ALABASTER, ALABAMA – Dr. Charles L. Karr will deliver the keynote address at Thompson High School’s Commencement Ceremony. The event will be held at 6pm on Tuesday, May 20 at UAB Bartow Arena in downtown Birmingham.
Dr. Karr is the tenth president of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, joining the university on December 1, 2021. He came to UAH after an extended period at The University of Alabama (UA) as the Dean of the College of Engineering. While at UA, the College of Engineering ascended in national rankings and saw significant growth. Undergraduate enrollment more than tripled with the recruitment of exceptional students.
Today, Karr leads the Carnegie R1 comprehensive university, conducting approximately $155 million per year in external research with eight colleges and schools spanning Arts, Humanities, & Social Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering; Nursing; Science; Honors; and the Graduate School. More than 9,500 students are enrolled at the university.
A native of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Karr is a three-time graduate of The University of Alabama, earning a B.S. in mechanical engineering and both a M.S. and Ph.D. in engineering mechanics.