UA to remember students who died in April tornado
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 2
This Friday, the University of Alabama will remember students who lost their lives in the April 27th tornado. On Saturday, students who would have graduated in May will graduate, because the spring graduation ceremony was postponed. Friday’s remembrance will be held on the steps of Gorgas Library, located on the UA quad.
Tornado-proofing homes? $1 straps would help
MSNBC – Aug. 3
…”The winds are so high that a wood-frame structure is not going to withstand them. In those cases, you need a safe room,” said researcher Andy Graettinger of the University of Alabama. “But the vast majority of the area (experienced) lower wind speeds that you can engineer for. You need to have the roof tied to the walls and the walls tied to the foundation to prevent major damage.” Homeowners on the fringes of the tornado would have been spared at least some damage with different construction methods or improvements to existing homes, said Graettinger, who has also studied twister damage at other sites, including Joplin, Mo. In some cases, he said, homes could have been saved from catastrophic damage by metal clips or straps that cost about $1 each. “You’re looking at a few thousand dollars for these clips that hold everything together,”…
Gadsden Times – Aug. 3
Anniston Star – Aug. 3
Alabama’s Barrett Jones is a master of time management
Birmingham News – Aug. 3
…The quest to stuff his brain with knowledge has brought Alabama’s star offensive lineman to this point: The redshirt junior will receive his undergraduate degree in accounting Saturday with a 4.0 GPA. Strong academics tied with athletics is not unique for Crimson Tide football players. Consider quarterback Greg McElroy who, among other accolades, was a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship last year…”It was something that was really important to me,” Jones, a preseason All-America candidate, said of his education. “I really wanted to achieve great things in the classroom and on the field when I came here. The way I see it is I’m going to be here four to five years, and I want to get as much schooling in as possible….It’s well known among friends, family and UA fans that Jones has taken a couple of mission trips during spring break to help those devastated by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti…”I think Barrett Jones is a fantastic person, probably as fine a person as I have ever had the opportunity to coach in terms of his character, attitude, intelligence, willingness to give of himself to help other people,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said last spring…
Student chosen for UNCF/Merck Fellow
Crimson White – Aug. 3
Aeriel Murphy, a senior majoring in metallurgical and materials engineering, has become the first UA student to be a part of the United Negro College Fund-Merck Foundation Undergraduate Science Research Scholarship Program. Murphy, a native of Wetumpka, Ala., is one of 15 students chosen for the program, which provides students with up to $30,000 for tuition and a summer research internship at a Merck facility… “Aeriel – I like to refer to as a very determined, very intelligent and highly motivated student,” said Viola Acoff, professor and head of metallurgical and materials engineering. “I like to refer to her as the epitome of an outstanding engineering student because not only does she try to understand what’s going on in her actual course and she does exceptional well with that. She also goes the extra step to learn whatever she can about her field outside of the classroom.”…
Economists lower Alabama growth forecast
Huntsville Times – Aug. 3
The state’s economy slowed in the second quarter of 2011, after showing relatively steady growth early in the year, according to a study by the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research. Economists attributed the slowdown to high food and energy prices and fewer job gains. They now expect the state’s GDP to increase 2.8 percent for 2011 as a whole, down from 3.0 percent on last quarter’s forecast. The state’s economic growth for the second half of the year is forecast to be in the 2.0 to 2.5 percent range. “Consumers are still pretty cautious,” said Ahmad Ijaz, an economic analyst at the center. “With job uncertainties, people aren’t comfortable spending their money.”Always hearing about job layoffs affects their psyche…In Huntsville, the BRAC moves are nearing completion with the Army Materiel Command dedicating its new headquarters in June. “That’ll really boost the area,” Ijaz said…”I think that area of the state has consistently done well,” Ijaz said, in pointing out the Huntsville metro area has the state’s lowest unemployment rate. “Jobs have been lost, but not at the same pace as the rest of the state or U.S.”…
FOX6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 2
Alabama Immigration Law Spurs Wider Fight
Wall Street Journal – Aug. 3
… There needs to be a clear demarcation of federal and state responsibilities for fighting illegal immigration, said Daniel Lemley, a Tuscaloosa lawyer who teaches immigration law at the University of Alabama’s College of Law. He said he hoped the legal challenges to the law would bring some clarity…
Mason to lead Productivity Center at UA
Birmingham Business Journal – Aug. 3
J. Barry Mason will serve as interim dean of the Productivity Center at the University of Alabama. Mason, who is stepping down as dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce at the school later this month, is also a professor of business administration at the school. J. Michael Hardin is replacing Mason as dean. The Alabama Productivity Center, a nonprofit organization at the school, works to improve Alabama companies’ quality, productivity and competitiveness through the use of the university’s research and educational resources.
