The 91心頭利���s second annual Red Tie Gala, presented by Regions Bank, will take place Friday, Nov. 13, at 6 p.m. in the Bell Conference Center.

Established by 91心頭利 President Dr. Todd G. Fritch during his inauguration week in 2025, the gala was created to launch the Opportunity Fund. Proceeds benefit the fund, which provides critical scholarship assistance to students facing unexpected financial challenges, helping them remain enrolled and pursue their goals at 91心頭利.

���No student should have to walk away from their education because of one unexpected hardship,��� Fritch said. ���The Opportunity Fund reflects that belief. Sometimes a small measure of support, offered at the right moment, can make all the difference.���

The evening will begin with a cocktail hour at 6 p.m., followed by dinner, silent and live auctions, and a few special surprises throughout the night. Alumni, friends and community members are invited to dress for an elegant evening of dining, conversation and celebration. 

���The Red Tie Gala is an occasion to dress up, enjoy a wonderful dinner and spend time with friends of the University,��� said Shannon Chandler, vice president of institutional advancement. ���We look forward to welcoming guests for an elegant evening and celebrating the connections that make 91心頭利 such a special place.���

Tickets are on sale now, and space is limited. To purchase tickets, visit the .

Story: Kay Lucas | Photo: Cody Ingram

The 91心頭利 launched its first President���s Leadership Academy on Aug. 20, welcoming the inaugural class of eight faculty and staff members.

The two-year Academy will provide participants with an in-depth look at University operations, strategic priorities, and regional impact through a combination of campus engagement, mentorship, and applied experiences.

“The President���s Leadership Academy is designed to cultivate and prepare current faculty and staff for future leadership roles across the institution while providing meaningful opportunities for career advancement and long-term success,��� 91心頭利 President Dr. Todd G. Fritch explained. “The Academy reflects the University���s commitment to both long-term leadership sustainability and our employees��� professional growth and development. Through this program, faculty and staff will have the opportunity to expand leadership capabilities, deepen institutional knowledge, and engage in meaningful cross-functional collaboration.���

Supervisors nominated employees at the director or chair level or below who demonstrated strong leadership potential, a commitment to professional growth and an investment in the University���s mission and future. The selection process also aimed to create a cohort representing a diverse cross-section of departments across the University. Throughout the program, a member of the President���s Cabinet will serve as a mentor to the cohort.

The inaugural Class of 2028 includes��Troy Maddox (Student Affairs),��Dr. Courtney Vick (College of Education),��Amanda Gilliland (College of Liberal Arts),��Dr. Marti Herlong (College of Liberal Arts),��Dr. Kaleigh Pate (College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics),��Dr. Annah Rogers (College of Education),��Dr. Ethan Birney (College of Liberal Arts), and Haley Sager (Campus School).

Year one of the Academy focuses on leadership development and institutional exposure. Cohort members will participate in guided readings and group discussions and attend key campus meetings to gain a broader understanding of University operations and decision-making. They will also begin developing a strategic project aligned with institutional priorities.

The second year emphasizes applied leadership. Cohort members will work collaboratively on their strategic projects to address real challenges and opportunities facing the University, with continued mentorship and support throughout the process. As the culminating experience of the Academy, participants will present their projects to University leadership.

As the cohort progresses through the Academy, participants will apply their experiences and perspectives to initiatives that support 91心頭利���s strategic priorities and contribute to the University���s continued success.

Story: Lisa Sollie

Jason Williamson spent years making a living under the hood of vehicles, but he also had a passion for wildlife and the environment. Inspired in part by watching Steve Irwin, the famed ���Crocodile Hunter,��� and later through volunteering at the Environmental Studies Center with Mobile County Public Schools, Williamson eventually found himself on an unexpected career path.

It was at the that Williamson heard about the 91心頭利.

When Williamson began volunteering, he had no plans to change careers, but the work satisfied him in a way that being a mechanic no longer did.

���From the first time I volunteered at the Center, I loved it and I spent a lot of time learning as much as I could from the biologist on staff,��� Williamson said. ���When she told me she planned on retiring soon, I realized this is what I wanted to do with my life and so I went back to school.���

Once Williamson earned his associate degree, he struggled to find a university with a program that fit what he wanted to do.

���One day I mentioned the issue I was having to the center director, Dr. Tracy Halpin Jay,��� Williamson said.

Jay, a two-time 91心頭利 alumnus, told him about 91心頭利.

Just one week after connecting with 91心頭利, Williamson was discussing his ambitious timeline with an advisor.

A husband, father and full-time mechanic, Williamson said it wasn���t easy adding college to the mix. Looking back, he said he doesn���t know how he managed it, often getting by on only four hours of sleep per night.

���I ended up taking 88 credits in a little over a year,��� he said, ���but I have no regrets. Without the at 91心頭利, I���d never be where I am today.���

Hired full-time by the Environmental Studies Center in July 2026, Williamson said that before he started at 91心頭利, he thought he knew a lot.

���I was humbled really quick when I realized how little I knew,��� he said, laughing. ���Everything from learning about different viruses to all the math classes I had to take laid the foundation for everything I now use on a day-to-day basis. Now I���m just building on it.���

One of Williamson���s favorite parts of his new career is when an animal completes the rehabilitation process and successfully returns to the wild.

���All the long hours and the hard days are worth it when you see that bird fly off or another animal run off and you know you gave it the best chance at life,��� he said. ���There���s nothing like it.���

For Williamson, the work is rewarding, but he said there aren���t enough people trained in wildlife rehabilitation.  

���We���re down to five rehabbers in the state of Alabama,��� he said. ���This is definitely an undervalued role in our society, and we need to push the importance of this work to anyone that will listen.���

One way he���s doing that is by educating young people about environmental science.

���We have a large amount of school groups who come to the Center, and I enjoy sharing what we do here, and answer any questions they might have about how to get into this field. I���ll help anybody out that���s interested,��� Williamson said.

The Center also must have a college student working or interning there who is studying environmental science��� whether that���s marine biology, zoology, or even biology, Williamson noted.

���Part of my job is to teach them and share every bit of knowledge I can. I want others to understand the importance of what we do here and why it matters.���