University of Alabama at Birmingham: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:UAB seal.gif|right]]The '''University of Alabama at Birmingham''' (also known as '''UAB''') is a public, coeducational university located in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]], [[Alabama]], [[United States|USA]]. The university is part of the three-member [[University of Alabama System]], which also includes the [[University of Alabama]] in [[Tuscaloosa, Alabama|Tuscaloosa]] (UA) and the [[University of Alabama in Huntsville]] (UAH).  UAB, along with the [[University of Alabama]] and [[Auburn University]], constitute the state's three major institutions.  UAB currently has an enrollment of approximately 17,600 students. The school's president is [[Carol Garrison]].
[[Image:UAB seal.gif|right]]
The '''University of Alabama at Birmingham''' (also known as '''UAB''') is a public, coeducational university located in [[Birmingham]], [[Alabama]]. UAB is one of three autonomous institutions of the [[University of Alabama System]], which also includes the [[University of Alabama]] in [[Tuscaloosa]] (UA) and the [[University of Alabama in Huntsville]] (UAH).  UAB, along with the University of Alabama and [[Auburn University]], constitute the state's three major universities.  UAB currently has an enrollment of approximately 16,200 students. The school's president is [[Carol Garrison|Dr. Carol Z. Garrison]].


The history of UAB began with the relocation of the [[University of Alabama School of Medicine]] from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham in 1945Because of the rapid growth of the Birmingham area, it was decided that an extension program for students who had difficulties which prevented them from studying in Tuscaloosa was needed. UAB became an autonomous campus in 1969.  
UAB offers programs of study leading to bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees in various fields, including social and behavioral sciences, liberal arts, business, education, engineering, health-related fields (such as medicine, dentistry, optometry and nursing) and public healthThe school is highly renowned for its medical research and natural sciences programs. UAB received over $390 million in federal grants during the past fiscal year for research purposes. This places the school as one of the larger research institutions in the Southeast.  In fact, UAB is currently 3rd in the Southeast for NIH research funding behind only Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  [[UAB Hospital]] also sponsors residency programs in various medical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, radiology, and anesthesiology. UAB Hospital is the only Level I trauma center in Alabama, as rated by the [http://www.facs.org/trauma/verified.html American College of Surgeons] Trauma Program.


UAB offers programs of study leading to bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees in various fields, including social and behavioral sciences, liberal arts, business, education, engineering, health-related fields (such as medicine, dentistry, optometry and nursing) and public healthThe school is highly renowned for its medical research and natural sciences programs. UAB received over $390 million in federal grants during the past fiscal year for research purposes. This places the school as one of the larger research institutions in the SoutheastIn fact, UAB is currently 3rd in the Southeast for NIH research funding behind only Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  UAB Hospital also sponsors residency
== History ==
programs in various medical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, radiology, and anesthesiology.
UAB began in [[1936]] as the Birmingham Extension Center of the University of Alabama.  Because of the rapid growth of the Birmingham area, it was decided that an extension program for students who had difficulties which prevented them from studying in Tuscaloosa was needed.  In [[1945]], the [[University of Alabama School of Medicine]] moved from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham, and took over management of Jefferson and Hillman Hospitals in Birmingham (now known as [[UAB Hospital]]).  In [[1966]], the Extension Center and the School of Medicine were merged as the '''University of Alabama in Birmingham.'''  When the University of Alabama System was formed in [[1969]], UAB became one of the three autonomous campuses of the new organizationThe "in" in the school's name was replaced with an "at" in [[1984]].


== Academics ==
Since 1969, UAB has awarded over 105,000 degrees.  UAB alumni live and work in all 50 states and more than 65 countries. Although once known as a "commuter school", UAB reported that 60 percent of 2007 freshmen are living in UAB campus housing, up from 52.8 percent in 2006.
UAB offers nearly 140 degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in 12 schools and the UAB Graduate School.  
[[Image:Uab hill university center.jpg|thumb|300px|Samuel Richardson Hill, Jr. University Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham]]
*School of Arts and Humanities
UAB is a member of the [[University of Alabama System]] and is governed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama.  The Chancellor of the University of Alabama System appoints, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, the President of UAB. The President reports directly to the Chancellor, and is responsible for hiring and promotion of faculty and staff on the UAB campus.
*School of Business
*School of Dentistry
*School of Education
*School of Engineering
*School of Health Professions
*School of Medicine
*School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics
*School of Nursing
*School of Optometry
*School of Public Health
*School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
*Division of General Studies
*UAB Graduate School


Additionally, the UAB Health System includes the University of Alabama Hospital, UAB Highlands Hospital, UAB Health Centers, the Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital, The Kirklin Clinic, the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, and Viva Health. Managed by the UAB Health System through management agreements are UAB Medical West in Bessemer, and Baptist Health of Montgomery. UAB also has affiliations with the [[Birmingham VA Medical Center]], [[Children's Hospital of Alabama]], and Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama.
===List of Presidents===
*Dr. Joseph F. Volker, 1969-1976
*Dr. S. Richardson Hill Jr., 1977-1987
*Dr. Charles A. McCallum, 1987-1993
*Dr. J. Claude Bennett, 1993-1996
*Mr. Paul Hardin, 1997 (Interim)
*[[W. Ann Reynolds|Dr. W. Ann Reynolds]], 1997-2002
*Dr. Malcom Portera, 2002 (Interim)
*[[Carol Garrison|Dr. Carol Z. Garrison]], 2002-Present


