FROM STAFF REPORTS

Dr. Jim Day, professor of history at the University of Montevallo, has been selected as one of Birmingham Business Journal’s 2018 Veterans of Influence.

This honor seeks to recognize military veterans who have distinguished themselves in the world of Birmingham business. A special advisory committee was utilized to select honorees, with criteria including their contributions to their company, a track record of innovation and leadership and their engagement in the community.

Since retiring from the Army in 1995, Day has taught history at Marion Military Institute, Judson College, Auburn University at Montgomery and the University of Montevallo. At UM, he teaches courses in Colonial America, Revolutionary America, Jeffersonian and Jacksonian America, the Gilded Age, U.S. History since 1945, the Korean and Vietnam Wars and the History of Alabama’s Constitutions.

“Jim has the unique ability to connect events in our nation’s past, and apply their consequences, to current national events,” said Michael J. Grainger in reference to Day being selected for this honor.

Day was also recently honored as the first Michael J. Grainger Endowed Professorship in Modern History at the University of Montevallo.

“Dr. Jim Day is the definition of a true hero, not only for his military service, but for his dedication to teaching and students, his discipline as a historian and his devotion to the community,” said Tiffany Bunt, a UM colleague of more than 10 years.

He is an active member of the Montevallo community, currently serving as the president of the Montevallo Historical Society and chair of the Alabama Historic Ironworks Commission. Day’s other involvement includes being a member of the Alabama Bicentennial Committee, Alabama Historical Commission, Montevallo Design Review Committee and the Montevallo Community Chorale.

Day holds a B.S. in engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an M.A. in history from the University of Georgia and a Ph.D. in history from Auburn University.