The University of West Alabama recognized several employees during the board meeting on Monday for their contributions to the University.

University Provost David Taylor announced three employees to receive the annual Loraine McIlwain Bell Trustee Awards which included Dustin Prine, Glenn Smith and Wayne Beford.

In addition, R.T. Floyd, who chairs and teaches in the department of athletic training and physical education, was recognized as the first recipient of the Nellie Rose McCrory Service Excellence Award.

Prine, media technician, received the Support Staff Excellence Award.

The Professional Staff Excellence Award was presented to Smith, director of Bands.

The 2013 McIlwain Bell Trustee Professor was presented to Beford, professor of computer information systems and associate dean of UWA’s College of Business.

The report from the University president included more information about the 2.2 million dollar grant received from the U.S. Department of Labor. The grant will aid workforce training in the region.

In other business, the board of trustees discussed including the institutional advancement committee to meet quarterly.

Board of trustee member Alex Saad discussed with the board the desire to expand the bylaw in regards to evaluating the University president to include an evaluation of job performance based on the job description.

Bylaw revisions will be discussed at the March meeting.

The report of the athletic committee included an overview of athletic departments such as cross country, soccer, volleyball and basketball.

UWA football coach Will Hall also gave his thoughts on the 2012 season at the board meeting.

“We had a great season and a great year of recruiting,” he said.

The board of trustees approved the finance committee’s motion for a 1.5 million dollar renovation project on Homer Hall to expand the weight room and to renovate the bleachers and gym floor in Pruitt Hall.