== General Accolades ==
==Campus==
[[Image:Ullman-hall.jpg|thumb|130px|left|Ullman Building at the University of Alabama at Birmingham]]UAB is located on approximately 83 blocks in the [[Southside]] community of Birmingham.  There are two unofficial, however distinct areas of campus, the medical center district and west campus.  The medical center which is located on the east and north sides of campus closest to downtown contains buildings mostly dedicated to healthcare, research, and support of those enterprises. Also located in the medical center district are non-UAB hospitals, such as the VA Medical Center Birmingham, Children's Hospital of Alabama, and Cooper Green Mercy Hospital.  The west campus area covers the western area of campus near [[Interstate 65]] and the Glen Iris and Southside neighborhoods.  It is mostly dedicated to the non-health related schools, student housing, and athletic facilities. The west side of campus is sometimes referred to the undergraduate side of campus, as most of UAB's postgraduate student population resides in health-related fields.


* The average ACT score of entering freshman at UAB was 23.7 in 2006.
Since 1969, UAB has undergone extensive growth and is sometimes jokingly referred to as "The University that Ate Birmingham" and construction projects are common across campus. Current projects that are in planning, recently completed, or under construction include:
*Shelby Biomedical Research Building
*Southern Bio-Safety Lab Alabama Birmingham
*Heritage Hall
*Alumni Affairs House
*Campus Green Project
*Women's and Infants Center
*Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Facility
[[Image:UAB denman hall.jpg|thumb|300px|upright|Denman Hall [[Dormitory]] at the University of Alabama at Birmingham]]
=== Campus Green ===
UAB is in the process of constructing a new park called the Campus Green. The park will be divided into the North and South Greens.  The Greens will be bordered by Blazer Hall, the Commons on the Green (the campus dining faculty), the Campus Recreation Center, and the new 95,000 square foot Academic Building, which is named Heritage Hall.  Blazer Hall opened in Fall 2006 and is a new 700-bed freshman dorm located next to the Commons on the Green.  Other aspects of the Campus Green that would make it distinctly representative of UAB are being discussed.


* Seven faculty members are members of the National Academy of the United States National Academies.
===Housing===
UAB has five dormitories on campus:
*Blazer Hall (Freshmen only)
*Blount Hall (Sophomores and higher)
*Camp Hall (Freshmen and higher)
*Denman Hall (Juniors and higher and married couples)
*Rast Hall (Sophomores and higher)


* Eleven faculty Federal Research Awards of $20-million or more in 2004.
==Academic profile ==
 
===Schools===
* The schools of Nursing and Medicine at UAB are among the nation’s best, according to the 2005-2006 ''U.S. News and World Report'' ranking of graduate schools. The School of Nursing is ranked 19th. The School of Medicine is ranked 23rd, two spots higher than the previous year's ranking. Five medical specialties at UAB are ranked in the top 20 nationally by the magazine: AIDS, 4th (up one ranking); women’s health, 8th; internal medicine 18th (up one ranking); geriatrics, 19th; and pediatrics, 19th. The school’s primary care program was ranked 34th, up four spots.
UAB offers nearly 140 degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in 12 schools and the UAB Graduate School.  
 
*[http://art.hum.uab.edu/ School of Arts and Humanities]
* The School of Health Professions #1 in the nation in research funding from the National Institutes of Health and holds the record for 26 consecutive years in either first or second place.  
*[http://www.business.uab.edu School of Business]
 
*[http://www.dental.uab.edu School of Dentistry]
* The highest ranked academic program at UAB is the Master of Science in Health Administration program. It has been ranked in the top 10 programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report since the early 1990s. The master’s program in physical therapy is also in the School of Health Professions and is ranked 25th.
*[http://www.ed.uab.edu School of Education]
 
*[http://www.eng.uab.edu School of Engineering]
* The School of Engineering’s biomedical engineering program is ranked 40th. Doctoral programs in the biological sciences are in the top 50.
*[http://main.uab.edu/Shrp/Default.aspx?pid=74038 School of Health Professions]
*[[University of Alabama School of Medicine|School of Medicine]]
*[http://main.uab.edu/nsm/show.asp?durki=20349 School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics]
*[http://www.uab.edu/son School of Nursing]
*[http://www.uab.edu/optometry School of Optometry]
*[http://www.soph.uab.edu School of Public Health]
*[http://www.sbs.uab.edu School of Social and Behavioral Sciences]
*[http://main.uab.edu/Sites/undergraduate-programs/general-studies/ Division of General Studies]
*[http://www.uab.edu/graduate Graduate School]


