Fall General Meeting

Wayne Flynt Informs and Challenges TUARA Members

It isn’t often a speaker receives a big round of applause after thoroughly depressing an audience   during the presentation. Dr. Wayne Flynt, Professor Emeritus of History from Auburn University, received said applause from a standing-room only group of TUARA members and guests on September 27, 2011 during the fall general membership meeting.  Flynt, well known for his straightforward and fact-based reviews of Alabama history, described its educational, economic, and racial histories. He held an attentive audience with his interesting presentation during the afternoon meeting in Tuscaloosa.

  

Numerous rating agencies rank Alabama near the bottom in state comparisons for low tax rates; unfortunately, it also ranks at the bottom in most quality of life measures for its citizens. Flynt pointed out that these rankings have not changed much in the last several decades (of course he wasn’t referring to the Tide’s football record). Little known was Flynt’s description of how successful Alabamians are in collecting the Federal dollars, typically 50% more than they pay in taxes for infrastructure improvements and social services assistance. 

 

His scholarly presentation included overviews of Alabama’s Great Migration of African Americans to the north (1910-30) and also the state’s sad history of low skill jobs and low education opportunities.  However, Flynt was not all gloom and doom. He described the changes needed in legislative initiatives to help Alabama improve its overall quality of life.  Alabama offers much potential for a better life style for its people according to Dr. Flynt

 

Dr. Flynt is a renowned author who has written numerous scholarly articles and books and has been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize on several occasions.  After the meeting Dr. Flynt autographed copies of his latest book Keeping the Faith . . . Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives, printed by the University of Alabama Press.  Accolades include “Dr. Flynt is one of our finest writers.  Keeping the Faith tells us why”  from Harper Lee and “Wayne Flynt is the Shelby Foote of Alabama history” from Rick Bragg.  Dr. Flynt has written ten other books including Poor but Proud: Alabama’s Poor Whites

 

 

First-generation Book Scholarship

Named for UA President Witt

A book scholarship for first-generation UA students has been established in honor of University President Robert E. Witt. The scholarship is funded by The University of Alabama Retirees Association. President Martha Rogers made the announcement at the annual meeting and luncheon June 29 at Bryant Conference Center.

 A resolution was presented to Witt, commending him for ushering the University into a new period of unprecedented growth and academic achievement while also aiding in the education of first-generation college students at the Capstone.

The Robert E. Witt First-Generation Book Scholarship has special significance, Witt said, because in September 1958 he entered college as the first member of his family to ever attend college.

It will be awarded annually to two first-generation UA sophomores who graduated from Alabama high schools and who maintained a 3.0 grade-point average during the freshman college year.

For several years, the TUARA board has discussed establishing a book scholarship at the University of Alabama.  “Impetus was given to this project when one of our board members, Martie Sample, asked that donations in memory of her mother, Joe Ann Sample Slact, be given to TUARA's book scholarship fund,” Rogers said.

The meeting, schedule earlier and postponed by the April 27 tornado, recognized the University’s response to storm recovery.  Witt reported that the campus community helped in search and recovering, provided traffic control, prepared and delivered meals and delivered supplies from outside Tuscaloosa.

Students living in areas hit by the storm rescued neighbors buried in debris. Tragically, Witt recounted, six students died from injuries. The University has established an Acts of Kindness Fund to assist UA faculty, staff and students who suffered financially from the effects of the storm.

Reporting on progress in other areas of University life, Witt noted that the University has received strong legislative support during the year. A large, academically outstanding freshman class has been admitted. The University’s building program continues with the construction of a new residence hall, another recreation center, and a dining hall for students.

He acknowledged the commitment of UA faculty and staff as being fundamental to the University’s progress, and he thanked TUARA for supporting the University.

 

 

UA Acts of Kindness Fund Covers Retirees

The UA Acts of Kindness Fund has been expanded to assist retired UA employees, at the request of President Robert E. Witt. The fund was established following the April 27 tornado.

A letter from Dana S. Keith, UA Acts of Kindness fund manager, has been sent to all UA retirees informing them of this decision.  Retirees whose primary residence is in Tuscaloosa County and who were impacted by the April 15 or April 27 tornadoes are included. 

Retired UA employees who meet the eligibility criteria must apply for funds no later than Oct. 31, 2011. The need for financial assistance must be directly attributed to or caused by the April 15 or April 27, 2011, tornadoes.

Additional details about eligible expenses are available on the UA Acts of Kindness website at http://financialaffairs.ua.edu/benfund/.   Please call (205)348-6690 or email adickey@fa.ua.edu if you have any questions.

 

 

A Salute to Retiring Members of the TUARA Executive Board

Shirley Florence, vice-president for membership, resigned from the The University of Alabama Retirees Association board to join her son and his family in Texas.  We wish her well.  Marilee Brown-Wells became treasurer when Tom Moore resigned during his battle with cancer.  She developed the budgeting process that guides us as we make decisions about expenditures. Gary April and Christel Bell each served three years on the executive board.  As their last contribution, they served as the nominating committee for the 2011 Executive Board.  Tom Canterbury and Curtis Sellers retired from the board during their terms because of health conditions.    And, sadly, one of our most faithful and enthusiastic members of the board, Marilyn Emplaincourt, died during her term of service.  Thanks to all of these individuals for their devotion to TUARA.

                                                                                --Martha Rogers, President

 

New TUARA  Officers and Executive Board

The following persons are elected to the Executive Board for 2011-2012:

President – Martha Rogers (2nd term)

Vice President for Membership – Dianne Teague (1st term)

Treasurer – Pam Mitchell (1st term)

Members at large

Three-year terms -- Joan Atkinson, Gene Byrd,  Dianne Kerr,  Mildred Switzer

Two-year terms -- Betsy Graham, Jerry Hoffman, Marie Parsons

Please click on the link for Executive Board to find a complete listing of the Executive Board for 2011-2012.

 

TUARA Membership Information

The University of Alabama Retirees Association focuses on the needs of retired University employees, educates the public about issues unique to retired individuals and helps promote continued support of the University's scholarly and professional objectives.

TUARA offers an array of important resources for UA retirees: Advocacy for retiree benefits, discussion groups specific to retiree issues, social events, coordinated volunteer efforts and more.

The group has grown from 36 people at the Fall 2003 organizational meeting to a current membership of 1,022.

Annual Dues - Joint or Single Membership - $20.00

TUARA membership is open to all retirees of The University of Alabama and spouses, widows, and widowers of such persons.  Also eligible are persons who once worked for the University and are now retired, and spouses, widows, and widowers of such persons.  

Persons presently employed by The University of Alabama who expect to retire in five years or less, and their spouses, are eligible for membership as prospective retirees.  If you would like to learn more about TUARA, contact Dianne Teague at dteague@aalan.ua.edu or 205-553-0167.