University of West Alabama

Imagine being time-traveled back to 1835, when a unique institution called the Livingston Female Academy was born. Run by dedicated ethnic Scots-Irish Presbyterians, this establishment with humble beginnings took upon itself the mission of educating future teachers and offering courses in art, music, languages, and home economics. Picture the first building on the picturesque campus, Jones Hall, radiating knowledge and culture in 1837 – a truly magnificent sight!

Fast forward to 1843, a milestone year when Elizabeth Houston, daughter of a prominent local businessman and trustee M. L. Houston, bagged the institution's first diploma. The reins of the academy were held by a string of passionate leaders, the first of whom was A. A. Kimbrell, and later Margaret McShan. Among these figures was Dr. Robert Dickens Webb, a trustee who served diligently for over 40 years and steered the academy through the choppy seas of the American Civil War and Reconstruction.

1878 was a period of evolution for the academy, transforming into Livingston Normal College. The college was privileged to have on its faculty, education reformer Julia Strudwick Tutwiler, who joined in 1881 to serve alongside her uncle, Carlos Green Smith. It was with their shared vision that Alabama became the first southern state to invest in women's education, securing a funding of $2,500 for tuition and supplies in 1882–1883.

Come 1883, and the college was renamed as the Alabama Normal College for Girls and Livingston Female Academy, widening its mission and scope. The term "Normal training" was used to denote teacher education equivalent to high school plus two years of college education. The first students of Normal College celebrated their graduation in 1886.

As we enter the 20th century, the college became co-educational and evolved into Livingston State Teachers College. The first football team entered the field in 1931, earning the college's teams the name UWA Tigers. Campus life further flourished with the addition of social sororities, while landmark buildings such as the Foust Hall and the Bibb Graves Hall emerged.

View the post World War II era as a revival period for the college when William Wilson Hill came aboard as president in 1944, endeavouring to recruit war veterans and revive interest in sports. Hill's preservation efforts ensured that the institution continued as a four-year college, despite significantly reduced enrollment post-war.

As the 1950s rolled around, the college expanded its domain, offering professional education at master's level. During the 1963-1973 period, under John E. Deloney, the college saw significant growth, adding to the beauty of the campus a 54-acre lake surrounded by scenic nature trails. Program additions, campus renovations, and faculty broadening became the highlights of Deloney's presidency.

Building further on this educative lineage, Asa N. Green (1973–1994) worked relentlessly to establish nursing and dual-degree programs with Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. In 1976, the first batch of nursing students did their alma mater proud by acing their associate degrees. Enrollment swelled, and by fall 2002, the University celebrated exceeding the 2,000 mark.

The dawn of the 21st century reaffirmed UWA’s commitment to innovation, as efforts were put in bringing more computers, establishing programs in psychology and forestry, and transforming the college into one of the first wireless institutions in the region. These stalwart efforts kept UWA admired and esteemed as it continues to grow, shaping young minds and creating leaders for tomorrow. So, gear up to be part of this legendary journey at The University of West Alabama - a story that began in 1835 and is still being written, one achievement at a time!