===Academic Rankings and Accolades===
[[Image:Akofa Bonsi.jpg|thumb|130px|Akofa Bonsi, 2004 Truman Scholar; Image courtesy of UAB.]]
*UAB students continue to garner prestigious national and international scholarships, fellowships, and other awards. Just since 2000, UAB has produced 7 Fulbright Scholars, 6 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, 5 Goldwater Scholars, 3 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Fellows, 2 Truman Scholars, 1 Marshall Scholar, 1 Rhodes Scholar
*In 2007, the Princeton Review listed UAB as one of the "Best College Values" and also as a "Best Southeastern College". UAB is designated as one of the best overall bargains—based on cost and financial aid—among the most academically outstanding colleges in the nation.
* The average ACT score of entering freshman at UAB was 23.7 in 2006. In 2007, the freshman class had an ACT average of 24, meeting the University's Strategic Plan 2010 goal 3 years early
* Seven faculty members are members of the National Academy of the United States National Academies.
* The UAB Model Arab League team is among the best government model teams in the nation with over five years of expansion and award winning achievement including multiple "outstanding delegation" awards.
* The UAB Model Arab League team is among the best government model teams in the nation with over five years of expansion and award winning achievement including multiple "outstanding delegation" awards.
* The UAB Mock Trial team is consistently among the nation's best as a perennial Top 25 program.  The program has enjoyed so much success that, in 2006, it won the national title in the Silver Division defeating the defending national champions of Harvard University.  
* The UAB Mock Trial team is consistently among the nation's best as a perennial Top 25 program.  The program has enjoyed so much success that, in 2006, it won the national title in the Silver Division defeating the defending national champions of Harvard University.  
 
* The schools of Nursing and Medicine at UAB are among the nation’s best, according to the [[2005]]-[[2006]] ''U.S. News & World Report'' ranking of graduate schools. The School of Nursing is ranked 19th. The School of Medicine is ranked 23rd.  Five medical specialties at UAB are ranked in the top 20 nationally by the magazine: AIDS, 4th; women’s health, 8th; internal medicine 18th; geriatrics, 19th; and pediatrics, 19th. The school’s primary care program was ranked 34th. The Master of Science in Health Administration program has been ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News since the early 1990s. The Master's in Physical Therapy program is ranked 25th.
* UAB also has its own police department of state certified peace officers. The department has reached CALEA standards and has a Special Operations unit (bicycle patrol, mounted patrol, etc.) as well as over 75 sworn officers and detectives.
* The School of Health Professions #1 in the nation in research funding from the National Institutes of Health and holds the record for 26 consecutive years in either first or second place.
 
* The UAB School of Business was ranked 7th in metropolitan state business schools by US News and World Report in 2004 and is accredited by AACSB International.
* UAB is the home of the only Level 1 Trauma Center in the State of Alabama, as rated by the American College of Surgeons Trauma Program.
* UAB graduates first-time pass rates on the CPA exam that are 30% higher than the national average.   
 
=== Accolades of the UAB School of Business ===
 
* The UAB School of Business is 7th in rankings of metro, state business schools by US News and World Report, 2004
 
* Accreditation by AACSB International was achieved in 1973 in a record time of just two years, never accomplished before or since by any business school in the world. 
 
* The accounting program at UAB was among the first 17 in the nation to receive separate accreditation by the AACSB in 1982.
 
* UAB graduates achieve first-time pass rates on the CPA exam that are 30% higher than the national average.   
 
* During the past six years, a UAB graduate has achieved the highest score in Alabama on the CPA Exam 5 times. (Comparatively, no other university/college in the state has had more than 2 graduates achieve the highest score in the last six years.)  
* During the past six years, a UAB graduate has achieved the highest score in Alabama on the CPA Exam 5 times. (Comparatively, no other university/college in the state has had more than 2 graduates achieve the highest score in the last six years.)  
* UAB School of Business finance graduates pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam at a rate 20% higher than the national average.   
* UAB School of Business finance graduates pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam at a rate 20% higher than the national average.   
* The Industrial Distribution Program is the only fully integrated business-engineering ID program in the U.S.
* A UAB engineering student has been named by the ASPE (Alabama Society of Professional Engineers) as Alabama’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year from 2001-2007 and 9 of the past 12 years (more often than any other university in the state).
* The School of Engineering’s biomedical engineering program is ranked 40th in the nation. Doctoral programs in the biological sciences are in the top 50.


* The Industrial Distribution Program is the only fully integrated business-engineering ID program in the U.S. and one of only two programs residing in accredited schools of business and engineering within a 17-state area from Virginia to New Mexico.
==Healthcare==
[[Image:UABHospital.jpg|thumb|175px|North Pavillion at UAB Hospital]]
UAB also includes the UAB Health System which is a partnership between the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees.  UAHSF is a private, not-for-profit medical practice made up of the faculty of the UAB School of Medicine. The UAB Health System is managed by a board that is made up of members from the UAHSF, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, and members of the UAB administration. The CEO of the UAB Health System reports to the President of UAB, who acts as the Chairman of the UAB Health System. Organizational units of the UAB Health System include:
*[[UAB Hospital]]
*UAB Highlands Hospital (formerly HealthSouth Medical Center)
*UAB Health Centers (10 primary care centers located throughout Alabama)
*Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital
*The Kirklin Clinic
*Triton/Viva Health (HMO)
Managed by the UAB Health System through management agreements are UAB Medical West in Bessemer, and Baptist Health of Montgomery. UAB also has affiliations with the Birmingham VA Medical Center, [[Children's Hospital of Alabama]], and Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama.


