Mr. Gray, Dr. Bell, and honored trustees,

It was extremely heartening to hear the the steps you are taking to review the names of certain buildings on our campus. Renaming buildings that currently carry the namesakes of racists and instigators of the Confederate cause would send a powerful message of equality to the UA community, the state of Alabama, and beyond. Thank you for this effort, and if the committee sees fit, I would like to suggest that Nott Hall be renamed after Dr. Cathy J. Randall.

Dr. Randall has been an essential personality at the University of Alabama since 1968 when she first attended UA as a freshman. She was a member of the Computer-Based Honors Program, a program housed in Nott Hall. The program has since been renamed the Randall Research Scholars program in her honor. Dr. Randall would go on to serve as director of the program for 25 years. There would be nothing more appropriate than to remove the name of a proponent of "scientific" racism and replace it with that of an educator who has worked tirelessly to improve the lives of those in her community and in her state.

A full accounting of the positions Dr. Randall has held and the recognitions she has received could fill a book. The highlights include: being recognized as one of the Top 100 Living Alabamians, a Birmingham outstanding civic leader award, Tuscaloosa's first Champion of Character, being named to the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame, a Tuscaloosa Lifetime Achievement Award for Women of Distinction, Tuscaloosa's Philanthropist of the Year and Pillar of the Community Award, and in 2007 being certified by the University of Alabama as a Living Legend. Furthermore, she is Chairwoman of the Board of Pettus Randall Holdings and the Alabama Academy of honor, as well as a member of the Alabama Power Company's board of directors. Most importantly, she is universally adored by the students and faculty who have had the pleasure of knowing and working alongside her. 

The University of Alabama has the opportunity to take a strong stand by replacing the name of a man who spent much of his life in an attempt to convince others that black people are genetically inferior, with the name of a woman who has spent her life on a mission of education, philanthropy, and decency.

Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.