Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The baby直播 has presented two long-term faculty members emeritus honors upon their retirement. Dr. Tina N. Jones has been named Vice President Emerita, and Dr. Alan Brown has been named Professor Emeritus. The two were recognized at the University鈥檚 Employee Recognition Ceremony at the end of the spring semester.

Dr. Alan Brown
After 40 years of service to students, colleagues, and the discipline, Dr. Alan Brown retired from UWA in May 2026, earning the status of Professor of Emeritus of English and Folklore.

In his nomination letter, Dr. Kendrick Prewitt, Chair of the Department of English & History, noted that over Brown鈥檚 40 years at UWA, he made his mark through his passion for teaching American literature and composition to generations of students, his 34-year stewardship of the UWA Writing Center, and his extensive research into ghost lore and regional folklore.

Prewitt also noted that Brown is a rare example of a scholar who has successfully translated academic scholarship for broader public audiences through book clubs, public libraries, senior centers, radio broadcasts, podcasts, and cemetery history reenactments.

Known for meeting deadlines, efficiently handling administrative responsibilities, and traveling frugally on departmental funds, Brown has received the McIlwain Bell Trustees Faculty Award twice and the Nellie McCrory Faculty Service Award. Prewitt described him as setting a consistent standard for the College of Liberal Arts.

Brown has published more than 20 books and numerous articles on ghost lore and folklore, his primary area of interest. His scholarly work also spans the history of Sumter County, composition pedagogy, gothic literature, and studies of authors including Poe, Hemingway, Faulkner, and Twain.

He is well known on campus and beyond for his ghost tours, distinctive mustache, homemade brownies, daily peanut butter and jelly lunches, and his large looping lecture notes handwriting.

Dr. Tina Naremore Jones
Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, a longtime professor of English, retired from UWA as Provost on September 30 after 38 years at the institution, earning the status of Vice President Emerita of Academic Affairs.

In her nomination letter, Jones was recognized for decades of leadership and service to the university, first as a student, then faculty member, and later in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Economic Workforce Development and then as Provost, becoming the first woman at UWA to be named vice president and first to serve as provost. Over the years, she played an integral role in shaping the University鈥檚 academic programs, strengthened its outreach, and helped define what it means for the institution to serve not only its students, but the entire region.

It was also noted that Jones consistently “led with intention, listening carefully and leading thoughtfully.” Her nomination letter described her conduct as “marked by a level of grace and integrity that is rare, setting a standard not only for leadership, but for how people are treated.”

鈥淭ina believed in this place, and it鈥檚 people,鈥� said Provost, Dr. Amy Jones during the recognition ceremony. 鈥淧eople often assumed we were related鈥攁nd in many ways that never felt entirely wrong, because she had that kind of lasting, personal impact on so many of us at UWA. That impact will be felt for generations鈥攊n our programs, across this campus, and in the lives of the students and communities we serve.鈥�

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Story: Lisa Sollie

UWA elementary education program achieves top marks in new report from the National Council on Teacher Quality 

The baby直播鈥檚 undergraduate elementary teacher preparation program in the Julia S. Tutwiler College of Education has received an A+ from the (NCTQ) for its excellence in preparing future elementary teachers to teach reading effectively.

The report, , published on June 9, spotlights the baby直播 for meeting the standards set by literacy experts for coverage of the most effective methods of reading instruction. Specifically, this means the program is preparing aspiring teachers in all five components of scientifically based reading instruction, including phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary, and avoids many instructional practices that research has shown to be ineffective or counterproductive for teaching children to read.

鈥淭his recognition reflects our deep commitment to preparing future teachers with the knowledge, practice, and confidence they need to teach reading effectively from day one,鈥� said Dr. Cheryl Lambert, College of Education dean. 鈥淪trong literacy instruction changes the trajectory of a child鈥檚 academic life, and we are proud that our elementary education program is grounded in research-based practices that support teachers, schools, and the students they serve.鈥�

UWA鈥檚 elementary education program prepares teacher candidates through coursework, field experiences, and clinical practice designed to connect research-based instruction with the real needs of classrooms. The program emphasizes evidence-based literacy practices, strong partnerships with schools, and preparation for teaching in rural and diverse educational settings across baby直播 and beyond.

鈥淓very child deserves a teacher who has been well prepared to teach reading, and every teacher deserves the opportunity to enter the classroom ready to help students succeed,鈥� said NCTQ President Heather Peske. 鈥淎cross the country, many teacher preparation programs still do not fully align with the science of reading, but baby直播 is demonstrating what strong preparation can look like.鈥�

NCTQ鈥檚 methodology is informed by a panel of reading experts, teacher preparation faculty, reading advocates, and measurement experts. To evaluate the quality of preparation being provided, a team of experts at NCTQ analyzed syllabi, including lecture schedules and topics, background reading materials, class assessments, assignments, and opportunities to practice instruction in required literacy courses for elementary teacher candidates at UWA. 

To earn an 鈥淎,鈥� programs must demonstrate that coursework for future elementary teachers includes all five core components of scientifically based reading instruction and avoid teaching more than three instructional methods that are unsupported by the research on effective reading instruction. Earning an A+, indicates that programs exceed those targets and do not teach any instructional practices that are unsupported by research.

NCTQ is a nonpartisan research and policy organization dedicated to ensuring that every child has access to effective teachers. NCTQ believes a strong, diverse teacher workforce is critical for providing all students with equitable educational opportunities.

Learn more about UWA鈥檚 nationally recognized teacher preparation program.

See NCTQ鈥檚 report, for more information about the baby直播鈥檚 coverage of the science of reading and to see how UWA compares to other programs in baby直播 or across the country.

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厂迟辞谤测:听Lisa Sollie听| Photo: Cody Ingram

As part of the baby直播鈥檚 continued emphasis on strengthening institutional communications, marketing, and brand advancement, UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch has announced the appointment of Betsy Compton as Executive Director of Communications & Marketing.

Established in 2025 as a centralized division reporting directly to the President, the Office of Communications & Marketing was elevated early in Fritch’s administration to support the University鈥檚 strategic priorities through coordinated messaging, executive communications, marketing strategy, brand management, and integrated communications efforts across the institution.

Compton will continue serving as a member of the President鈥檚 Cabinet and leading the expansion of the University鈥檚 comprehensive communications and marketing initiatives in support of academic affairs, enrollment management, athletics, advancement, student affairs, and administrative operations.

鈥淐ommunications and marketing play an increasingly important role in advancing the University鈥檚 strategic priorities and institutional visibility,鈥� Fritch said. 鈥淏etsy has provided leadership throughout the establishment and transition of the division, and her experience and institutional knowledge have helped position the Office of Communications & Marketing for continued growth and success.鈥�

Compton has served the University in communications and marketing roles for nearly two decades, having served as Interim Executive Director of Communications & Marketing since the division’s transition from Institutional Advancement last year.

A two-time graduate of the baby直播, Compton joined the University staff in 2007 as a graphic designer in UWA Printing Services, before serving Institutional Advancement in roles supporting public relations, brand management, executive communications, and strategic messaging initiatives.

鈥淚 am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the University in this role,鈥� Compton said. 鈥淯WA has been an important part of my life both personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside colleagues across campus to support the mission and future of the University.鈥�

The Office of Communications & Marketing serves as the University鈥檚 central communications resource and collaborates with units across campus to support communications, marketing, branding, media relations, and engagement to advance the University’s mission.听

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