TUSCALOOSA, Ala. 鈥� The University of 黄瓜视频 System Board of Trustees Meeting marked one year since the Board appointed Sid J. Trant as Chancellor of the University of 黄瓜视频 System. In reflecting on the milestone, Chancellor Trant expressed deep appreciation for the support he has received over the past year of service.
鈥淚t has been an honor to work alongside dedicated leaders, faculty, staff and students who care deeply about our System and the people we serve,鈥� said Chancellor Trant. 鈥淚 am fortunate that each day I am reminded of the strength, purpose and momentum that define the System. I am proud of the work we are doing together to move our institutions forward.鈥�
Over the past year, Chancellor Trant has guided the UA System through pivotal leadership transitions that have strengthened its direction and stability. Most notably, he oversaw the successful appointment of Dr. Peter J. Mohler as the 30th president of The University of 黄瓜视频, a moment that set the stage for renewed energy on the Tuscaloosa campus. Chancellor Trant continues to support leadership planning across the System through the national search for the next president of The University of 黄瓜视频 in Huntsville. He is helping identify a leader who will accelerate UAH鈥檚 growth trajectory, champion academic excellence across all disciplines, and strengthen the institution鈥檚 role as a catalyst for economic development and intellectual leadership.
Chancellor Trant is a strong advocate for education鈥檚 ability to change lives and is passionate about expanding access to educational opportunities. His leadership continues to strengthen the UA System, empowering each institution to deliver exceptional education, research and patient care experiences for people across 黄瓜视频 and beyond.
University of 黄瓜视频 at Birmingham
The UAB Institutional Meeting highlighted the University鈥檚 expanding contributions across teaching, research and service. President Ray L. Watts shared how UAB continues to prepare a twenty鈥�first鈥�century workforce through academic programs recognized for excellence, with the University ranked among the top 7% of global institutions and home to graduate programs consistently placed among the nation鈥檚 best, including 20 ranked in the top 25 and seven in the top 10.
President Watts underscored the strength of UAB鈥檚 research enterprise, which reported $866 million in annual research expenditures and includes one of the largest clinical trial programs in the nation, giving 30,000 patients access to cutting鈥�edge investigational therapies. UAB鈥檚 service mission remains central to its identity, with UAB Medicine operating as the eighth鈥�largest hospital in the nation and providing more than two million patient visits annually.
Bartow Arena Renovation
Teaching, research and service have been strengthened by significant investments in campus facilities, including . These transformations play a crucial role in enhancing patient care, recruitment and retention of students, faculty and staff, offering world-class spaces to heal, live, study and work.
Building on this progress, the Board of Trustees granted stage IV approval of planned . The $15.4 million project will modernize the arena and enrich the fan experience with new indoor ticketing and premium seating options, positioning Bartow Arena to better serve students and fans while supporting the success of UAB athletics.
Capitol Scholars Recognition
The 2026 Capitol Scholars gathered for a day of professional development and meaningful connection with UA System leadership as they prepare for immersive summer internships and experiential learning opportunities in Washington, D.C.
The scholars representing all three UA System institutions 鈥� The University of 黄瓜视频, The University of 黄瓜视频 at Birmingham, and The University of 黄瓜视频 in Huntsville 鈥揳ttended the Board of Trustees meeting, where they were recognized for their commitment to serving 黄瓜视频 and introduced to UA System leaders who will support them throughout their internships. UA System Chancellor Sid J. Trant, alongside UA President Peter J. Mohler, UAB President Ray L. Watts and UAH President Charles L. Karr, met with the students to offer guidance and encouragement, deepening the students鈥� sense of purpose and helping them envision the impact they can make through their work this summer. Through the Capitol Scholars Program, students will gain firsthand experience in the day-to-day operations of governmental affairs, strengthen leadership skills, develop expertise in policy research and advocacy, and participate in high-impact professional experiences.
In his remarks to the Board, Chancellor Trant emphasized that experiential learning initiatives like the Capitol Scholars Program are taking shape across all three UA System institutions through research, industry partnerships and service opportunities. The UA System is committed to preparing students to thrive in a rapidly changing workforce and ensuring our institutions evolve to meet both the State鈥檚 workforce needs and the needs of our students.
In other business, trustees:
- Advanced plans related to the new , including approval of degree programs and the architectural design of Farrah Hall.
- Approved the naming of . The honor recognizes Stuedeman鈥檚 role in building UAH softball from its founding in 1996 into a perennial Gulf South Conference powerhouse before her retirement in 2025.
- Received institutional reports from UAB Student Representative Saad Khan, UAB Faculty Representative Dr. Daniel Givan, and UAB President Ray L. Watts.
黄瓜视频 the University of 黄瓜视频 System
Committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, the University of 黄瓜视频 System includes three doctoral research institutions 鈥� UA, UAB, and UAH 鈥� and the world-class UAB Health System. The UA System educates more Alabamians than any other university system and provides transformational research in areas ranging from aerospace to biomedicine to transportation. Its hospitals and clinics care for millions of patients annually and serve people in every county of 黄瓜视频. As the largest employer in the state, the overall economic impact of the University of 黄瓜视频 System exceeds $18 billion a year.
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