Civic Hall of Fame
2008
Josephine Camp Davis (1937 – present)
One of Tuscaloosa’s most active civic and volunteer leaders,
Josephine Davis has dedicated most of adult life serving the needs of citizens
throughout the community in a variety of roles. She has contributed in significant
ways to The ARC, DCH, First United Methodist Church, Tuscaloosa Public Library,
Junior League, Bryce Hospital, Boys and Girls Clubs, and a host of other volunteer
service organizations. She has been dedicated to doing her “civic duty”,
often quietly, for many years, earning deserved honors including Volunteer of
the Year for multiple organizations, including United Way, The ARC of Tuscaloosa
and Tuscaloosa County Preservation Society and the Distinguished Alumna of the
Year of the University of Alabama’s National Alumni Association.
Myrtle Edwards Gray (1914 – present)
Dr. Myrtle Edwards Gray is one of Tuscaloosa’s most beloved educators
and community servants. A native of Tuscaloosa, Dr. Gray dedicated her life
to touching the lives of children and young adults in our community, working
as an educator for 43 years in the Tuscaloosa City Schools. Active as a civic
leader in a variety of organizations, Dr. Gray has served the First African
Baptist Church, YMCA, Alabama Association of Women’s Clubs, Alabama Reading
Association and many other educational and civic associations. The recipient
of over 50 community service awards, she has been honored with the Lifetime
Distinguished Service Award from Alabama Association of Women’s Clubs,
Teacher of the Year, Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s Woman of the Year, an Honorary
Doctorate from Selma University, and included on three separate occasions in
Ebony Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Black Women.
Sarah Ella Haughton Rodgers (1907 – 1998)
A respected educator at The University of Alabama for over 41 years, Sarah
Ella Rodgers had a significant and long-term impact on many facets of education
and community life throughout her distinguished career. A professor of business
statistics, Sarah Rodgers affected the lives of many young students at The University;
and in 1981, the University’s science and engineering library was named
in honor of her and her husband, Dr. Eric Rodgers. An involved citizen, Sarah
Rodgers contributed effectively to various organizations, including the Alabama
Association For Crippled Children and Adults, West Alabama Rehab Center, Northport
First United Methodist Church, West Alabama Health Planning Board, Tuscaloosa
Community Council and many others. Honored on many occasions for her community
service, she was a recipient of the Tuscaloosa County Citizen of the Year, Northport
Citizen of the Year, and United Way Volunteer of the Year.
E. Roger Sayers (1936 – present)
One of Alabama’s most respected educators and community leaders, Roger
Sayers served as President of The University of Alabama from 1989 – 1996.
During his highly successful and distinguished career, he served in a variety
of important leadership roles including Chairman of the College Football Association,
Member of the President’s Commission of the NCAA, Chairman of The Chamber
of Commerce of West Alabama, and served as an officer and director of numerous
other organizations including First Presbyterian Church, Challenge 21, Southeastern
Conference, Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa, United Way of West Alabama, Black Warrior
Council of the Boy Scouts, and many others. Honored on numerous occasions for
his education and civic leadership in building “town-gown” partnerships,
he is a member of the Alabama Academy of Honor and a recipient of the Algernon
Sydney Sullivan Award and the Minnie Miles Endowed Excellence Award.
J. Paul Singleton (1909 – present)
During a highly effective business career, Paul Singleton also made a lasting
and significant impact on the Tuscaloosa for many years, with very little in
the civic life of the community escaping his attention and involvement. For
over 50 years, Paul Singleton worked at Central Foundry, starting as a clerk
and working his way all the way up the ladder to General Manager. During his
distinguished civic career, he served as the general chairman of Tuscaloosa’s
first United Fund (now United Way of West Alabama) campaign in 1954; served
as a member of the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education; a long-time trustee
of Holt Elementary School; and on the board of directors of numerous organizations
including the Chamber of Commerce, Red Cross, YMCA, City National Bank and Tuscaloosa
Rotary Club. Honored often for his many contributions, he was the 1957 recipient
of the Tuscaloosa County Citizen of the Year.
Terry H Waters (1949 – present)
Any conversation about the civic leaders of today’s Tuscaloosa area community
would always include Terry Waters near the top of the list. Since his arrival
in 1995, Terry Waters has been an engaged, effective business and community
leader. Employed for over 36 years with Alabama Power Company, Terry Waters
has contributed in significant and lasting ways to the economic development,
workforce development and quality of life for the area along with directly contributing
to numerous service-oriented initiatives. An active leader with numerous organizations,
he has served as Chairman or President of many associations including The Chamber
of Commerce of West Alabama, the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority,
Black Warrior Council of the Boy Scouts, Hospice of West Alabama, United Way
of West Alabama, and many others. Honored
on many occasions, he is a recipient of the Tuscaloosa County Citizen of the
Year and one of only 3 people in the history of The Chamber of Commerce to be
named as Member of the Year twice.
|
