The Independent Thinker
Private Colleges Serving the Public... One student at a Time
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Governor Ivey Announces $72.34 Million in CARES Act Funds for Higher Education |
Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday awarded $72.34 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund for higher education institutions to support the purchase of technology and infrastructure related to remote instruction and distance learning.
“Since July, the state of Alabama has awarded $432,753,000 to various levels of education to ensure that we have a safe and smart continuation of educational instruction,” Governor Ivey said. “COVID-19 has exposed deficiencies in our remote learning capabilities, and I am pleased to award our institutions of higher education the critical funds to enhance their instructional experience.”
“My office has received numerous CARES Act funding requests, and we are eager to help as many folks as possible. We are still reviewing them to ensure they meet eligibility under the letter of the law and will be forthcoming when finalized,” Governor Ivey added.
Alabama Independent Colleges will receive $20,000,000.
- From the $118,346,250 for any lawful purpose as provided by the United States Congress, the United States Treasury Department, or any other federal entity of competent jurisdiction
- To establish a reimbursement program to assist Independent Colleges with expenditures that they are incurring related to the coronavirus
- Maximum allocations per institution have been established
“On behalf of the 25,000 students at Alabama’s Independent Colleges, we want to express our sincere gratitude to the governor,” Alabama Association of Independent Colleges and Universities President Paul Hankins said. “The additional support is greatly appreciated in this unprecedented time of financial need. These funds will go a long way to ensure our schools can remain open. Our colleges have done everything necessary to keep their students safe and on campus.”
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Andrew Westmoreland Announces Plans to Retire as Samford University President |
Samford University President Andrew Westmoreland, who has led the institution since 2006, will retire from the presidency effective June 30, 2021. The official announcement to Samford’s Board of Trustees was made at a called meeting on Thursday, August 27. Westmoreland shared the news with students, employees and alumni in an email on August 28. In the message he wrote, “I’ve said so often that, despite my many flaws, I am a better person because of my association with Samford. Jeanna and I agree that serving here is the greatest honor of our lives.”
Westmoreland’s tenure as Samford’s president has been marked by enrollment growth, new and enhanced campus facilities and a growing national reputation for academic quality. Since 2006, enrollment has increased by almost 30% and the university has seen 11 consecutive years of enrollment growth. More than 30 new or enhanced academic programs have been added at the undergraduate and graduate level, including many in the College of Health Sciences that was established in 2013. The university has raised more than $400 million in philanthropic gifts and has invested approximately $100 million in its physical plant and campus. For a timeline of key milestones and achievements during the Westmoreland presidency, see here.
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Samford’s Cumberland School of Law Launches Clinic to Provide Free Legal Assistance to Military Veterans |
Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law announced Wednesday that it is creating a clinic that will provide free legal assistance to American military veterans in the area around Birmingham.
The clinic, named C-VETS, is now accepting applications for help with legal matters. The legal work will be done by both practicing attorneys and law students at Cumberland.
C-VETS is the brainchild of and will be led by former Judge John Carroll, current professor and former dean of the law school.
“A core value of Cumberland School of Law and of the legal profession is service to others,” Carroll said in a release.
The clinic will be the first of its kind in Alabama.
“C-VETS provides a unique way for our students to truly answer the call to serve by providing free legal assistance to veterans and their families,” Carroll continued.
Carroll served as a member of the United States Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and is active in veterans affairs issues that arise in the Birmingham area.
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Bobbie Knight is a 2020 Woman of Impact
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While technically retired from her professional career, Bobbie Knight has eagerly accepted a new challenge of securing success for students as the first female president of Miles College.
In addition to serving as president of the Fairfield HBCU, Knight remains CEO of her own company, Bobbie Knight Consulting, and serves as chair of the Board of Managers for the Birmingham Times Media Group and as vice chair of the Birmingham Airport Authority.
She earned a B.S. from the University of Alabama and a Juris Doctorate from Birmingham School of Law prior to her storied career as a businesswoman and newfound service in higher education leadership.
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Academy Mourns Loss of Beloved Founding President Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich |
The United States Sports Academy is mourning the loss of its beloved Founding President, Trustee, and longtime global sport education leader Dr. Thomas P. Rosandich, who passed away from natural causes on Saturday, 29 August 2020 at age 88.
A native of Sheboygan Falls, Wisc., Rosandich served as the Academy’s president and chief executive officer for 43 years until 2015, when his son, Dr. T.J. Rosandich, was named president and CEO. Rosandich’s enduring legacy is that the Academy continues to thrive and serve the profession as an independent, non-profit, accredited, special mission Sports University created to serve the nation and world with programs in instruction, research, and service.
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AAICU Board Member Melissia Noland Davis dies |
We are sad to announce that on September 7, 2020 we had to say goodbye to Melissia Diann Noland Davis. Melissia was born in Kennedy, Alabama and she retired in 2013 as a State Field Representative for U.S. Senator Richard Shelby. She was a faithful member of Elizabeth Baptist Church and ardent supporter of Stillman College. Davis was an active AAICU business board member with a knowledgeable public policy background, nominated by Dr. Cynthia Warrick in 2018.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, September 13th 2020 at 12:00 PM at the Kennedy Community Cemetery. In keeping with the efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19, those attending the funeral service will be required to wear a face mask and social distancing will be in effect.
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Longtime AAICU Board Member and Decatur Daily Publisher Barrett Shelton dies |
The Decatur Daily, where Barrett Shelton Jr. worked as editor and publisher until his retirement about a decade ago, reported that Shelton died this summer at age 89.
Shelton began working in the newspaper business in the late 1950s and was named general manager of the family-owned paper in 1965. He took over the top roles following the death of his father in 1984.
Remembered for his love of the community along with his work in journalism, Shelton also helped promote the Tennessee Valley region and develop industry in the area.
"There wasn't a bigger supporter of Decatur and Morgan County than Barrett Shelton," said Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur. "He did a lot around the community and did it quietly. He was very impactful and very generous."
Shelton was was an active and dedicated member of the AAICU board for over 44 years, as well as a generous annual contributor to our scholarship fund.
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