Several events planned for MLK Jr. Day
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 12
Events in West Alabama for the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday range from entertainment to solemn reflection to a rallying call for action. . . . At 6:30 p.m. Friday, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, who represents the 7th Congressional District, will be the keynote speaker at a “Legacy Banquet” at Hotel Capstone on the University of Alabama campus. The “Realizing the Dream” awards will be held at the banquet, to honor three people who have made strides to accomplish King’s dream of equality for all. . . . The “Realizing the Dream Concert” will be held at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Frank M. Moody Music Building on the UA campus, featuring the Chris Kozak Jazz Quintet with guest Eric Essix on guitar. The quintet will perform compositions by Kozak and Tom Wolfe, inspired by King’s speech at the 1964 Berlin Jazz Festival.
Business research group hosts conference on state economy
Crimson White – Jan. 12
The 2012 Alabama Economic Outlook Conference will be held today in Montgomery, Ala. Businessmen and industry leaders from across the state will meet to hear predictions for the national, state and local economies. The Center for Economic and Business Research, part of the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce, has presented the annual conference since 1989 to cover the intricacies of the economy for a prosperous state and country. The conference was originally commissioned by the governor to assist the state government in making key decisions about the economy. However, the University soon became involved because of the time and expertise that the Center has committed to the analysis of economics.
UA students raise $4,000 to fight illiteracy
Crimson White – Jan. 12
Literacy is the Edge, a student advocacy group at the University of Alabama, raised more than $4,000 dollars in 2011 to help fight against illiteracy. The group’s campaign, “Empower Literacy,” raised awareness about functional illiteracy in West Alabama. The campaign began on Nov. 7 and lasted until Dec. 1. “Nearly one in four Alabamians is considered functionally illiterate, meaning they lack basic reading, writing and math skills that make it hard to function effectively in day-to-day life,” said Jessica Carlton, president of LITE.
Professors recognized by committee of peers
Crimson White – Jan. 12
Two University of Alabama professors were named Fellows of the American Association for the Advancement of Science last month. Arun Gupta and Robin Rogers, professors in the chemistry department at UA, received the honor bestowed upon them by their peers. Gupta is a researcher in UA’s Center for Materials for Information Technology.
Religious Groups Greet Ruling With Satisfaction
New York Times – Jan. 12
Among the more or less predictable reactions from legal adversaries to the Supreme Court’s finding that ministers may not bring employment discrimination suits against their churches, there is a pious sentiment to be found here and there — an appeal to an even higher law. Even those who agreed with the unanimous court — and who have argued all along that the First Amendment provides an exception that lets churches, synagogues and other religious institutions hire and fire ministers and other religious leaders without government interference — can be heard cautioning the churches not to abuse that right. . . . Paul Horwitz, a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law, has been thinking along the same lines. In a draft of a paper to be published in the Northwestern University Law Review Colloquy, he argues that whatever the court decided in a case of this kind, its decisions about the powers of institutions should not be mistaken for decisions on the essential question of right versus wrong.
Local music store finds more customers clamoring for records
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 12
Oz Music, an independent music store in Tuscaloosa, is hanging tough. Not only is the store, which mainly sells CDs, staying in business, but vinyl records may be its quickest growing element. Store manager Jason Patton said Oz has seen vinyl sales grow in recent years, jumping from between 1 to 2 percent of total sales to 10 percent. . . . Pamela Penick, a University of Alabama professor in music management, said music downloads have created a playlist culture among youth who aren’t as interested in full albums as much as they used to be. “I remember when I was growing up, saving up money for an album and then only liking two songs. You don’t have to do that anymore,” she said.
Poet, Buddhist priest brings Zen to UA campus
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 12
Poet and Zen Buddhist priest Zoketsu Norman Fischer will return to the University of Alabama campus for three days next week to read from his newest book of poetry, “Conflict.” Fischer, who has appeared on “The Oprah Winfrey Show” and held conferences with the Dalai Lama, will also lead discussions and meditation sessions.
UA services help with resolutions
Crimson White – Jan. 12
January is usually a month of working towards New Year’s resolutions, but February through December are usually months of forgetting about them. With school, work and a social life, many students let these goals fall to the side. However, there are some services the University of Alabama offers that could help students stay on track with these common New Year’s goals. Every UA student knows about the state-of-the-art rec center on campus; however, for a little extra money, there are options that could help any student succeed. For students who may not know how to navigate their way around the gym, personal training is always an option. You can buy eight or 12 sessions, a single session or a small group session. To anyone who feels weightlifting and the standard cardio machines aren’t for them, the indoor rock wall provides a full-body workout that is out of the ordinary.
High school art students’ work featured at UA
Crimson White – Jan. 12
High school artists hope to achieve a degree of notoriety in the Sella-Granata Art Gallery this month. For the second year in a row, art students from Bob Jones High School in Madison, Ala. have an exhibit that is showing until the end of January in Woods Hall. Professors Craig Wedderspoon and Catherine Pagani accepted an invitation to Bob Jones’ annual art festival two years ago in May. After Wedderspoon and Pagani visited the festival, they decided to invite select students to feature their art at Alabama.
UA plans celebration for national championship team
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Jan. 11
School leaders at the University of Alabama are planning for a big party. They are preparing a celebration for Alabama’s win Monday night over LSU. That win earned the Tide another national championship, the Tide’s 14th.