UAB's Carol Garrison stepping down from office

After 10 years in office, UAB president Carol Garrison is stepping down.

Garrison announced her departure from her role as president of one of the nation's leading research universities on Thursday.

In a statement on UAB's website, Garrison called her decade of service as UAB's president "extremely rewarding" and said she knows the university will continue to achieve great things.

Under Garrison's leadership, UAB reached record enrollment numbers, added new facilities and gained national recognition in multiple areas, including research, academics and community engagement.

Garrison's term as president of UAB began in July 2002. As president of UAB, Garrison also chaired the board of the UAB Health System and the board of Southern Research Institute, according to UAB.

"Carol Garrison has served her alma mater well, and we appreciate her contributions to UAB, our System and the state," UA System Chancellor Robert Witt said in a statement on UAB's website.

Paul Bryant, Jr., the President pro tempore of the UA System board of trustees, gave the following statement on Garrison's announcement that she's stepping down:

"On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I want to thank Dr. Garrison for leading UAB over these last 10 years. In teaching, research and service to the citizens of Alabama, the university has continued to make strong strides since she became president in 2002. I have asked Trustee John McMahon to chair the search committee that will identify candidates to succeed Dr. Garrison and appreciate his willingness to take on that assignment."

Birmingham Mayor William Bell expressed his thanks for Garrison's years of service at UAB in a statement:

"My sincerest thanks and best wishes go out to Carol as both an alumnus and as Mayor. Our strong partnership with UAB under Carol's leadership has set a new mark for progress in our city."

Garrison says she will stay in her role as president until an interim president can be named.

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