The nation's twelfth chapter of the academic honor society Phi Beta Kappa was established at the University in 1851. Total student enrollment on the Tuscaloosa campus is about 19,000, of which about 3,000 are graduate students, representing all 50 states and more than 65 countries. University faculty excel in teaching, research, and service. With a range of endowed chairs and professorships in fields ranging from creative writing to environmental geology to real estate, the University attracts internationally-known scholars. Th th e amount of external support for faculty has tripled in the past five years.
Faculty receive national awards for teaching excellence and service to their fields every year.
The University of Alabama Libraries are one of the select 100 nationally holding membership in the Association of Research Libraries. Currently the library houses over two million volumes. Major renovations also have been completed for the College of Communications and for the College of Commerce and Business Administration. The Bryant-Denny football stadium was expanded and renovated in 1988, and converted back to natural grass in 1990. The University has nationally renowned athletic programs in football, basketball, gymnastics, and swimming, and has outstanding intramural athletic facilities.