University of Alabama at Birmingham

"UAB" redirects here. For this school's athletic program, see UAB Blazers. For Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, see Autonomous University of Barcelona. For other uses, see UAB (disambiguation).

The University of Alabama at Birmingham
Former name
Medical College of Alabama (1859–1966)
Birmingham Extension Center (1936–1966)
College of General Studies (1966)
The University of Alabama in Birmingham (1966–1969)
TypePublic research university
EstablishedJune 16, 1969; 54 years ago (June 16, 1969)
Parent institution
University of Alabama System
AccreditationSACS
Academic affiliation
Endowment$1 billion[1]
Budget$4.34 billion (2021)[2]
PresidentRay L. Watts
ProvostPam Benoit
Academic staff
3,096[3]
Total staff
24,259[4]
Students22,563[5]
Undergraduates13,836
Postgraduates8,087
Location
Birmingham
,
Alabama
,
United States

33°30′07″N 86°48′28″W / 33.5020°N 86.8079°W / 33.5020; -86.8079
CampusMidsize city, 437 acres (1.77 km2)
NewspaperThe Kaleidoscope
ColorsGreen and white[6]
   
NicknameBlazers
Sporting affiliations
MascotBlaze the Dragon
Websitewww.uab.edu

The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is a public research university in Birmingham, Alabama. Founded in 1969 and part of the University of Alabama System, UAB has grown to be the state's largest employer, with more than 24,200 faculty and staff and over 53,000 jobs at the university. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".[7]

UAB offers 140 programs of study in 12 academic divisions leading to bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and professional degrees.[8] In the fall of 2020, UAB enrolled 22,563 students from more than 110 countries.[9] The UAB Health System, one of the largest academic medical centers in the United States, is affiliated with UAB.

The UAB athletic teams known as the Blazers compete in 18 varsity-level sports in the NCAA Division 1 - American Athletic Conference. [10]Its official varsity colors are green and gold.[11] The Blazers have won 11 conference championships to date.

History[edit]

In 1936, in response to the rapid growth of the Birmingham metropolitan area and the need for the population to have access to a university education, the University of Alabama established the Birmingham Extension Center.[12] The center operated in an old house in downtown Birmingham at 2131 6th Avenue North and enrolled 116 students. In 1945, UA's newly established four-year School of Medicine moved from Tuscaloosa to Birmingham and took over management of Jefferson and Hillman hospitals. In 1957 enrollment at the extension center stood at 1,856. By 1959, research grants, training grants, and fellowships exceeded $1 million, and ground was broken for a new Children's Hospital.

By the 1960s, it grew apparent that the extension center was becoming a university in its own right. An engineering building was built close to the medical center in 1962. In September 1966, the Extension Center was renamed the College of General Studies and elevated to a full four-year program. That November, the College of General Studies and the School of Medicine were merged into the University of Alabama in Birmingham, with Dr. Joseph Volker as "Vice President for Birmingham Affairs"–reflecting that it was still treated as an offsite department of the main campus in Tuscaloosa. An Advisory Board for UAB was created in 1967. In 1969, the legislature created the University of Alabama System. UAB became one of three four-year institutions within the new system, which also included UA and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in Huntsville. Volker became UAB's first president.[12]

Campus[edit]

UAB campus and downtown Birmingham

UAB is located in the Southside neighborhood of downtown Birmingham, Alabama occupying more than 100 city blocks.[13]

Students relaxing on Campus Green

There is a blend of public and private property inside the university limits. I-65, 10th, 11th, and 12th Avenues South, 22nd Street South, and 2nd Avenue South are the boundaries of UAB campus. The campus has more than 216 academic, residential, and recreational facilities spread across around 636 acres, or roughly 16 million square feet of building area. [14] [15]

