University of Alabama System confirms new chancellor, CEO of state’s largest employer

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees considered multiple personnel updates during Friday’s meeting and unanimously approved Sid J. Trant as permanent chancellor.

He now serves as CEO of the system’s campuses and UAB Health System, which together are the state’s largest employer. About 67,000 people work for the system.

Trant served as interim chancellor for the last 10 months after his predecessor, Finis St. John IV, stepped down to lead the Shelby Institute for Policy and Leadership.

Board president pro tempore Scott Phelps said that Sid’s background as a first-generation college student “transformed his own life and lifted him out of generational poverty.”

“He’s passionate about expanding access to higher education, high quality health care, and is a strong advocate for our entire system,” Phelps said before the vote.

“Sid Trant has demonstrated remarkable leadership, guiding the UA System with steady hands and a clear vision,” said trustee Karen Brooks. “Despite this being a challenging period for higher education and healthcare, he has taken significant steps to advance our mission and vision.”

Brooks said under Trant’s leadership, the system successfully acquired Ascension St. Vincent Health System and “fortified our dedication to institutional neutrality, ensuring our campuses remain neutral platforms that support academic freedom and free speech and foster critical thinking and scholarly debate.”

“I want you all to know in this room that the importance of what you do across all of higher education and healthcare is undeniable,” Trant said after the vote. “I will strive to make sure that people, the public, state legislature, this board, all understand the impact of your work and that it is recognized and that it is understood we will stay true to our mission, values and principles.”

Trant was UA’s general counsel and senior vice chancellor before becoming interim chancellor. Prior to joining UA, he was an attorney at Bradley Arant Boult Cummings.

He graduated summa cum laude from The University of Alabama in 1983 and graduated magna cum laude with his juris doctorate in 1986 from Georgetown University Law Center.

Trant’s updated annual salary was not available as of publication time. According to university records, he received $69,164.55 in his December monthly paycheck.

Other University of Alabama System news

Trant opened his chancellor’s report discussing all of the changes happening in the state and nationwide, including Stuart Bell’s upcoming transition from UA’s president to faculty member.

“I just want to say thank you, Dr. Bell, for everything that you’ve done for the University of Alabama,” Trant said. “And so the search is underway for a new person to fill that role and follow in Dr. Bell’s very large footsteps on the national stage.”

Angus Cooper was unanimously elected to the board of trustees. During the nominating committee meeting, Brooks said the Mobile native’s “leadership, vision and dedication to our state will make him an outstanding choice for this role.”

“Angus is widely known for his ability to unite people around a common goal,” Brooks said. Cooper received his Bachelor of Science in business at UA.

Marietta Urquhart is now a trustee emeritus after 20 years of serving on the UA System board.

“The Board will miss her servant heart, her wise counsel and her ability to handle any situation with grace and humility,” said trustee Kenneth Simon.

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