University of West Alabama inducts 13th president Dr. Todd Fritch in ceremony Friday

The University of West Alabama installed their 13^th president in an inauguration ceremony on Friday, Sept. 12.

Dr. Todd G. Fritch started in January overseeing the university that is 190 years old and said in an exclusive interview with the Black Belt News Network Friday morning that he plans to increase enrollment, add residential on-campus options, establish more agriculture-related majors, expand academic buildings and enhance student life facilities among other goals.

Fritch grew up in rural Michigan and said he and his wife, Jamie, fell in love with Livingston when in town for his interview for the job last fall.

“When we pulled into town for the first time, my wife and I looked at each other and said, ‘Wow, this feels like home,’” Fritch said. “The community has been so supportive, not just to the university community, but the larger community in Livingston and throughout the county, very supportive of our transition, supportive of the work that we're trying to accomplish here at the university, and it's just been a fantastic experience for us.”

Fritch has a background in economic development and collaborating with community organizations and says he wants to work to improve the health of the city where the university resides. 

“Besides just being the largest employer in the area, the role that we get to play beyond just providing a great education for students is the contributions to economic and workforce development, the role that we can play as a leader in those kinds of activities is unique for a university,” Fritch said. “We all contribute to that in many ways, but to be able to position the institution as a leader in those kinds of initiatives, I think, is unique.”

A project starting this fall is a $23.7 million renovation of the Student Union building. The union will have an elevated walking track and a new outdoor pool that would be used by local community groups like a partnership with the Tuscaloosa YMCA for swim lessons.

Enrollment is up 4% this fall, with a 7% increase in summer enrollment. The university aims to grow to 10,000 students over 10-15 years, with 1,800-2,500 on-campus students. To accommodate the growth, the school will add residential housing considering they are at 94% capacity, he said.

Off campus housing has gotten challenging after the opening of a new Enviva wood pellet plant that opened in Epps, Sumter County and many employees are living in Livingston, taking over the housing available.  

UWA plans to make more housing available such as a new sophomore residence hall and expanded upper-class apartment-style housing.

The school will add to its athletics offerings with a new women's flag football team next fall and are considering a bass fishing team. 

Fritch also said they want to expand the band program so more students can learn music.

As for programs, Fritch wants to add a two-year agriculture program focused on forestry technology and four-year degrees in agribusiness and agri-tech.

“To continue to grow enrollments, you have to be offering the right mix of programs that are interesting to students,” he said. “We are really trying to embrace the fact that we are a rural, regional public university, and we need to own our footprint.”