UA Preview — July 27-Aug. 2, 2026

BEST BETS

UA holds summer commencement

The University of Alabama will hold its summer commencement ceremony Aug. 1 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus.

Why This Matters: Each year, UA awards around 9,000 degrees, with graduates infusing the state and nation's workforce with highly educated talent.

UA among 6 U.S. institutions selected for Entente Cordiale Challenge

The University of Alabama is among a select group of institutions chosen to participate in Entente Cordiale Day, a prestigious international academic competition among leading universities in the United Kingdom and France.

Why This Matters: Since its founding, the competition has brought together students from top universities in the United Kingdom and France to tackle pressing global challenges. Six U.S. universities will now join this elite group.

For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at [email protected].

Windgate Foundation quadruples support for book arts program

The Windgate Foundation has awarded a $4 million grant to expand scholarships for graduate students in the book arts program at UA - quadrupling the Arkansas-based foundation's original $1 million investment in the program, which it established in 2005.

Why This Matters: The new endowment, combined with the existing fund, will supplement Windgate fellowships, create new opportunities for graduate assistantships, provide targeted scholarship support and fund studio equipment upgrades.

For more information, contact Alex House at [email protected].

19 children graduate from UA RISE Center

The UA RISE Center recognized 19 children during its annual graduation ceremony July 23. Graduates participated in a variety of musical numbers celebrating the magic of storytelling and imagination and were honored for their achievements as they move on to kindergarten.

To help tell this great story, we've provided assets including b-roll footage of the dress rehearsal, interview with RISE Director Andi Gillen and photos from the ceremony.

UA student-athlete earns $10k for foundation

Sydney Blackhurst, a senior accounting major on UAs swimming and diving team, earned first place in the SEC Startup Competition.

Why This Matters: The prize comes with $10,000 to help grow her business, Beyond Barriers Swim Foundation, which offers one-on-one adaptive swim lessons for children with chronic illnesses or disabilities.

For more information, contact Jennifer Brady at [email protected].

UMC expands services

University Medical Center, operated by the College of Community Health Sciences, recently expanded services to improve the quality of healthcare provided for the West Alabama community.

Why This Matters: UMC Tuscaloosa now offers lifestyle medicine services to help patients prevent, manage and even reverse chronic disease through healthy lifestyle changes. In addition, UMC is also increasing access to obstetrics and gynecology care with the addition of Partlow, Harbin & Poist OBGYN, a leading medical group for women's healthcare.

For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne at [email protected].

EVENTS

"Clara Maass: She Gave Her Life" Exhibit

Open through Sept. 25; Gorgas House Museum

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VISIT THE UA NEWS CENTER FOR STORY IDEAS.

The University of Alabama strives to remain neutral on public policy issues. Strategic Communications may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its leadership, and do not constitute a statement on behalf of the University unless explicitly designated.