Monday, January 13, 2004
UA will host a joint videoconference with the Universities of Georgia and Mississippi to reflect on the 40th anniversary commemorations and discuss the future of race relations.


Wednesday, June 11, 2003
The African-American Gospel Choir Reunion-Rehearsal was held at 10:00 a.m. at the Baptist Student Union.

The Youth Program was held from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at the Ferguson Center Theatre. The event included Zaneta Lowe, Director of Public Relations for Tuscaloosa City Schools, as Master of Ceremonies; welcomes from Dr. Kathleen Cramer, Associate Vice President for Student Affairs, and Katie Boyd, President of the Student Government Association; student skits; and introduction of essay and art contest winners.

The Opening Doors Symposium: Reflections from African-American Alumni, 1956-2000 was held from 3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Ferguson Center Theatre. The event included Valeria Cummings, WKYT-TV Anchor in Lexington, Ky., as Master of Ceremonies; Dorsey Blake, Religious Studies faculty member in the 1970s, as moderator; and panelists representing each decade from the 1950s through the 2000s.

The Community Celebration on the Quad was held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on the UA Quad. The event included Thomas L. Coley Jr., Tallapoosa County Commission District 1, as Master of Ceremonies; Tuscaloosa City Schools Festival Arts Chorus; Hillcrest High School Cheerleaders; Shelton State Community College Theater Group; Holt High School Choral Group; Central High School Band; African-American University of Alabama Alumni Reunion Gospel Choir; recognitions and announcements; and display of the Opening Doors: Pioneers photographic exhibit. Opening Doors Exhibits

The 7:30-8:00 p.m. — Procession to Foster Auditorium

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Candlelight Vigil at Foster Auditorium and Culminating Program were held from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. The event included Dr. Harold Bishop, Professor in the College of Education, as Master of Ceremonies; welcome from UA President Dr. Robert E. Witt; speaker introduction by Walter Bell, Insurance Commissioner of the State of Alabama; speaker Vivian Malone Jones; reflections from the community; and closing remarks by Alabama Governor Bob Riley and Dr. Witt.

Samory Pruitt
Office of the President
203 Rose Administration Building
Box 870100
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0100
(205) 348-8375, fax (205) 348-7238
spruitt@pres.ua.edu

Media Information Janet Griffith
Office of University Relations
218 Rose Administration
Box 870144
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0144
(205) 348-5765, fax (205) 348-0126
jgriffith@ur.ua.edu

Pioneer Gala Kathleen Cramer
Office of Student Affairs
275 Rose Administration Building
Box 870116
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0116
(205) 348-6681, fax (205) 348-2591
kcramer@bama.ua.edu

Community Events Ike Adams
School of Social Work
108 Little Hall
Box 870314
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0314
(205) 348-3924, fax (205) 348-9419
jadams@sw.ua.edu

Academic Activities Hank Lazer
Office of Academic Affairs
254 Rose Administration
Box 870114
Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35487-0114
(205) 348-4893, fax (205) 348-9137
hlazer@aalan.ua.edu

Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Opening Doors: Segregation, Civil Rights, and Beyond at The University of Alabama — this exhibit was launched to coincide with the "Opening Doors" events and remained on display until Sept. 26 at the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library. Opening Doors Exhibits

Opening Doors: Pioneers — this photographic exhibit was on display throughout the day at the Bryant Conference Center. Opening Doors Exhibits

Media and the Moment: Images of the Schoolhouse Door was held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Bryant Conference Center. The event included welcome and introductions by Dr. E. Culpepper Clark, Dean of the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences, and moderator John Cochran of ABC News; a viewing of "Crisis," the famous documentary of the Kennedy-Wallace confrontation over desegregation at UA; and speakers on the topics of "Documenting the Moment," "Politics and the Moment," and "Reporting the Moment."

A News Conference was held at 2:00 p.m. at the Bryant Conference Center.

The Pioneer Scholarship Dinner and Gala was held at 6:00 p.m. at the Bryant Conference Center. The event included Keisa Sharpe, ABC 33/40 News Anchor, as Master of Ceremonies; welcome from UA President Dr. Robert E. Witt; recognition of committee members and pioneers; and reflections from Pioneers.

The Pioneer Recognition Program was held at 8:00 p.m. at the Moody Music Concert Hall. The event included keynote speaker Robert Kennedy Jr.; Dr. Culpepper Clark, Dean of the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences, as Master of Ceremonies; remarks by UA President Dr. Robert E. Witt; and a video tribute to the pioneers.

Monday, June 9, 2003
The Opening Doors Reception was held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Jemison House. The event was attended by pioneers, community leaders, committee members, volunteers, alumni, and others.

Opening Doors Level

• The University of Alabama

Pioneer Level

• Intercollegiate Athletics, The University of Alabama
• Mercedes-Benz U.S. International Inc.
• National Alumni Association of The University of Alabama

Table Sponsors

• A.G. Gaston Construction Company
• Alabama Power Company
• Amsouth Bank
• U.S. Representative Artur Davis
• John and Molly Plunk
• Alabama State Senator Charles Steele Jr.

The colleges, schools, and libraries of The University of Alabama are joint sponsors of "Opening Doors"

• College of Arts and Sciences
• Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration
• College of Communication and Information Sciences
• College of Community Health Sciences
• College of Continuing Studies
• College of Education
• College of Engineering
• Graduate School
• College of Human Environmental Sciences
• School of Law
• Capstone College of Nursing
• School of Social Work
• University Libraries