Dear UAB Community and Friends,
For the first time in UAB history, we have surpassed $500 million in research grants and awards for a 12-month period (Nov. 1, 2017, through Oct. 31, 2018), reaching $527,025,137. This is a campuswide success, as every academic school — 12 groups, including all schools, the College of Arts and Sciences, academic joint departments, and central administration — achieved increases in funding awards over that same period.
This is an extraordinary accomplishment in a funding environment that is more competitive than ever. The sheer number and range of these awards is extraordinary, spanning many disciplines and reflecting the drive, ingenuity and creativity at work all over this campus. I thank all of our faculty, staff and students who continue to do such groundbreaking research, scholarship and artistic endeavors. Our deep gratitude also to our alumni, friends and donors who continue supporting our efforts.
This news comes on the heels of other record-setting gains, including our third consecutive year of record enrollment this fall. I was pleased to highlight these and other remarkable accomplishments in our recent State of the University Address entitled “UAB: Powered by Will.” If you were unable to attend, I hope you take a few minutes to watch the video and share in this celebration of the tremendous progress we are making in all areas of our mission—and the even brighter future we are forging together—as we look forward to UAB’s 50th Anniversary year in 2019.
We are also setting records in Athletics. Our football team is in the midst of a thrilling and unprecedented season—currently enjoying the nation’s fourth-longest home winning streak, having won a record 11 games in a row. At this Saturday’s home game versus Southern Miss at 6:30 p.m., a win will clinch the Conference USA West Division Championship for the first time in school history and a berth into the C-USA title game. The support of our home crowd has been key in our success, and I hope this Saturday you help make this the biggest and most supportive crowd we have ever had to cheer our team on to another historic victory. I look forward to seeing you there.
