MY GLORIOUS MOMENTS

ALABAMA A & M BOARD OT TRUSTEES

Robert Avery Trustee Avery is serving his fifth term on the Gadsden (Ala.) City Council. The Certified Municipal Official (CMO) and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company retiree chairs the Finance Committee. The father of two boasts numerous affiliations, including Vision, Inc. (Chief Executive Officer), The Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta Advisory Committee, Etowah County Chapter of Alabama New South Coalition, Inc. (President), NAACP, SCLC, Alabama Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials, National Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials (past board member) and numerous others.


Dr. Raymond Burse Trustee Raymond Burse holds a law degree from Harvard University. He was also a Rhodes Scholar, and spent two years at England's Oxford University, where he majored in organic chemistry. Vice president and general counsel for GE Consumer and Industrial in Louisville, Ky., Burse was president of Kentucky State from 1982 to 1989. He spent 10 years as an associate and a partner in the law firm of Wyatt, Tarrant and Combs in Louisville.


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Mr. Michael Butler Mr. Butler heads the Student Government Association. He is a native of the St. Louis area, majoring in Management and minoring in Mathematics.



Dr. Rory Fraser Trustee Fraser, the Faculty Senate representative, is a faculty member in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences. Fraser directs the Center for Forest Ecosystems Assessment. He earned the Ph.D. from Pennsylvania State University and his research interests include the identification and addressing of forestland owners’ needs, entrepreneurship in the forestry sector, community forestry and forest-based economic development.

Emma J. Melton A retired biology teacher with the Tuscaloosa City School System, Trustee Melton earned the B.S. degree in biology from Alabama A&M University. She pursued further study at Tuskegee University, the University of Florida, University of Alabama and the University of Central Florida. For decades, she has been intensely involved in the community affairs of Tuscaloosa, Ala., most notably through membership in the Tuscaloosa Preservation Society, League of Women Voters, The Links, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Girl Scouts of America and numerous other civic organizations and professional associations.

James Montgomery James D. Montgomery, Sr. is President/CEO of Aliza’s Cookies, Inc. Montgomery served as Systems Analyst, Management Analyst, Interim Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, General Manager, Chief Organizational Development Consultant and interim Comptroller for the Department of Army prior to retiring in 1994. He served eight years on the Anniston City Council and has been appointed to several national and international boards. Trustee Montgomery received his B.S. degree from Alabama A&M University and M.S. Degree from Jacksonville State University. He is a graduate of the United States Air Force’s prestigious Military Comptroller School (Montgomery, AL) and the Army’s graduate level Organizational Effectiveness Program (Ft. Ord, CA). He has attended Gestalt Institute located in Cleveland, OH. He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

L. Shefton Riggins Alabama A&M University graduate L. Shefton Riggins serves as President Pro Tempore of the Board of Trustees. The Birmingham-area cardiovascular surgeon has been a surgeon in the Baptist Health System for more than 20 years and has performed about 4,000 open heart surgeries. He is the former chief of surgery at Baptist Princeton and former director of cardiac surgery there.

Martha Lynn Sherrod Judge Martha Lynn Sherrod is a native Alabamian, and a product of the Alabama Public School System. She received her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston, Houston, Tex. She completed her last year of law school at the University of Alabama as a transient student. Judge Sherrod was appointed District Judge in 1999, and she was elected for a full term in 2000 in a partisan election. She was the first person of African descent to win an at-large election in North Alabama. Before joining the State Court, Judge Sherrod served her community as Presiding Municipal Judge, Assistant District Attorney, private practitioner, and she taught criminal justice at Alabama A&M University.


Velma Tribue Trustee Tribue heads the Velma J. Tribue State Farm Insurance Agency. She is a graduate of both Alabama State University and The Ohio State University. Tribue also serves on several boards such as the Dothan Chamber of Commerce Executive Board of Directors, the Wiregrass United Way Board of Directors, and the Southeast Alabama Medical Center's Women's Advisory Council. 4900 Meridian Street, Normal, AL 35762 | Campus Operator - (256) 372-5000 | Undergraduate Admissions - (256) 372-5245 | Graduate Admissions - (256) 372-5266

Dr. Beverly C. Edmond assumed the position of Interim President at Alabama A&M University in April of 2008. Prior to assuming this position Dr. Edmond served as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs at the university; an appointment she assumed in 2006. 

