Pieces of the Past

Treasures from UAB Archives tell the story of our transformation. Scroll down to take a closer look at some UAB history.

Opportunities on the Rise

Brick by brick, we have built a brighter future.

Safety First

This green hard hat, with its UAB property ID tag, dates from the 1970s.

A New Campus Icon

This program is from the 2016 dedication ceremony for UAB’s Hill Student Center.

Memento from the Past

A brick was saved from the 2007 demolition of Hixson Hall, which originally was a dorm for nursing students.

New Digs

This shovel broke ground for the renovation and expansion of the Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences. The ceremony took place in September 1994.

Making History

Blueprints illustrate the relocation plans for the UAB Archives in 2001.

Academic Growth

This program celebrated the University College dedication in 1973, which opened the new academic campus that includes today’s education, chemistry, humanities, and Sterne Library buildings.

With Love, UAB

A postcard, created in 1975, features the Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences.

Find Your Spot

Metal page markers served as mementoes from the dedication for the UAB National Alumni Society House in January 2011.

Building the Future

This program is from the Medical Center groundbreaking ceremony on July 30, 1968, which marked the start of construction for three new facilities: today’s Volker Hall, the School of Nursing Building, and Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences.

Beginnings of a Legacy

A commemorative shovel encased in Lucite was distributed at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Football Operations Center and Legacy Pavilion in August 2016.

Pioneering Precision Medicine

Tidwell Hall was demolished in 1998 in order to build the Kaul Human Genetics Building. This piece of marble is from the façade of Tidwell Hall, built in 1954.

Let’s Get to Work

UAB Health System hard hat key fobs were created for the UAB Hospital North Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony held in July 2000.

A Hub for Research

The joint-health science facility was dedicated in November 1981 and, in 1996, was renamed in honor of former UAB President Charles A. McCallum, Jr. These Basic Health Science Education and Research key fobs commemorated the building in 1984.

Welcoming Lister Hill

Attendees at the October 1971 dedication ceremony for Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences received this program.

An Ode to the Arts

Commemorative bricks were distributed during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hulsey Center for the Arts and Humanities in January 1980.

Blazer Victories

On the court, on the field, and in the stands, Blazer pride has burned bright through the years.

Blazer Pride

Celebrating UAB’s win over UCLA and the 1977 hiring of Gene Bartow as basketball coach, this bumper sticker was used by former President S. Richardson Hill, Jr.

Bring the Heat

This Blaze the Dragon button was made in 2000.

Hawaii

This pass admitted VIPs to the 2004 Sheraton Hawaii Bowl, the first bowl appearance for the UAB football team.

Double Dribblers

Twins Donell and Ronell Taylor played basketball for UAB from 2003 to 2005. (Date unknown.)

Basketball Legend

A bobblehead doll portrays Gene Bartow, the first head coach of the men’s basketball team from 1977 to 1996. He was also UAB’s first director of athletics from 1977 to 2000.

The Big Announcement

Former President J. Claude Bennett used this jersey at the August 1994 press conference, announcing UAB’s move to Division I-A football starting with the 1996 season.

B for Blaze

The School of Engineering created this spirited sticker around 2007.

Green and Gold

This commemorative men’s basketball jersey was made around 1980.

Down the Range

UAB men’s and women’s golf teams used distinctive balls and tees. (Date unknown.)

Alma Mater Pride

A foam football promoted the National Alumni Society around 2010.

Mascot Mania

Blaze earned his bobblehead status sometime in the 2000s.

Star Struck

A media guide for the 1982-1983 men’s basketball season features seniors from the 1981-1982 conference championship team.

Student Spirit

Members of the student-led spirit group Gang Green wore caps like this in 2007.

The Return

Hologram cards featuring Coach Bill Clark marked the historic return of UAB football in September 2017.

Soccer Style

This jersey from the women’s soccer team was used around 2002.

Lady Blazers

Star player Wanda Hightower appears on the cover of a Lady Blazers pocket schedule for the inaugural basketball season in 1978-1979.

Season Schedule

Head Coach Gene Bartow appears on the men’s basketball pocket schedule for the inaugural basketball season in 1978-1979.

Blow the Whistle

The UAB Blazer Women’s Athletic Society handed out this whistle around 2010.

Back on the Field

This commemorative medallion, produced by the UAB National Alumni Society, marked football’s 2017 return season.

Home Run

Wooden miniature bats promoted UAB baseball around 2000.

Blazer Style

Around 1980, members of the UAB Rebounders Club, a group that promoted fan engagement with the basketball team, sported these jacket patches.

The Mighty, Mighty Blazers

This UAB Blazers button was created around 2009.

Collector’s Items

Packets of football trading cards were distributed to UAB employees in 2006.

A Slice of UAB Life

For 50 years, our on-campus culture has been vibrant, diverse, and spirited.

