Moral Forum receives $300,000 endowment
Crimson White – Jan. 31
Moral Forum, the program that gives students a chance to research both sides of an issue and debate them in a campus-wide tournament, will be here permanently after receiving a $300,000 endowment. Synovus Financial Corporation donated the funds and named the endowment in honor of James “Jim” Hayes Jr…Stephen Black, the director of the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility – the center responsible for Moral Forum – said Hayes possesses all the qualities of leadership. “He is what is best about Alabama. He is passionately committed to his perspective while being respectful of others’ perspectives at the same time,” Black said… Hayes is also a long-time member of the UA president’s cabinet, and has earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering at the Capstone. He received an honorary doctorate of humane letters in 2004. He has also been recognized as a Distinguished Engineering Fellow. He has received the UA Alumnus of the Year Award and the College of Commerce Achievement in Finance Award…
Last Lecture nominations being held
Crimson White – Jan. 31
…Natalie Adams, assistant dean of the graduate school, began this project last year. Many universities are hosting a Last Lecture Series and sponsoring this event at the Capstone would be a way for the graduate school to have a more visible presence on campus, she said. “I thought it would be an excellent idea to bring all parts of the University together,” Adams said. Adams said she would like to see 250 nominations. Nominations can be made online at www.graduate.ua.edu or by turning in a nomination form available in the graduate school office. Students must explain in 100 words or less why they believe a particular member of the UA faculty deserves to be heard in the Last Lecture. Feb. 29 is the last day for nominations…
Union membership grows in Alabama, nationwide
Birmingham News – Jan. 31
…Trevor Bain, a labor expert at the University of Alabama, said the state has been ranked with Kentucky as having the highest union representation in the South over the past four decades. Kentucky’s 9.1 percent union membership was second to Alabama in the region last year. “Alabama has always been a big union state because of our strong steel and coal mining industries, and docks in Mobile,” Bain said. “People have this mistaken feeling about unions and Alabama, but it is actually more sympathetic to labor than other states.” …
UA political science professor receives grant
Crimson White – Jan. 31
Douglas Gibler, a political science professor, has received a grant from the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation to study types of government and conflict around the globe…The grant was the first given to Gibler’s subfield in more than five years. Gibler said his research examines how territorial conflicts between countries affect their type of government…
UA Professor Speaks at Furman University
WHNS (Greenville, S.C.) — Jan. 30
University of Alabama professor Dr. Michael New will speak about the positive impact of pro-life laws…
Poll: Obama, McCain ahead in Alabama
Florence Times-Daily – Jan. 31
…David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama, said it’s going to be hard to sit this primary out even if your candidate isn’t on the ballot. “I think they’ll vote because it’s a pretty exciting campaign,” Lanoue said. “If you were a strong supporter (of someone else), you still want to be part of the action.”…
Hey Ricky, whatever happened to Debbie Morgan?
Enterprise Ledger – Jan. 31
…Deborah Morgan Lane was named Executive Director of Public Relations at The University of Alabama in September 2006…She was an honor graduate of Enterprise High School and a member of the Wildcat Marching Band, then directed by the late Bob McMillan. Recently, she had the opportunity to hear the Alabama Woodwind Ensemble perform “Enterprise,” a song written about the 2007 tornado that killed eight EHS students and an elderly lady. Hearing the song performed brought back memories of her years in the EHS Marching Band…Lane has a final message for the folks back home. “Please go hear the Alabama Wind Ensemble perform ‘Enterprise’ on Feb. 29.” she said. “The tears will be sweet, I promise you.”