Eight inducted into Alabama Academy of Honor
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 18
Eight new people were inducted Monday into the Alabama Academy of Honor including Gov. Robert Bentley, University of Alabama President Robert Witt and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga. The induction ceremony was held in the Old House Chamber of the Capitol. The 2011 class also included Books-A-Million co-founder Charles Anderson, Mobile stevedore and maritime business executive David J. Cooper Sr., Opelika attorney John V. Denson II, Montgomery businessman Mike Jenkins IV, and Leadership Alabama executive director Barbara Larson of Montgomery.
Montgomery Advertiser – Oct. 18
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – Oct. 17
UA administrators honored for National Guard support
AL.com – Oct. 17
Five University of Alabama administrators have been honored with Patriotic Employer awards from the National Committee for Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve or ESGR. The honorees include Judy Bonner, John McGowan, Louis Pitschmann, Teri Terry and Ashley Ewing. The awards were recently presented by ESGR volunteer James Ramage. The recipients were nominated by Bob Fabien Zinga, a former UA employee, in recognition of their support for his military service while he worked at UA.
Mother of Local Dancer From Footloose Talks About Daughter’s Career
WHNT (Huntsville) – Oct. 17
While Sheila Huddleston sits and looks over picture of her daughter, Hannah, she remembers the family growing up. “She was a very active and involved girl,” said Huddleston. “I really stressed that with my daughters because I felt that getting them involved in sports or whatever their passion was would be the best thing for them growing up.” That type of involvement really worked out for Hannah. She has been dancing since the age of two, as well as doing gymnastics. . . . .Soon after, Hannah had an audition in Atlanta to be dancer in Footloose. She got the spot. Next, auditions came up for other roles such as a music video for Blake Shelton and a dance role for the upcoming Three Stooges film. Despite her successes, Hannah is still focused on her studies. She’s currently working on a double major at the University of Alabama.
Economists: Alabama recovery likely to slow, not stall
Huntsville Times – Oct. 18
The state’s economic recovery is likely to slow this quarter but it shouldn’t stall, according to a report from economists at the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research. Though the U.S. and global recoveries are facing strong head winds, Alabama’s GDP – which saw a 2 percent growth last year and modest but steady gains early this year – could increase around 1.5 percent in the second half of 2011, they said in a fourth-quarter outlook. CBER also expects the state’s economy to expand 1.5 to 2 percent this year and to do only slightly better in 2012. “It’s going to be slower than we want it to be,” said Dr. Sam Addy, the center’s director. “But I don’t see a double dip.”
Poor self-rated health linked to dementia
Medscape Medical News – Oct. 17
Self-reported poor health is a robust predictor of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity, even when objective health measures are taken into account. Now, researchers report that people who rate their health as poor or fair are also at increased risk of developing subsequent dementia. . . . Daniel C. Potts, MD, from the University of Alabama and fellow of the American Academy of Neurology, told Medscape Medical News that this study has increased his awareness of the usefulness of having patients rate their own health. “This is a very interesting study, and it’s very important for us as neurologists. I’m impressed that the self-rated health scale is a reliable tool, and this study has increased my awareness of it to assess patients,” he said.
ProctorU provides offers online convenience to students
Crmison White – Oct. 18
ProctorU, a live proctoring service that offers students enrolled in online classes a convenient method for proctoring online exams, now working with The University of Alabama to offer online proctoring for exams. “Students often have to deal with the hassle of finding their own proctor,” said Franklin Hayes, ProctorU media coordinator. For use of ProctorU, all a student needs is a computer, webcam with a microphone, and high-speed Internet. The proctor’s screen is connected to the student’s screen so students can’t surf the web for answers. Students also must keep their eyes on the screen at all times.
Learning-disabled students get firmer grip on college
USA Today – Oct. 18
A growing number of students with learning disabilities are enrolling in college, yet few are likely to get the level of support and encouragement available at Landmark College, one of a few small, private colleges that specialize in educating students who struggle with conditions such as dyslexia or attention-deficit disorder. . . . Some mainstream schools are catering to the special needs of this population. Sage and Excelsior colleges in Troy and Albany, N.Y., are taking applications for a new online bachelor’s degree program for people with autism-spectrum disorders or other learning disabilities, to be launched in January. Since 2006, the University of Alabama has offered a program for students with autism. The University of Arizona’s Strategic Alternative Learning Techniques Center has been around since the 1980s.
Taste cultures around the world
Crimson White – Oct. 18
The Critical Languages Center will host its annual Exotic Food Tasting Trip this Wednesday, Oct. 19 from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on the second floor of B.B. Comer. The event will include sample dishes from 16 different countries. Native teachers as well as students will supply food from every language department at the University. “The purpose [of the Exotic Food Tasting Tour] is to advertise different languages and cultures,” said Sumi Woo, administrative staff member of the CLC and graduate student studying political science.
Trip abroad inspires new student group
Crimson White – Oct. 18
After witnessing children fight with baboons for food, experiencing the corruption of government and developing relationships with citizens, one student returned from Zimbabwe ready to make a difference. Colter Longshore, a senior majoring in telecommunication and film and history, traveled to Zimbabwe in July with Cry of Africa. On his return home, Longshore decided to start a Cry of Africa chapter at the University of Alabama.
UA students help local animal shelter
WVUA Tuscaloosa – Oct. 17
”The more people you interact with the more you can get your message out there, especially because we are college students it shows people that we, as a student body, do care about the local animal shelter and the animals here in Tuscaloosa. By volunteering here and raising money we are just making a difference in the community. Bama PAWS also raises awareness through working with the metro animal shelter and the Humane Society.” If you’d like to see the University of Alabama through the eyes of a student, go to WVUATV.com.