University of Alabama Dedicates Child Development Center to Judy Bonner, First Female President

The first female president at the University of Alabama was honored with the renaming of the campus' Child Development Research Center in a ceremony Friday afternoon.

According to a release from the university, the Board of Trustees passed a resolution in February to rename the center to the Judy Bonner Child Development Center in honor of her contributions and dedication to theschool.

Bonner was appointed as the first female president of the university in 2012 after beginning her UA career in 1881, replacing Robert Witt in that role after an extremely brief stint from former president Guy Bailey, who was in that role for only a few weeks.

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Within her four decades of service at UA, Bonner has served in several roles since she started here as an associate professor and moved up in ranks, becoming the dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, provost and vice president of academic affairs and provost and executive vice president prior to her presidency appointment.

"I spent my career honoring other people and to have the University of Alabama say thank you in such a profound way means everything to me," Bonner said.

President Stuart Bell, who succeeded Bonner in 2015 said the university is honored to dedicate the building in Bonner's honor for her contributions to education at the university.

"Her career is a testament to the powerful role an educator plays in shaping the future of our communities, state and nation," Bell said in the release. "The Judy Bonner Child Development Center will continue to shape young minds for generations to come.”

The Judy Bonner Child Development Center houses several programs that benefit children and their families across Alabama, as well as university students who receive educational training through various courses taught in the College of Human Environmental Sciences.

"I am so proud of the work that goes on the Child development Research Center. To have it bear my name is a significant honor that I will always cheer cherish," Bonner said.