Opening Doors
Montgomery, Selma, Birmingham - - and The University of Alabama - - those names are instantly identified with the turbulent and often brutal years of the Civil Rights movement in the South during the 1960s. On June 11, 1963, then Alabama Governor George Wallace stood at the door of Foster Auditorium and attempted to defy federal authority in the desegregation of the University of Alabama. That is part of the history of The University of Alabama.
But the Governor's unsuccessful attempt to close the School House Door is only the beginning of the story - - a story that now spans more than four decades. It is the story of how the The University of Alabama learned and grew from the potentially tragic events of June 1963 to forge a genuine commitment to minority student development that now ranks the University as one of the nation's leaders, especially in graduate education.
At The University of Alabama we recognize our history, we embrace our present - both our strengths and our weaknesses - and we strive for an even more diverse and distinguished graduate student body in coming years.
Open the Door and see what we mean!
Looking inside the Schoolhouse door
. we still have a long way to go, but see how far we've come.
The Graduate School Facts
- Ranked 29 out of 626 institutions by Black Issues in Higher Education's "Top 100 Degree Producers."
- The UA Graduate School is also ranked number one in the Southern Regional Education Board's State Minority Doctoral Scholars program, coordinated by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education.
- The University of Alabama ranked 2nd among the 50 Flagship Institutions in the percentage of African American students receiving graduate degrees (10.43%) in 2006-2007.
- Enrollment of African American graduate students at an all time high:
- Fall 2007: 12.1%
- Fall 2006: 11.2%
- Fall 2005: 11.2%
- Fall 2004: 10.4%
- Fall 2003: 9.6%
- Since 1988 the Graduate School has provided $3.5 million in minority fellowships and scholarships.
- The UA Graduate School received the prestigious "Extra Mile Award" for demonstrating extraordinary resolve, commitment and support of minority scholars.
Those Who Made History
Dr. Samuel Jones
Jones, a regular Compat for Faculty Diversity Institute on Teaching and Mentoring presenter has published, Just What the Ph.D. Ordered. The book is a compilation of his personal experiences while pursuing the Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from UA ('03). Jones is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Jefferson State Community College where he was named 2004 Teacher of the Year.
Melissa Faye Jackson
Jackson earned the Ph.D. in Child/Adolescent Clinical Psychology from UA in 2003. A former McNair Scholar, Jackson currently serves as the Clinical Director and an Assistant Professor in the UA Department of Psychology.
Edna Miller Gardner
Currently a retired educator, Gardner was among the first African-American master's students in 1966.
Dr. Joffre T. Whisenton
Whisenton became the first African-American doctoral student to earn a Ph.D. from UA in 1966. He currently serves as a higher education consultant.
Dr. James Hood
Hood, along with Vivian Malone, was one of the first two African American students to enroll at UA in 1963 during the infamous "Stand in the School House Door." Hood returned to UA to earn his doctorate in 1997.
Autherine Lucy Foster
In 1956 Lucy became the first African American to enroll at UA. Following three days of tumultuous demonstrations, she was suspended and later expelled by the Board of Trustees. She earned a master's degree from UA in 1991.