The Alabama A&M University (AAMU) Board of Trustees voted unanimously in attendance to extend President Daniel K. Wims’ contract through Dec. 31, 2030. According to the university, the decision validates the university’s continued stability and growth as Alabama’s largest historically Black college or university (HBCU).

“I thank the Board of Trustees for entrusting me with my continued commitment to the university, its faculty, students and alumni. I commend our administrative team, faculty and staff for their collective efforts and dedication, and I am confident that our focused efforts toward growth and success will be met with great enthusiasm and acceptance as we continue to move forward,” Wims said.

Wims became AAMU's president in January 2022 after serving as dean and vice president for research and sponsored programs for 12 years. In a news release, Alabama A&M University shared the various accomplishments that have been achieved since then.

The university’s enrollment hit a record high of 6,633 students for the fall 2023 semester, welcoming its largest number of freshmen ever, more than 2,000. Academically, AAMU has expanded its offerings and launched new doctoral programs in Curriculum and Instruction, Social Work and a Master of Science in Food Science Business.

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On the infrastructure side, the university received board approval for major projects such as a new Student Amenity Center and Science Building. The historic district underwent major renovations, expanding the university's campus to more than 2,500 acres. In a significant non-monetary contribution, AAMU repurposed Paint Rock Valley High School into a “community” facility to enhance education and community engagement.

AAMU received increased federal and state appropriations for fiscal years 2023 and 2024. The university also received a $1.2 million donation, the second largest in the university's history, from alumnus and NFL Hall of Famer John Stallworth.

The AAMU Marching Maroon and White Band made history as the first HBCU band to lead the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade, and AAMU also hosted a record-breaking Homecoming concert that drew 26,391 fans to the stadium and more than 55,000 on campus, raising a fundraising total of $1.4 million, the largest in the school's history.

Grayson Everett is the state and politics editor for Yellow Hammer News. You can follow him on Twitter. Grayson