UA students spruce up park’s trails
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 12
As a blisteringly cold wind broke off the waters of Lake Lurleen on Saturday morning, a group of University of Alabama Honors College students braved the elements in order to freshen up a portion of the state park’s trails. In all, the trails around the lake total about 20 miles. The student volunteer group Saturday worked under the leadership of veteran trail volunteers to re-route about 200 yards on the park’s 10-mile Tashka Trail. “We joined their group that’s usually out here and they told us what to do and we did pretty much whatever they needed,” said Emily Broman, a 20-year-old sophomore at UA. Broman coordinated the student effort after hearing about the volunteer opportunity from a member of the Honors College faculty who spends a lot of time on the Lurleen trails.
Video: Meteorologists Remember Devastating Tornadoes of April 2011
Mediabistro – Feb. 10
In a video produced by two professors–Scott Hodgson at the University of Oklahoma and Chandra Clark at The University of Alabama–and their students, local meteorologist remember the devastating swarm of tornadoes that hit Alabama and Missouri last April (video above). The short documentary, which was produced with help from the Broadcast Education Association and the NAB, emphasizes the important role that TV weathercasters play in the event of severe weather.
Cuban and US Photographers Present Joint Project at Havana Book Fair
Havana Times – Feb. 12
Photographs by US citizen Chip Cooper and Cuban national Nestor Marti were presented yesterday in the Cuban capital with the launching of the book La Habana Vieja. El espiritu de la ciudad viva (Old Havana: The Spirit of the Living City), reported the Prensa Latina news agency. The volume of photos of the capital and its people is the result of an academic collaboration between the University of Alabama (USA) and Cuba.
Journalism professor writes children’s book
Crimson White – Feb. 9
Inspiration comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a painting, a sentence or a day’s right feelings. But for Monique Fields, it’s something much more personal. Fields, a professor of journalism at the University, recently returned from New York, where she attended a conference hosted by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, a nonprofit organization that facilitates networking amongst children’s authors across the country. At the conference, Fields was sharing her new 32-page picture book with her genre’s community. Fields’ book, “Golden,” was inspired by a member of her own audience – her biracial daughter, Simone. Now seven years old, Simone began asking her black mother and white father about race a few years ago.
Mignon Comer Smith, Avondale Mills heiress and philanthropist, dies at 81
Birmingham News – Feb. 11
Mignon Comer Smith, the Avondale Mills heiress who in 2004 established the largest private foundation for college scholarships in the history of the state, died Friday in Washington, D.C., She was 81. Begun with a gift of $10 million, the scholarship program has supported more than 99 students since inception, with 55 now in the program. The four-year, full-tuition, room and board scholarships, which she named for her parents — J. Craig and Paige T. Smith — are awarded to students with records of service to their communities or families and have been focused on students who were the first in their families to go to college…Smith also gave millions to the University of Alabama, supporting the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility and the J. Craig Smith Endowment Chair for Integrity in Business. “Opportunities provided by Miss Smith’s desire to instill the values of integrity, honesty, and fair play have enhanced our students’ understanding of the importance of engaged citizenship,” said Deborah Lane, UA assistant vice president for university relations. Smith grew up in Sylacauga, where Avondale Mills was based, and attended the University of Alabama.
UA custodian remembered as caring brother, uncle
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 12
Samuel L. Brasfield, a custodian for the University of Alabama, died Sept. 16 due to injuries he sustained during the April 27 tornado. He was 50 years old. “He was just one of those people who you met and felt like you had known your whole life,” said Brasfield’s sister, Hestell Richardson. “He was just a very caring and loyal individual.”…Brasfield marked one year of employment at UA in March 2011.
Old Tuscaloosa Jail repurposed over the years
Crimson White – Feb. 13
Prisoners are no longer trapped within its confines, but after more than 150 years of service, the old Tuscaloosa County Jail still manages to capture the attention of many 6th Street passersby. Tuscaloosa served as Alabama’s capital city from 1826 to 1846. Across the street from the jail, the rubble in Capitol Park is the ruin of the old capitol building. . . . Despite its reputation, however, the jail was not completely inescapable – one man managed to bust loose. Stephen S. Renfroe, the “Outlaw Sheriff of Sumter County,” staged his famous getaway in July of 1884. “That’s the most interesting story you’ll be able to find about the Old Jail,” said Sarah Wiggins, UA professor emerita of history. “He burned a hole right through the floor.”
UA economist says Alabama could lose billions due to immigration law
WKRG- (Mobile) – Feb. 11
Is Alabama losing billions of dollars because of the immigration law? One economist says yes…A professor at the University of Alabama conducted the study and he estimates that 80,000 jobs have been vacated by illegal immigrants since the state’s new immigration law took effect. Eighty thousand jobs left empty is a lot. The Department of Industrial Relations tells me tonight for the last few years they typically have around 8,500 job postings at a time.
