Mayor, UA’s Witt say area ready for football
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 31
With three days until kickoff for the Crimson Tide football season, and 126 days after a devastating tornado tore through Tuscaloosa County, the area is ready for football, according to the heads of the University of Alabama and the city of Tuscaloosa A joint letter released Tuesday by Mayor Walt Maddox and UA President Robert Witt assured Crimson Tide supporters that they are “ready, prepared and excited” for football season. “While you may see some significant changes in other areas, we are confident that the university and the city are ready to accommodate the Crimson Tide family,” read the letter signed by both men. The letter was sent to UA alumni Tuesday. It will be sent to UA employees, retirees and students and will be posted on ua gameday.com, a website hosted by the Bruno Event Team, the Birmingham firm hired to manage football game days, said UA spokeswoman Cathy Andreen… city and school leaders say they will be able to cope with the demands of hosting a game that seemed so far away when the massive twister plowed through town. “Progress in Tuscaloosa has been fabulous, just unbelievable,” said Gina Johnson, an associate vice president in charge of game-day operations for the university. “I think that is what we are going to e known for.”
USA Today – Aug. 31
FOX6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 30
UA football players hope the season helps Tuscaloosa
NBC13 (Birmingham) – Aug. 30
…University of Alabama football players say they’re looking forward to giving their fans something to smile about. “It’s gonna be a special feeling, back to normal. Hopefully these weekends, give them…”
Improved signage will help football fans navigate campus
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 30
…Gina Johnson with UA Gameday Operations says they have improved signs around campus to help fans get to main roads…
Get on Board Day expects big turnout
Crimson White – Aug. 31
The University of Alabama will host Get on Board Day at the Ferguson Center today from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. to showcase different student organizations on campus and allow interested students the opportunity to sign up for involvement in these various clubs…
Public comment sought on Northern Beltline in 2 hearings
Birmingham News – Aug. 31
… An economic impact study commissioned by the coalition and performed by the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research estimated that, during the construction phase of approximately two decades, the project is expected to create close to 35,000 construction jobs and stimulate $7.1 billion in economic activity. The study projects the communities along the beltline would add 6,500 people and 372 businesses, while improving the ability to travel across the region.
Students encourage learning about loans
Crimson White – Aug. 31
…Students can learn about this difference and other important parts of the loan application process in the Student Financial Office in the Student Services Center. “We have a resource center available for students to come and fill out the FASFA,” said Helen Allen, associate director of Student Financial Aid. “Counselors are available to see students at any time.” The Free Application for Federal Student Aid Allen mentioned must be completed in order for students to receive federal financial aid…The FASFA is not only for those with high demonstrated financial need, but for every student looking for financing options. “All students are eligible to receive federal loans,” Allen said. “Federal student loans are guaranteed funds.”…
Xpress Night returns to Ferg
Crimson White – Aug. 31
Music and laughter erupted from the Ferguson Center on Aug. 18, marking the first Xpress Night of the fall semester. A bi-monthly open mic night for UA students at the Ferguson Center Starbucks, Xpress Night was birthed last year by graduate student Ryan Davis, founding director of the Honors College Assembly’s Arts Awareness branch, and junior Colby Leopard, its current director…featuring acts that ranged from acoustic music and stand-up comedy to spoken word and juggling. “In college, there’s a large drop off in arts participation and expression because of the lack of opportunities,” said Leopard. “[Xpress Night] is to provide opportunity for students which they don’t typically have.”…
Forget Us Not Tuscaloosa creates volunteer program
Crimson White – Aug. 31
After an EF4 tornado devastated areas of West Alabama in late April, Tuscaloosa News reporter Chase Goodbread created a Facebook group to raise long-term volunteerism for Tuscaloosa tornado relief. The group, Forget Us Not Tuscaloosa, works to attract volunteers to fill every day of an entire calendar year that began on June 1, 2011…Many UA students are among the volunteers who have signed up to devote their time or money to a community service project of their choice for an entire day…
DKE earns best chapter award
Crimson White – Aug. 31
Members of the Psi chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon at the University earned the honor of “Best DKE Chapter” for the 2010-2011 academic year and have been awarded the Lion Trophy for their efforts, according to a press release. The Lion Trophy is given to the top DKE chapter from July 2010-July 2011 and is the highest honor a DKE chapter can receive, said DKE representative Jake Gray. “We believe our commitment to service with UA Greek Relief, which sent over 52,000 meals and 100,000 non-perishable items to the city of Tuscaloosa in the weeks following the tornado, is what put us over the edge,” Gray said…