Posted on May 17, 2001 at 2:50 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — Judith L. King, M.A., M.Ed., has been named director of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Center for Labor Education and Research (CLEAR). Her appointment is effective immediately.

King has served as interim director of CLEAR since Ralph Johnson, Ph.D., retired last September. She has been with CLEAR since 1981.

“CLEAR is an important component of UAB and is the only labor education center in the country housed in a business school,” said Robert Holmes, Ph.D., dean of UAB’s School of Business. “I am very excited about the work Judi has done throughout her career and during the past year as interim director. Judi was unanimously recommended by the search committee for the director’s position. I am confident that she will do an exceptional job. She brings 20 years of experience at CLEAR, a high level of energy, a reputation in the field for excellence, a style of leadership and sense of humor that will serve the program and school needs most effectively. I am pleased Judi has accepted this important leadership position in the school of business.”

King said she looks forward to her new role as director of CLEAR.

“It is a privilege to serve the working men and women of Alabama,” King said. “We have a talented and dedicated staff, and we’re ready to rise to whatever challenges the future may hold. We have a reputation for providing excellent training for all workers, and we plan to uphold and extend that reputation.”

King holds an M.A. in labor and industrial relations, an M.Ed. in continuing education and a B.A. in communication. Prior to coming to UAB, King was a research assistant in the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

CLEAR was created in 1972 to provide university-level education to workers and their representatives. To meet the needs of working people, CLEAR provides three programs: labor education, which provides specific information and skills to individuals such as union leaders and members; workplace safety training, which offers classes for industries, agencies and unions for workers who may be exposed to hazardous substances or situations; and mutual gains exploration, which is provided at the request of local unions, training labor and management representatives interested in jointly exploring labor-management issues, programs and practices.