Commentary: Earned income tax credit is potent tool for fighting poverty
Wilmington (Del.) News-Journal – Feb. 13
Last year, research by economists at the University of Alabama and East Carolina University found that 2.5 times more Americans would have been lifted out of poverty if there had been an expansion of the federal EITC between 2007 and 2009 instead of an increase to the minimum wage. Every 10 percent increase in a state’s EITC supplement is associated with a 1 percent to 1.5 percent increase in employment for single mothers.
Author Cullen Murphy to speak on ‘God’s Jury’ at UA on Feb. 22
AL.com – Feb. 12
Cullen Murphy, editor at large for Vanity Fair magazine, will give a lecture about his latest book, “God’s Jury: The Inquisition and the Making of the Modern World,” at 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 22 in room 205 of Gorgas Library on The University of Alabama campus. “God’s Jury” has been featured in segments on National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” and “Fresh Air,” according to an announcement from the University of Alabama.
UA School of Social Work holds 24th annual African-American History Month celebration
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 11
February is African-American History Month, and in honor of that, the Capstone is busy with activities including guest speakers, exhibitions and presentations. Today, the University of Alabama School of Social Work held its 24th annual celebration. Dr. Larry Davis from the University of Pittsburgh, led a lecture called “A History of Racial Inequality: a Social Work Response.” Davis told WVUA things that happen in African- American communities often foreshadow those in other communities.
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 11
Black history event to be held at Ferg
Crimson White – Feb. 13
Sankofa, an event created to highlight the oppressive and progressive periods in African-American history across the nation, will be held on Feb. 24 and 26. The event is sponsored by the Student Government Association and is a part of African American Heritage month. Sankofa was created by Fred Horn II to showcase the achievements African-Americans have made throughout American history. This event will also bring awareness to racial issues currently happening at the University of Alabama. “I created this project to provide an opportunity for black students on campus to have a showcase that is strictly led by the student and the student alone,” said Horn, president of Phi Beta Sigma, SGA senator and NAACP treasurer. The event will go through four stages of black history: slavery, Harlem and civil rights, politics and Black at UA. Sankofa will have live performances from actors, dancers and spoken word students.
Dance Alabama! shows depth
Crimson White – Feb. 13
Dance Alabama! will perform their 14th show this Tuesday, Feb. 14 with a collaboration of new choreographers and dancers alongside the department’s veteran dancers. The student-choreographed show allows University students to showcase their various skills. Cornelius Carter, director of the performance, said he was nervous about what the choreographers would bring this semester because so many seasoned choreographers left the University last semester. “I’ve been amazed with the outcome,” Carter said. “I’ve been impressed with how the young choreographers in a quick period of time have found their voices. It’s quite refreshing.”
Youth gospel groups to sing
Tuscaloosa News – Feb 10
The fourth annual Gospel Extravaganza will begin at 5 p.m. Sunday at Cornerstone Full Gospel Baptist Church. The free event, hosted by Cornerstone and the University of Alabama chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers, will feature gospel music performances by youth from several black local churches. “It’s going to be all youth singing and performing groups,” said Janice Filer, principal adviser for the National Society of Black Engineers Jr. chapter at Cornerstone.
Gymnastics meet caps ‘Power of Pink’ week
Crimson White – Feb. 13
Most everyone who walked through the Ferguson Center last Thursday or Friday noticed the fountain squirting water with more than a passing resemblance to pink Kool-Aid. Get used to the flavor, because that was only a taste of what is to come. On Friday, Feb. 17, Alabama Gymnastics will host its annual Power of Pink meet against Arkansas. Pink lights will illuminate Coleman Coliseum for the event, and Denny Chimes, the Ferguson Fountain and the Student Recreation Center dome will display the pink glow for the entire weekend, all in an effort to promote breast cancer awareness. The event has been occurring each year since 2005, but pink lighting was incorporated more recently.
Resident Adviser position sees record number of applicants
Crimson White – Feb. 13
With more than 550 applicants, the largest number in the history of the University of Alabama, the resident adviser job position has become increasingly popular. Over the course of six years, the total number of applicants has doubled from a mere 263, according to Amanda Ingram, assistant director of Housing and Residential Communities. In 2008, the total rose to 279. In 2010, the total number of applicants had increased to 370. The largest increase was seen between 2011 and 2012, in which the number of applicants rose by 141.
Visiting historians discuss tough decisions of today and 1862
Springfield (Ill.) State-Journal – Feb. 13
Current affairs couldn’t be kept out of a roundtable discussion with historians Sunday at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The panel of four speakers and a moderator was in Springfield for the annual Abraham Lincoln Symposium, one of a series of events held throughout the city in honor of the 16th president’s birthday. This year marks Lincoln’s 203rd birthday. . . . Howard Jones, a research professor of history at the University of Alabama, said, in general, he doesn’t believe officials today use as much caution as the British did during the Civil War. “The British considered every angle, including the cost, resources and having an exit strategy,” Jones said. “I don’t sense that thing goes on today. If you don’t have an exit plan, you’re going to have a problem.”