HUNTSVILLE — In the wake of record-breaking enrollments, increased funding and launching major programs, the Alabama A&M Board of Trustees rewarded school President Dr. Daniel K. Wims with a contract extension.
In a unanimous vote of trustees present at last week’s board meeting, the trustees voted to extend Wims’ contract to Dec. 31, 2030. Two trustees were not present at the time of voting. The action was taken affirming AAMUs continued stability and growth as the largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Alabama.
“I am grateful to the Board of Trustees for entrusting me to continue to serve this institution, its faculty, staff, students and alumni,” said Wims, assumed the A&M presidency in January 2022. “The collective commitment and dedication of our administrative team, faculty and staff is to be commended.
“As we continue to move forward, I am confident that our focused efforts for growth and success will be met with great enthusiasm and acceptance.”
Wims served as Provost and vice president of Research and Sponsored Programs for 12 years. Under his leadership, AAMU maneuvered through the challenges of today’s higher education landscape. the university said in a news release.
A few accomplishments of the Wims’ administration are:
Enrollment
- Fall 2023 – record-breaking enrollment of 6,633 students, the largest in the university’s history, and freshman class of more than 2,000 students is the largest in the university’s history
Academics
- Launched degree programs: Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, Ph.D. in Social Work and a M.S. in Food Science Business
Campus Infrastructure
- Secured Board approval for a new Student Amenities Center and a new Science Building
- Conducted major renovations in the Historic District on campus
- Increased the University’s property landscape to over 2,500 acres of land
- Acquired the largest nonmonetary gift in AAMU history by repurposing Paint Rock Valley High School as a “Communiversity” facility for educational and community activities
Research/Funding
- University garnered increases in federal funding for FY23 and FY24
- Increased state appropriations in FY23 and in FY24
- Recipient of AAMU’s second largest gift of a $1.2 million endowment from an AAMU alumnus to provide tuition assistance for academically gifted students
Additionally, the Alabama A&M Marching Maroon and White Band made history as the first HBCU band to lead the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and the Bulldogs experienced a record-breaking homecoming attendance of 26,391 fans in the stadium and 55,000-plus on campus with a fundraising total of $1.4 million, the largest in its history.
Overall, these growth factors are the precursor for the university to celebrate its 150 years of existence in 2025.
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