Installation of the university's first vice president, 1955

In 1955, Dr. Robert C. Berson became the dean of the Birmingham medical school and the inaugural vice president for Health Affairs.  He was the first vice president in the 124-year history of the University of Alabama.  In honor of the occasion, an installation ceremony was held May 15, 1955, in front of the Medical and Dental Basic Science Building and Dental Clinic [today's School of Dentistry Building], with university administrators from Tuscaloosa, medical center administrators from Birmingham, local and state government officials, and members of the Board of Trustees.  Students, staff, and faculty of the university and members of the public, including the news media, were also in attendance.  Dr. Berson (at the podium) speaks to the assembled crowd.  Berson would remain in Birmingham until 1962.  The building in the background was the Crippled Children's Clinic and Hospital.

Image ID: P16.1.1, #1824g