The UAB strategic plan's pillars are supported by the campus master plan, which places an emphasis on innovative facilities and improved growth management. Honors Hall, the Collat School of Business, the School of Nursing, University Hall, Gold Hall, McMahon Hall, McCallum Basic Health Science Building, Early Learning Center, and the Technology Innovation Center are amongst the recently completed building construction projects on the university. The Science and Engineering Complex's second phase project, the Altec/Styslinger Genomic Medicine & Data Sciences Building, the Marnix E. Heersink Institute for Biomedical Innovation Conference Center, Biomedical Research and Psychology Building, Unity Park, Department of Art and Art History, Cooper Green Mercy Health, University Emergency Department, Rehabilitation Pavilion, 14th Street Parking Deck, and the Southern Research Biotechnology Building are among the ongoing constructions in the university. Since 2013, about 1.1 million gross square feet of new facilities have been added to UAB's footprint through the completion or ongoing development of 17 major university construction projects. [16] [17][18]

UAB Campus Green[edit]

UAB’s Campus Green, also referred to as "the Green," is an open green area intended for usage by members of the university community and visitors. It was built in 2008 and considered to be the focal point of the campus. The Green is surrounded by green grasses and walkways, which include 10th Avenue South, University Boulevard, the Chemistry Building, University Dining Facility, Camp Hall, Blazer Hall, Heritage Hall, UAB College of Arts & Sciences and the Campus Recreation Center. The Green is a part of a centuries-old higher education tradition that offers a serene outdoor space for introspective thought and communal gathering. [19] [20]

UAB Arts[edit]

The Alys Stephens Center is home to the performing arts of Birmingham, Alabama and is the venue for events by the Alabama Symphony Orchestra, UAB's theater and music departments and other globally recognized performers. The Alys Stephens Center is the hub of UAB's Cultural Arts Corridor, which houses the cutting-edge Abroms-Engel Institute for Visual Arts, and it also brings the arts into the community through its ArtPlay and Arts in Medicine programs. [21]

Organization and administration[edit]

UAB is governed by the Board of Trustees of the University of Alabama and headed by Chancellor of the University of Alabama. The board is self-nominating and composed of 15 elected members and two ex officio members. Board members are confirmed by the Alabama State Senate.[22]

The president of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and is appointed by the chancellor. The president also chairs the board of the UAB Health System.[23] Richard Marchase was named interim president on August 21, 2012, after the retirement of Carol Garrison.[24][25][26][27] In February 2013, Ray L. Watts became UAB's seventh president.[28]

College and schools[edit]

UAB is composed of one college, nine schools, an honors college and a graduate school. These academic divisions offer 57 bachelor's degree programs, 69 master's degree programs,3 specialist's, 42 doctoral programs, and 3 professional degrees..[29] [30]

College/schools & year founded

Endowment[edit]

UAB's endowment reached more than 1 billion dollars after a 2018 campaign goal. It includes more than 103,000 donors, which is the largest fundraising campaign effort in UAB history. [31]

Research Expenditures[edit]

UAB received more than $715 million in research grants and extramural awards for FY 2022.[32]

Academics[edit]

UAB is a large, four-year research university and is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".[33] UAB has been accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1970, according to the U.S. Department of Education.[34]UAB offers degrees in the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels from the schools in Business, Education, Engineering, Graduate School, Health Professions, Nursing, Public Health, and the College of Arts and Sciences. It also houses the Honors College and the three professional schools that offer professional degrees in Dentistry, Medicine, and Optometry. UAB has inaugurated some new programs in bioinformatics, cancer biology genetics and genomic sciences, digital forensic immunology and neuro-engineering that are the first of its kind in the US. [35]

UAB Medicine[edit]

