Honoring One of UAB’s Own

Alice McCallum Memorialized by Family and Friends with Nursing Scholarship

Chip, Phillip, Scotty (holding a photo of Alice), Scott, and Christopher McCallum

The Alice L. McCallum Endowed Nursing Scholarship was established to honor the memory of Alice McCallum, wife of Charles A. (Scotty) McCallum Jr., D.M.D., M.D. Alice McCallum worked as a registered nurse at University Hospital in the psychiatric and pediatric units. She passed away in October 2009.

Alice was an Alabama native and earned her nursing degree from the Jefferson-Hillman Hospital School of Nursing, which later became known as the University Hospital School of Nursing. She also was an alumna of the UAB School of Nursing, because graduates of the nursing programs that originated on UAB’s campus were adopted into the UAB School of Nursing after the other programs closed.

Alice and Scotty, distinguished professor emeritus at UAB, were married more than 50 years. During that time, Scotty served UAB as dean of the School of Dentistry, vice president for health affairs, director of the medical center, and president of the university. He and his sons felt the scholarship would be a fitting tribute to their dear wife and mother, given her passion for the nursing profession and her commitment to excellence.

Alice was a beloved and gracious first lady of UAB from 1987 to 1993 during her husband’s tenure as president, and she is remembered for her vibrant participation in the UAB family and as a hostess extraordinaire who always welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the university into her home with open arms. She also is remembered for her quick wit, sense of humor, and selfless love of others.

Doreen C. Harper, Ph.D., dean of UAB’s School of Nursing, sees the scholarship as an appropriate memorial. “Alice shared with our school the nursing-education legacy on the UAB campus,” she says. “Her dedication to excellence in nursing and every other area of her life will be reflected in this most generous gift. Scotty McCallum has made tremendous contributions to this university and this entire area. We are very grateful to him and his sons for establishing this scholarship, which will benefit our school and its students for years to come.”

Maintaining the Momentum / Winter 2011