Warhawk Weekly 12-3: AI research grant; Commencement speaker
AUM earns $400,000 NSF grant to expand AI research, labs
With the touch of a button, facial recognition, or a voice command, artificial intelligence (AI) can instantly deliver information to a smartphone or detect fraud on a bank account.
As AI continues to transform our tech-driven world, Auburn University at Montgomery is taking steps to ensure its students are prepared to meet evolving workforce needs by positioning itself at the forefront of AI education and research.
With a $400,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), AUM plans to enhance its AI infrastructure and expand its curriculum to meet the growing demand for AI expertise across such disciplines as sciences, engineering, education, environmental science, and health, said Olcay Kursun, assistant professor of computer science and the grant’s principal investigator.
“In light of the growing demand for AI skills across industries, AUM is working to strengthen its AI programming to ensure that its graduates are prepared to thrive in a technology-driven world,” said Kursun, an AI researcher and expert in the Department of Computer Science. “These developments align with the university’s commitment to fostering innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanding access to AI education for a diverse student body.”
AUM has already built a strong foundation in AI research within the College of Sciences, where faculty and students are using machine learning (ML) and deep learning — two AI areas of study — to conduct research and projects across fields such as bioinformatics, structural biology, neuroscience, environmental science, mathematics, and cybersecurity. The vision to integrate AI into non-computer disciplines at AUM is largely due to the support and guidance of the Dean of the College of Sciences Douglas Leaman, who has helped to shape the grant initiative into a campus-wide effort, Kursun said.
“As part of this new NSF grant, AUM will establish a dedicated ML-Lab that will be designed with student-friendly setups to provide hands-on experience with AI tools to foster learning across multiple disciplines,” Kursun said. “In doing so, it will augment and expand upon our existing AI capabilities on campus, such as an AI lab that was previously developed in the College of Business.”
The two-year, NSF grant will support the integration and application of AI across AUM’s five colleges — Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Sciences, Education, and Nursing and Health Sciences — with the goal of providing more students with a comprehensive, hands-on learning experience in AI. AUM faculty members Sutanu Bhattacharya, Benedict Okeke and Randy Russell will serve as co-principal investigators, collaborating with undergraduate and graduate student researchers to support grant activities and research across the colleges.
“The university’s AI initiatives are designed to not only advance knowledge in these areas, but also ensure that groups currently underrepresented in computer science fields, including African American and female students, are at the forefront of this critical research,” Kursun said.
University to welcome Simmons as commencement speaker
Experience Montgomery Chief Destination Officer Ron Simmons, an AUM alum, will address the university’s Fall 2024 graduating class during commencement ceremonies on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Graduates of University College and the Colleges of Business and Nursing & Health Sciences will be recognized at 10 a.m. at the AUM Athletics Complex, while graduates of the Colleges of Education, Liberal Arts & Social Sciences, and Sciences will follow at 2 p.m.
In his current role, Simmons guides efforts to enhance local tourism for the destination marketing arm of the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce.
Simmons rejoined the Montgomery Chamber in 2022 after serving as President and CEO of the River Region United Way since 2020. Previously, he spent 10 years with the chamber serving as the VP of sales for the Montgomery Convention and Visitor Bureau, and the chamber’s business development division.
A Montgomery native, Simmons earned a bachelor’s degree from AUM with an emphasis in marketing. Simmons was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves from the Auburn University at Montgomery ROTC program in 1987. He is also a graduate of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation Institute of Organizational Management at the University of Georgia.
Simmons is the founder of D.A.D.S. (Dads and Daughters Saturday) and currently serves on various boards throughout the community, including the Montgomery City-County Public Library, Women In Training Board of Directors, Alabama Christian Academy Board of Directors, Alabama Tourism Council Board of Directors, and the Montgomery Tourism Improvement Board of Directors.
Get the full commencement schedule from the Registrar’s Office.
Help AUM students, local community on Giving Tuesday
From scholarships to donation drives, there are a variety of ways to invest in our community and the success of Auburn University at Montgomery students today during Giving Tuesday.
Giving Tuesday is celebrated each year as a global generosity movement focused on transforming communities. Here are some ways to get involved and make a difference:
- Giving to AUM: Support scholarship opportunities for AUM students, specific colleges and academic programs and other university initiatives by making a tax-deductible gift to AUM.
- 12’s Day of Giving: AUM is sponsoring WSFA-TV’s annual food and toy drive benefitting Toys for Tots, Heart of Alabama Food Bank and Hands On River Region’s Christmas Clearinghouse. Volunteers will collect donations of food, toys and money on Friday, Dec. 13, from 5 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Renfroe’s Market on Eastchase Parkway.
- River Region United Way: AUM’s employee campaign for River Region United Way will end on Friday, Dec. 13. Employees can return printed pledge forms to Paige Hines in Library 211 or make a gift online by visiting the River Region United Way website. Remember to designate Auburn University at Montgomery as your employer when making a gift.
- University Honors Program Food Pantry: Donate any non-perishable food, hygiene, or school supply items to the UHP Food Pantry or contribute via the food pantry’s Amazon Wish List. Monetary donations to the UHP Food Pantry are also welcome.
Each of these opportunities will allow you to make a meaningful impact and help create opportunities for current and future AUM students.
Enjoy a free holiday concert tonight
The Department of Fine Arts will present a Holiday Concert tonight at 6:30 p.m. in Goodwyn Hall 109. The concert will feature performances by the AUM Choir and AUMcappella.
Enjoy cookies and cider after the show. The event is free and open to students, faculty, staff and community members.
Warhawks ready to open conference play
AUM’s men’s and women’s basketball teams will try to carry recent momentum into Gulf South Conference play this week.
The Warhawks will host Trevecca Nazarene on Thursday and Lee on Saturday for women’s and men’s doubleheaders. The women’s games will tip off at 5:30 p.m., with the men scheduled for 7:30 p.m. AUM students will have the opportunity to receive free food at Thursday’s games.
The AUM women enter conference play on a two-game winning streak after victories over Lander and Spring Hill last week. The AUM men (3-2) earned a 60-57 win over Miles College last week.
MS-SLP program accepting applications for Fall 2025
The application period is now open for AUM’s online Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) program for Fall 2025. The deadline to apply is February 15.
The MS-SLP program prepares graduates for licensure and certification and is open to students with a bachelor’s degree in communication disorders or a related field.
Learn more about the MS-SLP program and apply for admission.
Help recognize AUM Library faculty and staff
The AUM Library is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Betty J. Tims Friends of the AUM Library Faculty and Staff Service Awards.
The awards recognize library faculty and staff for their outstanding dedication to activities and initiatives that enhance library services. Nominees are celebrated for their commitment to providing or improving access to library resources, as well as their efforts to offer quality recommendations that result in more efficient and/or more cost-effective library operations.
One AUMazing library faculty member and staff member will be selected for the honor.
Submit your nomination online by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 10.
Keeping up with all campus events
There’s an easy way to keep up with all of the fun events offered on our campus. Enroll in AUM365 and get the 4-1-1 from Curtiss The Warhawk himself. Text curti$$ to 334-398-6025 to receive reminders about upcoming happening.