With almost 2 million clinical visits and care provided every year, UAB is considered one of the largest academic medical centers that offers patient care to the state of Alabama and the surrounding areas. The institution is also training future medical professionals and advancing medical science through study and research in health-related professional schools of UAB; Dentistry, Health Professions, Nursing, Optometry, Public Health and the Heersink School of Medicine. A number of managed hospitals are part of the UAB Health System, including the UAB Hospital, the Valley Foundation, the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, the UAB Carolan Eye Hospital Authority, the Medical West Hospital Authority, the L.V. Stabler Hospital, J. Paul Jones Hospital, Brian Whitfield Memorial Hospital, Cooper Green Mercy Health Services Authority, and other local hospitals. Ascension St. Vincent's and UAB Health System have formed a collaborative partnership to expand access to healthcare through numerous locations and wellness initiatives. Diabetes, mental and behavioral health, and health disparities are addressed by this partnership. Additionally, it maintains close relationships with other public and private nonprofit organizations that are housed on and around the UAB campus, such as the Children's of Alabama and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. The UAB Health System, a distinct not-for-profit organization, oversees, coordinates, and manages the medical facilities connected to UAB.[36]

With 1,207 beds, the flagship UAB Hospital is the largest in Alabama and the eighth largest in the nation. It is home to the only Level 1 adult trauma center in the state and the only hospital in Alabama to consistently rank among U.S. News & World Report's "America's Best Hospitals."[37] The O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center is the only center in Alabama and the surrounding four states to get an NCI designation, and it leads the country in advancing cancer research, care, and education.[38]

Providing a peer-reviewed proof of concept for xenotransplantation and paving the way for a steady, sustainable supply of life-saving organs, UAB successfully tested the first human preclinical model for transplanting genetically modified pig kidneys into humans in January 2022.[39]

Academic rankings
National
Forbes[40]307
U.S. News & World Report[41]137
Washington Monthly[42]196
WSJ/College Pulse[43]256
Global
ARWU[44]301-400
THE[45]169
U.S. News & World Report[46]147

Rankings[edit]

In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report rankings, UAB was tied for the 137th best national university and was ranked tied for the 64th best public university.[47]

Student profile[edit]

In fall semester of 2018, the UAB student body consisted of 13,836 undergraduates, 6,933 graduate students and 1,154 professional doctoral students from all 67 Alabama counties, all 50 states and more than 110 foreign countries. [48] The undergraduate student body was 56% non-Hispanic white, 26% Black/African-American, 6% Asian, 5% two or more races, 3% Hispanic, and 3% International.[49]

Faculty and staff[edit]

UAB has more than 3,000 faculty.[50] Eight faculty members from UAB have been elected to the National Institute of Medicine.[51] The student-faculty ratio at UAB is 18:1.

Library[edit]

UAB has eight libraries.[52]

Student life[edit]

Student body composition as of May 2, 2022
Race and ethnicity[53] Total
White 55% 55
 
Black 24% 24
 
Asian 7% 7
 
Hispanic 6% 6
 
Other[a] 6% 6
 
Foreign national 2% 2
 
Economic diversity
Low-income[b] 34% 34
 
Affluent[c] 66% 66
 

There are over 300 student organizations on the UAB campus. About six percent of undergraduate men and eight percent of undergraduate women are active in UAB's Greek system.[54] UAB's students also run media outlets, including a weekly newspaper, a radio station, and a semi-annual magazine.[55] The school also has an intramural program.[56]

Student Housing & Residential Life[edit]

UAB offers off-campus housing, residential halls, campus dining and recreation, and more. Residence halls at UAB include:[57]

  • Blazer Hall
  • Blount Hall
  • Camp Hall
  • Gold Hall
  • Rast Hall
  • McMahon Hall
  • Denman Hall (demolished in 2023)[58]

Media[edit]

The Kaleidoscope is the official student-run newspaper of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) that published breaking news to quizzes on campus. It produced weekly printed newspaper but transitioned to digital and online news outlet starting in Fall 2020. The Kaleidoscope was first issued in 1967, two years before the university become autonomous from Tuscaloosa campus.[59]

Athletics[edit]

Main article: UAB Blazers
UAB Blazers Men's Basketball vs. Tulsa at Bartow Arena

UAB's athletic teams are known as the Blazers. The school athletic colors are forest green and old gold.[60] The school currently participates in NCAA Division I, as a member of the American Athletic Conference.[61] The men's basketball team, coached by Andy Kennedy, plays in Bartow Arena.

