writer)
-Truman Capote (writer)
-Winston Groom (writer)
-William Bradford Huey (writer)
-Gay Talese (writer)
-Aileen Kilgore Henderson (writer)
-Timothy Leary (writer and philosopher)
-Frank Fleming (sculptor)
-Daniel Moore (artist)
-Jim Nabors (actor)
-Sela Ward (actor)
-Johnny Mack Brown (actor)
-Danielle
Curtis, a December 2002 graduate of the Capstone College of Nursing at
UA, was awarded the Excellent Student Nurse Award by the American
Association of Critical-Care Nurses at the National Teaching Institute
and Critical Care Exposition, held in San Antonio on May 22, 2003. The
award is given annually to only two nursing students nationwide. The
award recognizes nursing students “whose activities during nursing
school have promoted the value of nursing and reflects the AACN vision
of creating a healthcare system driven by the needs of patients and
families, where critical care nurses can make their optimal
contribution.” -The University of Alabama School of Law has a
reputation for fairing well in the annual Thomas A. Cooley Law School
“Program Achievement Rating”. The rating system ranks educational
effectiveness using objective data published annually in the American
Bar Association’s (ABA) “Official Guide to Approved Law Schools”. The
study compares the reported entering class profile of each school to
its Bar results. Since the inception of the ratings, UA’s School of Law
has a cumulative ranking of 22nd nationally. The Law School achieved
its highest ranking in 2000, when it ranked 2nd nationally. -Previous
ACADEMIC UPDATES have listed some outstanding current business leaders
who are also alumni of The University of Alabama. The following list,
however, will look back at past business leaders and UA alumni who have
made great contributions to the world of business. *Woodrow Wilson Clements, President and CEO of the Dr. Pepper Company
*Arthur R. Outlaw, Chairman of the Board of Ruby Tuesdays and Morrison’s Restaurant
*Marshall Durbin, President of Marshall Durbin Companies
*Sid McDonald, founder and CEO of ITC-Deltacom, Inc.
*H. Harrison Parrish, co-founder and President of The Movie Gallery, Inc.
*Joe Gibbs, co-founder of The Golf Channel
*Rowland Chappell Cobb, Jr., founder of Cobb Theatres
*Benjamin Russell, founder and Chairman of Russell Corporation
*Charles E. Adair, former President and CEO of Durr-Fillauer Medical, Inc.
*Thomas Edward Rast, founder of Johnson-Rast and Hays Company
As
you can see, The University of Alabama continues to achieve success
after success. With a new, energetic administration in place and a new
fund-raising campaign on the horizon, great things are just around the
corner. More Good News is on the way…Stay Tuned!!!…..and, as always,
ROLL TIDE FOREVER!!!!
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