High-tech code used at Alabama homecoming
Mobile Press-Register – Oct. 18
The University of Alabama College of Human Environmental Sciences took an innovative approach to welcoming alumni and friends for homecoming festivities on campus: a QR code. Never heard of one? Short for Quick Response, the barcode-like image is more than randomly placed squares on a grid. The image, once scanned by a smartphone, takes users to a designated website. The 2-dimensional code on the sign in front of Doster takes users to the CHES homepage. Such a code was placed on Doster Hall during the weekend’s homecoming events. “This, for us, was a logical step in truly engaging faculty, staff, students and alumni in the communication process,” the college’s dean, Milla Boschung. “We constantly tailor our website content to have the latest information for prospective and current students, and especially our alumni. A QR code for the homepage facilitates quick, constant contact.” According to the Pew Internet & American Life Project, 59 percent of adults now access the Internet wirelessly using a laptop or cell phone. Many new generation smartphones are equipped with the software to read the codes, while most other phones can download a free application in minutes.
Student wins contest to design UA’s official tartan
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 16
After a contest that spanned two months, the University of Alabama’s search for an official tartan is over. The university’s College of Human Environmental Sciences held the competition and selected the designs of three finalists. The winner was decided in an online vote. Linnzi Rich, a junior majoring in interior design, was announced the winner Friday during the college’s homecoming convention. Her “We are Crimson” design is made up predominantly of crimson and white with accents of black and gray… “In the early 1900s, tartan designs were primarily used in Scotland, and they were used to easily identify families and clans on the battlefield and in celebrations,” said Milla Boschung, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences. “They were also used for identifying geographical regions.” Most people are familiar with the tartan designs featured on Scottish kilts, and UA plans to print Rich’s design on apparel and other merchandise for sale. As the winner, Rich will receive a $1,000 scholarship and a percentage of sales made from her tartan, Boschung said. The remainder of profits will be placed in a scholarship fund for Human Environmental Sciences students. Boschung said UA searched for a tartan as yet another way to connect those who have shared in the UA experience. “It’s really tied to the Alabama family,” she said. “It is an identifier and a symbol of who we are.”
Town hall discusses Pickens Plan
Crimson White – Oct. 18
T. Boone Pickens, an American financier, created the Pickens Plan to wean America off its dependence on foreign oil. Pickens will promote his plan at a town hall event tonight at 6 at The Zone in Bryant-Denny Stadium…Dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration Barry Mason said Pickens hopes to contribute to energy independence. “He has something he is promoting as the Pickens Plan to make the nation energy independent over time,” he said. Mason said people are welcome to attend the event even if they find they disagree with Pickens. “We’d be happy to see a lot of students come out, even if they may not agree with his viewpoints,” Mason said…
FOX6 (Birmingham) – Oct. 15
UA is about more than football; it’s also about honors students
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 15
…In fact as far as academics go, the Capstone is one of the top institutions in the nation 15 Rhodes Scholars, 29 Goldwater recipients, 46 USA Academic All-Americans…
Step show attracts thousands
Crimson White – Oct. 18
The National Pan-Hellenic Council held its annual homecoming step show Friday in Foster Auditorium, the first event to take place there since its restoration…Green said the annual homecoming step show is an important part of many students’ homecoming experience. “It gives people something to look forward to at the end of homecoming week,” Green said. “I was really excited.”…“This was literally one of the biggest shows, one of the biggest productions, especially for the African American community, during homecoming week,” she said. Beck said the step show planning committee sold about 2,600 tickets for the event…
UA luminaries rally the faithful for tonight’s game
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 16
Thousands of University of Alabama faithful crowded in the shadow of the Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library on Friday night as Eli Gold, Nick Saban, UA cheerleaders and the Million Dollar Band fired up fans in anticipation of the Crimson Tide’s homecoming matchup with the Ole Miss Rebels.… Former University of Alabama wide receiver Tyrone Prothro will be the grand marshal for today’s homecoming parade. The parade begins at noon at the intersection of 22nd Avenue and University Boulevard and will end at Fifth Avenue. Shellie Street, a senior accounting major from Mobile, was named 2010 homecoming queen. Pandora Austin of Starkville, Miss., Chelsea Banks of Tuscaloosa, Anna Foley of Richardson, Texas, and Bethany Travis of Kennesaw, Ga., were also named to the homecoming court.
Mobile’s Shellie Street named University of Alabama homecoming queen
Mobile Press-Register – Oct. 16
Shellie Street of Mobile was named the University of Alabama Homecoming Queen for 2010 tonight during UA’s annual Homecoming Pep Rally on campus. Street, who was sponsored by Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, is a senior majoring in accounting. Street, a former Azalea Trail Maid, is Miss University of Alabama and has held the title of Miss Painted Rock. Street will be crowned at halftime of the homecoming football game between Alabama and Mississippi on Saturday, Oct. 16, at Bryant-Denny Stadium…
Beware of uninvited house guests
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 18
…Milton Ward, a professor of biological sciences at the University of Alabama, says the state is blessed (or cursed) with a wide variety of invertebrate wildlife. “We live in an area of the world that has a great variety of bugs,” Ward said. “But we don’t have all that many really big bugs, or that many that are poisonous.” Some that do fit the poisonous category are the brown recluse spider, the black and brown widow spider, and scorpions. “The worst is the brown recluse, which like its name tends to hide in dark places,” he said. “But they do bite people quite often and, while they might not kill you, you may wish you were dead.” Ward said the brown recluse’s venom is “flesh-eating” and that a single, small bite can result in the loss of tissue for months, even years. They also make you extremely ill in the first few days after contact…
SGA to host event for students interested in off-campus housing
Crimson White – Oct. 18
The Student Government Association will be hosting a Landlords, Leases and Legalities event on Tuesday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater, open to all students interested in living off-campus next year. According to SGA Press Secretary Katie Breaseale, the event will address the main problems and questions students have when moving into an off-campus house or apartment. Several speakers involved in housing and realty are scheduled to attend. There will also be a question and answer session to allow the audience to get answers for their specific questions and problems…
Health Center expects “normal” flu season
Crimson White – Oct. 18
Despite last year’s H1N1 outbreak, the Student Health Center is expecting a typical flu season this year, SHC Nurse Supervisor David Brown said. “We don’t have any number predictions, but we’re expecting a normal flu season,” Brown said. “We’re not seeing droves. Prevention is the best thing — if we all practice prevention, it won’t be a big flu season.”…At last week’s Health Fair, the Health Center gave more than 150 flu shots to students, faculty and staff. But just getting the vaccine won’t prevent getting sick—it has to be administered at the first sign of flu season, Brown said. “The first line of defense against catching the flu is the flu shot,” Brown said. “I recommend getting it as soon as you can. You can make an appointment at the Health Center, but we take walk-ins too.”…
Congressman Aderholt to speak tomorrow
Crimson white – Oct. 18
Congressman Robert Aderholt, Representative of the fourth district of Alabama, is scheduled to speak at the University Tuesday, October 19…He plans on talking with the students about his career and how he became a Congressman. He will also share advice for anyone who might be interested in working in politics after graduation.”…The discussion will be held in the Ferguson Center in room 360 and is open to the public. The College Republicans will be sponsoring the event…