November 6, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--The University of West Alabama and the UWA National Alumni Association presented several Alumni Achievement Awards as part of the recent Homecoming celebration at the institution. Established in 1994, these awards recognize outstanding alumni from each UWA college or division and organizations that make valuable contributions to the West Alabama community.

Dr. Bryan Hess Jones of Birmingham was honored by the Ira D. Pruitt Division of Nursing. He received an associate’s degree in nursing in 1995 and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 2001, both from UWA. Jones is currently working as a resident doctor of anesthesiology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Hospital. He is a 2006 graduate of the University of Alabama School of Medicine. Prior to beginning his residency, he completed an internship in general medicine at Trinity (formerly Baptist Health Systems) of Birmingham.
 

Dr. Lewis Byrd of Bay Minette posthumously received the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics award. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from UWA in 1967, and he also earned both his master’s degree in 1973 and his doctorate in 1976 from Auburn University. Before his death in June 2007, he served as director of the seafood branch for the State of Alabama Department of Public Health.
 

David C. Adcock of Birmingham received the College of Business Alumni Achievement Award. A 1971 business administration graduate, Adcock is the president and CEO of America's First Federal Credit Union headquartered in Birmingham. He serves as a trustee of CU VOTE, affiliated with the Alabama Credit Union League, and vice chairman of the Credit Union Coalition of Alabama. In 2005, he was appointed to the Black Belt Action Committee by Gov. Bob Riley. In 2006, the Credit Union National Association appointed Adcock to the National Community Credit Union Committee.
 

Andy Coats of Birmingham was honored by the College of Liberal Arts. A 1973 sociology graduate, he is the founder and president of Occupational Health Dynamics, which focuses on the sale and service of high-end instrumentation of industrial hygiene and occupational health diagnostic equipment. Coats also serves as an adjunct instructor at Georgia Institute of Technology and the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He is also a member of the American Society of Safety Engineers and the American Industrial Hygiene Association.
 

Luke Hallmark of Demopolis received the College of Education award. Hallmark holds both a bachelor’s and master’s degree from UWA. He also earned an associate’s degree from Marion Military Institute, a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University and an educational specialist degree from the University of Montevallo. Superintendent of Marengo County Schools since 2000, Hallmark is pursuing a doctorate in administration from Alabama State University. He served on UWA’s National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education board and the National Youth Program advisory board. He also serves on the board for the School Superintendents of Alabama and as a member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association Legislative Council and the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools.
 

The Alumni Loyalty Award was presented to 1979 business administration graduate Tommy Cobb of Tuscaloosa. He was named CEO of Tuscaloosa Credit Union in 1991. Cobb is a past president of the UWA National Alumni Association, and he is very active in the Tuscaloosa County Alumni Chapter. He recently worked with the Tuscaloosa Credit Union Board of Directors to secure a $25,000 gift to endow a scholarship for students from Tuscaloosa County to attend UWA.
 

The Tuscaloosa Credit Union received the West Alabama Community Service Award. The member-owned and operated financial institution has employed a number of UWA graduates over the years, and the credit union has always been quick to support the University when called upon. In April 2007, the Tuscaloosa Credit Union donated a $25,000 endowment to The University of West Alabama’s alumni scholarship fund to support undergraduate students from Tuscaloosa County. The Tuscaloosa Credit Union UWA Alumni Scholarship will be funded with earnings from the endowment.
 

The Mobile County Chapter of the National Alumni Association was recognized as the Outstanding UWA Organization. One of the largest and most active alumni chapters, the group hosts a number of socials, dinner meetings and golf tournaments each year. Under the leadership of chapter president Dr. Bob Clardy, a 1954 graduate, the chapter has raised more than $80,000 in scholarship money for Mobile County students to attend The University of West Alabama.