UA campus initiative featured in new book by Thomas Friedman
Al.com – Sept. 8
The University of Alabama’s Creative Campus, an initiative formed to encourage collaboration and celebrate innovation and the arts at the college, is highlighted in a new book by New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman and author Michael Mandelbaum. In the book, titled “That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World it Invented and How We Can Come Back,” Friedman and Mandelbaum discuss Creative Campus’s efforts to promote the arts in the university community. Dr. Hank Lazer, executive director of Creative Campus and associate provost for academic affairs at UA, met Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer prize winner and author of books such as “The World is Flat” and “Hot, Flat and Crowded,” when Friedman spoke at the university in February. “We are thrilled that UA, Creative Campus and our interns have been spotlighted in this book by two nationally known authors who tout the innovative learning opportunities we are providing,” Lazer said. “That Used to Be Us,” which identifies four major challenges facing the United States today, uses Creative Campus as an example of a learning strategy that could help address the country’s issues in a section titled “Creative Crimson Tide.” Creative Campus, begun in 2005 out of a proposal from an undergraduate honors seminar, selects about 40 students as interns every year to work on a wide range of projects on and off campus.
Rabbi, author, UA professor remembered for intellect
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 8
Rabbi, author and longtime University of Alabama professor Leon J. Weinberger died Monday at Hospice of West Alabama. He was 85…He joined the Department of Religious Studies at UA in 1964 and taught at the university until 1999, when he retired. Before his retirement, Weinberger served as university research professor and the general editor of the Judaic Studies Series of the University of Alabama Press. He also was the recipient of the Burnum Distinguished Faculty Award and the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award. “His research and studies were always stellar,” Jacobs said. “His academic contributions as a professor were felt throughout and he was the founder of the UA Judaic Studies Series, which has an international reputation. Its publications are well respected in Judaic studies throughout the world.”…During his career, Weinberger published 12 books, edited 38 more, wrote more than 90 articles and book reviews in both English and Hebrew and delivered 20 papers at conferences throughout the United States and Israel. A recipient of research grants from the University of Alabama, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Academy for Jewish Research, his many accomplishments are listed in such publications as Dictionary of American Scholars, Who’s Who in World Jewry, Who’s Who in American Jewry and Contemporary Authors…
Sigma Nu to sponsor Bryant Award
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 8
The Paul “Bear” Bryant College Football Coach of the Year Award trophy on display at the Sigma Nu Fraternity house on the campus of the University of Alabama Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2011. Robert Durham, national president of the Sigma Nu Fraternity, announced Wednesday the Fraternity has partnered with the American Heart Association to sponsor the 2012 Marathon Oil Corporation Paul “Bear” Bryant Coaching Award.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Sept. 7
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Sept. 7
UA professor travelling to China for triathlon championship
Tuscaloosa News
A University of Alabama professor whose career has been based on the rich cultural history of China will have an opportunity to win a triathlon world championship there this weekend. Cathy Pagani, the chair of the university’s Art and Art History department, qualified for the International Triathlon Union World Championships last year during the USA Triathlon National Championship held here along the Black Warrior River. At that event, Pagani finished seventh in the women’s 50-54 age group…Pagani, a teacher of Asian art at UA who can speak Chinese, is no stranger to China. This will be her fourth visit to Beijing…
UA Ambassadors of the College of Engineering
Crimson White – Sept. 8
The University of Alabama has recently chosen 18 students to represent the college as 2011-2012 Ambassadors of the College of Engineering. The ACEs, a program that was established in 1996, is a student ambassador program that works to promote student recruitment and alumni affairs within the College of Engineering. The group consists of 18 members that are selected each year through a competitive interview and application process…Kevin Whitaker, associate dean for academic programs, said ACE is a great organization and college leadership board. “They’re young professionals,” Whitaker said. “That’s who we look for. We want folks who can represent the College [of Engineering] well.”…
Accounting professor wins national award
Crimson White – Sept. 8
On Aug. 8, Culverhouse professor of accounting Edward Schnee accepted the Outstanding Tax Educator Award, bringing prestige to his career and to the University. The annual meeting of the American Taxation Association, held in conjunction with the American Accounting Association, convened in Denver, Colo., to announce Schnee as the recipient of the distinguished award…“The award acknowledges the quality of teaching and research of Dr. Schnee,” said May Stone, director of the Culverhouse School of Accountancy. “It also draws national and international attention to the School of Accounting and the MTA program at the University. It gives us a comparative advantage over other schools and really compels students thinking about going into accounting or taxation to look at Alabama more closely.”…
Memorial service to be held for leukemia victim
Crimson White – Sept. 8
For Anna Gordon, the spring of 2009… was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia just five weeks short of graduation. Even though her whole life had just been turned upside down, Gordon graduated summa cum laude majoring in psychology and Spanish with a minor in Blount studies from the University. She was also awarded the Recognition for Academic Excellence by a Major in Psychology and the Outstanding Senior Award from the Undergraduate Initiative of the College of Arts and Sciences. After two years of fighting, Gordon died on May 9, 2011. A memorial service in front of Denny Chimes will be held in her honor at 4 p.m. on Sept. 13. Along with the playing of the chimes, University President Robert Witt will speak on Anna’s behalf. The service will also include a segment from the University Singers. Anna’s mother, Pam, who has taught in the UA School of Music for 16 years, will also be in attendance…After her transplant, Gordon went into remission and took a position at UA as an Admissions Counselor for Alumni and Volunteer Recruitment within the Office of Undergraduate Admissions…In her time at the admissions office, Anna’s co-workers said she touched their lives irrevocably. “Anna was an outstanding member of our admissions team,” said Mary Spiegel, executive director of enrollment services. “Many students have fond memories of her work with them. We miss her very much.”…