Q&A with Senator Richard Shelby

Shelby in front of main building

  1. Why did you choose a career in public service?
    I thought I could make a difference, first for the state of Alabama as a state senator and later for the nation as a member of the United States House of Representatives and later as a U.S. Senator.
  2. What accomplishments do you consider the most meaningful and beneficial for Alabama and the nation?
    I am very proud to have been able to secure federal dollars for Auburn University, the University of Alabama, the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the University of Alabama in Huntsville and the University of South Alabama to construct world-class teaching and research facilities in the fields of math, science and engineering. I believe that this funding will signifi- cantly increase the opportunities available to our children and grandchildren and will ultimately change the economy of the state of Alabama. As the chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on September 11, 2001, I saw firsthand how important our national security is and I have and will continue to work tirelessly to ensure that we as a nation are as secure as we can be.
  3. Please explain your passion for promoting engineering, math and science education.
    To stay competitive, Alabama's colleges and universities must have the facilities to educate students in these academic areas. The careers of tomorrow require more than yesterday's classrooms. Investing in our research universities is one of the smartest ways for Alabama to secure high-quality, non-exportable jobs and to secure the United States' competitive edge in the global economy.
  4. What impact will the Shelby Center have on Auburn, our students and the state?
    First and foremost, the new engineering center will offer students some of the finest laboratory facilities in the world and will strengthen the level of education they receive. The Center will also attract and retain some of the most elite faculty, researchers and students. This will help put Alabama on the map as a center in engineering, math and science.
  5. What do you see as Auburn's primary role in the economic health and overall well-being of the state and the nation?
    Auburn should make every effort to equip its students with the tools to take on the problems of tomorrow. The engineering facilities at Auburn are unlike anything Alabama has ever seen and will enable well-educated graduates to enter the workforce and contribute to our economy. Moreover, the world-class facilities at Auburn will attract some of the brightest minds in research to our state and we will benefit from not only their teaching, but also from the products developed through their expert research.
  6. What are the top problems facing the U.S. that engineers can help solve?
    I believe that the number one problem facing our nation today is the energy crisis. As we approach $4 a gallon gas this summer, it is my hope that science and engineering research will help us find a permanent and cost-effective substitute for oil and gas.
  7. Alabama is rich in natural resources and wonderful people, yet it continues to lag other states in many measures of quality of life. What are the key steps needed to unlock the state's potential?
    While there is always room for improvement, Alabama's economy is on the right track. Economic development has been on a roll in recent years. From Mercedes to Northrop Grumman, companies around the world are recognizing that Alabama is open for business. As industries come to our state, they need a well-educated workforce, and I believe that because of schools like Auburn, they will continue to find some of the best our nation has to offer.