The Vivian Malone Endowed Chair in Business Excellence Honors Alumna, Trailblazer
Board Holds Regular Meeting, Approves First Endowed Chair in University History
The regular meeting of the Alabama A&M University Board of Trustees was held on campus Friday, February 16. The approval of several new partnerships and action items highlighted the meeting which also included institutional updates from President Daniel K. Wims and Cabinet members.
New MOUs with Bishop State Community College and Washtenaw Community College expand AAMU’s ongoing efforts to bolster recruitment. An MOU between the Alabama A&M and Somali National University will create a faculty and student exchange program along with provide professional development services. Additionally, MOUs with the Madison County Community Garden, and the Huntsville-Madison Chamber of Commerce were approved.
President Daniel K. Wims highlighted growing enrollment, heightened research activity, national excitement generated by the Marching Maroon and White’s performance in the 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, and development gains as key wins for AAMU as the university sets the stage for the 150th Anniversary celebration.
“Our team has done a marvelous job in terms of preparation in the process of collective information and data to the accrediting body and the visiting team,“ he said. “So, we expect a productive conversation when they come to campus in two weeks.”
Wims gave updates on the ongoing razing of the former Councill Training School to make way for future campus and Meridian Street corridor growth and announced the completion of selective reconstruction and building modeling of the Hillcrest building.
“We’re looking at about a year and a half before the total project will be complete,” said Wims. “This will be a capstone project. Hillcrest will be a very beautiful facility for the University family and community.”
In the session, the Board also approved the first endowed chair in the University’s history. The Vivian Malone Endowed Chair in Business Excellence in the College of Business honors the Alabama A&M alumna and trailblazer who became the first African American student to graduate from the University of Alabama. After a lengthy court battle, Malone and James Hood were formally admitted to the University of Alabama in 1963 while becoming the center of national debate over racial equality in higher education. The two students effectively brought a final end to segregation in higher education in the South.
Malone’s sister, Margie Tuckson, initiated the effort to establish the endowed chair and gifted the AAMU Foundation with $250,000 to pave the way. Both sisters were initiated into the Delta Delta chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. at Alabama A&M University.
Board President Pro Tempore Dr. Roderick Watts shared his enthusiasm for Alabama A&M’s standing and direction.
“I’m pleased to see things going in the right direction at Alabama A&M with record enrollment, increasing fundraising, and international recognition fueled by the Marching Maroon & White at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade participation,” he said. “I’m happy with where the university is right now.”