==Athletics==
==Athletics==
[[Image:UAB blaze.jpg|thumb|UAB's Dragon Logo]]
{{main|UAB Blazers}}
 
The [[UAB Blazers]] are the forest green and old gold-swathed athletic teams at UAB. The school is one of the twelve member institutions of [[Conference USA]] and participates in Division I-A of the NCAA. The UAB football team is led by [[Neil Callaway]] and plays its home games at 71,594-seat [[Legion Field]]. The school's men's basketball team, coached by [[Mike Davis]], plays in 8,508-seat [[Bartow Arena]].
The [[UAB Blazers]] are the forest green and old gold-swathed athletic teams at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, generally known as UAB. The school is one of the twelve member institutions of [[Conference USA]] and participates in Division I-A of the NCAA. The UAB football team is led by [[Neil Callaway]] and plays its home games at 71,594-seat [[Legion Field]]. The school's men's basketball team, coached by [[Mike Davis]], plays in 8,500-seat [[Bartow Arena]].


While the football team entered post-season play only recently, the men's basketball program has a long history of success spanning several decades.  
While the football team entered post-season play only recently, the men's basketball program has a long history of success spanning several decades.  


The basketball program's first coach was [[Gene Bartow]], who was John Wooden's successor at UCLA.  Bartow left UCLA after several exceptional seasons (52-9 over three seasons, including a birth in the Final Four in 1976) to head up the founding of the first UAB men's basketball team.  He served as the school's first head basketball coach and athletic director for 18 years. Bartow led UAB to the NIT in the program's second year of existence, and followed that with seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the Sweet 16 in 1981 and the Elite Eight in 1982. Bartow retired from coaching in 1996, and in 1997, UAB renamed its basketball venue, Bartow Arena, in his honor.  Bartow continues to support the university as an influential booster and currently lives in Memphis where he serves on the staff of the Memphis Grizzlies as a Special Advisor.  In 28 years UAB has made 13 NCAA appearances, 3 Sweet Sixteen appearances, 1 Elite Eight appearance, has had 25 winning seasons, of which 17 of those were 20+ wins seasons.   
The basketball program's first coach was [[Gene Bartow]], who was John Wooden's successor at UCLA.  Bartow left UCLA after several exceptional seasons (52-9 over three seasons, including a berth in the Final Four in 1976) to head up the founding of the first UAB men's basketball team.  He served as the school's first head basketball coach and athletic director for 18 years. Bartow led UAB to the NIT in the program's second year of existence, and followed that with seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the Sweet 16 in 1981 and the Elite Eight in 1982. Bartow retired from coaching in 1996, and in 1997, UAB renamed its basketball venue, Bartow Arena, in his honor.  Bartow continues to support the university as an influential booster and currently lives in Memphis where he serves on the staff of the Memphis Grizzlies as a Special Advisor.  In 28 years UAB has made 13 NCAA appearances, 3 Sweet Sixteen appearances, 1 Elite Eight appearance, has had 25 winning seasons, of which 17 of those were 20+ wins seasons.   
 
In addition to football and basketball, UAB also has programs in men's sports for baseball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women's sports programs include softball, basketball, golf, soccer, synchronized swimming, tennis, track and field, rifle and volleyball.
 
'''Blazer Victory'''
 
All hail alma mater<br />
We sing this song for thee<br />
Raise up the banner for Blazer victory.<br />
(Fight! Fight! Fight!)<br />


All hail alma mater<br />
In addition to football and basketball, UAB also has programs in men's sports for baseball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women's sports programs include softball, basketball, golf, soccer, synchronized swimming, tennis]], track and field(indoor and outdoor), cross country, rifle and volleyball.
We pledge to always be<br />
Ever faithful, ever loyal<br />
To dear old UAB!<br />
 
'''UAB Fight Song'''
 
At UAB in Birmingham<br />
All hail our players bold<br />
They are the mighty Blazers<br />
Who wear the green and gold.<br />
 
Tonight let's fire their golden blaze<br />
The flame of victory<br />
Go Blazers! Go Blazers!<br />
Win for UAB!<br />


