UA awards more than 2,700 degrees in spring graduation ceremonies
Birmingham News – May 10
The University of Alabama conferred more than 2,700 degrees today at the school’s spring graduation ceremonies. About 1,800 students were on hand to receive their degrees, and among those walked across the stage at Coleman Coliseum was golfer Michael Thompson, who played in this year’s Masters Tournament. Thompson, who got a degree in finance, helped his team win the SEC championship while becoming Alabama’s first individual conference champion in 56 years. Also getting degrees today were Tide basketball players Richard Hendrix and Greg Cage, both of whom graduated in three years. Hendrix, who earned a degree in communications, has declared for the NBA draft, while Cage, a National Merit Scholar, will continue to play college ball while continuing his education.
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – May 10
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – May 10
To speak or not to speak
Tuscaloosa News – May 10
…Now with about 2,000 graduates each semester, UA administrators are worried that graduation is too long and cut the keynote speaker from the graduation ceremonies that were held in December. Likewise, there will be no speaker today at Coleman Coliseum. ‘The decision was based on the increasing number of graduates,’ said UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen in a statement. ‘There have been other commencement exercises when we haven’t had speakers. [Provost Judy] Bonner says we will continue to have speakers in the future — but not at every commencement.’…UA, at least for the past five years, has brought notable alumni to its December and May ceremonies, such as actress Sela Ward in May 2005 and Millard Fuller, founder of Habitat for Humanity, in December 2004…’We provide an opportunity for each graduate to walk across the stage and shake hands with both the dean and the president,’ Andreen said. ‘We want to provide an ample opportunity to honor our students without making the ceremony too long for the graduates and their families.’…
Single moms, former in-laws turn adversity into degrees
Tuscaloosa News – May 11
…A college dropout, Moats was faced with either getting extra jobs to make ends meet or going back to school to become a nurse, a path that meant less money in the short term. The 44-year-old chose the latter, and Saturday she walked across the stage at the University of Alabama to get her diploma before she heads to Memphis, Tenn., and a job she’s already accepted…She survived by moving in with her brother’s ex-wife, Paula Diehl, who also graduated from UA Saturday with a master’s degree in business administration…
Birmingham News – May 11 (Print version only)
UA student takes second at turkey calling championships
Tuscaloosa News – May 11
For Terence Williamson, a senior majoring in civil engineering at The University of Alabama, there’s more to spring than spring break and finals. Williamson recently placed second in the U.S. Open Qualifier and the Arkansas Sportshow Regional Turkey Calling Championship…Williamson will soon graduate from the Capstone with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and will begin working with the Alabama Department of Transportation in the fifth division construction section in Tuscaloosa…
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – May 9
University of Alabama graduation list
Tuscaloosa News – May 11
BACHELOR’S DEGREE Abbeville: Douglas Craddock Jr., Mannon Orlando Wills Jr. Adamsville: Caleb W. Atkinson. Adger: Anna M. Harris.Akron: Chase M. Clary…
Home affordability improves in Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – May 10
A key indicator of housing affordability in Alabama improved for the second consecutive quarter in what officials with the University of Alabama-based Alabama Center for Real Estate call a “promising trend.”…
Gas price patience running on empty?
Florence Times-Daily – May 12
…Peter Clark, an associate professor of chemical and biological engineering at the University of Alabama, said rising crude oil prices have reduced the profit refiners reap from the production of gasoline and other petroleum products. “The refiners’ margin has been squeezed tremendously. Exxon didn’t make as much money last quarter as it had been making,” Clark said. “When oil prices go up, the companies make more on oil and less on refining.” With diesel selling for more than $4 per gallon, its costing oil companies more to transport gasoline and other fuels to their customers, he said. “To me, it’s amazing they are able to sell gas for $3.50 per gallon with all the costs involved in producing it and getting it to the customer,” Clark said.
Harvey Glance, Rowdy Gaines say U.S. should ignore calls for a boycott of the Olympic Games in China
Birmingham News – May 12
(Harvey) Glance, an Auburn University track star at the time and now the University of Alabama’s track coach, says he was bitter at the time and is still confused 28 years later about his government’s decision. He is not alone. Glance and former Auburn swimmer Rowdy Gaines, who was also denied a chance to win medals in 1980, say the United States should ignore similar calls for a boycott of this year’s Games in China…
Softball team earns No. 3 overall seed for NCAA Tournament
Tuscaloosa News – May 12
…The Crimson Tide had its No. 3 national ranking upheld by garnering the third overall seed in the 64-team field, the top seeding in the history of a program that will be making its 10th consecutive appearance in the national championship tournament. Alabama was also assured home-field advantage all the way through the regional and super regional rounds, giving the Tide a chance to earn a bid to the Women’s College World Series without ever leaving the Alabama Softball Complex. To top it off, Saturday’s championship round of the Tuscaloosa Regional will be nationally televised on ESPN2…
Shamlee Retires from U.S. Army
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – May 9
Master Sergeant James E. Shamlee Jr. was recognized for his time in the U.S. Army. For the last four years, he has been the senior military instructors for the Army ROTC at The University of Alabama…