Antisocial Networking?
New York Times – May 2
… “In general, the worries over cyber-bullying and sexting have overshadowed a look into the really nuanced things about the way technology is affecting the closeness properties of friendship,” said Jeffrey G. Parker, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Alabama, who has been studying children’s friendships since the 1980s. “We’re only beginning to look at those subtle changes.”… But the question is important, people who study relationships believe, because close childhood friendships help kids build trust in people outside their families and consequently help lay the groundwork for healthy adult relationships. “These good, close relationships — we can’t allow them to wilt away. They are essential to allowing kids to develop poise and allowing kids to play with their emotions, express emotions, all the functions of support that go with adult relationships,” Professor Parker said.
TechBlorge.com – May 2
Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune – May 2
UA bio-science professor says oil spill could put her research in jeopardy
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – April 30
…Researchers fear the ‘oil’ could affect on-going studies along the coastal wetlands. A bio-science professor at the University of Alabama studies plant-life in the area. Julia Cherry and her colleagues have been observing how the marshes react to atmospheric and environmental-stresses such as hurricanes and climate changes in order to protect wildlife. Cherry says, the oil spill could put the research in jeopardy.
Oil spill could kill Alabama wildlife
WHNT (Huntsville) – April 30
… University of Alabama Biology Professor Milton Ward says if the oil’s reach extends to Alabama’s mud flats, it will wipe out the habitats. He says that would mean no reproduction of shrimp, fish and shellfish that breed there. Of course, that would have an economic impact. Ward says if the oil hits our shore, it’s poisonous environmental impact will be long-lasting.
Election mood bodes ill
Gadsden Times – May 1
… Sam Addy, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, said red ink is in Alabama’s future for the next couple of years unless there’s a quick economic turnaround or fundamental change in the state’s tax structure. “There is a long-term problem that the state has had that I believe is a factor that pulls back on the state’s growth potential: Its tax structure,” Addy said last week. “The next governor and Legislature will have to deal with it if we want to get ahead. I don’t know if they will.”…
Tuscaloosa News – May 3
Local store to celebrate Free Comic Book Day
Tuscaloosa News – May 1
… Hank Lazer, an associate provost for academic affairs and the executive director of the University of Alabama’s Creative Campus Initiative, was one of a small group that brought Gaiman to Tuscaloosa as a guest lecturer in February. Gaiman’s event sold out the Bama Theatre in minutes and was one of the most popular literary events that UA has hosted, ranking it next to appearances by acclaimed poet and essayist Adrienne Rich and novelists Kurt Vonnegut and John Irving. Lazer said that through his students, he came to appreciate the artistry and writing found in graphic novels. Yet, while they have earned a place alongside the literary masters in libraries, the professor does not believe they ever will be embraced as masterpieces of literature. “Do I think that graphic novels or comic books are of literary value? Absolutely,” Lazer said. “It’s a highly appropriate form for literary expression. “But the literary world has very entrenched standards and notions of what constitutes serious literature.” He compared today’s graphic novels to illustrated medieval manuscripts such as those by William Blake. “Basically, those are just complex graphic novels,” he said…
Three strikes and you’re … sore: A look at corporal punishment in area schools
Anniston Star – May 2
… Mary Elizabeth Curtner-Smith, associate professor with the Department of Human Development and Family Studies at the University of Alabama, who studies the impact of corporal punishment on children, said according to most research, corporal punishment is not particularly helpful in the long run. She noted that most of the research on the effects of corporal punishment on children’s development focuses on its use by parents, not by school administrators. “There are some mixed findings across studies, but as a whole, the body of research suggests that corporal punishment is not particularly helpful in the long run in deterring children’s problem behaviors, and it may be harmful in terms of increasing rates of children’s depression and lowering children’s sense of trust, closeness and ability to communicate with a parent,” Curtner-Smith said. “The latter finding is particularly true among children who receive frequent and severe administrations of corporal punishment and who perceive their punishment as unfair. These findings appear to be consistent across families who vary in race and socioeconomic status.”
UA geography professor says several factors help make Tuscaloosa’s air quality poor
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – April 30
University of Alabama geography professor Dr. David Brommer says the amount of local industry coupled with how stagnant the weather can get during different times of year, can be some of Tuscaloosa’s biggest problems, and in turn, these can cause bigger issues for people in the community…
Birmingham business incubator fills up fast
Birmingham News – May 1
The Urban Business Incubator…Executive Director Karen Starks, whose Community Entrepreneurship Institute runs the incubator, said the interest she has received since announcing the concept last fall shows there’s a pent-up demand for affordable office space downtown. Starks rents 100-square-foot offices for $300 a month to fledging businesses, who share use of a large conference room, computers and the adjacent LR Hall Auditorium. “Everybody liked the concept and the fact that they can get assistance through the form of an office to get their business off the ground or taking it to the next level,” she said…Starks, a professor of social work at the University of Alabama, also operates Tweenz and Teens Entertainment, a company that trains teens on how to be successful entrepreneurs…
Choir school has expanded, thrived
Tuscaloosa News – May 1
…Karen Nicolosi…In 1985, she founded the Alabama Boychoir, which became the Alabama Choir School. The school will celebrate its 25th anniversary tonight…Nicolosi taught choral and general music in the Los Angeles and St. Louis city schools, as well as music education courses at the University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College before taking a position as music director at Christ Episcopal Church.… Eugene “Doff” Procter, the conductor of the Alabama Girls Chorus and the Chamber Choir as well as an instructor of voice at UA, will conduct the 25th anniversary celebration for Nicolosi, who will be absent due to a family illness…
Breakthrough may improve medical imaging
Gadsden Times – May 2
…Kim, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at UA, is studying radio frequency terahertz radiation, which, unlike some other radiation, does not harm the material it passes through…
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – May 2
UA faculty and students create unique work of art to help raise money for Haiti
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – May 1
University of Alabama faculty and students created a unique work of art to help raise money for Haiti. The UA School of library and information studies is selling 75 of these numbered Haiti broadsides. Each piece features a Haitian poem, an original design by a UA artist, and is on a piece of handmade paper.
Academic Achievers
Florence Times-Daily – May 2
…Joseph Tanner, Florence, was inducted into Xi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education, at The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa…Caroline Alexandra Nelson, a sophomore at The University of Alabama, has been selected as an ambassador for the College of Human Environmental Sciences…She was inducted into Phi Upsilon Omicron Family and Consumer Sciences Honor Society and Sigma Alpha Lambda National Leadership and Honors Organization. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and serves on the university’s panhellenic judicial board…
College News
Tuscaloosa News – May 3
Emily Morrison is a senior at Hillcrest High School…will be attending the University of Alabama in the Fall. From UA, Emily received a presidential scholarship worth $28,000, a Dean R. Swick Endowed Scholarship worth $4,000, an Engineering Leadership Scholarship worth $10,000 and an Alumni Scholar Award worth $4,000. She also received a $6,000 scholarship from Westervelt Warner. — Xi Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education inducted new members on April 9 at UA. New members included Nicolas D. Rose, son of Donald Rose and Cheryl Schofield; Keisha Nicole Wilson of Mobile, daughter of Nicole Scott and Reginald Wilson; Matthew Aaron Wolfenbarger, son of Joe and Stacy Perry and Jimmy and Amy Wolfenbarger; Stacy Priscilla Trawick, daughter of Danny and Peggy Trawick; Tenir L. Gumbs, daughter of Benjamin and Cheryl Grumbs; Kelly Amanda Chronister, daughter of Ronnie Chronister and Karen Gentry; Brittney Brown, daughter of Robin and Elwood Brown.