Dr. Edmond has served as a leadership development and diversity management consultant to more than 75 federal, state, local and non-profit organizations. Currently, she serves on the Editorial Board of Public Administration Review (PAR) an d she has held similar positions with several other journals in her field. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Albany State University, a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Political Science with a concentration in Public Administration from Georgia State University.

2008 - Dr. Beverly Edmond begins service as Interim President.

Welcome to the Greatest University in the World! Not even a site as comprehensive as this one can capture all the splendor and nuances that make Alabama A&M University such a fascinating place for scholarly pursuits, meaningful research, prolific civic engagement, winning athletics and proud employment. 





Moreover, with nearly 6,000 students, the University offers an impressive four doctoral programs in the areas of food science, physics, plant and soil science, and reading/literacy. Thus, the forthright commitment to research is evident not only in the significant amount of research dollars generated each year, but also by the awards student scholars earn from their participation in regional and national conferences, seminars and workshops,
Please continue to browse AAMU’s Web pages for information on the many facets of the collegiate experience and the vastness of curricular, athletic and outreach offerings. If we can provide any additional information or assistance, feel free to contact us. Our mantra continues to be Service is Sovereignty!

Dr. Beverly Edmond
beverly.edmond@aamu.edu

Vital - Vice President









2006 - Dr. Robert R. Jennings 10th President in January.



First Presidential Medallion awarded to entrepreneur Randal Pinkston.

Massive presidential community outreach effort begins.

Washington Monthly lists AAMU as one of the Top 30 national universities.

Student VIP dining area started.

Winter Commencement established.

Tuskegee Airmen honored.

2008 - Board votes to terminate Jennings.

AMMU CHALLENGE CAMPAIGN - GIBSON

Dr. John T. Gibson
9th President

AAMU launches Councill Challenge Campaign. Football returns to campus.

1997-Unified Cooperative Extension System unveils new logo. Patrick Grayson makes USA Today All-USA Academic First Team. Filmmaker Spike Lee visits. AAMU joins Southwestern Athletic Conference SWAC). AAMU welcomes first Nobel Laureate for the Annual Putcha Venkateswarlu Memorial Lecture in Physics. AAMU removed from SACS probation; NCAA sanctions reduced significantly 1998-Ryan Swain makes USA Today All- USA Academic First Team. Nobel Laureate series begins under coordnation of physicist Ravi B. Lal.

1999-AAMU Research Institute started. 2000-AAMU observes its 125th anniversary celebration in January.

2001-AAMU’s fundraising efforts earn it the distinction of lead institution in the Tom Joyner Foundation/HBCU program. First Black-Tie Scholarship Ball held. Accreditation announced and earth work begins on new School of Engineering and Technology; library renovations underway; athletic complex expands.

2002-Learning Resources Center renovations completed. Engineering and Technology building erected. Social Work re-accredited. Forestry gains national accreditation. Normal Hill renovations extensive. Councill Challenge Campaign goal reached.

2003 - New School of Engineering and Technology Building opens for classes in January. Mary Frances Berry addresses Commencement. Fourth doctoral program in Reading/Literacy announced. AAMU researchers study volcanic ash in Montserrat. HSCaRS hosts study on interaction between land surface and the atmosphere. AAMU offers training on multi-million dollar EDS software. Normalite Ruben Studdard named “American Idol.” Robert Mathis joins Indianapolis Colts.

2004 - Councill Federal Credit Union celebrates 50th anniversary. Councill Memorial Statue unveiled in October.

2005 - Following Gibson's resignation in February, Dr. Virginia Caples again was appointed as interim President. Gibson continues service to the University as University Professor of Higher Education Management and Finance.

