The 2024 Living Legends honoree is Dr. Samory Pruitt.
Dr. Samory Pruitt earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics, master's degree in public administration, and PhD in higher education administration, all from the University of Alabama.
He began working at UA in 1986 in increasingly responsible positions in management and administration, including roles in the divisions of Financial Affairs and University Advancement and in the President's Office. He was appointed as Vice President for Community Affairs upon its creation in 2004.
In his current role, Pruitt is responsible for developing and managing the university's public outreach programs and providing campus leadership to enhance the quality of life both within and beyond the campus community. He accomplishes this through the formation of partnerships for engagement scholarship across the areas of teaching, research, and service.
Under his exceptional leadership, the division has flourished, expanding to include the Center for Community-Based Partnerships and the Crossroads Civic Engagement Center.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions, the university honored him with the award for Outstanding Commitment to Public Service in 2002. His dedication was further acknowledged when he received the prestigious E. Roger Sayers Distinguished Service Award from UA in 2016.
Pruitt is actively involved in the West Alabama area, where he has served on the boards of directors for over 10 community organizations, including The First Tee of Tuscaloosa, the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, the Tuscaloosa Library Board, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters, among others.
Pruitt chairs the Martin Luther King Jr. Realizing the Dream Initiative committee and serves on the leadership team of the annual UA United Way Campaign. He is also the founding sponsor of the 100 Black Men of Tuscaloosa chapter.
In 2022, Pruitt was inducted into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame and was selected to serve as a grand marshal for the 46th Annual West Alabama Christmas Parade.
Pruitt currently serves on the Stillman College Board of Trustees and the Board of the Academy of Community-Engaged Scholars, a Tuscaloosa International Rotary Club member, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