==Student Life==
==Student Life==
=== Campus Green ===
UAB is in the process of constructing a new park called the Campus Green.  The park will be divided into the North and South Greens.  The Greens will be bordered by Blazer Hall, the Commons on the Green (the campus dining faculty), the Campus Recreation Center, and the new 95,000 square foot Academic Building.  Blazer Hall opened in Fall 2006 and is a new 700-bed freshman dorm located next to the Commons on the Green.  Other aspects of the Campus Green that would make it distinctly representative of UAB are being discussed.
===Housing===
UAB has five dormitories on campus:<br />
Blazer Hall (Freshmen only)<br />
Blount Hall (Sophomores and Higher)<br />
Camp Hall (Freshmen and Higher)<br />
Denman Hall (Juniors and Higher)<br />
Rast Hall (Sophomores and Higher)


===Greek Life===
===Greek Life===
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* Zeta Phi Beta 1990
* Zeta Phi Beta 1990
* Sigma Gamma Rho 1996
* Sigma Gamma Rho 1996
* Pi Kappa Phi ΠΚΦ


Fraternities
Fraternities
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* Omega Psi Phi
* Omega Psi Phi
* Phi Beta Sigma
* Phi Beta Sigma


Inter-Fraternity Council
Inter-Fraternity Council


* Pi Kappa Phi ΠΚΦ
* Lambda Chi Alpha ΛΧΑ
* Lambda Chi Alpha ΛΧΑ
* Delta Sigma Phi ΔΣΦ
* Theta Chi ΘΧ (closed)
* Theta Chi ΘΧ (closed)
* Alpha Tau Omega 1980 ATΩ (closed)
* Alpha Tau Omega 1980 ATΩ (closed)
* Kappa Sigma ΚΣ (closed)
* Kappa Sigma ΚΣ (closed)
* Tau Kappa Epsilon
* Tau Kappa Epsilon TKE
 
* Pi Kappa Alpha ΠΚΑ (closed)
== Related links ==
* Delta Sigma Phi ΔΣΦ
* [[UAB Hospital]]
* [[UAB Blazers]]
* [[Alys Stephens Center]]


==Notable Alumni==
==Notable Alumni==
* [[Murry Bartow]], basketball coach
===Athletics===
* [[Phillip Bell]], baseball player
* [[Vonetta Flowers]], Olympic Gold-medalist
* [[David Brasfield]], entrepreneur
* [[Stephen Brossette]], founder of MedMined
* [[Jon Coffelt]], artist, painter, multimedia
* [[Clayton Colvin]], artist, painter, art educator
* [[Thomas Crooks III]], President, American Optometric Association
* [[Lawrence J. DeLucas|Larry DeLucas]], astronaut and research scientist
* [[Julie Hanna Farris]], entrepreneur and founder of many companies such as Scalix
* [[Vonetta Flowers]], Olympic gold-medalist
* [[Darrell Hackney]], NFL player with the Denver Broncos
* [[Darrell Hackney]], NFL player with the Denver Broncos
* [[Deanna Jackson]], WNBA player with the Chicago Sky
* [[Deanna Jackson]], WNBA player with the Chicago Sky
* [[Andy Kennedy]], University of Mississippi men's basketball coach
* [[Andy Kennedy]], University of Mississippi men's basketball coach
* [[Walter Maddox]], Mayor of Tuscaloosa
* [[Linda Mays]], news anchor at [[ABC 33/40]]
* [[Graeme McDowell]], professional golfer
* [[Graeme McDowell]], professional golfer
* [[Oliver Robinson]], state legislator and former NBA player with the San Antonio Spurs
* [[Oliver Robinson]], State legislator and former NBA player with the San Antonio Spurs
* [[Janice Rogers]], [[Good Day Alabama]] Host at [[Fox 6]]
* [[David Sandlin]], artist, book artist
* [[Richard Scrushy]], founder and former CEO of [[HealthSouth Corporation]]
* [[Melissa Springer]], photojournalist
* [[Donell Taylor]], NBA player with the Washington Wizards
* [[Donell Taylor]], NBA player with the Washington Wizards
* [[Bryan Thomas]], NFL player with the New York Jets
* [[Bryan Thomas]], NFL player with the New York Jets
* [[Roddy White]], NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons
* [[Roddy White]], NFL player with the Atlanta Falcons
* [[Derek Rios]], Canadian Soccer Player
===Business and Political Figures===
* [[Stephen Brossette]], Founder of MedMined
* [[Richard Scrushy]], founder and former CEO of [[HealthSouth]]
* [[Larry Langford]], Mayor of [[Birmingham]]
* [[Walter Maddox]], Mayor of [[Tuscaloosa]]
* [[Oliver Robinson]], State legislator and former NBA player with the San Antonio Spurs
* [[Beth Chapman (politician)|Beth Chapman]], Alabama Secretary of State and former State Auditor
===Science, Media and the Arts===
* [[Jon Coffelt]], New York Artist, Painter, Multimedia
* [[Clayton Colvin]], Artist, Painter, Art Educator
* [[David Sandlin]], Artist, book artist, New York City
* [[Linda Mays]], News Anchor at [[WBMA]] ABC 33/40
* [[Janice Rogers]], Good Day Alabama Host at [[WBRC]] Fox 6
* [[Melissa Springer]], Photojournalist
* [[Thomas Crooks III]], President, American Optometric Association
* [[Larry DeLucas]], Astronaut and research scientist


