Typically, summer is a slow time on college campuses, but this summer has gone a little differently in the College. We still finished books and submitted grants and reworked curricula. We still taught plenty of classes. But we also hired seven new chairs, which was a tremendous undertaking in logistics, focus, and decision-making by our search committees and leadership team.

Dr. Robert PalazzoAfter much effort, I’m pleased to introduce our new departmental leadership: Dr. Julian Arribas, our new Chair of the Department of World Languages and Literatures; Dr. Alison Chapman, Chair of the Department of English; Dr. Richard Dluhy, Chair of the Department of Chemistry; Patrick Evans, Chair of the Department of Music; Dr. Ilias Perakis, Chair of the Department of Physics; Dr. Jeff Walker, Chair of the Department of Justice Sciences; and Dr. Yuliang Zheng, Chair of the Department of Computer Science. I’m excited to have these administrators join us in the College. 

We also hired 16 new faculty members in a number of departments, and we welcome them to the College of Arts and Sciences, too. These new additions to our team promise an exciting future for all of us. They bring fresh ideas and a wealth of experience in a variety of disciplines. They come from highly regarded institutions and have developed programs that have attracted the very best students and fellow faculty members to those universities. And now they are here at UAB. I know that in just a few short months, we’ll see the results of their research, their connections, their wisdom, and their insight. In fact, we’ve already seen what they can bring to the table—they are infusing their departments with enthusiasm and creativity; they are ambitious and eager to make an impact. And they are the kind of people who, along with our senior faculty and chairs already in place, will advance the College of Arts and Sciences in terms of both reputation and service to our students and other community.

It’s been a busy summer, one that followed a tumultuous and at times distracting year. But we continue to move forward. We have the very best people and we have the very best students. And we are building an excellent university, every day.

Thank you for your support. I encourage you to visit our new Alumni website and find ways to further connect with us. Your support of our faculty and students is so critical to our ongoing success. We would love to hear from you.

Go Blazers!