Boeing worth $700M annually to Alabama economy
Reliable Plant – May 2008
The Boeing Company, through its work on the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program, contributed more than $700 million to Alabama’s economy in 2007 and supported nearly 5,600 direct and indirect jobs, according to a new University of Alabama study released on May 15. . . . . The Center for Business & Economic Research (CBER) at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, conducted the study on Boeing’s behalf. In operation since 1930, CBER is a major repository for business, economic and demographic data for Alabama and the surrounding region.
A cause close to her heart: Inspired by a hearing impaired teammate, UA softball players reach out at the HEAR Center
Tuscaloosa News – May 16
Standing in the back of the team room, junior All-American Lauren Parker felt tears welling up. As a tough second baseman who has earned a reputation on the University of Alabama softball team as someone who plays through pain, she is not accustomed to feeling vulnerable. But Parker, a native of Port Neches, Texas, got emotional in January when senior Jordan Praytor addressed the team about its community project for the year. Praytor read off the list of causes, then called for a team vote. Every single player and coach chose the HEAR Center at Children’s Hospital in Birmingham.
She’s got game
Jersey Journal – May 16
Emily Seelenfreund is never one to make a fuss about herself, but for this one day her family and teachers convinced her she had no choice. So when the school day ended at the Hudson School in Hoboken earlier this month, the 17-year-old made her way to the first-floor auditorium wearing jeans, a gray shirt and an inevitable flush in her cheeks. In front of close to 50 people, Seelenfreund slipped a crimson baseball cap on her head and signed a commemorative letter of intent to accept a full, four-year tuition scholarship to the University of Alabama – to play wheelchair basketball.
Tears of joy, pride at Calhoun
Huntsville Times – May 16
…the candle-lighting ceremony for 175 graduates of Calhoun’s associate degree in nursing program will be held in the gymnasium. Among them will be 19-year-old Katey Abel, who will become Calhoun’s youngest three-year nursing school graduate. Abel entered Calhoun between her sophomore and junior years of high school on a dual-enrollment program. This fall, she will enroll at the University of Alabama to finish her bachelor’s degree and will be working as a nurse for a local hospital.
Two ABS students National Merit scholars
Athens News-Courier – May 16
Jonathan Pittman and Matthew Leopard recently earned the prestigious $2,500 National Merit Scholarship, based on their PSAT test scores and leadership qualities. They were chosen from among 15,000 semi-finalists nationwide. . . . . Jonathan Pittman plans to attend the University of Alabama.
Business Briefs –
Birmingham News – May 15
Law school students serving as summer associates in the Birmingham office of Burr & Forman LLP are . . . Brent Dorner, Vesco Petrov, Tae Phillips, Michael Thomas, Kathryn Lamb, Cachavious English, Katie Berkmeier, Jennifer Burt and Rachel Blackmon, University of Alabama.
Can Segall pick up Alabama House seat?
Politico – May 15
Alabama is not a state where Democrats often look to win congressional seats. But after Tuesday’s shocking GOP defeat in the deep-red 1st District of Mississippi, Democratic strategists are looking throughout the South for possible pickups. One such possibility is Alabama’s 3rd District — where Democrats are pinning their hopes on a candidate who is not exactly the normal brand of Southern congressional challenger. Instead of contending with the standard-issue blue-collar, Blue Dog Democrat with a background of military experience, GOP Rep. Mike Rogers will face Josh Segall, a 29-year-old who is just two years out of the University of Alabama School of Law.