UA athletes maintain strong graduation rate
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 19
The University of Alabama has produced a Graduation Success Rate score of 70, exceeding acceptable standards for completion of undergraduate studies nationally for the period covering student-athletes who attended the university between 1999 and 2002, according to figures released by the NCAA. “Our student-athletes continue to produce a solid Graduation Success Rate,” Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore said. “It is continued evidence of the leadership of (UA President) Dr. (Robert) Witt, as well as the work of our faculty and our athletic academic support staff. “Our coaches are committed to the education of our student-athletes, who have worked hard to make the most of their opportunity here. I cannot say enough about the role our faculty plays in the academic success and progress of our student-athletes. Our faculty is excellent.” Five of Alabama’s 20 intercollegiate athletic programs in existence at the time — women’s golf, women’s gymnastics, women’s soccer, women’s softball and women’s tennis — achieved perfect scores of 100. Twelve of Alabama’s programs recorded a GSR score of at least 80, with eight having a GSR score of 90 or higher. Women’s rowing is not included in the survey because it did not become a scholarship sport at UA until 2006…
Alabama studies sharkskin technology
Mobile Press-Register – Nov. 19
Sharks glide through the water with inherent ease, able to twist turn and accelerate as they eat their way through the ocean. But can the technology of their skins be used in human applications, helping airplanes, rockets and engines? Researchers at the University of Alabama are intent on finding that out…During the past two years, Lang, an assistant professor of aerospace engineering and mechanics at Alabama, has researched how flexible shark scales can lead to the formation of embedded vortices between the scales in areas when the flow is about to separate from the shark’s body, according to a university news release This could lead to increased maneuverability and reduced drag, she believes. Lang, like others, is convinced that evolutionary adaptations of sharkskin structure have developed boundary layer control mechanisms. She hopes to apply her findings to aircraft and underwater vehicles…
Can’t buy a college textbook? Rent one. Alabama gets $300,000 grant
Mobile Press-Register – Nov. 19
The University of Alabama Supply Store has been awarded a $300,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to expand its textbook rental program, university officials announced. Alabama is one of 30 institutions nationwide, and the only institution in the state of Alabama, selected to receive the federal funding to help make textbooks more affordable for students, university officials said…Textbook rental is one of a number of programs the University of Alabama has implemented to cut textbook costs. Over the last several years, the SUPe Store has added more economical textbook options, including binder-ready textbooks, digital books and paperback books. The grant will cover about 42 percent of the cost of the textbook rental program, with the remainder supported by the Supply Store.
A nursing professor to spend $100,000 studying AIDS stigma among black rural men
Mobile Press-Register – Nov. 19
Susan Gaskins, a professor in the Capstone College of Nursing at the University of Alabama, has received a $100,000 federal grant to study the impact of disclosing an AIDS diagnosis on black rural men…Gaskins and Foster want to learn to whom the participants have disclosed their HIV diagnosis, what motivated them to disclose, the content of the disclosure message, and consequences and benefits of disclosure. “The findings of this study will provide essential information for developing culturally relevant interventions to guide disclosure decisions which will be supportive of the health and quality of life of rural HIV-positive African-Americans,” Gaskins said. “These interventions will help educate health care providers and case workers as they assist individuals in managing their lives with HIV/AIDS.”…
Alabama, Auburn work on better relations
Crimson White – Nov. 19
…on Wednesday the UA SGA met with the Auburn University SGA to do the opposite. They met to foster better relations between the two universities. “[Better Relations Day] was established in order to improve relations between Alabama and Auburn and to help better each others’ programs,” said SGA spokeswoman Anne Elizabeth Davis. “It’s a way to get ideas about how things are done at each university.” Davis and other representatives from the University, including SGA President Steven Oliver, all traveled to Auburn on Thursday for the meeting. Oliver said there were representatives from Pan-Hellenic, Miss UA, the UA SGA and others…
Apple Store opens in SuPE Store
Crimson White – Nov. 19
More than 150 students and faculty members filed into the Ferguson Center Plaza for the grand opening of the Apple Store Wednesday….Assistant Director of General Merchandise Mandy Johnson said the University underwent an extensive application process with Apple because they wanted to provide all members of the UA and Tuscaloosa community the chance to play with Apple products and support for those who already use them.
