| Jan - Mar | Apr - Jun | Jul - Sep | Oct - Dec |
-6.1℃ |
11.0℃ |
1.8℃ |
9.6℃ |
The foundation of Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (Alabama A&M University) was laid on May 1, 1875, as the Huntsville Normal School with an annual fund of $1,000, 61 students, and two teachers. AAMU is one of the first land-grant institutions founded for African American students under the Morrill Act. Being a historically black college, the 131-year-old educational institute has a tradition that is rich and divine.
The 2,300-acre hillside campus conceived by Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr., designer of New York’s Central Park is set in Normal, a suburb of northern Alabama. The University is just four miles away and literally a five-minute drive from the high-tech center Huntsville known as the “Rocket City”. Students commute to the city via a very reliable public transportation system which takes them anywhere in Huntsville, especially joints like the mall, Target, Walmart, the local Wells Fargo, and downtown.
AA&MU has a great environment that is conducive to learning. The institute strives to provide students opportunities to pursue their professional and personal objectives via studies, research, public services or extended classes. AAMU has a program called “Changing Lanes”, an initiative undertaken by seniors to make fresh students feel at home. The university offers educational amenities like a library, computer labs and a learning resource unit. The campus also has the State Black Archives Research Center and Museum, the Agribition Center for holding events, a health center etc. In addition, there is a huge wellness center that houses a swimming pool, bowling alley and aerobic classes. AAMU boasts of a co-ed student body that comprises a population of 4,496 undergrads and 831 graduates from 49 states and 23 foreign countries.
The male-female ratio in AAMU is 45-55percentage. Nearly 45 percent of the students reside in facilities that are owned, operated, or affiliated to the University. Around 55 percent of students live off campus.
The region enjoys good climate throughout the year, especially fall. The days are warm and sunny. Summers are a trifle hot, but winters are mild. A light sweater or jacket is perfect in the cooler months of September, October and November. Some snow may be experienced in the higher altitudes of North Alabama. In terms of precipitation, rainfall is lowest in October and highest in March.
AAMU faculty constitutes of world-class scholars. Passionately involved in their own research, the professors impart a wealth of knowledge along with their research expertise to the students. The staff is accessible at all times and readily assists students outside classrooms. The faculty makes an effort to bond with pupils in order to help them grow intellectually and personally.
Coming to financial aid, 90.2 percent of full-time undergrads are provided monetary assistance. The average scholarship or grant award is $7,581.
The career center on the campus is quite resourceful and helps grads finds good placements as well as internships. Companies that frequently hire are Alabama Power, TMT Group, Inc., Verizon Wireless, Williams, Adley Company, LLP, among others.
On campus, AAMU has 93 student organizations that embrace a wide variety of recreational activities like dance, radio station, various sports, sororities, a student newspaper. The university extends amenities like job placements, health service, and health insurance. Strict safety measures like regular patrolling, late night transport service, round the clock emergency telephones, illuminated pathways/sidewalks, and dormitory access via key, security card etc. are in place on the campus. Nearly 66 percent students have cars on campus. Alcohol is prohibited.
Howard Ballard - NFL player. Cleon Jones - MLB player. Marc Lacy - author. Sun Ra - jazz musician. Ruben Studdard - "American Idol" winner. Michael Crooms Music Producer.
AAMU is a dynamic and progressive institution that embodies everything a student would want out of a college experience and education. A ton of opportunities, great support from faculty, research and a lot of fun.