Stillman College is set to break ground on its first building devoted entirely to research, marking a historic step for the historically Black institution as it celebrates 150 years of service to the Tuscaloosa community.
Groundbreaking ceremony details
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Stillman Chronic Disease Research and Training Shared Facility is scheduled for Friday, November 13, 2026, at 3 p.m. The event will take place on the lawn behind the Josephine C. Johnson/J.W. Robinson Building on Stillman’s campus. Local leaders, alumni, students, faculty, and members of the Tuscaloosa community are invited to attend, and Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell is expected to join college officials for the ceremony.
Purpose and impact of the new facility
The new center will provide dedicated space for students and faculty to conduct research directly on campus, expanding Stillman’s capacity to study chronic diseases and to train the next generation of biomedical scientists. By bringing research activities onto campus, the college aims to deepen academic rigor, create more hands‑on learning opportunities, and strengthen partnerships with health‑focused grant agencies.
Leadership behind the project
Dr. Eric Buckles, Stillman’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer, will serve as the principal investigator for the project. Dr. Buckles holds a doctorate in biomedical sciences from Meharry Medical College and brings more than two decades of research experience. He previously co‑led a $6.7 million National Institutes of Health‑funded research center, demonstrating his ability to secure major federal support for scientific initiatives.
Sesquicentennial significance
The groundbreaking coincides with Stillman’s Sesquicentennial Founders’ Week, a celebration of the college’s founding in 1876. The timing underscores the institution’s commitment to honoring its past while investing in a future where scientific discovery and education go hand in hand.
Community and economic benefits
Beyond academic enrichment, the facility is expected to generate local economic activity. Construction jobs will be created in the short term, and the presence of a research hub may attract additional grant funding, collaborations with regional health systems, and potential biotech partners to the Tuscaloosa area.
Looking ahead
Stillman College’s leadership views the research center as a cornerstone of the college’s long‑term strategic plan. By expanding research capacity, the institution hopes to increase enrollment in science programs, improve graduate outcomes, and contribute valuable data on chronic disease trends that affect Alabama and the nation.
As the college marks its 150th anniversary, the groundbreaking ceremony serves as a tangible reminder that Stillman continues to evolve, offering its students and the broader community new pathways to health, knowledge, and prosperity.
Original reporting: The Tuscaloosa Thread — read the source article.
