Dr. Richard D. Holland

Dr. Richard D. Holland, a native of Bayou La Batre, Alabama, has been a member of the University of West Alabama faculty since 1967.  In 2002 he became the tenth President of the University of West Alabama founded in 1835.  He earned his bachelor and master’s degree in biology at the University of West Alabama and his Ph.D. in Botany at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville.  Prior to becoming President, he served as Professor of Biology and Dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics at UWA.

Holland’s contributions to the University, the community, and the State of Alabama are numerous.  His areas of service include: chair of UWA’s Reaffirmation Self-Study Committee for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1991 and 2002, chair of the University Senate for five terms, member of the Board of Directors for the UWA Foundation; member of the Council of Arts and Sciences Deans and Council of Presidents for the Alabama Commission on Higher Education; member of the President’s Council of the Higher Education Partnership of Alabama; State of Alabama Liaison to The American Association of State Colleges and Universities; Chair of the Sumter County Historical Society; member of the Board of Directors of the Sumter County Fine Arts Council; member of the Board of Directors and President of the Sumter County Historical Society; member and treasurer of the City of Livingston Beautification Committee; member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Alabama Wildflower Society; member of the Alabama Advisory Committee on Roadside Plantings; member of the Board of Directors of The Nature Conservancy Chapter of  Alabama; member of the Onsite Wastewater Management Committee of the Alabama Department of Public Health; member of the Board of the Tombigbee RC&D Council; Chair of the West Alabama Regional Alliance; member of the Board of Directors of the Black Belt Community Foundation; member of the Governor’s Black Belt Action Commission; Chair of the Alabama Medical Education Consortium and the Black Belt Health Scholars Partnership; and is the recipient of the The Silver Beaver Award presented by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America for distinguished service to youth.  

Dr. Holland has been honored by his peers in the academic community, by his students, and his fellow UWA Alumni. His honors include: UWA Society of the Golden Key, Omicron Delta Kappa, Alpha Phi Omega, Alpha Chi National Honor Society; recipient of the UWA Gilbert Award for Outstanding Teaching in 1984 and 1990; UWA Faculty Loyalty Award; Distinguished Service Award from the Association of Conservation Districts, Area III; Sterling’s Who’ Who International; Charter member of the UWA chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Beta Beta Beta National Biological Society.