Exhibiting Talent

This card promoted a 1975 exhibit at the UAB Visual Arts Gallery featuring the work of Anthony Antonio, a faculty member in the Department of Art and Art History.

Blazer Travels

The UAB National Alumni Society luggage started sporting distinctive tags in 2005.

A Key Reminder

UAB School of Education students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends sported this keychain starting in 2011.

Forever Blaze

A classic UAB button was distributed at Homecoming in 2016.

A Silver Jubilee

A pin helped celebrate 25 years of UAB in 1994.

Public Radio for the Heart of Alabama

Birmingham artist Christopher Davis designed this mug for a 2017 WBHM 90.3 FM fund drive.

Prepared to Win

Even pocket folders, like one created for UAB Athletics, helped spread Blazer spirit.

It’s Nice to Have You in Birmingham

“Hi, I’m New at UAB!” was a message new freshmen wore around 2009.

SGA Symbol

Created by A.H. Cather Publishing Company of Birmingham, this printer’s block was used by UAB Student Government Association in 1968.

That’s a Wrap

The UAB School of Public Health distributed condoms in 2007 to promote community health.

Ever Faithful, Ever Loyal

UAB graduates throughout the 1990s received this diploma cover.

Key to Success

This key fob from 1985 commemorates the 40th anniversary of the UAB Medical Center’s establishment.

We’ve Got the Heat

A blend of barbecue spices called Blaze’s Blend was made by the UAB Department of Nutrition Sciences. (Date unknown.)

A Prestigious Honor

In 1991, Dr. Samuel B. Barker, UAB’s first graduate dean, was awarded this UAB President’s Medal.

Medieval Celebration

A 1999 program heralded UAB’s “Ye Olde Madrigal Feaste,” a gala for students featuring period costumes, a jester, and a four-course meal.

Recognizing Blazer Spirit

Commemorative medals were presented to faculty participating in University Day in 2009, which marked UAB’s 40th anniversary.

By the Books

UAB Libraries employees wore branded retractable badge clips in 2016.

Park It

This vehicle hang tag offered admittance to UAB employee parking in 1999.

Cheers!

Homecoming tailgates in 2014 featured collapsible beverage coolers from the UAB Graduate School.

Read All About It

A bumper sticker promoted UAB’s student newspaper, Kaleidoscope, in 2007.

Health History

We’ve changed the way patients receive care in our own neighborhood and around the world.

The "New University Hospital"

In June 1979, the "New University Hospital" debuted when Spain Wallace opened across the street from Jefferson Tower. The "New U" campaign spread the word across Birmingham and beyond.

High-flying Ambulance

This Rolodex card, from the mid-1980s, highlighted the new Critical Care Transport Service, which moves seriously ill patients between medical facilities by ground and air "mobile intensive care units."

Training Manual

This School of Nursing course catalog from 1971 was printed four years after the school moved to Birmingham from Tuscaloosa. In 1975, the school received approval for the first nursing doctoral program in the Southeast.

Rights and Responsibilities

New patients received this handbook on admission to University Hospital in the early 1970s, when the majority of patient care still occurred in Jefferson Tower.

You are Saving Lives

This Red Cross booklet was given to blood donors in the early 1960s to explain how their cells would be used to save lives at UAB Hospital.

Preparing Nurse Leaders

This commemorative medallion marked the 25th anniversary of the Doctor of Science in Nursing program at UAB in 2000.

Coozie Power

This heat-sensitive drink protector from the School of Public Health was distributed as part of UAB Homecoming celebrations in 2015.

Warm Welcome

Commemorative baby booties were given to the tiniest patients at the UAB Women and Infants Center, which opened in 2010.

Changing Minds

A 1980s promotional card from one of the many public health awareness campaigns carried out by UAB over the years.

Help for the Hurting

UAB's dental clinics have been treating patients since 1951 in a building on 7th Avenue South originally known as the Medical and Dental Basic Science Building. In 1976, the building was renamed the School of Dentistry Building.

First Responders

The Emergency Medical Technician program in the School of Health Professions trained emergency personnel until the program moved to Jefferson State Community College in the 2000s. This patch dates from the 1970s.

Sight Savers

The state legislature appropriated funds for the School of Optometry at UAB in 1969—it was the first optometry school in the country to be integrated into an academic medical center. Today, the school's UAB Eye Care offers vision services and trains new generations of professionals.

Care Force

This lapel pin formed part of a hospital promotional campaign. (Date unknown.)

Vintage Volunteers

Hospital volunteers in the early 1950s wore this patch. In May 1955, Jefferson-Hillman Hospital was renamed University Hospital and Hillman Clinic.

Enter a New Era

A commemorative lapel pin celebrated the dedication of UAB Hospital's West Pavilion in October 1991.

Visitors Guide

The cover for this University Hospital visiting hours pamphlet, produced circa 1972, features the North Wing, Jefferson Tower, and Lyons-Harrison Building.