Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

FROM STAFF REPORTS

ALABASTER – Thompson High School announced that Dr. Charles L. Karr will serve as the speaker at commencement for the THS graduating class of 2025.

THS commencement ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, May 20 at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Bartow Arena in downtown Birmingham.

Karr is the 10th president of The University of Alabama in Huntsville, joining the university on Dec. 1, 2021. He came to UAH after an extended period at The University of Alabama as the dean of the College of Engineering. While at UA, the College of Engineering ascended in national rankings and saw significant growth. Undergraduate enrollment more than tripled with the recruitment of exceptional students.

Currently, Karr leads the Carnegie R1 comprehensive university, conducting approximately $155 million per year in external research with eight colleges and schools spanning arts, humanities and social sciences; business; education; engineering; nursing; science; honors and the graduate school. More than 9,500 students are enrolled at the university.

A native of Gulf Breeze, Florida, Karr is a three-time graduate of the University of Alabama, earning a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering and both a Master of Science and a Ph.D. in engineering mechanics.