Alabama Congressman Shomari C. Figures visited Tuskegee University to learn about the university’s academic work, research, and its broader impact on Alabama and the nation.
“I enjoyed spending the day with the students and administrators at Tuskegee University and witnessing the cutting-edge STEM initiatives underway on their campus,“ said Congressman Figures. “Tuskegee University continues to open doors for the next generation of brilliant scientists, mathematicians, doctors, engineers, and more. It is my honor to represent this historic campus in Congress, and I commend President Brown, the faculty, and staff for their ongoing commitment to advancing academic excellence here in the 2nd District.”
The visit started with breakfast at Tompkins Hall, where Congressman Figures met individually with students from Alabama’s 2nd district. Dr. Mark A. Brown, President and CEO of Tuskegee University, commented on the occasion: “Our campus is alive with the Renaissance Era and it was an honor to host Congressman Figures and his staff. We were very proud to show him how the innovation of our founding leaders, faculty and students is now being reimagined every day with modern tools, technology and tenacity to solve complex problems facing our nation.”
During his time on campus, Congressman Figures observed drone and robotic technology developed by The College of Agriculture and Environment Sciences (CAENS). He interacted with faculty and students engaged in interdisciplinary projects focusing on food safety, biotechnology, weather-resilient agriculture, reducing food insecurity, diversifying crop land use, and training future agricultural experts. The congressman operated an “Ag-bot” built by Tuskegee students that uses artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensors to collect soil data for farmers in real-time.
Congressman Figures also received a demonstration inside a T-1 flight simulator used by Aviation Science Degree Program participants as well as Aerospace Engineering students. He remarked humorously after using one of three simulators donated by the U.S. Air Force last year: “It was touch and go there for a moment.”
The tour included a visit to Kenney Hall—formerly John A. Andrew Hospital—which historically served African-American citizens in the region as a teaching hospital for Tuskegee’s campus. Now housing the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Health Care at Tuskegee University, Kenney Hall supports collaborations among academic institutions focused on bioethical inquiry grounded in community empowerment.
