The university's logo might have featured a woman for a long time, but the Capstone's history shows that the school had never had a permanent woman president, until now.

University of Alabama's board of trustees unanimously elected Dr. Judy Bonner as the first permanent woman president of the university in its 181 year-old history, Thursday.

"Having had the pleasure of working with Dr. Bonner for the last 10 years, I can say firsthand that she is one of the most intelligent, well-focused and forward-thinking academic administrators in the nation," said Dr. Robert E. Witt, chancellor of the university.

Bonner has had several roles in managing the university for almost thirty years. The current provost had also served as the interim president after Witt became the chancellor.

As Tuscaloosa News reports, Bonner did not apply for the post of President left empty by Witt earlier this year. Serving as provost, executive vice president and interim president, Bonner said she had 'enough balls in the air and didn't need to be a candidate at the same time.'

However, Guy Bailey who was appointed as the president of the university in July resigned Wednesday citing his wife's health issues. He had previously served at Texas Tech University.

At Thursday's meeting scheduled to decide on the next course of action, Bonner was chosen as Bailey's successor within an hour of the meeting.

Bonner is a UA alumnus receiving her bachelor's in dietetics from UA in 1969, a master's in food and nutrition from UA in 1973 and a Ph.D. in human nutrition from Ohio State in 1976. She began her career at UA when she was named assistant professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1980.

She went on to become the HOD of human nutrition and hospitality management, following which she served as special assistant to the president and assistant academic vice president. From 1989 to 2003, she was dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, followed by three years as provost and vice president for academic affairs. She has been provost and executive vice president since April 1, 2006.

"It is with great pleasure that I accept the position of president of The University of Alabama. I am looking forward to working with the Board of Trustees, the chancellor and our students, faculty and staff as we continue to build on the progress and momentum that have led our University to such unprecedented success," she wrote in a statement.