UA chosen for First Scholars Program
Crimson White – July 29
The University of Alabama was recently selected to partner with The Suder Foundation as a part of the foundation’s recently developed First Scholars Program, which is designed to support and finance first-generation college students. Thirty-four different colleges applied to host the program on their campuses, but only the University of Alabama and Southern Illinois University Carbondale were chosen…Speaking to UA News, Eric Suder, The Studer Foundation’s founder and president said, “Our First Scholars program goals align well with The University of Alabama’s current efforts in supporting first-generation students. We are excited by the planning team’s level of energy and enthusiasm about our data-driven approach as well as their commitment to sustaining this program.”…President Robert Witt said, “We are honored to be selected as a new partner in this very important initiative and are committed to upholding The Suder Foundation’s mission of dramatically increasing the graduation rate of first-generation college students. Helping first-generation college students succeed is a top priority on our campus.”…
Nursing students get new home
Crimson White – July 29
The Capstone College of Nursing will move into its new home this fall, said Tim Leopard, the University’s Assistant Vice President for Construction…Program growth was the deciding factor in beginning the project, which cost $16.5 million, Leopard said. “The modern technology, the lab classrooms, the medical labs were what needed to be created,” Leopard said. “The decision had little to do with maintenance because we plan to continue to use Russell Hall.” Chris Bryant from UA Media Relations echoed Leopard by saying the construction had more to do with accommodating a growing student body rather than a need to make improvements to the College of Nursing’s current home in Russell Hall. “The decision was not a matter of repairs,” Bryant said. “[Russell] did not fit the school of nursing’s needs any longer due to increased enrollment.” He also said nursing enrollment at the University has been increasing for years and a new building was needed to help Russell keep up with the demands a growing student population puts on classroom space…Mary Clanton, a sophomore majoring in nursing, said the new building was one of the things that drew her to the nursing program. “The new nursing building was one the main reasons I decided to declare my major as nursing,” Clanton said. She also said the building has a very convenient location because of its proximity to Druid City Hospital. The technologically advanced classrooms also will help the nursing program improve, Clanton said. “The technology will contribute greatly to my education with most of my class materials accessed through computers,” Clanton said. “The new nursing building will also bring more students into the nursing major and career.”
Sharpe named dean of Honors College
Crimson White – July 29
On Aug. 16, Shane Sharpe will begin his tenure as the dean of the Honors College at the University, according to a UA news release. “This is both an honor and a privilege,” Sharpe said. “Being able to work with such an exceptional faculty and a tremendous amount of dedicated students makes coming to work a wonderful experience every day.” For the past year, Sharpe, who holds a doctorate in management and information systems, has been the interim dean in the Honors College. In 2005, he became the director of the University’s Computer-Based Honors Program. “[Sharpe] has demonstrated an exceptional ability to work with top students and with deans and faculty across the University,” said UA Executive Vice President and Provost Judy Bonner… “We want to continue to offer personal experiences and increase student involvement in areas such as student involvement, intercultural experience, research opportunities and community service by partnering with student organizations on campus,” Sharpe said. …
Avoiding the Back-to-School Stress Mess
FOX6 (Birmingham) – July 27
Most parents and students focus on time management as one of the keys to academic success. But managing stress is just as important. In fact, managing one’s stress and workload go hand in hand according to Michelle Harcrow, assistant director of health promotion and wellness at The University of Alabama. Harcrow recommends developing a plan based on your needs before tackling the extra-curricular activities and coursework in a school year. …
Tips for Teaching Kids Sound Money Management Skills
FOX6 (Birmingham) – July 27
In an unstable economy with looming personal and public deficits, money management has become a family affair—especially once the school year starts and extra costs come rolling in each week. Jan Brakefield, assistant professor of Consumer Sciences at The University of Alabama shares tips for every parent looking to save money and raise children who know how to spend, or not to spend. …
Jobless rate in metro area up
Tuscaloosa News – July 29
…Ahmad Ijaz, director of economic forecasting at the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research, said one of the reasons for the higher unemployment figure in the Tuscaloosa metro area of Tuscaloosa, Greene and Hale counties is that more people have entered the work force. Some may be recent graduates, or students looking for summer jobs. Others might have stopped looking for work after losing their jobs earlier, but decided to re-enter the work force, he said. Employment is one of the last areas to recover from a recession, Ijaz said. …
Journalism Education Undergoes Academic Discipline Makeover
Diverse Education – July 29
… the University of Alabama, a journalism professor takes a team of students to a different major European city each year to work on a multimedia magazine.… Dr. Jennifer Greer, an associate professor and chair of the journalism department at the University of Alabama, says her department recently hired someone with a strong background in multimedia in a non-tenure-track capacity. She says she’s had conversations with the dean about adding another faculty member with a similar background soon. Having this kind of flexibility in hiring, she says, works out well for both the prospective teachers and the university. “One of the beauties of hiring people as lecturers or instructors is that a lot of these people may not want their full-time job to be teaching,” she says. “They may want some flexibility. A lot of these people may want to step out of the industry for a couple of years.”…
New YOUA Website Allows Students to Get Scoop on Campus Life
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – July 28
University of Alabama students can get the ‘scoop’ on campus life from those already enrolled. A marketing student … Kathleen Davis started YOUAonline dot com, “Not only is it a social media site, but, students can also post their writings or work and talent for others to see.”…
Busby finalist in Safety Scholars video contest
Crimson White – July 29
…Henry Busby, a junior double majoring in film and American studies, is a top ten finalist in Bridgestone Americans Annual Safety Scholars Teen Driving Video Contest…Busby said he originally heard about the contest in March from his telecommunications and film professor Adam Schwartz, but filmed the video this summer. “I encouraged Henry to participate because video-making contests like these are a good way for students to stretch their filmmaking and creative legs,” Schwartz said. “Any opportunity to practice the craft whether in class or out of class is a good experience and we try to encourage all students to create as much as possible.” Busby said the biggest message in his video, “Tales from the Junkyard,” is for teens to drive safer and reevaluate their habits behind the wheel…“I think that [winning] would be huge for me and the entire University to spread a good message and be represented nationally,” Busby said. “The film department here is really making some huge strides and they’ll be making even bigger waves this year.”…
WVUA-TV helps put students ahead of game
Crimson White – July 29
The University’s television station, WVUA, provides hands-on experience for students interested in broadcast media. It also sets UA students apart from others in their field by providing them with working knowledge before entering the job market. In a field that is becoming more and more competitive in today’s market, students who work at the station are part of an elite group, said WVUA’s Assistant News Director and anchor Terri Brewer. “(WVUA) is commercially owned by the University of Alabama, and that is extremely unique,” she said. “It is one of three in the nation.”…