November 9, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees appointed Jerry Aldridge, Ed.D., a professor emeritus in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Education at its Nov. 6 meeting.

Aldridge, who retired Oct. 1, was a professor of early childhood education in the School of Education's Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He was honored by the board for his scholarship, his leadership in education and his 23 years of faithful service to UAB.

Aldridge has been elected to offices in numerous international, national and regional professional organizations, including the Association for Childhood Education International, the Southern Association for Children Under Six and the Alabama and South Carolina councils for Exceptional Children.

He was president of the United States Committee for the World Early Childhood Organization during 1998-2000.

Aldridge has been recognized for his excellence in scholarship by his election to the Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Delta Epsilon and Kappa Delta Pi honor societies. He also has been awarded numerous grants and contracts from national and state agencies and served as program director for the doctoral program in Early Childhood Education from 1995-1996.

He won the 1995 Dean's Award for Outstanding Service to the UAB School of Education and the 1997 UAB President's Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 2000, he received the UAB Ingalls Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching.

Aldridge says he plans to continue his life of international service by working with the Indonesia Heritage Foundation.

About the UAB School of Education

The UAB School of Education offers programs in early childhood, elementary and high school education, as well as urban education, physical and health education, special education, counseling and educational leadership and foundations. The school also offers professional development courses for working teachers and school leaders