Civil War’s 150th anniversary to be topics of talks at University of Alabama, Birmingham-Southern College
Birmingham News – April 10
The University of Alabama and Birmingham-Southern College have scheduled discussions Monday and Tuesday to mark the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War…On Monday, the University of Alabama will have a roundtable discussion, “From Secession to Fort Sumter: A Sesquicentennial Commemoration of the Civil War.” Five historians, one from Purdue University and four from the University of Alabama, will discuss the origins and outbreak of the Civil War. The event is set for Monday at 4 p.m. in Gorgas Library, Room 205, on the campus in Tuscaloosa. Caroline Janney of Purdue, and John Giggie, George Rable, Harold Selesky and Joshua Rothman of the University of Alabama will be speaking. On Tuesday, Birmingham-Southern College will present Rable speaking at 11 a.m. in Munger Hall. Rable, the Summersell chair in Southern History at the University of Alabama and author of “God’s Almost Chosen Peoples: A Religious History of the Civil War,” will discuss the topic, “Was the Civil War a Holy War?”…
Tuscaloosa News – April 11
University of Alabama students branch out to help the community
Tuscaloosa News – April 9
While University of Alabama students had Friday off for Honors Day, some chose to participate in UA’s Hands on Tuscaloosa Service Day, a day of volunteer work with nonprofit organizations around Tuscaloosa…
UA athletic facilities have changed through the years
Tuscaloosa News – April 10
While Bryant-Denny Stadium dominates the University of Alabama landscape and the minds of Crimson Tide fans, UA football, basketball and other sports have had several homes around campus since intercollegiate play began in 1892. “The university has basically, during its athletics programs, has had two hubs,” said Taylor Watson, curator of the Bryant Museum. “Over the last 40 years they have pretty much moved the center over here (near Coleman Coliseum).”…In addition to the football, baseball and track fields, the area was bordered on the north by Little Hall, which housed the first on-campus home for basketball and the athletics dorm, and Moore Hall. Moore Hall, which later housed coaches’ offices and another gym known as the wrestling room, was the site of grueling offseason workouts during Paul W. “Bear” Bryant’s early years as UA’s football coach…
Wording in U.S. law could cut BP fines by billions
Market Watch – April 9
…William Andreen, a University of Alabama law professor who specializes in environmental litigation, said that although BP could bring up such factors as the steps it’s already taken to clean up the spill and mitigate its ecological effects, the magnitude of the disaster was such that company will have a very difficult time persuading a judge it deserves the lesser fines. “I think an ice cube has a better chance in the nether reaches than that,” Andreen said. “That would be such a de minimis [insignificant] penalty for the nature of the accident and the ensuing spill.”
Birmingham Water Works may recommend $125 million bond issue
Birmingham News – April 10
…Robert Brooks, professor of financial management at the University of Alabama, disagreed that bond activity should be accelerated because of the county’s financial crisis. Regardless of whether Jefferson County declares bankruptcy, the county’s problems are well known, he said. “The bond investors are already going to price that in,” Brooks said. “It is an unknown at the moment, and unknowns are always more expensive.” Conversely, bankruptcy would end the mystery and could make bondholders less nervous, he said; plus, a county bankruptcy is not going to shock the bondholders….
Birmingham’s Sanders Trust expanding in venture with Chicago’s Harrison Street Real Estate Capital company
Birmingham News – April 10
…Leonard Zumpano, a finance professor and chair of real estate at the University of Alabama, agreed. “As the economy goes south, people get laid off and typically, retail sales suffer. But in medical related industry, that’s not the case,” he said. “And with the baby boom generation you’re talking about something like 80 million Americans. That’s a chunk of people.”…
Foreclosures remain a problem in core of Birmingham with no relief in sight (interactive map)
Birmingham News – April 10
…Grayson Glaze, executive director of the Alabama Center for Real Estate at the University of Alabama, said no state market has been immune to foreclosure problems. But to put things in perspective, he said, Alabama ranks No. 26 in the nation when it comes to so-called shadow inventory, or supply of distressed properties. States including Nevada, Florida, Arizona and California, where the housing boom and bust were felt in much greater extremes, have far more foreclosures on the market. Alabama’s long-term valuation trends also are reason for optimism, Glaze said, adding that the state’s average length of home ownership is seven years. “Looking at the market from this window, despite the well-documented market challenges since 2007. The Alabama median and average home selling price remains approximately 18.6 percent and 19.6 percent higher when compared to February 2004,” he said. “Many markets across the nation can only wish they could point to a similar long-term trend.”…
LEND A HAND: Students beautify Holt High before Taylor Hicks concert
Tuscaloosa News – April 10
…With the help of students at the University of Alabama, Holt High School students organized and executed a plan to clean the mess up and transform the wall into something they could be proud of. For the past three years, psychology students at UA have assisted local high school students in organizing community outreach projects. Professor Jeffrey Parker specializes in adolescent development in the department of psychology and the Institute for Social Science Research…Parker said the UA students were present to set the project in motion by teaching the high school students technical skills and offering support. Other than their minor assistance, the high school students took control of the project. “When they are given the resources, students will step up and take on a meaningful community role,” he said. Parker said his students give the high school students examples of how to positively approach problems.
ATO receives national honor in Washington
Crimson White – April 11
Alpha Tau Omega fraternity will receive an honor that only three other fraternities nationwide will accept this year. On April 10, the Beta Delta chapter was recognized with the Chapter Award of Distinction at the Interfraternity Council annual meeting in Washington, D.C. The Award of Distinction honors chapters that are highly functioning in compliance with NIC Standards, seek to educate others about the benefits of a values-based fraternity and work to maintain a healthy relationship with their national organization. Gentry McCreary, director of Greek Affairs, said he is proud of the distinguishment of the fraternity. “The NIC Award of Distinction only goes to the top fraternity chapters in the United States,” McCreary said. “Alpha Tau Omega’s receipt of this award is a testament to the incredible work that chapter has done on our campus. Simply put, they’ve done things the right way…
Societies induct new members during Honors Week
Crimson White – April 11
Twenty-four members are inducted into the Anderson Society each year in recognition of their contributions to the University… — Blue Key Honor Society- High scholastic ideals, leadership and diversity of background are considered when new members are inducted into the Blue Key Honor Society, one of the first three honor societies created at the University… — Mortar Board – This is a national honor society for senior men and women, and it is based on leadership, scholarship and service… — Omicron Delta Kappa – This society recognizes students who have achieved standards in collegiate activities, to inspire others to strive for similar attainments and to bring together students in all areas of college life…
Al’s pals help elementary kids explore creativity
Crimson White – April 11
…Al’s Pals is a new mentoring program created this year. About 60 students, including Greeks and independents, Honors College students and non-Honors College students, and students of different races, go to the McKenzie Court Community Center on Wednesdays and Thursdays to work one-on-one with students who live in the apartments there…Star Bloom, who created Al’s Pals, said she believes this new mentoring program is effective because it provides students with a mentor who can help them with their homework, be a role model and become their friend. The students are split into three groups by age and rotate between exercise, reading and studying. This way, the students are being helped one-on-one academically and also acting upon their after-school energy…