Professor to travel to Afghanistan
Crimson White – Nov. 19
Beth Gottlieb can be found on the second floor of Moody Music Building, surrounded by percussion instruments that she and her students play. Soon she will be take her love of percussion overseas to Afghanistan to perform for U.S. soldiers along with the band she is in…
CBS42 (Birmingham) – Nov. 18
Clearing air on cigarette ads
Buffalo (N.Y.) News – Nov. 19
There seem to be two Dr. Alan Blums. One is a tweedy academic — the family medicine professor and director of the Center for the Study of Tobacco and Society at the University of Alabama who has devoted his dead-serious career to the prevention of tobacco-induced illnesses. The other is the self-described “Bart Simpson of the anti-smoking movement” — the alter ago who donned a fake pharmacist’s lab coat Wednesday to help set up “Your Cancer and Drug Store,” an exhibition on tobacco advertising that opens today in the Buffalo Museum of Science…
Sixty students compete with recycling devices
Crimson White – Nov. 19
Imagine a device that could sort cans, plastic, glass and waste with the simple push of a button. This semester, UA senior mechanical engineering students have been working in teams to create devices to do this and more. These students will showcase their work today through a competition in recycling design at 2 p.m. in Room 252 Hardaway Hall…
Professor to discuss ‘recovering’ voices
Crimson White – Nov. 19
The University will welcome P. Gabrielle Foreman to the symposium “Recovering Black Women’s Voices and Lives” Thursday in Room 205 of the Gorgas Library. Foreman is an associate professor at Occidental College, where she teaches English and comparative literary studies. Foreman began teaching at the college in 1994. Foreman is currently working on a book, titled “Disruptive Narratives: Harriet Wilson and the Politics of Place, Race and Religion.”…DoVeanna Fulton Minor, chairwoman of the women’s studies department and director of the African American studies department, is excited about having Foreman speak on campus. “She’s the premier scholar on 19th century African American women’s history.” Minor said. “Her Penguin Classics edition of Harriet Wilson’s ‘Our Nig’ really re-energized and got scholars to think about the book.”…
Honors College discusses ‘Pictures of the South’
Crimson White – Nov. 19
The Honors College held its “Pictures of the South” discussion Wednesday night in Nott Hall…Joyce Stallworth, senior associate dean and professor in the College of Education, said everyone has to communicate more effectively to positively influence the University…Herwig, instructor for the “Heroes of Faith and Social Justice” seminar, reminded attendees that it is important for people to listen to each other…
Pinker talks about what words show
Crimson White – Nov. 19
Harvard University professor Steven Pinker regards the simplest of words as integral in understanding the human condition. Pinker discussed this and other examples of the importance of the words people use in Wednesday night’s lecture, “The Stuff of Thought: Language as a Window into Human Nature,” which is also the title of Pinker’s seventh book. It was part of the Blount Undergraduate Initiative’s 10th Anniversary Lecture Series. The lecture was held at the Bama Theatre downtown…
Honors College sponsors Wish Tree Project
Crimson White –Nov. 19
The Honors College is sponsoring a holiday charity project that will provide children with toys and clothes during the holiday season. The original idea for the program came from Shane Sharpe, dean of the Honors College, and he moved forward with the help of honor students to make this proposal become a reality…Sarah Beth Henson, president of Capstone Mentors and a senior majoring in political science and public relations, said the goal of the Wish Tree Project is to help provide a joyful holiday for local children at Matthews and Holt Elementary schools whose families are struggling financially…The college is taking donations through Dec. 7. Students can get involved by coming to the lobby in Nott Hall and choosing an angel from the tree. Each angel lists an item that can be purchased for $20 or less. A table will be located in the Ferguson Center Monday through Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for students interested in giving a monetary contribution. Monetary donations can help the college purchase items when a wish card is not selected. Bama Cash, checks and cash will be accepted at the table.