Two UA students create a television series pilot
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 2
Things are certainly getting exciting for two University of Alabama students who have a television pilot that’s garnering some attention. Marcus Tortorici and Micah Russell…You can watch the Re-Committed trailer and see other pilots competing in The New York Television Festival on YouTube…
Astronomers capture image of black hole
Crimson White – Aug. 3
The flow of hot gas flowing towards a black hole has been clearly imaged for the first time in X-rays taken by NASA’s Chandra X-ray and a study led by four astronomers at the University—Ka-Wah Wong, Jimmy Irwin, Mihoko Yukita and Evan Million…
Arts and Sciences plan opening of gallery downtown
Crimson White – Aug. 3
The College of Arts and Sciences has recently worked to create and open the Paul R. Jones Gallery of Art in downtown Tuscaloosa. The gallery will feature a rotation of pieces from the Paul R. Jones Collection, as well as a selection of student works. Once open, the gallery will be the first University-run art gallery located off-campus. The dedication and opening will take place on Aug. 13 at 4 pm…
CS department to partner with College Board
Crimson White – Aug. 3
The University of Alabama was selected as one of the top 10 universities to participate in the College Board’s Advanced Placement Pilot Study to help with creating a new AP exam in Computer Science. The course, which is listed as CS 104, was created to offer non-major students the opportunity to master the basics of computer science, according to Jeff Gray, associate professor of computer science. “The course is particularly focused on those who are non-majors,” Gray said. “We will teach students about the fundamentals of computing.”…The University was one of 220 applicants, and was chosen as one of the top 10 schools to test the Pilot, also being the only SEC school selected to participate…
Incoming freshman plans tornado benefit concert
Crimson White – Aug. 3
…Mackenzie Perpich, an incoming freshman majoring in musical theatre, is planning a concert of her own. Her benefit concert, “Think T-Town,” will be held on Aug. 8 in Atlanta. Tickets will be $15 and sold at the door…Perpich’s reason for coming up with a way to raise money for the tornado victims came from Raphael Crystal, who heads the musical theatre department at the University… “That since I am going to be a musical theatre major and love to perform, I should put my talents to good use and host a benefit concert,” Perpich said…The concert will consist of a variety of music and dance acts, as well as the Christian rock group RBK…
Retired judge funds nursing scholarship
Crimson White – Aug. 3
The Capstone College of Nursing recently received a donation of $100,000 to create an endowed scholarship for incoming freshman nursing students. Donated by Gordon Rosen, a retired municipal judge and practicing lawyer, and his wife, Ann, the Gordon and Ann Rosen Endowed Nursing Scholarship seeks to encourage and help students that want to pursue the nursing profession…Shelley Jordan, director of advancement at the Capstone College of Nursing, said the College is so appreciative for the donation by the Rosens…
Music seminar comes to Alabama
Crimson White – Aug. 3
The University of Alabama’s Department of Music will host the 2011 Alessi Seminar at Moody Music Concert Hall from July 29-Aug. 6. This nine-day event is directed by the New York Philharmonic’s principal trombonist, Joseph Alessi…