The Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Board of Trustees voted unanimously among those present to extend the contract of President Daniel K. Wims to December 31, 2030. According to the University, the decision affirms its 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. 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 said.
Wims assumed the AAMU presidency in January 2022 after serving as Provost and Vice President of Research and Sponsored Programs for twelve years. In a news release, Alabama A&M shared a range of the achievements that have taken place since that time.
Fall 2023, the university recorded a historic high in enrollment with 6,633 students and welcomed its largest-ever freshman class of more than 2,000 students. Academically, AAMU expanded its offerings, launching new Ph.D. programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Social Work, and a Master of Science in Food Science Business.
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On the infrastructure front, the university secured board approval for key projects including a new Student Amenities Center and a Science Building. Major renovations have been conducted in the Historic District, and the university’s property landscape has expanded to over 2,500 acres. In a significant non-monetary contribution, AAMU repurposed the Paint Rock Valley High School into a “Communiversity” facility, enhancing educational and community engagement.
AAMU has seen an increase in federal and state appropriations for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The university also received its second-largest gift ever, a $1.2 million endowment from alumnus and NFL Hall of Famer John Stallworth.
The AAMU Marching Maroon and White Band made history as the first HBCU band to lead the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and AAMU experienced a record-breaking homecoming attendance of 26,391 fans in the stadium and 55,000+ on campus with a fundraising total of $1.4 million, the largest in its history.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
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