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Outstanding Alumni Volunteer

Al Faulkner

In 1995, The University of Alabama College of Engineering began a yearly tradition of recognizing an alum who provided excellent volunteer assistance to the College as the Outstanding Alumni Volunteer. The 2025 Outstanding Alumni Volunteer award recipient is Howard Allen “Al” Faulkner.

Faulkner has built a distinguished engineering career spanning nearly four decades, marked by dedication to his profession, his alma mater, his community, and the next generation of engineers.

Faulkner’s journey began at The University of Alabama, where he gained valuable knowledge inside the classroom and industry experience through four semesters of co-op work with DuPont. Upon earning his chemical engineering degree in 1988, Faulkner joined DuPont as a technology engineer. In 1993, he transitioned to Monsanto, where he began as a manufacturing engineer. He remained with the company as it evolved into Solutia and later Ascend Performance Materials, where he managed the Decatur operating plant. As the current director of capital projects for Ascend, Faulkner continues his legacy of leadership and innovation.

Throughout his career, Faulkner has remained deeply committed to UA. Since 2010, he has served on the Department of Chemical Engineering Advisory Board and the Capstone Engineering Society Board of Directors, through which he has held leadership roles and led numerous committees. Additionally, he is a member of the College of Engineering External Advisory Board. He often volunteers his time mentoring current UA students, representing the College at student recruiting events, and regularly attending student networking events hosted by the College.

Faulkner’s contributions have garnered numerous accolades, including distinction as a fellow of UA’s Department of Chemical Engineering in 2007. His impact is further cemented in the renovated H.M. Comer Hall, where his quote—“Innovation, in any field, is the fuel for sustainable success. It prevents stagnation and gives energy to the next step in the process”—is prominently displayed. He was recognized with excellence in manufacturing awards during his time with Monsanto and Solutia.

Beyond his professional and academic involvement, Faulkner is a dedicated community advocate. He has served in leadership roles at his church for nearly three decades, including as deacon chair and trustee chair. He has served the Ascend Cares Foundation since its inception in 2011 to support employees affected by natural disasters, scholarships for employees’ children, and community impact grants. Additionally, Faulkner served as chair of the 2011 United Way Campaign in Morgan County, Alabama.

In 2008, his father, Lamar, was recognized as the Outstanding Alumni Volunteer. Faulkner’s current induction makes them the first father and son to both receive this prestigious award. Faulkner lives in Gulf Breeze, Florida, with his wife, Tricia. The couple has two adult children and five grandchildren.

Outstanding Alumni Volunteer Through the Years

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