== References ==
==Notable Faculty==
* http://thecenter.ufl.edu/
<!--List alphabetically by last name. Summary should briefly describe why they are most notable; not be a complete bio. If a person doesn't have a wikipedia article (or the potential for more than a stub article), they probably aren't notable enough for this list.-->
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama_at_Birmingham
* [[Larry DeLucas]], astronaut and research scientist
* [[Edith Frohock]] Master book maker and educator
* [[Gary J. Grimes]], inventor of the first virtual reality glove in 1979
* [[Robert Hyatt]], co-author of Cray Blitz, a two-time winner of the World Computer Chess Championships
* [[Tinsley Randolph Harrison]], physician and editor of the first 5 editions of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.
* [[Henry Panion]], University Professor of Music, music director for Stevie Wonder]], Grammy Award winning arranger and producer.
* [[Ray Reach]], former director of the [UAB Jazz Ensemble], arranger, composer, jazz pianist and vocalist, now Director of Student Jazz Programs at the [[Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame]].


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.uab.edu/ UAB Main Page]
* [http://www.uab.edu/ UAB Main Page]
* [http://www.health.uab.edu/ UAB Health System]
* [http://www.health.uab.edu/ UAB Health System]
* [http://studentaffairs.sass.uab.edu/kscope/ ''The Kaleidoscope Online'': The UAB Student Newspaper]
* [http://www.uab.edu/reporter ''UAB Reporter'': A Newspaper published for the UAB community]
* [http://students.uab.edu/ UAB Student Affairs]
* [http://uabsports.cstv.com/ UABsports.com: The Official Athletic Site of the UAB Blazers]
* [http://uabsports.cstv.com/ UABsports.com: The Official Athletic Site of the UAB Blazers]
* [http://www.blazertalk.com/  BlazerTalk.com: The Largest UAB Fan Community, an NCAAbbs forum]
* [http://www.blazertalk.com/  BlazerTalk.com: The Largest UAB Fan Community, an NCAAbbs forum]
* [http://uabsports.collegesports.com/genrel/011404aaa.html 25 Greatest Moments in UAB Athletics History]
==References==
[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Alabama_at_Birmingham UAB - from Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia] (accessed 28 March 2008


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[[Category:University of Alabama System]]
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[[Category:UAB|*]]

Revision as of 10:44, 28 March 2008

UAB seal.gif

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (also known as UAB) is a public, coeducational university located in Birmingham, Alabama. UAB is one of three autonomous institutions of the University of Alabama System, which also includes the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa (UA) and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). UAB, along with the University of Alabama and Auburn University, constitute the state's three major universities. UAB currently has an enrollment of approximately 16,200 students. The school's president is Dr. Carol Z. Garrison.

UAB offers programs of study leading to bachelor's, master's, doctoral and professional degrees in various fields, including social and behavioral sciences, liberal arts, business, education, engineering, health-related fields (such as medicine, dentistry, optometry and nursing) and public health. The school is highly renowned for its medical research and natural sciences programs. UAB received over $390 million in federal grants during the past fiscal year for research purposes. This places the school as one of the larger research institutions in the Southeast. In fact, UAB is currently 3rd in the Southeast for NIH research funding behind only Duke University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. UAB Hospital also sponsors residency programs in various medical specialties, including internal medicine, surgery, radiology, and anesthesiology. UAB Hospital is the only Level I trauma center in Alabama, as rated by the American College of Surgeons Trauma Program.

History

UAB began in 1936 as the Birmingham Extension Center of the University of Alabama. Because of the rapid growth of the Birmingham area, it was decided that an extension program for students who had difficulties which prevented them from studying in Tuscaloosa was needed. In 1945, the University of Alabama School of Medicine moved from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham, and took over management of Jefferson and Hillman Hospitals in Birmingham (now known as UAB Hospital). In 1966, the Extension Center and the School of Medicine were merged as the University of Alabama in Birmingham. When the University of Alabama System was formed in 1969, UAB became one of the three autonomous campuses of the new organization. The "in" in the school's name was replaced with an "at" in 1984.

Since 1969, UAB has awarded over 105,000 degrees. UAB alumni live and work in all 50 states and more than 65 countries. Although once known as a "commuter school", UAB reported that 60 percent of 2007 freshmen are living in UAB campus housing, up from 52.8 percent in 2006.

File:Uab hill university center.jpg
Samuel Richardson Hill, Jr. University Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB is a member of the University of Alabama System and is governed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama. The Chancellor of the University of Alabama System appoints, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, the President of UAB. The President reports directly to the Chancellor, and is responsible for hiring and promotion of faculty and staff on the UAB campus.

