April 9, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—The University of West Alabama’s Environmental Sciences program recently received a $35,000 increase for a scholarship endowment from the Alabama Power Foundation.

The Alabama Power College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Endowed Scholarship Fund, which had been established at $15,000, will now grow to $50,000 and support undergraduate and graduate students in the school’s environmental science program. Earnings from the endowment are used to fund the scholarships.

“Scholarship money in the impoverished Black Belt region is very important to the success of our students,” UWA President Richard Holland said. “This addition to the environmental sciences scholarship endowment will enable us to help more students meet the financial obligations of attending UWA.”

The environmental sciences department is in a “rebuilding phase,” said program director Doug Wymer.

“Our program is poised for new heights because of several factors,” Wymer said. “We’ve made significant revisions to the program. We have a new dual degree program offered in conjunction with Auburn University. We also now have ongoing input from an active advisory board composed of individuals working in the field of environmental sciences.”

“We’re delighted to see the environmental sciences department at UWA growing leaps and bounds,” said Willard Bowers, vice president of Environmental Affairs at Alabama Power Company. “There is a dire need for more professionals in environmental sciences, and we welcome the opportunity to help support fine programs that are training our young people in this career track.”

Current Alabama Power Foundation scholarship recipient Gregory Gibson said the financial support has been particularly meaningful for him.

“The scholarship was a tremendous help to my academic success because the financial assistance allowed me to more easily balance the duties of being a husband, father and student,” Gibson said.