Photo by Steve WoodBirmingham 101, a new series presented by the University of Alabama at Birmingham, will continue its focus on the history of Birmingham high schools and ties to UAB with a second event highlighting Woodlawn on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Organized by UAB Student Affairs Student Involvement and Leadership, the program highlights two high schools per semester. The evening includes a panel discussion with graduates of the featured school from the 1960s to present day, or when the school closed if it is no longer open.
Birmingham 101: Woodlawn will be presented Thursday, Nov. 10, in the UAB Hill Student Center Ballroom, 1400 University Blvd. A reception begins at 6 p.m., followed by a 7 p.m. panel discussion and an 8:30 p.m. Q&A. The first event featured West End; schools for the 2016-2017 Birmingham 101 series will also include Parker High (February 2017) and Ensley High (April 2017).
“The history and significance of Birmingham are too often limited to the events of the 1960s, and this program is seeking to provide students with a more accurate depiction of the city’s development,” said David Dada, coordinator of Leadership and Service in the Office of Student Involvement and Leadership.
The aim of the panel discussion is to focus on the developmental experiences that each panelist had while attending Woodlawn High, in addition to the development of the Woodlawn neighborhood itself, Dada says. Panelists will highlight the history of the area over the span of the four decades represented.
“The goal from a Student Affairs perspective is to give students more insight on the areas in which we provide service opportunities, in order to provide a deeper sense of meaning to the experience,” he said.
Many of the panelists for the Woodlawn High School event have ties to UAB:
- Bob Corley, Ph.D., Woodlawn ’66, assistant professor in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of History, former director of the UAB Center for Urban Affairs and founding director of the UAB Honors College’s Global Community Leadership Honors Program.
- Clifford Kennon, Woodlawn ’87, assistant director of Employer Outreach, UAB Career and Professional Development.
- Betsy Rogers, Ed.D., Ed.S., Woodlawn ’70, assistant professor and chair of Curriculum and Instruction, Samford University; named 2003 National Teacher of the Year.
- Rep. Oliver Robinson, Woodlawn ’78, state representative, first scholarship athlete in UAB’s history (Men’s Basketball), former Conference Player of the Year and honorable mention AP All-American.
- Marie Sutton, Woodlawn ’92, director of Marketing and Communications for UAB Student Affairs; author of “The A.G. Gaston Motel in Birmingham: A Civil Rights Landmark.”
Contact Student Involvement and Leadership at 205-934-8020 or at getinvolved@uab.edu for more information.