A stage for kids to learn
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 8
…Fifteen MLK fourth-graders chose to try the classes, which Watson came up with last spring. She approached MLK Principal Lisa Maddox with a curriculum and lesson plans, and included Walker, thinking that boys in the class would appreciate having a guy around. The kids were split into two groups on Thursdays to get a breakdown on how to become a thespian. Maddox worked with UA dance students on a similar introductory class about four years ago, but programs such as this depend on UA student volunteers. She said she is pleased Watson came to her with this concept. “We talked about how this could help them with their thinking skills, with their improvisational abilities,” Maddox said. “And they’re loving it.”… “It gives them an opportunity to express themselves; art teaches you something about yourself, about doing things you’re afraid to do,” Watson said. “It’s a little chaotic, but it’s worth it.” The UA students receive credit hours for the classes, and some fellow students have expressed interest in participating in future workshops.
Homecoming takes over UA
Crimson White – Oct. 8
…Between Sunday’s Roll Tide Run, which starts at 2 p.m. at Capstone Drive, and the Crimson Tide’s matchup in the homecoming football game, the week will offer a multitude of events for students. The events will follow the theme “Share the Pride, Celebrate the Tide.” “When planning the week’s events, the Homecoming Committee tries to offer as many fun and diverse opportunities as possible,” SGA Homecoming Executive Director Erica Floyd said in an e-mail. “We like to continue traditional events for Alabama alumni,” she said, naming specifically the pep rally, bonfire and parade. However, Floyd also mentioned that the SGA wanted to add new events to pique students’ interests. This year, the committee added CanFormation, an event that will bring students and campus groups together to build their own artistic displays entirely out of canned foods. “We wanted to help organize an event that would allow us to partner directly with the Community Service Center,” she said. After the CanFormation event is over, all canned food used will be donated to the Beat Auburn Beat Hunger campaign…
Sparks to kick off Cuba Week
Crimson White – Oct. 8
Cuba Week launches Sunday with a speech by Ron Sparks, State Commissioner of Agriculture and Democratic candidate for governor of Alabama. Sparks will speak at the Bryant Conference Center’s Sellers Auditorium Sunday at 5 p.m., according to a UA News press release. The speech is free and open to anyone. Sparks was chosen to speak because he has “led efforts to open up agricultural trade between Alabama and Cuba,” the release states…The Alabama-Cuba Initiative, or Cuba Week, is entering its eighth year at the University. Cuba Week 2010 runs Oct. 10-14…The relationship between the University of Alabama and Cuba has developed mostly in recent years. “In 2003, UA hosted the Alabama-Cuba Conference and invited 10 Cuban photographers, economists, writers, scientists, poets and other professionals to join with UA Latin American experts for three days of workshops and presentations,” the release stated….Several Cuban students are authorized to travel to the University for Cuba Week, said Robert Olin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “We have just learned that 26 Cuban scholars have received clearance to travel to Tuscaloosa for Cuba Week,” he said. “This is highly unusual, and their presence will make the conference rich with new perspectives and ideas. “This is a marvelous opportunity for students to learn firsthand about our island neighbors,” he said. Andrew Huebner, an assistant professor in the history department and a speaker for Cuba Week, said it’s great to be able to host Cubans in Tuscaloosa. “There’s importance in having Cubans at UA, given the difficulty of travel between the two countries,” he said. Huebner said he hoped Cuba Week would draw students to learn more about the nation and look into studying there…
Firefighters, civilians honored for heroic deeds
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 8
…In addition to the group that saved Max Wilson’s life, Martin also presented an award to another civilian. Will Hiemenz, a senior at the University of Alabama, received the Fire Chief’s Commendation for helping to rescue a woman from her car near Bryant-Denny Stadium during flash flooding in July…
German film fest
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 9
…“There are not so many at Mercedes that we can show films without subtitles,” said festival committee member Rasma Lazda, an associate professor of German in the Department of Modern Languages and Classics at the University of Alabama, “although there are a good number of German-speaking people here.” This is Lazda’s first year being involved with the festival, which is dedicated this year to the memory of Barbara Fischer, her friend and colleague in the department who was killed in a collision earlier this year. Fischer had served with the previous two German film festivals, sponsored by Mercedes-Benz U.S.-International. “What we try to find are movies that have won some kind of awards, they are recognized movies,” Lazda said. “But some have not come out for the U.S. yet…
Speakers promote campus involvement
Crimson White – Oct. 8
Two-hundred and fifty first-year students attended “Scholarships, Societies and Services,” an event, held on Thursday, informing students about how to get involved on campus. Amanda Floyd, director of first-year affairs, said the SGA wanted a collaborative event where first-year students could get a dose of everything the University has to offer. “When first-year students become involved at the Capstone,” Floyd said, “they get a sense of what it feels like to be at UA. It gets them excited to get involved and become more well-rounded.” Students heard from speakers about ways to earn scholarships, get involved in honor societies and community service and student employment. Scholarship Director Carolyn Rogers informed students about the Dec. 1 application deadline for scholarships. Scholarship applications are available on mybama.ua.edu. Kathleen Cramer, of the UA office of student affairs, spoke to students about involvement in honor societies…Vaishali Patel, director of recruitment for the human resources department, told students about opportunities for student employment…