Former Crimson Tide star Tyrone Prothro receives ovation when he graduates
Mobile Register – August 10
Tyrone Prothro never forgot the University of Alabama, and Saturday morning’s graduation proved once again that the feeling is mutual. Long before his tragic football injury and then long after it, Prothro was a student. And now his legacy includes something else: An ovation of cheers as he received his undergraduate degree at Coleman Coliseum in Saturday’s UA summer commencement ceremony. “To know that they still love you makes you feel great,” Prothro said. “The main thing throughout this whole process was hanging in there. I’ve never been one to quit in anything that I do. My main focus was getting my degree…from the College of Human and Environmental Sciences…Prothro said he would like to pursue a career as a coach, possibly on the high school level. He said he may go back to school to earn a teacher’s certificate. Prothro was one of eight current or former Crimson Tide football players to receive their degrees Saturday. Quarterback John Parker Wilson, tackle Drew Davis and safety Rashad Johnson each were honored before rushing to an afternoon scrimmage at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Other graduates were Charles Hoke, Ezekial Knight and B.J. Stabler, players on last year’s team who were each placed on medical scholarship before this season. Former Alabama linebacker Terrence Jones, whose college career ended after the 2006 season, came back to attain his degree in human environmental studies. “It’s probably one of the happiest moments of my life so far,” Jones said. “I stuck it out. I could have easily said ‘forget it,’ but I had family and friends pushing me to finish up school. It’s a big relief for me to try and accomplish that.”
Huntsville Times – August 10
FOX6 (Birmingham) – August 9
Prothro graduates, looks ahead
Tuscaloosa News – August 9
People graduate from college all the time. Three times a year, in fact, the University of Alabama holds a ceremony to honor those who have earned a degree But when Tyrone Prothro walks across the stage today at Coleman Coliseum to shake hands with the president and take his diploma in human environmental studies, it will be the end of a journey he could have easily quit years ago with nearly everyone’s sympathetic understanding…For now, Prothro said his legs need time to rest and heal, so he’s focused on getting into the game as a coach. He’s looking at graduate school to get his teaching certificate and possibly becoming a graduate assistant at whatever college he attends. He’d like to coach high school football, then possibly move onto the college ranks…
Kevin Scarbinsky: Alabama’s Tyrone Prothro says he’s not done with football
Birmingham News – August 10
…Now the football player who once turned every seat in Bryant-Denny Stadium into an electric chair crossed the stage in Coleman Coliseum, and so crossed a line some athletes never see, let alone approach. From college student to college graduate. Bachelor’s degree. Human environmental science. Mississippi State defensive coordinator Charlie Harbison, his old position coach at Alabama, heard the news and called Prothro “a blessing to the Alabama family.” Prothro heard his name called and cheered again, but this was a different kind of recognition. “To know they still love you,” he said, “makes you feel great.”…Even if he never wears a helmet again, we haven’t heard the last of Tyrone Prothro.
Mother and Son Graduate Together
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – August 10
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – August 10
This weekend a local mother and son tag-teamed graduation ceremonies at the University of Alabama. Yesterday Moniaree Jones graduated with her masters in nursing, along side her son Drew, who earned his undergraduate degree in Latin.