AMMU 1984 - 1996

1984-Dr. Douglas Covington Sixth president. 1985-AAMU signs memorandum of understanding with Kansas State University/USAID. 1986-Former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm addressed "Women's Week" activities. University announced approval of Ph.D. program in physics. Department of Mathematics received NASA research grant. 1987-Dr. Carl Harris Marbury Interim president.








1989-Carl Harris Marbury Seventh president.




1990-The University holds its first Grand Reunion, initiated by Dr. Carl Harris Marbury and Georgia S. Valrie, Director of Alumni Affairs. 1991-Board of Trustees named Dr. Alan Lee Keyes Interim President.







1992-Dr. David Bernard Henson Eighth President.






First AAMU Athletic Hall of Fame induction held. 1994-Mamie Labon Foster Student Living/ Learning Complex erected. First African- American Ph.D. recipients in physics. Alum Howard Ballard joins Seattle Seahawks. University's SACS accreditation reaffirmed. 1995-Groundbreaking held for new school of business facility; stadium and residence hall construction begins. Master of Social Work Program accepts first students. Dr. Virginia Caples, vice president for academic affairs, becomes the first woman to head (interim) the University in the school's 120-year history1996

AMMU 1962 - 1981 THE UNIVERSITY

1962-Richard David Morrison
Fifth president.

1963-AAMU becomes fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

1969-State Board of Education adopts a resolution to change name to Alabama A&M University.

1970-Office of Alumni Affairs established. Phillip L. Redrick became first director.

1975-University observed Centennial. Elmore Health Sciences Building constructed.

1977-Volleyball for women began. NCAA soccer championship.

1981-Desegregation case began.

AMMU 1927 - 1954 - THE BUILDER

1927-Joseph Fanning Drake

The Fourth President institutes a massive building program. He is irrevocably tagged with the name of "The Builder" due to his accomplishments in expanding the college physically and academically, even in the midst of the great depression of the 1930’s.
He built on the campus, through federal, foundation and state funds:

Councill Hall
Hurt Hall
Thigpen Hall
J. F. Drake Dining Hall
Bibb Graves Hall
The College Center
Grayson Hall
Annexes,
Walker Wood Hall
Carter Science Building
Vocational building,
Gymnasium,
Eight teachers cottages,
Faculty apartments,
Four Trades Buildings,
Twenty Farm Buildings,
The First Greenhouse.

1939-State Board of Education gives authority to offer course work on the senior
college level.
1949-Name changed to Alabama A&M College.
1954-Councill Federal Credit Union established.



Dr. Drake might also have well been called "The Savior" because only the efforts of his administration prevented the school from being entirely closed. So sure were the faculty and local residents that Dr. Drake had been sent to close the school that he found it necessary to remark quite often: "I did not come here to conduct the funeral of A&M." Besides buildings, Drake added 616.13 acres of land.

THE FOUNDER

Time has put the tag of "Founder" upon the first president: Dr. William Hooper Councill. His personal efforts in keeping the school in existence through use of his own money and foundation and personal gifts have earned him that narne. As a freed man at the age of 17, he obtained all of his education at great physical and mental expenditure and vowed that others should not pay such a price.



William Hooper Councill
1875-1909

Councill might well have come down in history as "The Pioneer of Industrial Education in the South," because he added industrial training in 1883 after the state had come out openly seeking industry to boost the still lagging economy of Alabama.

Although Booker T. Washington is given credit by some as the state’s industrial pioneer, it is a fact that Councill had been teaching at the Normal School six years before Washington came to Alabama, and the next year Councill added an industrial department to the normal school. He writes about this fact on October 24, 1883, in a letter to General Joe Wheeler, then Congressman from the district:

"We are adding an industrial department to our school, and our chances of getting aid from the Slater and Peabody Funds are in proportion to the success attained by this new addition," he wrote.

He might also have been called "the orator," for he was famous worldwide for this strenuously nurtured gift and moved many to contribute the money so vitally needed to keep the school open. He and his supporters succeeded in having it made the Negro land-grant college for Alabama and moved the campus to its present hillside location surrounded by tillable land.