Story: Lisa Sollie

Two distinguished individuals, including an orthopedic surgeon and a clinical director of a local physical therapy clinic, were inducted into the 宅男福利社鈥檚 Society of the Golden Key during a ceremony at the Bell Conference Center, Thursday, Feb. 26.

E. Lyle Cain, Jr., MD, a resident of Birmingham, Alabama, and Candice Davis of Meridian, Mississippi, were added to the prestigious Golden Key roster. Induction into the Society of the Golden Key is the highest honor bestowed upon a 宅男福利社alumnus or former faculty member.

E. Lyle Cain, Jr., MD
Dr. E. Lyle Cain Jr. is an orthopedic surgeon and managing partner at Andrews Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama. The medical director for the 宅男福利社鈥檚 athletic training programs since 2000 and the University of Alabama since 2001, Cain has also served on the board of directors for the American Sports Medicine Institute, a non-profit research and education foundation.

Active in national orthopedic leadership, Cain is a past board member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and a current board member of the Southern Orthopaedic Association. Throughout his career, he has trained more than 250 physicians and hundreds of certified athletic trainers in the science of musculoskeletal medicine and the art of compassionate team care.

Among his many honors for service to athletes, Cain was named the 2016 Southeastern Athletic Trainers Association Hughston Sports Medicine Person of the Year, the 2021 Southeastern Conference Physician of the Year, and the 2023 Alabama Athletic Training Association Sports Medicine Person of the Year.

Candice Davis, DPT, PT
Candice Davis, DPT, PT, is in her thirteenth year with the 宅男福利社 Athletic Training and Sports Medicine Center, where she serves as a clinical instructor in physical therapy and athletic training and as an adjunct professor in UWA鈥檚 athletic training program. She is currently employed as clinic director at ATI Physical Therapy in Livingston, Alabama, where she is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of patients from Livingston and the surrounding areas requiring physical therapy services. 

A 2005 graduate of the 宅男福利社 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in athletic training, Davis worked with multiple 宅男福利社athletic programs as a student, including football, cheerleading, basketball, volleyball and softball. She was also a member of the athletic training staff for the 2005 Gulf South Conference championship baseball team. 

Davis earned her doctor of physical therapy degree in 2007 from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences in Florida and began her professional career at what is now Ochsner Rush Hospital in Meridian, Mississippi.  Active in service to her alma mater, she was elected president of the 宅男福利社Alumni Association in 2016 after serving two years as vice president.

Alongside the inductees, 12 other individuals were recognized at the National Alumni Achievement Awards, which took place in conjunction with the Golden Key Induction ceremony.

Founded in 1963 by 宅男福利社faculty members, Ralph Lyon, Robert B. Gilbert, Elizabeth Hoover, Alda Mae Spieth and William Tidwell, Jr., The Society of the Golden Key, recognizes alumni and former faculty who have distinguished themselves through their achievements and the positive impact they鈥檝e made on the University. Since its founding, 249 distinguished individuals have been inducted into the society, each leaving a legacy of achievement and service.

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

The 宅男福利社 has named Shannon Chandler vice president for Institutional Advancement, which includes the Office of Alumni Affairs, the Office of Development, and aligns with fundraising efforts with the 宅男福利社Foundation.

Chandler brings 18 years of experience at Shelton State Community College, including the last 11 years as director of development. 聽A 2008 宅男福利社alumna, earning聽a master鈥檚 degree in continuing education from the University, she also holds a bachelor of science in communication from the University of Alabama and an associate degree from Wallace State Community College.聽

At the helm of Shelton State鈥檚 fundraising efforts, Chandler designed and implemented a comprehensive development plan that secured more than $7.4 million in external funding for scholarships and other support initiatives. She also generated more than $2 million in additional funding through creative engagement strategies and increased corporate partnerships by 75 percent, while managing daily operations and overseeing balanced budgets for the development office.

“Ms. Chandler鈥檚 proven record of designing and executing high-impact fundraising and engagement strategies, combined with her deep commitment to the region we serve, positions us powerfully as we launch our new 10-year strategic plan and build the necessary support to bring its bold initiatives to life,” said 宅男福利社President Dr. Todd G. Fritch.

