ɫ��Ƶ Your Neighbor

In the Community

��

ɫ��Ƶ Medallion Awards Herald Birmingham's Difference-Makers

A nonprofit founder who harnessed the healing power of horses. An award-winning landscape architect. The leader of an ecumenical ministry. Meet ɫ��Ƶ's 2025 Medallion Award recipients.

Full Story

Over 1,000 Students Make an Impact through ɫ��Ƶ Gives Back

More than 1,000 students gathered on April 28 to serve organizations all around the city of Birmingham in the annual ɫ��Ƶ Gives Back event.

Full Story

Cleveland Publishes First Book, Offering Practical Advice for School Superintendents

After 31 years in public education and 12 years as superintendent of Homewood City Schools, Bill Cleveland is adding a new title to his extensive resume: published author.

Full Story

��

Stronger Together: Orlean Beeson School of Education’s Commitment to Community

In 2020, as schools and workplaces across the country scrambled to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, Anna McEwan, dean of ɫ��Ƶ’s Orlean Beeson School of Education, and Justin Hefner, EdS ’16, EdD ’18, superintendent of Homewood City Schools, both stepped into their leadership roles mid-crisis.

Full Story

ɫ��Ƶ Streamlines Path for Community College Transfers Through Expanded Partnerships

Current agreements include Jefferson State, Gadsden State, Wallace State and Lawson State community colleges.

Full Story

Pam and Bill Smith Inspire Students with Unique Gift

Bill Smith, a well-known Birmingham entrepreneur and community leader, announced the creation of a unique gift for ɫ��Ƶ that will significantly impact future generations of ɫ��Ƶ students.

Full Story

��

Our Impact

Independent research has shown ɫ��Ƶ greatly impacts the state of Alabama's job creation, generation of significant tax revenues, promotion of innovation, assistance in business creation and growth and facilitation of economic development.

ɫ��Ƶ’s economic impact in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area is estimated to be $414.9 million. This includes an annual economic impact of $19.7 million due to university campus visitors.

Additionally, ɫ��Ƶ is a net importer of human capital to Alabama and Birmingham.

From 2014-24, 18% of all out-of-state students decided to remain employed in Alabama or attend graduate school after graduation. A significantly smaller percentage (9%) of students whose home state was Alabama elected to relocate outside the state after graduating from ɫ��Ƶ. In 2024, ɫ��Ƶ enrolled students from 45 states, Puerto Rico, and 16 countries. View the full report.