List of Presidents

  • Dr. Joseph F. Volker, 1969-1976
  • Dr. S. Richardson Hill Jr., 1977-1987
  • Dr. Charles A. McCallum, 1987-1993
  • Dr. J. Claude Bennett, 1993-1996
  • Mr. Paul Hardin, 1997 (Interim)
  • Dr. W. Ann Reynolds, 1997-2002
  • Dr. Malcom Portera, 2002 (Interim)
  • Dr. Carol Z. Garrison, 2002-Present

Campus

File:Ullman-hall.jpg
Ullman Building at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

UAB is located on approximately 83 blocks in the Southside community of Birmingham. There are two unofficial, however distinct areas of campus, the medical center district and west campus. The medical center which is located on the east and north sides of campus closest to downtown contains buildings mostly dedicated to healthcare, research, and support of those enterprises. Also located in the medical center district are non-UAB hospitals, such as the VA Medical Center Birmingham, Children's Hospital of Alabama, and Cooper Green Mercy Hospital. The west campus area covers the western area of campus near Interstate 65 and the Glen Iris and Southside neighborhoods. It is mostly dedicated to the non-health related schools, student housing, and athletic facilities. The west side of campus is sometimes referred to the undergraduate side of campus, as most of UAB's postgraduate student population resides in health-related fields.

Since 1969, UAB has undergone extensive growth and is sometimes jokingly referred to as "The University that Ate Birmingham" and construction projects are common across campus. Current projects that are in planning, recently completed, or under construction include:

  • Shelby Biomedical Research Building
  • Southern Bio-Safety Lab Alabama Birmingham
  • Heritage Hall
  • Alumni Affairs House
  • Campus Green Project
  • Women's and Infants Center
  • Hazelrig-Salter Radiation Oncology Facility
File:UAB denman hall.jpg
Denman Hall Dormitory at the University of Alabama at Birmingham

Campus Green

UAB is in the process of constructing a new park called the Campus Green. The park will be divided into the North and South Greens. The Greens will be bordered by Blazer Hall, the Commons on the Green (the campus dining faculty), the Campus Recreation Center, and the new 95,000 square foot Academic Building, which is named Heritage Hall. Blazer Hall opened in Fall 2006 and is a new 700-bed freshman dorm located next to the Commons on the Green. Other aspects of the Campus Green that would make it distinctly representative of UAB are being discussed.

Housing

UAB has five dormitories on campus:

  • Blazer Hall (Freshmen only)
  • Blount Hall (Sophomores and higher)
  • Camp Hall (Freshmen and higher)
  • Denman Hall (Juniors and higher and married couples)
  • Rast Hall (Sophomores and higher)

Academic profile

Schools

UAB offers nearly 140 degrees at both the undergraduate and graduate levels in 12 schools and the UAB Graduate School.

Academic Rankings and Accolades

File:Akofa Bonsi.jpg
Akofa Bonsi, 2004 Truman Scholar; Image courtesy of UAB.
  • UAB students continue to garner prestigious national and international scholarships, fellowships, and other awards. Just since 2000, UAB has produced 7 Fulbright Scholars, 6 Phi Kappa Phi Fellows, 5 Goldwater Scholars, 3 National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Fellows, 2 Truman Scholars, 1 Marshall Scholar, 1 Rhodes Scholar
  • In 2007, the Princeton Review listed UAB as one of the "Best College Values" and also as a "Best Southeastern College". UAB is designated as one of the best overall bargains—based on cost and financial aid—among the most academically outstanding colleges in the nation.
  • The average ACT score of entering freshman at UAB was 23.7 in 2006. In 2007, the freshman class had an ACT average of 24, meeting the University's Strategic Plan 2010 goal 3 years early
  • Seven faculty members are members of the National Academy of the United States National Academies.
  • The UAB Model Arab League team is among the best government model teams in the nation with over five years of expansion and award winning achievement including multiple "outstanding delegation" awards.
  • The UAB Mock Trial team is consistently among the nation's best as a perennial Top 25 program. The program has enjoyed so much success that, in 2006, it won the national title in the Silver Division defeating the defending national champions of Harvard University.
  • The schools of Nursing and Medicine at UAB are among the nation’s best, according to the 2005-2006 U.S. News & World Report ranking of graduate schools. The School of Nursing is ranked 19th. The School of Medicine is ranked 23rd. Five medical specialties at UAB are ranked in the top 20 nationally by the magazine: AIDS, 4th; women’s health, 8th; internal medicine 18th; geriatrics, 19th; and pediatrics, 19th. The school’s primary care program was ranked 34th. The Master of Science in Health Administration program has been ranked in the top 10 by U.S. News since the early 1990s. The Master's in Physical Therapy program is ranked 25th.
  • The School of Health Professions #1 in the nation in research funding from the National Institutes of Health and holds the record for 26 consecutive years in either first or second place.
  • The UAB School of Business was ranked 7th in metropolitan state business schools by US News and World Report in 2004 and is accredited by AACSB International.
  • UAB graduates first-time pass rates on the CPA exam that are 30% higher than the national average.
  • During the past six years, a UAB graduate has achieved the highest score in Alabama on the CPA Exam 5 times. (Comparatively, no other university/college in the state has had more than 2 graduates achieve the highest score in the last six years.)
  • UAB School of Business finance graduates pass the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) exam at a rate 20% higher than the national average.
  • The Industrial Distribution Program is the only fully integrated business-engineering ID program in the U.S.
  • A UAB engineering student has been named by the ASPE (Alabama Society of Professional Engineers) as Alabama’s Outstanding Undergraduate Student of the Year from 2001-2007 and 9 of the past 12 years (more often than any other university in the state).
  • The School of Engineering’s biomedical engineering program is ranked 40th in the nation. Doctoral programs in the biological sciences are in the top 50.

