[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 79 (Monday, May 13, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2785-S2786]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    TRIBUTE TO ROBERT A. ALTENKIRCH

 Mr. SHELBY. Mr. President, today I wish to commend Dr. Robert 
Altenkirch for his leadership at the University of Alabama in 
Huntsville. Dr. Altenkirch led the university as president from 2011 to 
2019. While serving in this capacity, he implemented many strategic 
growth initiatives and promoted economic development throughout the 
campus and the city of Huntsville, AL.
  Under Dr. Altenkirch's leadership, UAH provided assistance in 
recruiting numerous corporations to north Alabama. Those corporations 
include Blue Origin, Aerojet, Rocketdyne, GE Aviation, and Polaris. He 
also spearheaded the purchase of a 58-acre business park that is 
adjacent to the campus and serves as a town center for the students and 
faculty.
  Continuing to add to his legacy, Dr. Altenkirch established the D.S. 
Davidson Invention to Innovation business incubator. This regional 
initiative fosters, promotes, and accelerates the commercialization of 
technology-based ventures through incubation, co-working, mentorship, 
funding, and strategic support.
  Not only did Dr. Altenkirch expand the university physically and 
economically, but he also contributed to the university's growth in 
total enrollment over the past 5 years. By the fall of 2019, the 
enrollment at UAH skyrocketed by more than 10,000 students. The average 
ACT score for incoming freshman reached an alltime record high at the 
university under Dr. Altenkirch. By fall 2018, the average score was 
28.5, which is the highest among the State of Alabama's public 
universities.
  Studying mechanical engineering, Dr. Altenkirch earned a B.S. from 
Purdue University, an M.S. from the University of California, Berkley, 
and a Ph.D. from Purdue. He was recognized as one of the 101 Most 
Influential People in the State of New Jersey in 2009, as Dr. 
Altenkirch served as the president of New Jersey Institute of 
Technology for 9 years prior to his tenure at UAH.
  Dr. Altenkirch deserves the highest recognition for his outstanding 
leadership at the University of Alabama in

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Huntsville. He helped shape a more prosperous future for the 
university, the city of Huntsville, and the State of Alabama. The 
impact he has made on UAH and the entire north Alabama community will 
not be forgotten.

                          ____________________