Jim Bakken
| This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.jimb@uab.edu • (205) 934-3887
Chief Communications Officer, Public Relations
Chief Communications Officer, Public Relations
As chief communications officer for the University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB Medicine, Bakken leads teams that set and execute internal and external communications strategy. Prior to joining UAB in 2012, Bakken spent a decade working with a diverse client base at two full-service communications firms. Bakken spent eight years in Nashville at McNeely Pigott and Fox – one of the largest PR firms in the Southeast – prior to launching Peritus Public Relations in Birmingham in 2010. Bakken has served on the board of the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America and has been a Birmingham Business Journal Top 40 Under 40 honoree.
The partnership will bring a highly effective and precise alternative to traditional radiation therapy for treating cancer and some noncancerous tumors, without many of the side effects that often accompany treatment.
Identifying a stable outlook and UAB’s very strong enterprise and financial profile, S&P Global Ratings has raised its rating on various series of general revenue bonds issued by The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees on behalf of UAB.
Longtime VP for Research and Economic Development Richard B. Marchase, Ph.D., plans to retire at the end of 2016. During his tenure, UAB annual research expenditures grew from $331 million to $510 million.
UAB’s associate head coach is elevated after a week as interim head coach.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham and UAB Medicine will increase minimum wage for employees to $11 per hour in 2016. The federal minimum wage is $7.25.
UAB cites its accredited police department and investments in safety resources, as well as initiatives in shared responsibility and community partnerships, as reasons data shows crime is much lower than perceived — and lower than many urban and non-urban universities.
More than $5.2 million has been paid in UAB’s Finish the Drive campaign to secure $17.2 million pledged to UAB Athletics, exceeding the $4.5 million Jan. 15 goal.
The Office of University Relations captured the essence of the momentum and excitement across the UAB campus in an institutional pride video highlighting each area of the comprehensive university’s multifaceted mission.
With significant implications to its student enrollment and economic impact in the region, UAB’s partnership with INTO University Partnerships will increase access for international students to one of the nation’s most diverse college campuses.
Officials from BBVA Compass and the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Wednesday officially debuted the city’s newest sports venue, BBVA Compass Field, and marked the start of its final phase of construction by having an MLS midfielder lead students from Glen Iris Elementary through drills on the Blazers’ pristine soccer pitch.