July 30, 2003
BIRMINGHAM, AL — Louis Dale, Ph.D., has been named to the newly created position of Vice President for Equity and Diversity at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, announced president Carol Garrison. Dale has served as associate provost for minority and special programs since 1995. He is UAB’s first African-American vice president.
“Two extremely important goals we have set as part of UAB’s strategic plan are to maintain a diverse enrollment and to improve recruitment and retention of underrepresented minority employees,” Garrison said. “Lou Dale has an excellent track record at UAB in these areas of focus.”
In his new role, Dale will be responsible for working with faculty, staff and administration throughout the university to develop, implement and assess strategies and programs to increase diversity at all levels, focusing on enhancing understanding, appreciation and respect for differences such as race, gender, ethnicity, culture and sexual orientation.
Dale’s efforts to establish and fund academic and financial support for minority students has earned him national recognition. In 2002, Dale was one of 10 individuals to receive the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring. The awards identify individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to mentoring students and exciting America’s youth about science, mathematics and engineering.
Dale, a professor of mathematics, was honored for his efforts to mentor minority faculty and students through various university and National Science Foundation-funded programs. One of these programs is the Comprehensive Minority Faculty and Student Development Program (CMFSDP). Launched in 1989, CMFSDP offers a range of undergraduate scholarships, graduate school fellowships and mentoring activities. The CMFSDP summer internship program gives promising high-school students with an interest in mathematics, science or engineering the opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of faculty mentors. Dale’s work with the CMFSDP was honored in 2001, when he received the Minority Access National Role Models Award from Minority Access Inc., a non-profit educational organization that provides support and technical assistance to improve the recruitment, retention and enhancement of minorities.
“Originally designed to specifically support African-Americans, I believe we have the opportunity to expand this program to other underrepresented minorities,” Dale said. “Additionally, we have a shortage of women in the sciences. There are opportunities to garner external funding to develop programs designed to attract women to the hard sciences.”
Dale also has directed and administered the Alabama Alliance for Minority Participation Program (AMP), an alliance of university and colleges in Alabama and Mississippi led by UAB that encourages minority students to pursue degrees in science, engineering and mathematics. Since 1989 Alabama AMP has received $12.5 million in NSF funding and more than 1,800 students have received science, mathematics and engineering degrees through the AMP program.
Dale earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Miles College; his master’s degree in mathematics from Atlanta University; and his doctorate in mathematics from the University of Alabama. He joined the UAB faculty in 1973. In 1977 he was promoted to associate professor; and full professor in 1980. Dale served as interim chair of the Department of Mathematics from 1982-1984. He served as associate dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics from 1987-1991. From 1991 to 1995 he served as Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs before assuming the role of Associate Vice Provost for Minority and Special Programs.