University of Alabama's Shelby Institute to focus on building leaders

Jasmine Hollie, Tuscaloosa News
·3 min read
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University of Alabama officials say the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership will provide a unique educational experience for students interested in public policy.

UA faculty, students and alumni gathered April 25 to cut the ribbon on the new Shelby Institute, which is housed iat the Tuscaloosa campus in the newly renovated Tuomey Hall.

More: Richard Shelby, University of Alabama announce $100 million faculty endowment

"The Shelby Institute holds incredible potential for shaping the future at the University of Alabama, " said UA President Stuart Bell during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

In a news release, UA said the nonpartisan institute will provide "a premier, immersive learning community for students committed to shaping public policy and focus on nurturing and equipping the next generation of leaders through the Shelby Scholars program."

Former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby speaks April 25 at the ribbon cutting for the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership outside Tuomey Hall at the University of Alabama.
Former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby speaks April 25 at the ribbon cutting for the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership outside Tuomey Hall at the University of Alabama.

The first group of students in the Shelby Scholars program will begin this fall. About 20 students will participate in the institute annually, which will involve them in local, state and federal government.

The Shelby Institute is named for former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby and his wife, Annette Shelby, who served as a UA professor for three decades.

The institute will also house Richard Shelby's official Senate papers, records and materials. Richard Shelby, the longest-serving U.S. senator from Alabama at 36 years, donated his papers after leaving the U.S. Senate in 2023.

Bell thanked Richard Shelby and Annette Shelby for their leadership and contributions to UA.

The lecture hall in the newly renovated Tuomey Hall, the home of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership. The institute houses official Senate papers, records and materials donated by former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.
The lecture hall in the newly renovated Tuomey Hall, the home of the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership. The institute houses official Senate papers, records and materials donated by former U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby.

The Shelby Institute will have a generational influence, Bell said.

"I look forward in seeing the impact of this center over the coming years," Bell said.

Annette Shelby praised her husband's contributions in public service, which in addition to his Senate career included a stint as Tuscaloosa's city prosecutor, as well as terms in both houses of the Alabama Legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives.

"My husband's contributions during his 52 years of public service clearly needed to be documented and preserved," Annette Shelby said during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The former UA professor said although she has limited documents inside the institute, her academic legacy lives through the students she taught for 30 years.

Richard Shelby said he was flattered by the decision to open the institute and honor his legacy as well as his wife's.

Richard Shelby said the most important attribute about the institute is the students who will become the next generation of leaders.

"It's what goes in this institute and what goes out that counts," Richard Shelby said.

Finis E. St. John IV, the inaugural executive director for the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership, speaks April 25 at the ribbon cutting outside the newly renovated Tuomey Hall at The University of Alabama.
Finis E. St. John IV, the inaugural executive director for the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership, speaks April 25 at the ribbon cutting outside the newly renovated Tuomey Hall at The University of Alabama.

Finis E "Fess" St. John IV, the UA System's chancellor emeritus, is the inaugural executive director of the Shelby Institute. Daniela Susnara is the institute's program director and Caroline Carpenter is director of operations.

Mark Brandon, the former UA School of Law dean, will serve as the institute's academic director.

“The vision for the Shelby Institute — offering students training in policy and governance, preparation for effective leadership and models for civic engagement across ideological lines — has the potential to make meaningful contributions to our state and nation,” Brandon said in a news release.

“I am honored to play a part in building this program and I look forward to serving alongside the excellent leader we have in Fess St. John,” he said.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: University of Alabama opens Shelby Institute at renovated Tuomey Hall