Former high court justice defends unpopular decision
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 17
Former Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens could have talked about career highlights and popular opinions in his nearly 35 years serving on the U.S. Supreme Court. Instead, Stevens, the third-longest serving justice in the court’s history, chose to devote his hourlong lecture Wednesday at the University of Alabama School of Law to his most unpopular opinion in the case of Kelo v. City of New London (2005). Stevens authored the majority opinion in the 5-4 decision that allowed the city of New London, Conn., to use eminent domain to condemn 15 properties held by nine private owners for use in an economic redevelopment plan.
CBS 42 (Birmingham) (video) – Nov. 16
Crimson White – Nov. 17
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 16
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Nov. 16
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 16
Biology professor awarded UA’s Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor award
AL.com – Nov. 15
University of Alabama biology professor Martha Powell was named the winner of the school’s Blackmon-Moody Outstanding Professor Award after winning nearly $5 million in grants to help strengthen undergraduate education in the sciences. Power will be honored in a ceremony at the President’s Mansion on Nov. 18. The Blackmon-Moody award is presented every year to a UA faculty member judged to have made extraordinary contributions that reflect credit on the individual, on his or her field of study, on students, and on the University.
Theater review: Drama or comedy? Play provides no easy answers
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 17
In dramaturge’s notes for the University of Alabama’s production of Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” the question is posed “Must a comedy be funny?” Well, yes. There must be laughter, at least in the popular meaning of comedy. The academic definition; well, that’s ancient Greek theater to me. . . . You could call it well worth your time because of the lovely, tightly knit production at the Marian Gallaway Theatre, from the more current Tom Stoppard translation, directed by Edmond Williams and starring Dianne Teague as Irina Arkadina, the same role Teague played in Williams’ production 29 years ago, on the same stage.
Project Rebound helps tornado victims
Crimson White – Nov. 17
Since an EF-4 tornado tore through Tuscaloosa in late April, many different organizations devoted to mental health and counseling have brought chapters to the Tuscaloosa community. One such organization, called Project Rebound, has set up a chapter of its FEMA-funded organization at the University; the first team that is specific to a university committee. Project Rebound is a crisis counselor program that FEMA created as a response to disasters, both man-created and natural. Chapters of the organization have been initiated after natural disasters such as Hurricanes Ivan, Katrina, and Rita, as well as the Gulf Coast deep water horizon oil spill. The University’s Project Rebound, an extension of the larger project offered within the state of Alabama, launched in response to the April 27 tornadoes.
Professor attends television seminar in Hollywood
Crimson White – Nov. 17
Only 20 faculty members across the country are selected annually for a trip to Hollywood per the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation. This year, Kristen Warner, assistant professor of telecommunication and film at the University, received an invitation to be one of the 20 to attend the foundation’s annual faculty seminar on Nov. 8-12. “By bringing top-level insights directly to those who are guiding young minds, the Television Academy Foundation’s faculty seminar serves as an invaluable resource for carrying television studies forward,” Norma Provencio Pichardo, executive director of the foundation, said in a press release.
Astronaut to speak on experiences at Gorgas Library
Crimson White – Nov. 17
Astronaut Col. Michael Fincke, recent spacewalker of STS-134 and former commander of Expedition 18 to the International Space Station, will speak today at 1 p.m. in Gorgas Library room 205. Fincke will discuss the importance of international education or experience and working with astronauts from other countries. Fincke is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Stanford University and has trained both with NASA and the Russian space system. He is fluent in Japanese and Russian and has logged 381 days in space, most recently on the final space shuttle mission in the summer of 2011.
On-campus jobs help students get by
Crimson White – Nov. 17
With the economy in a bind, many students at the University of Alabama are on the prowl for a convenient, student-oriented job on campus. Through various forms of job-hunting, some students have found working on campus to be beneficial. Student assistant jobs come from various UA departments and organizations, including many academic departments, housing communities, the Student Rec Center and Aquatic Center, UA Libraries and the SUPe Store, to name a few. These job opportunities range from retail sales, customer service and office assistant positions to jobs requiring specific skills in areas such as information technology, website development and program research.
Kappa Alpha helps employee rebuild after tornado
Crimson White – Nov 17
Larry O’Neal didn’t ask for any help; he didn’t have to. When his home was destroyed on April 27, his employer, the Kappa Alpha fraternity, came to his rescue, both financially and physically. After being let off work early that afternoon, he drove to his trailer home in Crescent Ridge and turned on the TV. He followed the advice of the man on the screen and took his family to the storm shelter behind the trailer. There, locked in fiberglass, he listened to the storm pass over and destroy his home, his truck and his entire way of life. A few minutes after what sounded like a train had passed, he rose out of the shelter to find nothing.
Two UA students perform in the Country Music Awards
Crimson White – Nov. 17 (Print version only)
When University of Alabama sophomore Danielle Heverin sold her LSU football tickets several weeks ago, she didn’t use the extra money to buy a new outfit or pay the rent. Instead, she paid for a two-week hotel stay in Nashville, where Heverin and fellow UA student Carson Seeley performed as backup dancers on the Country Music Association Awards show and the CMA Country Christmas Special. Heerin and Seeley, both dance majors, tried out for the jobs just weeks before the show.
20 things to do under $20
Crimson White – Nov. 17
13) UA Arboretum – The University of Alabama Arboretum provides a place for study and enjoyment. Operated by the Department of Biological Studies, the arboretum offers greenhouses, two miles of walking trails, wildflower gardens, a community organic garden and children’s garden. Admission is free and the Arboretum is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset. Tours are available upon request. 48000 Arboretum Way, 205-533-3278. . . . 15) Concerts at Moody – Moody Concert Hall comes to life at least one night a week during the semester to feature student recitals, guest recitals and groups such as the Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra and various University ensembles. All events are free, except Tuscaloosa Symphony Orchestra, which costs $5 for students.
UA fights AU in Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger campaign
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 16
The University of Alabama and Auburn University are fighting hunger, and they’ve made a friendly competition out of the common goal. In Tuscaloosa, it’s called “Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger.” In Auburn it’s called “Beat Bama, Beat Hunger.”
UA certified financial planner says you may be spending above your means
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 16
In your local money watch, if your finances are in trouble, you might be spending above your means. Certified Financial Planner Jan Brakefield shows you how to take an honest look at where your money’s going…Jan Brakefield is with the University of Alabama’s College of Human Environmental Sciences.