Allison Montgomery is a senior biology major from Talladega, Ala. She has a GPA of 4.13 and also has a twin brother. She also just so happens to be the University of Alabama’s 2014-2015 homecoming queen. She has always had an interest in UA, and family ties led her to attend the university.
“My older brother and sister both graduated from Alabama, and my twin brother goes to school here too,” she said. “At first, I wanted to go out of state, but UA offered familiarity and endless opportunities.”
Montgomery fully exemplifies a well-rounded UA student. Since her freshman year, she has been involved in many campus organizations and now holds leadership positions in them.
Some of her involvement includes: President of Mortar Board, Chief Justice for Academic Honor Council, and the Senior Advisor for SGA. She is also involved in the Blackburn Institute, XXXI, Anderson Society, Tri Delta, and Order of Omega.
She wants students to know that being involved on the UA campus can help you learn life lessons that can’t be learned in the classroom. Being so involved in differing areas has helped her meet some of her closest friends.
“I would say to identify your passion or your goal and to be persistent,” she said. “The University of Alabama is a huge place that can be intimidating, but it can be a wonderful home when you find your niche.”
In the midst of her involvement with campus activities, she has been accepted to UAB Medical School for next fall. She loves all the connections she has made through organizations at UA, and hopes to stay just as involved at UAB.
“I have been able to make so many great friends from all areas of campus, I am also grateful for the opportunity to affect positive change in our institution, she said. “I am looking forward to staying involved in medical school through health-related service outlets such as the Equal Access Birmingham clinic.”
After she graduates from medical school, Montgomery plans to serve communities as a primary care provider. She says she would also like to have the opportunity to impact healthcare policy in the state of Alabama.
“I am a part of the Rural Medical Scholars Program which has an emphasis on primary care,” she said. “Ultimately, I would love to work in an under-served community in Alabama as a primary care provider, fulfilling the healthcare needs of those who have little access to medicine.”
When I asked her about how it felt to be crowned homecoming queen, she couldn’t stress enough how humbled she was by the experience and the outpouring of support she has received.
“It was an amazing experience and honor to represent all the wonderful people that make up the University of Alabama,” she said. “I am grateful for all the support and encouragement I received from students, faculty, and family, I absolutely cannot imagine a better institution with better people.”