Kimberly Clark overcomes adversity to graduate
Tuscaloosa News – August 10
It took 15 or so easy steps for Kimberly Clark to complete her journey from abandoned child to college graduate on Saturday morning at the University of Alabama’s Coleman Coliseum. But life for the 22-year-old Birmingham native, who earned a bachelor’s degree in general business, has been tough from day one. When Clark was born, her biological parents abandoned her and she was put up for adoption. While in college, she had to deal with the death of her brother…About 1,000 degrees were awarded during the Saturday ceremony…’I’m so excited about graduating,’ she said. ‘It makes me feel proud that I’ve accomplished something my family can be proud of. I got a bunch of nieces and nephews that look up to me, and I have to be a good example
Alabama prof works to raise plants’ cold tolerance
Associated Press National Wire – August 10
David Francko has urged people for years to try to grow plants in seemingly unnatural climates, and now he has co-developed what he calls “the holy grail of horticulture” — a spray that could increase a plant’s tolerance to cold by as much as 10 degrees. Francko, a biology professor and dean of the University of Alabama Graduate School, said the spray can be used to lengthen the growing season into the fall, protect plants from a late spring freeze and is intended for use by both commercial growers and backyard gardeners. He hopes it will be commercially available by the end of the year…
Daily Comet (La.) – August 10
Florence Times Daily – August 10
Akron (Ohio) Beacon Journal – August 11
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio) – August 11
Low-drag suit propels swimmers
Physics Today – August 2008
…With the new suit, Speedo abandoned denticles and turned its focus to minimizing form drag, which is due to body shape. “There is still debate as to what the primary source of drag is for a shark, but for a swimmer, it is primarily from drag,” says Amy Lang, an experimental fluid dynamicist at the University of Alabama…
A new leaf: Revising the way we think about books and reading
Miami Herald – August 10
… John Cutrone, a book artist who coordinates programs for the center, assists researchers, leads tours and teaches courses in bookbinding, printing and other related subjects. ”I get excited by the whole process,” says Cutrone, who has an M.F.A. from the Book Arts Program at the University of Alabama. “I love printing. I get into such a good state when I’m doing that. Bookbinding is satisfying, too — seeing that stack of books growing on your table as you’re binding them.”…
State’s tax burden 38th in nation
Associated Press State Wire – August 10
…Jim Bryce, a law professor at the University of Alabama with expertise in state and local taxes, said Alabama’s relatively low tax burden is not surprising because the lowest ratios are in states with relatively low per capita income. “If you’re a taxpayer, that’s great. If you’re a public employee, that’s probably not too great,” he told the New York Times Regional Newspapers…Bryce said taxation results from balancing factors like government needs, expectations by taxpayers and government efficiency. “Certain parts of state government clearly need more money, suggesting state revenues should be greater. Look at the crisis areas like our prisons,” he said. “The flip side of that is governmental waste that’s a natural factor of government.”
Montgomery Advertiser – August 10
Franklin County home to highest proportion of Hispanics in state
Florence Times Daily — August 10
…”We truly believe the actual number is larger, but because there isn’t a way to get our hands around (those who are undocumented), this is the best estimate,” said Annette Watters, director of the Alabama State Data Center at the University of Alabama, who analyzed the latest U.S. Census data. “It’s frustrating because we know it’s not the right number; it’s the best that we have,” she said. Statewide, an average of 2.7 percent of residents are of Hispanic origin. In terms of total numbers, as opposed to proportion, Jefferson County has the largest Hispanic population with 18,975 residents. “It has the most number of everybody,” Watters said…
Gadsden Times – August 11
Moore to receive update on pilot seat belt project
Huntsville Times – August 9
Huntsville school superintendent Ann Roy Moore will join Gov. Bob Riley and others in the Tuscaloosa area on Monday to get an update on a pilot project to test seat belts on Alabama school buses…Video coverage of students’ response to the belts will be submitted to the University of Alabama for study. Group members will observe students as they board two school buses equipped with seat belts. The study group will also hear a presentation by Dan Turner of the University Transportation Center for Alabama about the study.
Memorial Held for Johnny Stallings
Tuscaloosa News – August 9
There were a few tears and a lot of laughter as people gathered Friday at The Arc of Tuscaloosa County to remember the life of John Mark Stallings, son of former University of Alabama football coach Gene Stallings…Stallings’ father, Gene Stallings was an enthusiastic supporter of The Arc…The memorial service was held at The Arc’s McGraw Activity Center lunchroom, which is named for the younger Stallings…
WAFF (Huntsville) – August 8
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – August 8
Residence Halls Open
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – August 10
Dorms across the University of Alabama campus opened today and with that, hundreds of parents braved a steady drizzle of rain in Tuscaloosa, and helped get their children situated in their new home away from home.
Gameday Changes
Aug. 8. 2008
WAKA (Montgomery) – August 8
…University officials are predicting over 130,000 fans to be here on the first home game. So planners are getting prepared…for more information on the University of Alabama GameDay changes, just visit www.uagameday.com
Arts and travel briefs
Montgomery Advertiser – August 10
…Directed by Andrew Grace of the University of Alabama’s Center for Public Television & Radio, the film examines the north Alabama town of Guntersville…community theater called The Whole Backstage. Its new production is an adaptation of “To Kill a Mockingbird.” The documentary follows the production of the play from auditions to the last standing ovation and explores the people who make up the theater…
Business calendar
Tuscaloosa News – August 10
…Denise Evans, a University of Alabama professor of real estate, licensed real estate broker and lawyer, will present ‘Practical Answers to the TOP Questions on Tax Sales,’ part of the Alabama Center for Real Estate’s Professional Development Series. Evans is the author of seven books on real estate…
College Honors
Mobile Register – August 10
The President’s List for spring 2008 at the University of Alabama includes…