Magnet Milestones Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering In one year, our state’s third magnet school will open to its first students. Classes will be held in facilities on the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) campus while the school’s permanent location is constructed. This was one of the significant announcements made on June 28, as the pieces really started to fall into place for the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE). Other important developments announced that day included a land gift from the City of Huntsville, the school’s first president, and a major donation from the business community. “Recently, several of our national leaders commented on the fact that they could not find another place in the nation organized enough to create a cyber and engineering statewide magnet school and coordinate potential partnerships between federal, state, local, academia, and industry, like we have done here,” said Alicia Ryan, president of the ASCTE Foundation. “Today we are announcing definitive steps in the future of this statewide magnet school, designed to prepare eager students and develop the next generation workforce in high-growth cyber and engineering disciplines, to continue and amplify the professional development for teachers across the state who are absolutely critical to preparing students to enter these industries. This school will be a game-changer for our
by Claire Aiello
state and the nation, and all from right here in the Rocket City.” “The best thing, this school is for all of Alabama – for Alabama to lead the way in our nation,” Ryan added. “For Alabama to be the shining star in the United States.” Redstone Federal Credit Union President and CEO Joe Newberry announced a $3,000,000 donation to the school’s foundation, to support the construction and establishment of the School. “Education is a wonderful mechanism for bringing positive change to a community,” Newberry said. “This gift to the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering Foundation provides another opportunity for us to give back to our thriving communities. The benefits realized will continue for generations to come.” Other businesses have donated to the school in recent months, including Davidson Technologies, Torch Technologies, Deloitte and ADTRAN. Students will begin instruction at UAH’s Bevill Center, which has residential spaces, as well as classrooms and a cafeteria. The school will serve students from all over Alabama, some of whom will live at the school. “The University of Alabama in Huntsville is excited to be the