CapstoneEngineerMagazineFall2026 - Flipbook - Page 2
DEAN’S MESSAGE
DEAR ALUMNI, COLLEAGUES & FRIENDS,
T
he past year has been truly transformational for
The University of Alabama Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College
of Engineering, and we are pleased to share some of
that progress with you in this issue of Capstone Engineer
magazine.
The most visible milestone was the naming of our
College in October 2025 as the Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College
of Engineering, made possible through the extraordinary
generosity of Catherine Styslinger and her $25 million gift
commitment. This historic investment honors the legacy of
her late husband Lee J. Styslinger Jr., a former student of our
College who built Altec into the industry-leading company
it is today. This impactful gift will strengthen our College
today and for generations to come by enhancing the student
experience, advancing research and innovation, and supporting
the recruitment and retention of outstanding faculty, staff and
students.
Across the College, we continue to experience remarkable
success and momentum. Our people remain at the heart of
that progress. For the fourth consecutive year, we welcomed
a significant cohort of new faculty, further expanding our
capacity for excellence in teaching, research and service.
Among them are our first Endowed Shelby Distinguished
Professors, including two members of the National Academy
of Engineering — the first NAE members at The University of
Alabama — and one of the world’s most highly cited scholars
in optimization.
Our research enterprise also reached a historic milestone,
exceeding $90 million in annual research expenditures for the
first time. That figure is nearly three times what it was just four
years ago and reflects the creativity and dedication of our
faculty, staff and students.
Our progress is also being recognized externally. Since
2022, our College has risen nearly 50 positions in the U.S.
News & World Report Best Graduate Engineering Schools
rankings, making us the fastest-rising engineering program
in the nation over that period. Our departments are gaining
similar recognition, with five of our seven departments now
ranked among the top 50 public programs in their disciplines.
In this issue, you will read just a few of the many stories
that define our College — stories of talented students, inspiring
faculty, dedicated staff, accomplished alumni and generous
friends. Together, they remind us that engineering and
computer science are powerful forces for progress and positive
impact in our world.
This past year has indeed been an exciting one, and it is
The Capstone Engineer is The University of Alabama Lee
J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering’s alumni magazine
and is produced annually by the College’s Office of
External Affairs. It was first issued in the early 1980s as
a newsletter and became a magazine in the 1990s. It has
become a valued resource for alumni and supporters to
stay informed of news and events within the College.
LEE J. STYSLINGER JR. COLLEGE OF
ENGINEERING OFFICE OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
eng.ua.edu
EDITORIAL STAFF:
Communications Program Manager
Communications Specialist II
Communications Specialist I
CONTRIBUTORS:
DAVID MILLER
Director of Advancement Communications
an honor to serve as dean of the College. I look forward to
all we will accomplish together and to sharing additional
milestones and advancements in the year ahead.
Student Communications Assistants
Roll Tide!
Graphic Design
Photography
DR. CLIFFORD L. HENDERSON, DEAN
2 | CAPSTONE ENGINEER | FALL 2026
