Throughout his more than five decades of public service, U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa) has championed the University of Alabama by directing funds toward multiple areas of campus-led research efforts.

During a recent sit-down interview with Yellowhammer News, UA president Dr. Stuart Bell touched on the long-serving senator’s impact on the university.

When asked about the contributions Shelby had made to The Capstone, Bell pointed to the UA alum’s support of extensive research initiatives.

Specifically, the university president noted the U.S. Geological Survey’s recent decision to relocate its Hydrological Instrumentation Facility (HIF) to campus, placing UA at the center of the nation’s water research efforts.

“There’s a lot. Walk around the campus. Certainly, the Shelby Quad area is, I think, the first thing that would come to all our minds,” said Bell, noting that the area held multiple STEM and biology-focused facilities. “Senator Shelby and Annette have had that type of impact on students for many, many years … You also look around the campus, and you may not know, a lot of the research efforts we have going on here — certainly his hand was involved in the National Water Center that’s here on our campus.”

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Bell advised that the work of Shelby and his wife, Dr. Annette Shelby, had served to enable UA academics to make its mark domestically and abroad.

“Senator Shelby and Dr. Shelby have had such an impact on this campus? Yes. On this state? Yes. But nationally, as well,” he continued. “They are setting up movements that allow us to have an impact, nationally and internationally, in a positive way from this campus. Great contributions.”

In a statement provided to Yellowhammer News, Shelby detailed his commitment to ensuring UA had access to funds that would allow the university to further increase its academic prowess.

“The University of Alabama is one of our state’s premier education institutions,” proclaimed Shelby. “As an alumnus of UA’s undergraduate and law programs, I know firsthand the profound impact it has on its students. I have worked hard throughout my career to fund lasting, innovative improvements for UA – and for other universities in Alabama – with the goal of attracting the best faculty and allowing current and future students the opportunity to excel.”

“While my focus on strengthening Alabama’s education system directly affects students, it also influences the workforce and quality-of-life throughout the entire state,” added the senator. “This is one of my most significant priorities, and I believe Alabama has benefited as a result.”

As a parting gift to his alma mater, Shelby, who is set to retire when a new Congress is seated next January, will donate his official Senate papers to the university.

For Bell, the donation will act as an invaluable resource for students seeking to gain insight into the legislative process and how Alabama’s senior senator conducted the business of his office.

“What a great gift … To have access to a resource like that to see sort of the behind-the-scenes of how you impact and affect legislative change in this country, and what an impact this senator has made on this campus, on this state, is remarkable — and that he’s giving back in this way — we’re just over the moon about that donation and about how it’s going to impact our students,” expressed Bell.

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL