UA painting session is in honor of tornado victim
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 15
A free painting session will be held at the University of Alabama tonight in memory of Morgan Sigler, one of the UA students who died in the April 27 tornado. The session, called Painting With a Purpose, will be directed by Caleb O’Connor, the artist who painted the murals for Tuscaloosa’s new federal courthouse. Event participants will paint a design of the state created by O’Connor to honor storm victims. Donations will go to the Morgan Sigler Fund to assist needy children with art supplies.
Crimson White – Nov. 15
UA boasts two Rhodes finalists
Crimson White – Nov. 15
Two University of Alabama students have been named finalists for the Rhodes scholarship, an international award for study at the University of Oxford. Senior Nathan Corder and spring 2011 graduate Parker White are one round away from receiving two years of paid tuition for study in Oxford and the distinction of being a Rhodes Scholar.
Former Justice Stevens to discuss career on bench
Crimson White – Nov. 15
Former Associate Justice to the Supreme Court John Paul Stevens will visit the University of Alabama Wednesday for a speech hosted by the Law School. Stevens will be the tenth justice of the nation’s highest court to speak at the UA School of Law since 1996. The 91-year-old Stevens was appointed by President Gerald Ford in 1975, and served on the bench until last year when he announced his retirement.
UA professor, actors to join Cuban production as part of exchange program
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 13
For his first non-Shakespeare exploration into researching the blend of Cuban and American performance styles at Havana’s Teatro Nacionale, Seth Panitch wavered between extremes. “I didn’t go with Horton Foote, probably our most fertile writer,” said Panitch, an associate professor of acting and head of the master of fine arts and undergraduate acting programs at the University of Alabama. Panitch is in charge of preparing a play to be performed in Havana on Dec. 6 that will use UA and Cuban actors as part of UA’s Cuba-American Initiative. “And I didn’t pick (Eugene) O’Neill, our strongest.”
Professors research Alzheimer’s cure
Crimson White – Nov. 14
A group of researchers, including the University of Alabama’s own Guy and Kimberlee Caldwell, recently released new findings that may link to a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a press release. The study was published in Science Express, led by renowned biologist Susan Lindquist. Guy Caldwell, a biology professor at UA, said his lab was at the forefront of the research. He and his wife began work with Lindquist in Parkinson’s studies several years ago, which progressed to the study of Alzheimer’s. “It’s a fairly natural progression,” he said. “You can’t study one without having thoughts about the other.”
New housing director to lead construction of new dorms
Crimson White – Nov. 15
After two top directors in Housing and Residential Communities left at the beginning of the semester, the University of Alabama immediately began looking for a replacement. In September Steven Hood was introduced as the new director of the HRC. “Residential communities represent the heart and soul of what we do,” Hood said. “It is how we have a positive influence on outside-the-classroom learning experiences that students have each and every day.” Since being named director, Hood has been asking virtually everyone connected with HRC how the department can be improved.
Professors provide academic advice to live by
Crimson White – Nov. 15
Guy Caldwell, Professor of biological sciences: Put in at least as much time studying in college as all the hours you spent during high school simply in class and on other after-school activities. That was generally 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for most active students (including sports, clubs, band, jobs etc.) during high school.” “Recognize that most of your professors are not simply classroom teachers, but many are internationally recognized experts in their field. Get to know them, seek out their career advice and, if possible, get involved their research.” “If you select a path, give it your all. That way you will know if it is for you, or not. Find what you love, as you will be good at it.” (Article features eight other faculty members)
Hillel Center holding celebration honoring Torah’s restoration on Sunday
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 12
The University of Alabama’s Bloom Hillel Student Center’s Torah has been restored, and in celebration, a ceremony will be held at Hillel on Sunday at 1 p.m. The Torah is a long scroll of parchments sewn together, containing the Jewish sacred writings found in the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.
Denny Chimes lit up blue for World Diabetes Day
Crimson White – Nov. 15
Denny Chimes was lit blue last night to raise awareness for World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated every year on Nov. 14. This date was chosen on behalf of Frederick Banting’s birthday, the man who discovered insulin in 1921 along with Charles Best. All across the world, recognized buildings, monuments and even various homes were lit from sundown to midnight in remembrance of World Diabetes Day. “Alabama has the highest rate of diabetes throughout the U.S. – every one in 20 people have diabetes,” said Mary Elizabeth Halliday, a senior majoring in food and nutrition. “The numbers are pretty outstanding…it’s shocking.”
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Nov. 14
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 14
Quidditch takes over the Quad
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 13
Quaffles will fly and snitches will be captured as nearly 1,000 cape-clad, broomstick-riding University of Alabama students compete in the nonmagical recreation of Quidditch, the most popular sport in J.K. Rowling’s epic wizarding world. Among the 70 teams participating in the sport made famous in the Harry Potter series, Lawgwarts will look to emerge from the single elimination, winner-take-all tournament to return the golden broom to the UA Law Center and retain the title of Quidditch on the Quad champions.
CNN journalist speaks at UA
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 14
Students at the University of Alabama were treated to a special visit by award-winning CNN journalist and author Soledad O’Brien. Students piled into the Ferguson Center ballroom to listen to O’Brien speak about diversity on TV, behind the scenes, and in our lives…
Moundville named as setting for first SELTI writing contest
Planet Weekly – Nov. 15
Moundville, Alabama, has been named the target promotional site for the Inaugural SELTI Writing Contest. The contest is sponsored by the Southeastern Literary Tourism Initiative (SELTI) and the University of Alabama Museums. Contestants will compete to write the short story that best promotes tourism to the historic Native American archaeology site. Moundville includes impressive mounds that served as the center of one of the largest Native American cities in North America 800 years ago. The site is also now home to a state museum and park that recently completed a $5 million renovation, including a new wing of the indoor museum.
Through tragedy, Tide comes together
Shelby County Reporter – Nov. 15
For University of Alabama hockey team head coach Mike Quenneville and his team, this year has been an emotional ride. After the university’s home city was devastated by the April 27 tornado outbreak, the hockey team lost one of its own when 19-year-old David Mosier passed away in his sleep about a month before the 2011-2012 season began. But through the pair of tragedies, the team and its leaders have grown closer and more resilient during what Quenneville called one of the “toughest early season schedules in the nation.”
Commentary: Larry Clayton: Fixing our house
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 13
I am going to make an argument here that many will quite possibly violently disagree with. I’m not even sure that I agree with it. I have spent most of my life and career in and out of many places in the Americas, all the way from Chile to Canada, and have come away with a decidedly international or global view of the world. We all tied together, and so we have to fix our problems globally. But I’m not sure that is the best way to go about fixing our mess at home. Let me explain, and I’ve got good advice, from Jesus Christ to George Washington. This has to do with fixing up your house before looking to fix up your brother’s. Or, put another way, we need to make things right at home before we continue to police the world and dictate what they should do. Our foundation right now is pretty weak and unimpressive to be pontificating to the globe. . . . Larry Clayton is a professor of history at the University of Alabama.
College News: University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 14
The deadline is Monday to file applications and recordings in the third annual 2012 Organ Scholarship Competition. There are no age restrictions.
LaGrange Symphony presents ‘Voices of Autumn’
Columbus (Ga.) Ledger-Enquirer – Nov. 15
The LaGrange Symphony Orchestra presents “Voices of Autumn” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22, in Callaway Auditorium, 801 Dallis St, on the LaGrange College campus. . . . Faythe Freese, director of organ studies at the University of Alabama, a renowned concert organist who plays all over the world, is the guest organist.
Giving up for good: Seek help for long-term smoking cessation
Montgomery Advertiser – Nov. 15
…just over 22 percent of adults in Alabama are current cigarette smokers, according to “The Burden of Tobacco in Alabama,” a 2011 study by the Institute for Social Science Research at the University of Alabama.