UA remembers students who died, presents three students with the Acts of Kindness Heroes award
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 28-29
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Aug. 28-29
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Aug. 28-29
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 28-29
WAFF (Huntsville) – Aug. 28-29
WSFA (Montgomery) – Aug. 28-29
A sunset service at the University of Alabama to remember the lives lost and acts of heroism on April 27. Fifty people died in the Tuscaloosa tornado, including six University of Alabama students. School officials presented three students with the Acts of Kindness Heroes award.
Crimson White editor reflects on Tuscaloosa tornado coverage with USA Today
AL.com – Aug. 29
The tragic and devastating April 27 that tore through Tuscaloosa would challenge even the most seasoned journalists, let alone student newspaper employees at the University of Alabama. Victor Luckerson, editor of UA’s student newspaper The Crimson White, and his staff were tasked with the same challenge as the rest of the state and nation’s journalists in one of Alabama’s deadliest tornadoes.
UA Rec director: No ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme to healthy living (Q&A)
AL.com – Aug. 29
University of Alabama Student Recreation Center summer patrons know that when the fall semester rolls around, their favorite machines and equipment immediately lose that precious availability they see when the students are away. . . . University Recreation director George Brown says that figure only gets higher as the raw university population continues to grow each year, but the Rec Center staff is prepared for the influx. Below, Brown talks about how physical fitness enhances academic performance, meeting the facility’s substantial demand and plans for a new Rec Center location on campus.
University of Alabama freshman and model Paige Conklin in Seventeen magazine
Birmingham News – Aug. 29
University of Alabama freshman Paige Conklin can be seen modeling “back-to-school” fashions in the September issue of Seventeen magazine. Conklin, 18 and a graduate of Oak Mountain High School in Shelby County, learned about the modeling opportunity from Cover Girl Model Management in New York. She interviewed with the magazine in March. They selected her and she returned to New York in late May to pose for her photos that appear on pages 36, 38, 40 and 42. Three other teenagers are also featured in the layout.
Get on Board Day lets UA students learn about 350 campus organizations
AL.com – Aug. 29
Scores of tables, folding chairs and poster boards will line the sidewalks at the Ferguson Center Plaza on the University of Alabama campus on Wednesday, as even more students learn about the various campus organizations advertising their efforts at Get on Board Day.
Park nice, win a scholarship
Crimson White – Aug. 30
University of Alabama students can now be rewarded for parking. The Positive Parking Incentive is a new program that will provide five students with scholarships at the end of the semester. Transportation services and the Student Government Association Judicial Board are co-sponsoring the initiative. Tara Ward, chief justice of the judicial board, said the program would help with parking, which is one of the biggest issues for students on campus.
Carson Tinker: A symbol of hope
Crimson White – Aug. 30
I first met Carson Tinker in Mrs. Terry’s third grade class. He was a tall, funny boy who always seemed to have a smile on his face…After several years of slumber parties and birthday events at various parks in Decatur, Ala., Carson eventually moved to Murfreesboro, Tenn., during junior high. Fast forward 10 years later and Carson and I are both students at the University of Alabama. Carson, the starting long snapper for the Crimson Tide football team, was someone I greeted when I saw on campus from time to time. Always a friendly person, we struck up conversation whenever we saw one another. Nearly four months ago, Carson was a victim of the devastating tornado of April 27, 2011…Carson was in the hospital for weeks. His close friends, including his teammates, were at his bedside every day. While thousands of people were leaving town for an early summer break, Carson laid in a hospital bed with his family and friends at his side mourning the loss of someone he loved. Flash-forward to today and Carson is a spirit to be around. One could expect a poor attitude, possibly a loss of desire to play – but not Carson…Carson’s optimistic attitude and spirit came naturally to him. However, he may not yet realize what his rehabilitation and effort means to this community…Carson and the rest of his teammates are poised and ready for an emotional kick-off this Saturday, when the Crimson Tide kicks off against Kent State in Bryant-Denny Stadium…Throughout the past four months, the city of Tuscaloosa has recovered greatly…However, there will not be a more visible sign of hope than when number 51 walks onto the field for his first snap…Carson Tinker’s recovery is a testament to good faith and great character and should be applauded by all.
Capstone takes students abroad
Crimson White – Aug. 30
Imagine climbing up a mountain to the famed Incan village of Machu Piccu. Thick mist frames the ancient stone city and the lush mountains graze the clouds. Some may describe the experience as unbelievable, but UA student Hannah Emerson can say it’s just another day in her South American adventure through Alabama’s Study Abroad program. The program that gave Emerson the opportunity to see Machu Piccu—and experience living with a family in Chile for the rest of her trip—Capstone International will hold a study abroad fair will be held on September 13, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on a the second floor of the Ferguson Center. Students will be able to meet program representatives who can provide them with more information about studying abroad. Holly Buckner, the director of Capstone International Academic Programs, feels students see the world differently after studying abroad.
Program helps veterans adjust to college life
Crimson White – Aug. 30
Adjusting from life as a soldier to life as a college student can be a difficult process for many veterans. That’s why the University of Alabama is working with the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center to set up a new program to help these veterans returning to college. The program, called the Veteran-Student Academic and Wellness Program, helps to ensure that veterans returning from places like Iraq and Afghanistan have a safe haven within reach while transitioning from military life to college life.
UA’s Million Dollar Band to honor tornado victims
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 29
The University of Alabama’s Million Dollar Band will honor tornado survivors at the halftime show Saturday. On Saturday, thousands of fans will pile into Bryant-Denny Stadium for the first football game of the 2011 season.
UA students inspire plant nursery to help tornado victims
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 29
Tree House Farm and Nursery has teamed up with Habitat for Humanity to provide large trees, shrubs and pine straw for homes involved in the habitat program. Employees at Tree House told us they were inspired by a story that ran on WVUA about University of Alabama students helping Habitat for Humanity through the “Brush With Kindness” program. That program offers painting, landscaping, weather stripping and minor repair services for homeowners in need
Holt High School football team to attend first UA game
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 29
Tuscaloosa are getting excited for the University of Alabama’s opening game this weekend against Kent State. One group in particular is the Holt High School football team. The team was pleasantly surprised today when Holt’s head football coach, Tim Gillespie, informed them they would be attending UA’s game this weekend.
UA Air Force ROTC helps unload supplies for tornado victims
WTVY (Dothan) – Aug. 29
The Tuscaloosa Board of Education is also giving out donated school supplies to students who were victims of the April 27 tornado. Students can pick from six aisles of wooden shelves overflowing with pencils, notebooks and backpacks from as far away as Virginia. The Air Force ROTC from the University of Alabama is unloading boxes of supplies that continue to arrive. The supplies will be available throughout the semester to any student affected by the tornado.