Alabama seat belt study heading for finish line
School Transportation News – July 14
A seat belt pilot study group commissioned by Gov. Bob Riley’s following the fatal 2006 Huntsville school bus crash is looking to release its findings by the end of September, according to research team’s principal investigator… “My excitement is tempered by the fact that we have six of the 10 reports ready and its a headlong dash to the finish line at the moment,” said Dr. Dan Turner, professor of civil engineering at the University of Alabama’s University Transportation Center for Alabama (UTCA), which was awarded the study in 2007…Dr. Turner and his team will hold a press conference and post the completed reports online for the public to view. Although he said he plans on attending industry conferences after the study is released, Dr. Turner has been accompanied by Joe Lightsey, state director of transportation at the Alabama State Department of Education, and Jay K. Lindley, director of the UTCA, at state and regional conferences over the last few months to share preliminary results. “My briefings have been primarily to identify confounding and conflicting issues involved in a decision, all the considerations, and to ask for input and to tell them what we’ve found so far,” said Dr. Turner. “We’ve had positive responses from attendees.”…
UA’s Myneni wins postgraduate scholarship
Tuscaloosa News – July 14
University of Alabama senior Saketh Myneni has been awarded a postgraduate scholarship by the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Myneni is one of six Southeastern Conference student-athletes to earn an NCAA postgraduate scholarship for spring sports and the only one in the league from men’s tennis. He is also the 15th Crimson Tide student-athlete to earn the award in the past 10 years. The scholarship is for $7,500. “We’re extremely proud to have Saketh earn this latest honor,” Assistant Athletic Director for Student Services Jon Dever said. Five UA student-athletes were finalists for an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship. Myneni is one of two to win. Myneni has a grade point average of 3.805 in finance and economics. The Andhra Pradesh, India, native was named to the 2010 ESPN the Magazine Academic All-America Men’s At-Large Third Team and was the 2010 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year for men’s tennis…
Sela Ward, Mississippi native and Crimson Tide cheerleader, to join ‘CSI: NY’ cast
Mobile Press-Register – July 14
Sela Ward is coming aboard “CSI: NY.” CBS said today that Ward will join the crime drama this fall for its seventh season. She will play an experienced investigator arriving from Washington, D.C…Born in Meridian, Miss., Ward attended the University of Alabama, where she performed as one of the Crimson Tide cheerleaders, was homecoming queen, joined Chi Omega sorority, and double-majored in art and advertising.
CBS42 (Birmingham) – July 13