ł§łŮ´Ç°ů˛â:ĚýBetsy ComptonĚý| Photo: Cody Ingram

As part of the University of West Alabama’s continued commitment to strengthening the student experience and advancing student success, UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch has announced the appointment of Byron Thetford as Vice President for Student Affairs.

Established in 2025 as a standalone division, Student Affairs was created to provide centralized leadership for programs and services that support student engagement, well-being, leadership development, and campus life. The appointment removes the interim designation from Thetford’s title following a year of leadership during the division’s transition and continued growth.

Thetford will continue serving as Dean of Students and as a member of the President’s Cabinet while leading the Division of Student Affairs. He will also oversee the University’s operational partnership with Aramark Dining Services and continue serving as UWA’s liaison with the YMCA, supporting partnerships and initiatives that enhance the university experience.

“Student Affairs plays a vital role in creating an environment where students can thrive both inside and outside the classroom,” Fritch said. “Byron has provided steady leadership during the establishment of the division, and his commitment to our students and the University has positioned Student Affairs for continued growth and success.”

Thetford has served the University in student affairs leadership for many years, including as Dean of Students prior to his appointment as Interim Vice President of Student Affairs in July 2025.

Throughout his career at UWA, Thetford has worked to strengthen student support services, foster student engagement, and enhance opportunities that contribute to student success and campus life.

“I am honored to continue serving the University of West Alabama in this role,” Thetford said. “Our students are at the heart of everything we do, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside our faculty, staff, and campus partners to create an exceptional student experience.”

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The University of West Alabama has presented two long-term faculty members emeritus honors upon their retirement. Dr. Tina N. Jones has been named Vice President Emerita, and Dr. Alan Brown has been named Professor Emeritus. The two were recognized at the University’s Employee Recognition Ceremony at the end of the spring semester.

Dr. Alan Brown
After 40 years of service to students, colleagues, and the discipline, Dr. Alan Brown retired from UWA in May 2026, earning the status of Professor of Emeritus of English and Folklore.

In his nomination letter, Dr. Kendrick Prewitt, Chair of the Department of English & History, noted that over Brown’s 40 years at UWA, he made his mark through his passion for teaching American literature and composition to generations of students, his 34-year stewardship of the UWA Writing Center, and his extensive research into ghost lore and regional folklore.

Prewitt also noted that Brown is a rare example of a scholar who has successfully translated academic scholarship for broader public audiences through book clubs, public libraries, senior centers, radio broadcasts, podcasts, and cemetery history reenactments.

Known for meeting deadlines, efficiently handling administrative responsibilities, and traveling frugally on departmental funds, Brown has received the McIlwain Bell Trustees Faculty Award twice and the Nellie McCrory Faculty Service Award. Prewitt described him as setting a consistent standard for the College of Liberal Arts.

Brown has published more than 20 books and numerous articles on ghost lore and folklore, his primary area of interest. His scholarly work also spans the history of Sumter County, composition pedagogy, gothic literature, and studies of authors including Poe, Hemingway, Faulkner, and Twain.

He is well known on campus and beyond for his ghost tours, distinctive mustache, homemade brownies, daily peanut butter and jelly lunches, and his large looping lecture notes handwriting.

Dr. Tina Naremore Jones
Dr. Tina Naremore Jones, a longtime professor of English, retired from UWA as Provost on September 30 after 38 years at the institution, earning the status of Vice President Emerita of Academic Affairs.

In her nomination letter, Jones was recognized for decades of leadership and service to the university, first as a student, then faculty member, and later in multiple leadership roles, including Vice President of Economic Workforce Development and then as Provost, becoming the first woman at UWA to be named vice president and first to serve as provost. Over the years, she played an integral role in shaping the University’s academic programs, strengthened its outreach, and helped define what it means for the institution to serve not only its students, but the entire region.

It was also noted that Jones consistently “led with intention, listening carefully and leading thoughtfully.” Her nomination letter described her conduct as “marked by a level of grace and integrity that is rare, setting a standard not only for leadership, but for how people are treated.”

“Tina believed in this place, and it’s people,” said Provost, Dr. Amy Jones during the recognition ceremony. “People often assumed we were related—and in many ways that never felt entirely wrong, because she had that kind of lasting, personal impact on so many of us at UWA. That impact will be felt for generations—in our programs, across this campus, and in the lives of the students and communities we serve.”

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ł§łŮ´Ç°ů˛â:ĚýLisa SollieĚý| Photo: Cody Ingram

As part of the University of West Alabama’s continued emphasis on strengthening institutional communications, marketing, and brand advancement, UWA President Dr. Todd G. Fritch has announced the appointment of Betsy Compton as Executive Director of Communications & Marketing.

Established in 2025 as a centralized division reporting directly to the President, the Office of Communications & Marketing was elevated early in Fritch’s administration to support the University’s strategic priorities through coordinated messaging, executive communications, marketing strategy, brand management, and integrated communications efforts across the institution.

Compton will continue serving as a member of the President’s Cabinet and leading the expansion of the University’s comprehensive communications and marketing initiatives in support of academic affairs, enrollment management, athletics, advancement, student affairs, and administrative operations.

“Communications and marketing play an increasingly important role in advancing the University’s strategic priorities and institutional visibility,” Fritch said. “Betsy has provided leadership throughout the establishment and transition of the division, and her experience and institutional knowledge have helped position the Office of Communications & Marketing for continued growth and success.”

Compton has served the University in communications and marketing roles for nearly two decades, having served as Interim Executive Director of Communications & Marketing since the division’s transition from Institutional Advancement last year.

A two-time graduate of the University of West Alabama, Compton joined the University staff in 2007 as a graphic designer in UWA Printing Services, before serving Institutional Advancement in roles supporting public relations, brand management, executive communications, and strategic messaging initiatives.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the University in this role,” Compton said. “UWA has been an important part of my life both personally and professionally, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside colleagues across campus to support the mission and future of the University.”

The Office of Communications & Marketing serves as the University’s central communications resource and collaborates with units across campus to support communications, marketing, branding, media relations, and engagement to advance the University’s mission.Ěý

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