The school started its intercollegiate athletic program in 1978.[62] The program was inaugurated with men's basketball by Gene Bartow. Bartow served as the school's head basketball coach and athletic director for 18 years. Bartow led UAB to the NCAA Tournament seven times. Bartow retired from coaching in 1996. The following year, UAB renamed its basketball venue from UAB Arena to Bartow Arena in his honor.

Professional golfer Graeme McDowell, winner of the 2010 U.S. Open, played for UAB from 1998 to 2002.[63]

Inaugural game at the new home stadium Protective Stadium of the UAB Blazers football - UAB VS.Liberty

In December 2014, the university announced that the programs for football, bowling and rifle were being eliminated at the end of the 2014–2015 academic year, citing soaring operating costs.[64] This decision was later reversed and the programs were reinstated.[65]

Notable alumni and faculty[edit]

Main article: List of University of Alabama at Birmingham people

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Other consists of Multiracial Americans & those who prefer to not say.
  2. ^ The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  3. ^ The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Thanks a billion: The Campaign for UAB surpasses $1 billion". Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  2. ^ "UAB Financial Affairs". UAB Financial Affairs. 2021. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  3. ^ "UAB Work Force" (PDF). Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  4. ^ "UAB Work Force" (PDF). Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  5. ^ "UAB sets enrollment record for fifth year in a row, all-time high for retention - News | UAB". Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  6. ^ "Brand Basics - Colors".
  7. ^ "Carnegie Classification for UAB". American Council on Education. 2023. Retrieved January 25, 2023.
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  9. ^ "UAB sets enrollment record for fourth year in a row - News | UAB". Archived from the original on November 5, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
  10. ^ "The Official Website of the UAB Blazers". Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  11. ^ "UAB Blazers Brand Color Codes". Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  12. ^ a b "UAB Chronology". Archived from the original on November 29, 2021. Retrieved May 29, 2011.
  13. ^ Tyler Greer (June 6, 2018). "UAB ranked No. 1 young university in the U.S." Archived from the original on October 27, 2020. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  14. ^ "Change your commute route Aug. 16-20 for student move-in". Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  15. ^ "The University of Alabama at Birmingham Campus". Retrieved June 13, 2024.
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  17. ^ "UAB's 12 new construction and renovation projects transforming campus, supporting strategic initiatives". Retrieved June 13, 2024.
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  19. ^ "Project Portfolio-UAB Campus Green Area". Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  20. ^ /uab-campus-green-area/ "UAB College of Arts and Sciences (University Hall)". Retrieved June 13, 2024. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
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  34. ^ "College Navigator – University of Alabama at Birmingham". National Center for Education Statistics, United States Department of Education Institute for Education Sciences. Archived from the original on September 13, 2018. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
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  38. ^ "O'Neal Comprehensive Cancer Center". Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  39. ^ "Kidneys From a Genetically Altered Pig Are Implanted in a Brain-Dead Patient". Retrieved June 13, 2024.
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  57. ^ "Student housing at UAB causing concern for some students, dorms at capacity". Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  58. ^ "UAB to demolish multiple campus buildings in multimillion-dollar project". Retrieved June 13, 2024.
  59. ^ "Kaleidoscope". Retrieved June 11, 2024.
  60. ^ "UAB Branding – Logos & Colors". Archived from the original on January 8, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2010.
  61. ^ "American Athletic Conference Announces the Addition of Six Universities" (Press release). American Athletic Conference. October 21, 2021. Archived from the original on October 24, 2021. Retrieved October 21, 2021.
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  64. ^ Gray, Jeremy (December 2, 2014). "It's official: UAB kills football program". al.com. Alabama Media Group. Archived from the original on August 27, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2014.
  65. ^ "UAB Blazers Football Program Reinstated". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on September 24, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2015.

External links[edit]

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