University of Alabama students create video about “new normal” after tornado (video)
Birmingham News – July 21
Students from the University of Alabama have created a video that documents Tuscaloosa residents’ lives before the April 27 tornado and the little things they miss. The video is designed to increase awareness of the impact of natural disasters, Mike Devlin, a UA doctoral student in the College of Communication and Information Sciences who is overseeing the project, said in a news release. The film was made by undergraduate students from the department of telecommunications and film and the department of advertising and public relations. “Disasters change lives in an instant. And there is no going back,” Devlin said. “It’s all about adjusting to the new normal, and that’s what we tried to show.”
UA computer science students developing health-related smartphone apps
Al.com – July 21
University of Alabama computer science students are developing smartphone apps specifically to help those with health problems or physical disabilities ranging from diabetes to blindness…Associate professor in computer science Jeff Gray told the CW that the development program helps motivate students to learn more about technology that speaks to their own personal interests and creativity. Computer engineering associate professor Edward Sazonov, who has worked with two UA students, told the newspaper the apps are helping solve practical problems, including food intake. Kyle Redding’s app for Android, called Diet Diary, helps users keep track of calories using senors, the report says …
Counselors join with University of Alabama for cleanup
Auburn Plainsman – July 21
… A team of CWE parent and student counselors dropped what they were doing June 11 to go to Tuscaloosa and pair with the University of Alabama’s orientation staff to help with tornado cleanup … Multiple counselors expressed the enjoyment they received from the day and being able to help people in desperate need. They also thought it was interesting that they could come together with UA’s staff and work together and put all differences aside. “It was fun to meet some of the University of Alabama staff,” Price said. “And putting aside Auburn and Alabama and working together to make a difference to impact that city.” …
Big Apple assistance in Tuscaloosa reconstruction
Tuscaloosa News – July 21
…Morgan Stanley Smith Barney is not the only organization Habitat for Humanity is partnering with this week. House United, a coalition of students and faculty from the University of Alabama and Auburn University, is also helping with these projects. About 75 people from UA and 35 from Auburn have come to work together to help rebuild Tuscaloosa. “Both universities do wonderful work to improve the quality of life in our state,” said Ralph Foster, director of the office of public service at Auburn University. “This is a great example of that.” House United, which originally was to take place in Baldwin County, changed locations to meet the immediate needs of Tuscaloosa after the storm, Foster said …
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – July 20
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – July 20
UA Basketball Coach Donates Money to Tuscaloosa City Schools
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – July 20
… University of Alabama basketball coach Anthony Grant and his wife, Christina, donated $21,0002 to Alberta Elementary, University Place Elementary, and University Place Middle School. It will be used to help students and teachers get back on their feet to have a successful school year …
Run a 5K, help Tuscaloosa
Kansas City (Kan.) Star – July 21
A group of University of Alabama students is back in the Kansas City area for the summer, but they’re not forgetting about their campus home. Soon-to-be-sophomore Lindsey Green was about a half a mile away from the April 27 tornado when it tore through Tuscaloosa, Ala…That reality spurred Green, Abby Jewell and Molly Neeb to gather a few other students, parents and a local alumni group to organize a fundraiser…Run for Tuscaloosa, a certified five-kilometer run and walk, will be at 9 a.m. Sunday with an awards ceremony at 10 a.m…All the registration fees are going to the Acts of Kindness Fund at the University of Alabama, which was started by the university to assist faculty, staff and students affected by the tornado …
Japan’s slow disaster relief and a new plan for renewal
Acton.org – July 21
… In Nothstine’s article, University of Alabama professor David T. Beito called the relief efforts in Tuscaloosa “extremely decentralized” and added “I don’t know if a more secular city would fare nearly as well.”
Southern States Receiving Their Fair Share of Foreign Direct Investment
AreaDevelopment.com – July 21
… “In general, we are seeing a clear recovery trend, but it is just not fast enough for most people,” says Dr. Sam Addy, director of the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama. He adds that in light of the severity of the recent economic downturn, “Expectations of a quick recovery are unrealistic.”…
Alabama looks to the future as rebuilding begins
Claims Journal – July 21
… A study by the University of Alabama found that the April 27 tornadoes killed 244 people in Alabama and destroyed or made uninhabitable 14,000 homes …