HUNTSVILLE — It was quite a busy meeting last week for the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees.
At its regularly scheduled meeting on The Hill last Friday, the board approved a budget, froze tuition, named a former congressman to the board, announced major campus expansions and honored an alumni couple with an endowned chair.
“These approvals by our Board of Trustees confirm their commitment to the success of this institution,” said AAMU President Dr. Daniel K. Wims. “Their efforts solidify our growth and posture in today’s higher education landscape.”
Highlighting the meeting was the approval of a $249,631,874 budget and no tuition increases. The University also cleared the way for major campus expansions with the approval of an $82 million Science Building and a $58 million Student Amenities Building.
“As we move forward, we are confident that our recent accomplishments will continue to attract the best faculty and students,” Wims said. “And, as we embark on our 150 years of existence next year, the edification of our role in secondary education will launch us to greater heights.”
The board confirmed the appointments of four board members, two new members and two incumbents. The new trustees are former U.S. Rep. Robert “Bud” Cramer and Reggie Sylvain; returning members are attorney Tiffany Johnson Cole and Dr. Scherrie Banks Pickett.
Cramer served Alabama’s Fifth Congressional District for 18 years. He was a member of the Appropriations, Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, Science and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. Prior to Congress, Cramer was Madison County district attorney and, in 1985, established the National Children’s Advocacy Center.
Also at last week’s meeting, the board approved a 2.5% cost of living increase for employees and staff and voted to relocate WJAB, AAMU’s public radio station, to a property at 3812 John F. Kennedy Circle near campus.
McCalep-McIntosh Endowed Chair in Biology established
Additional approvals included purchasing 101 Whitney Avenue and establishing the Ronald & Patricia McCalep-McIntosh Sr. Endowed Chair in Biology.
The McIntoshes are alumni and longtime AAMU supporters, donating more than $500,000 to the university.
In 2021, the university renamed the McCalep-McIntosh Hall in their honor after $4.35 million in renovations. The press box in Louis Crews Stadium is also named in their honor.
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