April 17, 2000

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Henry Panion III, Ph.D., chair of the UAB (University of Alabama at Birmingham) Department of Music, has been selected for induction into the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University Hall of Fame. The honor will be bestowed upon Panion in a ceremony at 7 p.m. May 4 at Alabama A&M.

Panion was selected for the Hall of Fame in the category of Arts & Entertainment in recognition of his professional achievements and contributions to Alabama A&M, where received his Bachelor of Science in Music Education. He holds a Master of Arts degree and Ph.D. in music theory from Ohio State University. Panion is chairman and associate professor in the Department of Music at UAB.

Since 1992, Panion has been conductor and arranger for Stevie Wonder. His work can be heard on Wonder's "Conversation Peace" and "Natural Wonder" CDs. He also has worked with Whitney Houston and the Winans. He is a former music director and conductor of the Birmingham Metropolitan Orchestra. Panion's own works for orchestra have been performed by the San Francisco Symphony, San Antonio Symphony and the National Symphony Orchestra.

As a producer, composer, arranger, and orchestrator, his work has produced two Grammy Awards, two Dove Awards, and many other national music awards. His latest work includes arrangements for Contemporary Christian artist Babi Mason whose latest song "Pray and Change Be Now" went to No. 5 on Billboard magazine charts.