AAMU Board of Trustees Approves New Science, Student Amenities Building, and Endowed Chair in Biology
Board of Trustees Holds Regular Meeting
The Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Board of Trustees held its regularly scheduled meeting on Friday, June 14 at the Clyde Foster Multipurpose Hall.
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 a new $82 million Science Building and a $58 million Student Amenities Building.
The new Science Building will closely triple the current academic STEM facility footprint on the campus. The Student Amenities Building will reshape and enhance the student experience at AAMU with state-of-the-art gathering spaces, centralized campus services, food options, and student support facilities.
“These approvals by our Board of Trustees confirm their commitment to the success of this institution. Their efforts solidify our growth and posture in today’s higher education landscape. As we move forward, we are confident that our recent accomplishments will continue to attract the best faculty and students. 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,” said Daniel K. Wims, president of AAMU.
The Board also approved a cost of living increase of 2.5 percent, relocation of WJAB, AAMU's public radio station, to a property at 3812 John F. Kennedy Circle near campus. Additional approvals included purchasing 101 Whitney Avenue and the establishment of the Ronald & Patricia McCalep-McIntosh Sr. Endowed Chair in Biology.
The McIntoshes, alumni and longtime AAMU supporters, are the daughter and son-in-law to the late, long-time AAMU administrator, educator and advocate George O. McCalep, Sr. 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. The McIntoshes have given over a half-million dollars to the University over their lifetimes.
President Wims and Cabinet members provided institutional updates, and numerous Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the University’s footprint for training, research and educational opportunities for faculty and students were also approved. Confirmed MOUs are:
Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State University
University of Stravangar Norway
Université Peleforo Gon Coulibaly
Panpacific University
Masine Muliro University of Science and Technology
Defense Acquisition University
United States Fish and Wildlife Service University Consortium
Army SROTC and Athens State University
Brass Band of Huntsville Youth Brass Academy
Boys and Girls Club
During the subcommittee sessions, the Board received updates from all University divisions and discussed updated plans for the University’s 150th Anniversary celebration in 2025.
“We commend the AAMU divisions, faculty and staff for their commitment and dedication to the advancement of the University. Not only is this impactful for our organization, but it adds to the overall experiences for our students. Our recent enrollment and funding increases confirms that we are moving in the right direction to make an impact on the local, regional and national levels,” said Dr. Wayne Watts, president pro-tempore, AAMU Board of Trustees.
About Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Founded in 1875 by former slave, Dr. William Hooper Councill, Alabama A&M University (AAMU) is the largest Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Alabama. As a traditional 1890 land-grant institution, “The Hill” is a dynamic and progressive institution with a strong commitment to academic excellence and is the state’s largest producer of minority STEM graduates. Additionally, it is student-friendly and community-focused and functions as a teaching, research and public service institution, including extension. AAMU provides more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs and concentrations, a diverse international faculty, 50 plus student organizations, and an extensive alumni network comprised of politicians, educators, entrepreneurs, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, authors, artists, and more, many of whom are change agents on the local, national and international stage.