Prior to serving as director of development at Shelton State, Chandler spent seven years as coordinator of community education at the college. In that role, she directed Kid鈥檚 Kollege, developed and launched a remedial education summer program, and led numerous youth enrichment and community outreach initiatives. 

Chandler has also demonstrated leadership and relationship building on both statewide and national stages. After being crowned Miss Alabama in 2004, she represented the state nationally and later served as a public speaking ambassador for Miss Alabama Pageant, Inc.鈥檚 home office in Birmingham. In that capacity, she cultivated high-level relationships with state leaders, corporate partners, and nonprofit organizations; hosted and directed more than 250 fundraising and corporate partnership events; and supported nearly 500 organizational events to ensure their visibility and success.

“It鈥檚 a privilege to serve 宅男福利社and give back to a place that has given me so much,鈥� Chandler said. 鈥淚 am deeply grateful for the foundation this University has provided in my own life, and I look forward to bringing my background in relationship-building and strategic fundraising to support our mission.鈥�

鈥淲orking alongside our faculty, alumni, and community partners, I am eager to support initiatives that align with our priorities and strengthen our funding opportunities,鈥� she added. 鈥淏y extending the University鈥檚 reach across West Alabama and beyond, we can create lasting opportunities for our students and help our region thrive for generations to come.”

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Story: Lisa Sollie | Photo: Cody Ingram

LIVINGSTON, Ala. 鈥� For Caleb Walters, returning to the 宅男福利社 was less a career move and more of a calling.

Walters has returned to campus to lead UWA鈥檚 newly formed University Studies department which includes freshman studies, interdisciplinary studies, and a new exploratory major.

He is the ideal choice for the role, said Interim Provost Dr. Amy Jones.

鈥淐aleb Walters was not only a standout student during his time at UWA, but he also served as a faculty member here for six years, helping launch the IMC online master鈥檚 degree,鈥� Jones said.  鈥淗is experience directing an online master鈥檚 program at the University of Alabama, following his first faculty role at UWA, combined with his understanding of UWA鈥檚 campus culture and students, make him a tremendous asset. We are fortunate to have him back.鈥�

For Walters, the return to 宅男福利社feels like coming home.

鈥淓very student brings unique needs, experiences, and challenges,鈥� Walters said. 鈥淏ut I believe on a campus the size of UWA, it鈥檚 easier for faculty and staff to get to know their students and hear their stories. My goal is to support students as holistically as possible.鈥�

One way he plans to do that is through the new exploratory major, designed to help students choose a major with confidence while making progress toward their degree.

Jones said she considers Walters the champion of the new major.

鈥淲hile the exploratory major is not degree-granting,鈥� Jones said, “it is ideal for students who are uncertain which broad academic area they wish to pursue. Students who choose the exploratory major must transfer into one of UWA鈥檚 offered majors before reaching 50 credit hours, giving them time to complete the core curriculum and determine which major is the best fit.”

Walters鈥� role will provide an added layer of support for students who need that 鈥渆xtra bit鈥� of service鈥攑articularly those taking interdisciplinary courses or courses across multiple academic departments.

“He will be their guide, helping them navigate the process and connecting them with faculty across all disciplines,” Jones added.

University leaders view the new department as an opportunity to help students complete their degree and be successful, while also encouraging them to make the most of their time at UWA.

鈥淲e want students to take advantage of the personal connections they make with their faculty, staff, and fellow classmates,” Walters said. “It鈥檚 because of the connections I made while I was a student here that I am where I am today.鈥�

In his new position, Walters will also oversee freshman studies, including evaluation of the freshman seminar course required of all first-year students. He will collaborate with Bliss Adkison, dean of institutional effectiveness and research, to assess the University鈥檚 core curriculum.

鈥淚 love that all these pieces of the puzzle fall under one umbrella,鈥� Walters said. 鈥淚 love data and being able to see鈥� at a fundamental level鈥攚here the strengths and gaps are in freshman studies and the University鈥檚 core curriculum. Using the data we already have, along with new metrics, we can determine whether adjustments are needed. Everything we do should attract students to our campus, guide and retain them, and ultimately send them out prepared to succeed in their chosen professions. I鈥檓 just glad I get to play a small part.鈥�

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