Sabans pledge $1 million for first-generation scholarships
The Associated Press National Wire – June 7
Alabama football coach Nick Saban and his wife Terry have pledged $1 million to the university for scholarships. The scholarships announced Saturday are designed specifically for first-generation college students. The Sabans have already funded scholarships for six such students through the $100,000 gift they made last January. Nick Saban says he and his wife feel educating youth is key. He says both of them are first-generation college graduates. University President Robert Witt says he is especially pleased that the Sabans are encouraging others to help fund scholarships for first-generation college students
Tide coach challenges campers to be all they can be
Montgomery Advertiser — June 7
Alabama football coach Nick Saban made a return trip to the Cleveland Avenue YMCA on Friday afternoon, urging a group of summer camp participants “to be the best you can be at whatever you choose to do Saban visited the YMCA on Rosa Parks Drive last year at the request of executive director Willie Jones and returned again Friday, this time with his wife, Terry, by his side. “This is a great organization here,” Saban said. “Willie does a great job. This is just something we always support.”…
Jim Hayes, former Alabama economic development official, dies
Birmingham News – June 7
Jim Hayes, head of the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama and a former director of the Alabama Development Office, died early Friday at his Birmingham home following an illness. He was 60…A Brewton native, he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in industrial engineering from the University of Alabama. He was recognized with several honors from the institution, including an alumnus of the year award and an honorary doctorate…was active in fundraising for the university and was a member of the President’s Cabinet. “Jim Hayes’ life stands as a model for a life of character, commitment and courage,” said UA President Robert Witt…
Governor’s Conference on Obesity eyes solutions
Birmingham News – June 9
This year’s Alabama Governor’s Conference on Obesity is set for Thursday and Friday in the Bryant Conference Center at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa…It will focus on practical solutions that can be applied to communities, schools and workplaces, said Rebecca K. Kelly, UA director of health promotion and wellness and conference chair. Presentations will be made by experts from UA, UAB, the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, the Cooper Clinic, WebMD, the American Psychological Association, the Alliance for a Healthier Generation and other health organizations.
While gas continues to climb, scooter sales begin to take off
Tuscaloosa News – June 9
…They’re perfect, however, for people with short commutes like David Ford, a professor of management at the University of Alabama. Ford, who lives seven blocks from the university, said he intends to buy a small scooter to commute to work, and leave his pickup truck for the occasional long haul…It’s cheap on gas, it’s convenient, it’s cool and it’s got great storage,” Ford said. “The one we looked at comes with a big box on the back so I can even use it to go to the grocery store.”…Cathy Andreen, spokeswoman for UA, said that starting Aug. 1, students with motorcycles or scooters will be required to register them with Transportation Services and purchase a $50 parking pass. Andreen said the policy is in response to the growing number of motorcycles and scooters on campus, which she attributes to high gas prices…
A study in contrasts
Chicago Tribune — June 7
One is 71, the other 46. One is a Vietnam War hero, the other was a child during the conflict. One is a longtime senator, the other a newcomer. One is white, the other African-American…”What we haven’t seen are these two candidates face-to-face with one another,” said David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama and author of “From Camelot to the Teflon President.” “Clearly, Obama is a very inspiring, eloquent speaker. … He is best behind a podium with a prepared speech. McCain is best in a person-to-person situation with no prepared remarks.”…
Analysis: Presidential race in Alabama likely to lean red
Tuscaloosa News – June 7
…David Lanoue, chair of the political science department at the University of Alabama, said he is not surprised that talk of a ’50-state strategy’ may not reflect reality, or that Obama is not likely to visit Alabama before November. ‘All the polls I have seen have not shown Obama within shouting distance of McCain in Alabama,’ he said. ‘Besides, this election, like all presidential elections in recent years, is likely to boil down to a handful of battleground states where both sides will spend their time and money.’
Obama/Clinton ticket possibility makes some in Shoals hesitant
Florence Times-Daily – June 8
…”I don’t think Clinton will be nominated for vice president,” said William Stewart, an emeritus political professor at the University of Alabama. “It would give the impression that (Obama) caved to pressure. It would be hard for him with being perceived to be weak,” he said, when compared to Republican rival John McCain, who spent more than five years as a prisoner of war…
Poll: Broad blame for high gas prices
Mobile Register – June 8
…But an Alabama energy analyst said it’s the market — not the U.S. government or oil companies or the president — that sets the price. Peter Clark, a chemical engineering professor at the University of Alabama who follows the industry, said the increased demand for oil globally and the declining dollar are the two greatest factors contributing to rising prices. The rising demand has a lot to do with the burgeoning industrial economies of China and India, Clark said…
Alabama’s First Lady Talks about PAL
June 6, 2008
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – June 9
…Months ago she helped create the University of Alabama’s Parenting Assistance Line, and with her is Valerie Thoringon with the Assistance Line…
Alabama Voices: Missed opportunity
Montgomery Advertiser – June 8
…A recent study conducted jointly with a colleague at the University of Alabama predicts otherwise. Sponsored by the University of Alabama Center for Mental Health and Aging, we conducted focus groups to determine where African Americans in Alabama over the age of 50 living with the disease experience stigma the most. Unfortunately, organized religious institutions (i.e., the church) topped the list of where participants experienced stigma the most…Pamela Payne Foster is deputy director of the Rural Health Institute at the University Of Alabama School Of Medicine in Tuscaloosa.
Lend a Hand: Husband, wife are co-chairs of United Way campaign
Tuscaloosa News – June 8
Husband and wife Dennis and Carolyn Dahl were named Thursday as the 62nd co-chairs of the annual United Way of West Alabama Campaign…Carolyn Dahl served as vice chairwoman for the United Way of West Alabama’s 2007 campaign and is dean of the College of Continuing Studies at the University of Alabama…
College Honors
Mobile Register – June 8
Hylan Noble of Jackson, Caitlin Looney and Meg McCrummen, both of Mobile, and Milton Nettles of Monroeville have been named Blackburn Institute Student Fellows for 2008-09 at the University of Alabama.
College honors
Tuscaloosa News – June 9
The University of Alabama National Alumni Association recently announced the winners of its outstanding student and alumni awards…The 2008 Distinguished Alumna Award winner is Mary Allen Jolley of Moundville and the 2008 Distinguished Alumnus Award winner is John D. Clements of Birmingham…The recipients of the 2008 Alumni Student Award included Michelle L. McGaha of Albertville and Dylan Whisenhunt of Vestavia Hills. The 2008 Alumni Outstanding Senior Award winners included Philip Adam Harbison of Crane Hill, Jack “Trey” Hayes III of Brilliant, Joan-Marie Manolakis of Prattville, Tim E. Neunzig of Tuscaloosa, Sarah Reichwein of Cullman, Renee Nicole Rivas of Richardson, Texas, Mary-Kathryn Sewell of Helena, Jackson Switzer of Gulfport, Miss., Andrew Vincent of Birmingham and Jennifer Nichole Wheelus of Northport..
Boys State Held at UA
WSFA (Montgomery) – June 6
…This year’s Boy’s State is being held at the University of Alabama.