UA student with Cerebral Palsy Graduates Saturday
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Dec. 9
This weekend 23-year-old Jake Craft becomes one of the few people who can say they graduated from the University of Alabama twice. He graduated the university’s RISE program when he was 5 years old. This weekend, he will get a diploma for a degree in early childhood education. Craft is currently a teaching assistant at RISE. It’s a 36-year-old program that helps kids with physical disabilities overcome them. Jake was born with cerebral palsy. After finishing the program, he came back as a volunteer when he turned 16…Lisa Pike, a speech pathologist at RISE says, “I think Jake is the perfect example. He’s had difficulties in life. This had not been easy. College is not easy for anybody, we’re proud of the fact he’s stuck with it.” Jake is especially proud going from a RISE student, to a volunteer, to a college graduate and now an inspiration to kids overcoming disabilities.
Three UA advertising students receive recognition and trip to New York City
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Dec. 9
Three students from the University of Alabama are headed to the Big Apple. Desiree Mahr, Jessica Aust and Wai Li are among the most promising minority students in the advertising department at the Capstone. The American Advertising Federation selected Mahr and Austin as two of only 50 most promising students from across the U.S.
UA’s Greg McElroy receives another academic honor
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Dec. 9
University of Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy picked up yet another academic honor Wednesday when the fifth-year senior was chosen as the Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year in a vote of the league coaches. A Rhodes Scholar finalist this year, McElroy is in his second year of graduate school after earning an undergraduate degree in marketing.
UA baseball team visits with Sprayberry students
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 10
For the second year in a row, the Sprayberry Education Center’s Christmas party featured a group of special guests. Coach Mitch Gaspard and the University of Alabama baseball team on Thursday joined the students for snacks and Christmas carols. The team members also distributed autographed baseballs. “It was such a positive event for the kids here, and our team as well, that we said we’re just going to make it an annual event,” said Gaspard, who is in his second year with the Crimson Tide. “We’re excited to be here, and it’s great on both sides. “Our guys leave with a lot, and I think it really brightens the day for all the kids that are here.” Sprayberry serves about 100 preschool and elementary-age children, including gifted students and students with special needs….
EDITORIAL: State needs to change its tax structure
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 10
…The aftermath of the recession that has left Alabama with astronomical unemployment is likely to force austere education and General Fund budgets not only next year, but likely until at least until 2014. Two budget experts told the newly elected legislators that at the session. Joyce Bigbee, director of the Legislative Fiscal Office, and Sam Addy, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, said things are likely be grim for years because most of Alabama’s tax revenue comes from consumer taxes and when consumers have no money to spend, the budgets naturally shrink…Addy predicted the economy will have recovered by 2014, but unemployment will remain high — as much as 7.9 percent over the next three years….
UAB firms lead way in Alabama Launchpad contest
Birmingham News – Dec. 10
Nine of the 20 companies named semifinalists this week in the 2010-2011 Alabama Launchpad Business Plan Competition are affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham. The competition, sponsored by the Economic Development Partnership of Alabama, is open to business plans from students, faculty or graduates of UAB, the University of Alabama, Auburn University, the University of Alabama-Huntsville, Alabama State University and the University of South Alabama. Alabama had the second highest number of semi-finalists after UAB with six, followed by Auburn with three. UAH and South Alabama had one semi-finalists each.
Caroling in Capitol Park
Tuscaloosa News – Dec. 10
…the Holiday Sing-a-long, as brought to you by Tusk, The Tuscaloosa News and yours truly…The University of Alabama’s musical theater guru Raphael Crystal accompanies on piano, and a few odds ‘n’ ends musical guests join in on drums and guitar and such….