Dr. Sam BrownEstablished in 2009, The Sam Brown Bridge Builder Award recognizes a UAB faculty or staff member who embodies Dr. Brown’s vision, character, and bridge-building talents which are vital to the university’s growth and success and who, like Dr. Brown, demonstrates a deep and abiding commitment to collaborating across campus that enhances the research and teaching activities of the university.
Dr. Sam Brown was uniquely talented in facilitating partnerships and nurturing positive relationships among faculty and staff across campus that were vital to the future of UAB. At the time, UAB was in its infancy, deeming Dr. Brown’s approach and attitude particularly impactful. He assisted center directors in planning, organizing, and implementing interdisciplinary research and training centers. He successfully assisted in developing grant applications for external funding. He also served on numerous center advisory and management committees. Dr. Brown’s influence in interdisciplinary research extended to the national level—he was the first non-clinician to be elected President of the American Association for Cancer Education; chaired the executive committee for the Health Sciences Consortium for Instructional Materials, served on the National Arthritis Advisory Board; and served on the advisory committee for the National Fund for Medical Education. He also was a member of the NIH Study Group that reviewed applications for Multipurpose Arthritis Centers.
Past Recipients
Dr. James Rimmer
2024School of Health Professions
Dr. Chris Minnix
2023Department of English & Blazer Core
Greg Pence
2022Department of Philosophy
Dr. Jeffery T. Walker
2020Department of Social Work
Dr. Barbara A. Gower
2019Department of Nutrition Sciences
Dr. Scott Phillips
2018UAB Center for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Patricia A. Patrician
2017UAB School of Nursing
Dr. Yogesh K. Vohra
2016UAB Department of Physics
Dr. Lisa Schwiebert
2015UAB Center for Teaching and Learning
Dr. Jack Lemons
2014UAB School of Dentistry
Dr. Jennifer Kilgo
2013UAB School of Education and Human Sciences
Dr. Cynthia Ryan
2013UAB Department of English
Dr. Diane Tucker
2012UAB Department of Psychology
Dr. Lou Bridges
2012UAB HSF - Rheumatology
Grow the Endowment
Please help us grow the Sam Brown Bridge Builder award fund to further foster interdisciplinary research and relationships.
For more information, contact Lisa Bristow.
lisabristow@uab.edu
205-934-7799
Nominations
Nominees should have demonstrated a deep and abiding commitment to facilitating collaboration and partnership across campus in ways that enhance the research and/or teaching activities of the university. All full time UAB faculty and staff are eligible for this award.
The primary nominator should submit a letter describing the nominee’s sustained unselfish leadership in fostering the growth and/or development of interdisciplinary collaboration between two or more schools in ways that embodies the vision, character, and bridge-building talents vital to the future of UAB. The letter should describe the impact of the efforts on specific programs or collaborations. As described in the instructions two or more letters supporting the nomination and emphasizing the nominee’s contributions are required. At least one of those letters must come from outside the nominee’s primary school of appointment.
The recipient of the Sam Brown Bridge Builder Award will be recognized at the annual Faculty Awards Ceremony and will receive a $2,500 cash award.
Nomination Process
Submit required documents for nomination in electronic format via email to Jessica Eddings (Project Coordinator - Provost) at jeddings@uab.edu. Nominations for the 2025 Sam Brown Bridge Builder Award open March 1, 2025 and close May 31, 2025.
To nominate an UAB faculty or staff member the Sam Brown Bridge Builder Award, please provide the following required information:
- Cover Sheet with:
- Nominee's Name
- UAB Position
- Campus Address and Email
- At least three letters of support – Please Note: The letters of support are critical to the selection process
- One (1) of the letters of support should be from the primary nominator
- Two (2) or more equally thoughtful and carefully crafted supporting letters from across the campus
- The nominee's CV or resume is also required and should be emailed with the packet
For questions related to the Sam Brown Bridge Builder Award, contact Office of the Provost at 205-934-0622 or by emailing provost@uab.edu.