The Honors College proudly named Ruby Tilghman Student of the Month for September 2024. Hailing from Panama City, Florida, Tilghman is a chemistry major and a Witt Fellow who is wholeheartedly invested in turning knowledge into action. When Tilghman was a freshman, a piece of wisdom given by Dr. Robert E. Witt resonated with her. Dr. Robert E. Witt shared with Tilghman and the incoming freshmen class that education at UA would develop in students a soft heart and a critical mind.
“My coursework has equipped me with the skill and knowledge to address societal issues that challenge our generation and my experiences both in Marion, Alabama, during the Black Belt Experience, here in Tuscaloosa and on campus have developed in me a soft heart and compassion for others,” said Tilghman.
This compassion for others manifests in Tilghman’s founding of Many Mini Musicians, a nonprofit where she organized eight annual fundraising concerts for youth performers. Additionally, Tilghman is a member of Alpha Gamma Delta, the Elliott Society, Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society and is a Certified Nursing Assistant. In addition to these, Tilghman has been named Miss University of Alabama 2025.
Tilghman is involved academically as well. She is an undergraduate researcher under Dr. Ryan Summers, studying the production of high-value pharmaceutical intermediates from caffeine and caffeine derivatives. Tilghman also developed a college and career readiness curriculum for schools with exceptionally high poverty rates called College Ready Marion.
When asked, “Why Honors?”, Tilghman explained “It is the spirit of collaboration, commitment to excellence, dedication to the pursuit of knowledge, and ultimately the opportunity to make actionable change because of the support given by the Honors College.”
Congratulations, to September 2024 Student of the Month, Ruby Tilghman!
