Warhawk Weekly 10-13: Brig. Gen. Adams honored; Irish in America
Alumni Garden bench honors retired Brig. Gen. Terrence Adams
When Terrence Adams left AUM with a computer information systems degree in 1994, he was preparing for a new chapter in military service. More than three decades later, the retired Air Force brigadier general has a permanent place on the campus where that chapter began.
AUM recently dedicated a bench in Adams’ honor in the Alumni Garden, recognizing his 39-year military career, which included commanding at the squadron, group and wing levels and concluded as deputy principal cyber advisor and senior military advisor for cyber policy at the Pentagon.
Beyond his military service, Adams has mentored more than 5,000 students and returned to campus as the 2022 Martin Luther King Jr. Reflections Breakfast speaker and the spring 2024 commencement speaker.
“I hope this bench reminds students to build those relationships, seize every opportunity and, when they’re able, help someone else move forward,” Adams said.
AUM to explore Irish American history
The stories of Irish immigrants and their lasting impact on American history will take center stage at the October 22 lecture “Irish America 250: The Revolutionary Lives and Legacies of the Irish in America” from 3:30-4:30 p.m. in Taylor Center 221-223.
Dr. Darragh Gannon, Director of Global Irish Studies and Assistant Teaching Professor of Irish History at Georgetown University, will discuss the lives and legacies of Irish people in America.
Undergraduate researchers needed for NIH-funded study
The College of Business is hiring eight undergraduate research assistants for a $508,516 National Institutes of Health study of entrepreneurship, employment and well-being among adults with Down syndrome and their caregivers.
Student researchers will earn $25 an hour for six to 10 hours a week, help design the study, collect and analyze data and prepare findings for presentation, with weekly mentoring from Richter. Every researcher will co-author at least one peer-reviewed publication, and the project funds travel for two students to present at a national scientific meeting.
The positions are open to all majors, and no prior research experience is required. Unpaid support roles are also available.
To apply: Email [email protected] with your resume and a short paragraph on why the project interests you, using “Undergraduate Research Assistant” as the subject line.
Kalu explores changing global order in new book
Kalu N. Kalu, Distinguished Research Professor of Political Science and National Security Policy, examines how the modern system of independent states developed and how it may continue to evolve in his new book, “Beyond Westphalia: The Modern State and World Order in the Twenty-First Century.”
The book will be published Jan. 1, 2027, by State University of New York Press.
Innovation Weekend: Your major has a place in the AI conversation
Business, biology, communication, computer science: every field has something to offer as artificial intelligence evolves. This Friday through Sunday, AUM Innovation Weekend invites students to put their ideas to work on a timely question: How do we build AI that people can trust?
The free event begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16, and continues from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 17-18, at The Eagle Institute in downtown Montgomery. Meals, refreshments and transportation from campus are included. Reserve your spot.
Hosted by the College of Sciences in partnership with The Eagle Institute, the weekend brings together AUM undergraduate and graduate students and college students from across the River Region around the theme “Building Trustworthy AI Agents.” Interdisciplinary teams will take on real-world challenges and work to create AI solutions that are transparent, reliable and useful.
At the end of the weekend, teams will pitch their ideas to a panel of judges for a chance at prizes and a spotlight for their creativity and problem-solving.
AUM accounting faculty take part in statewide conference
AUM’s School of Accountancy recently partnered with the Alabama Society of CPAs for the 2026 Financial Accounting & Auditing Conference, strengthening its connections with accounting professionals across Alabama.
Held in September, the annual conference brought together accounting professionals and industry leaders to explore current issues and developments shaping the profession. AUM School of Accountancy faculty played an active role in the conference, with William Lyle, assistant director and assistant professor of accounting, serving as emcee. Fellow accounting faculty members Rhonda Seay and Lauryn Beckham also participated.
The School of Accountancy’s involvement in the conference helped AUM faculty stay connected with the evolving needs of the accounting profession while building relationships with professionals and organizations throughout the state.
Those connections also benefit AUM accounting students by helping the school align its academic programs with changes in the profession and develop partnerships that can create future learning and career opportunities.
Athletics’ Performance Center Open House
AUM Athletics will host an open house for its Student-Athlete Performance Center on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12:15 p.m.
The facility opened in 2025 and has since supported AUM’s student-athletes. With the finishing touches now completed, the open house will give attendees an opportunity to tour the space and learn about how it supports student-athlete development.
