UA_Engineer_25_FINAL_spreads (1) - Flipbook - Page 13
A RECORD YEAR: THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING SURPASSES
$100
MILLION
IN
NEW
RESEARCH
AWARDS
IN A SINGLE FISCAL YEAR
F
by NATALIE BONNER
or the first time in its history, the College of
Engineering received more than $100 million
in new external research awards in a single
fiscal year, with just over $100.5 million in
new awards for FY 2024. This accomplishment
marked a period of vast growth, signified by a
244% increase in research grant awards over the
past five years.
“We were immensely proud that the College
surpassed $100 million in new research awards for
fiscal year 2024,” said Dr. Clifford Henderson, dean
of the College of Engineering. “This remarkable
achievement, marking a more than 50% increase in
new research awards to our College and our faculty
in just the past two years and more than a fourfold
increase over the past eight years, is a testament to
the exceptional dedication, ingenuity and vision of
our faculty, staff and students.”
Nearly 70% of the College’s faculty and staff
members, or 122 individuals, received 383 new
research funding awards during the recordbreaking year.
Dr. Heath Turner, associate dean for research
and economic development, noted the integral role
COE faculty played in reaching this goal.
“Our College has been strategic about investing
in world-class facilities, hiring talented and
dedicated faculty and staff, and ultimately, training
students to become technical innovators at the
highest level,” Turner said. “Success breeds more
success, and I am extremely optimistic that our
faculty will continue to learn from each other and
push toward achieving another funding milestone
in the near future.”
Henderson recognized faculty with a reception
to celebrate the researchers’ “inquisitiveness,
imagination and ideas that drive new awards and
efforts in the College.”
“The hard work of our faculty continues to
push the boundaries of engineering and computer
science knowledge and innovation, and the fruits
of their vision and hard work continue to make an
ever-increasing and significant impact,” Henderson
said. “I couldn’t be prouder of our faculty, staff and
students, and it is a pleasure to serve and have the
opportunity to represent and lead our outstanding
College of Engineering family.”
Henderson expressed his gratitude for the
support of The University of Alabama and its
leadership and their commitment to research and
education. Aligned with the University’s research
mission, he believes the College is forging a
more prosperous future for the state, region
and nation, and blazing new pathways in science
and engineering.
“This is a great achievement for our College,
but we are already busy envisioning and
translating our next goals into a reality where
we double this achievement in the years ahead,”
Henderson said.
FALL 2025 | CAPSTONE ENGINEER | 13