Healthcare

File:UABHospital.jpg
North Pavillion at UAB Hospital

UAB also includes the UAB Health System which is a partnership between the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation and the University of Alabama Board of Trustees. UAHSF is a private, not-for-profit medical practice made up of the faculty of the UAB School of Medicine. The UAB Health System is managed by a board that is made up of members from the UAHSF, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees, and members of the UAB administration. The CEO of the UAB Health System reports to the President of UAB, who acts as the Chairman of the UAB Health System. Organizational units of the UAB Health System include:

  • UAB Hospital
  • UAB Highlands Hospital (formerly HealthSouth Medical Center)
  • UAB Health Centers (10 primary care centers located throughout Alabama)
  • Callahan Eye Foundation Hospital
  • The Kirklin Clinic
  • Triton/Viva Health (HMO)

Managed by the UAB Health System through management agreements are UAB Medical West in Bessemer, and Baptist Health of Montgomery. UAB also has affiliations with the Birmingham VA Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Alabama, and Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama.

Athletics

Main article: UAB Blazers

The UAB Blazers are the forest green and old gold-swathed athletic teams at UAB. The school is one of the twelve member institutions of Conference USA and participates in Division I-A of the NCAA. The UAB football team is led by Neil Callaway and plays its home games at 71,594-seat Legion Field. The school's men's basketball team, coached by Mike Davis, plays in 8,508-seat Bartow Arena.

While the football team entered post-season play only recently, the men's basketball program has a long history of success spanning several decades.

The basketball program's first coach was Gene Bartow, who was John Wooden's successor at UCLA. Bartow left UCLA after several exceptional seasons (52-9 over three seasons, including a berth in the Final Four in 1976) to head up the founding of the first UAB men's basketball team. He served as the school's first head basketball coach and athletic director for 18 years. Bartow led UAB to the NIT in the program's second year of existence, and followed that with seven straight NCAA Tournament appearances, including trips to the Sweet 16 in 1981 and the Elite Eight in 1982. Bartow retired from coaching in 1996, and in 1997, UAB renamed its basketball venue, Bartow Arena, in his honor. Bartow continues to support the university as an influential booster and currently lives in Memphis where he serves on the staff of the Memphis Grizzlies as a Special Advisor. In 28 years UAB has made 13 NCAA appearances, 3 Sweet Sixteen appearances, 1 Elite Eight appearance, has had 25 winning seasons, of which 17 of those were 20+ wins seasons.

In addition to football and basketball, UAB also has programs in men's sports for baseball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Women's sports programs include softball, basketball, golf, soccer, synchronized swimming, tennis]], track and field(indoor and outdoor), cross country, rifle and volleyball.

Student Life

Greek Life

Sororities

  • Alpha Sigma Tau 1970 (closed)
  • Alpha Gamma Delta 1978
  • Sigma Kappa 1980 (closed since 1984)
  • Alpha Omicron Pi 1987
  • Delta Gamma 1991
  • Alpha Xi Delta 1997
  • Alpha Kappa Alpha 1975
  • Delta Sigma Theta 1972
  • Zeta Phi Beta 1990
  • Sigma Gamma Rho 1996
  • Pi Kappa Phi ΠΚΦ

Fraternities

  • Alpha Phi Alpha 1974
  • Omega Psi Phi
  • Phi Beta Sigma

Inter-Fraternity Council

  • Lambda Chi Alpha ΛΧΑ
  • Theta Chi ΘΧ (closed)
  • Alpha Tau Omega 1980 ATΩ (closed)
  • Kappa Sigma ΚΣ (closed)
  • Tau Kappa Epsilon TKE
  • Pi Kappa Alpha ΠΚΑ (closed)
  • Delta Sigma Phi ΔΣΦ

Notable Alumni

Athletics

Business and Political Figures

Science, Media and the Arts

Notable Faculty

  • Larry DeLucas, astronaut and research scientist
  • Edith Frohock Master book maker and educator
  • Gary J. Grimes, inventor of the first virtual reality glove in 1979
  • Robert Hyatt, co-author of Cray Blitz, a two-time winner of the World Computer Chess Championships
  • Tinsley Randolph Harrison, physician and editor of the first 5 editions of Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine.
  • Henry Panion, University Professor of Music, music director for Stevie Wonder]], Grammy Award winning arranger and producer.
  • Ray Reach, former director of the [UAB Jazz Ensemble], arranger, composer, jazz pianist and vocalist, now Director of Student Jazz Programs at the Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame.

External links


References

UAB - from Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia (accessed 28 March 2008

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