Railsback named executive director of UA Career Center
AL.com – Feb. 28
John Travis Railsback has been named executive director of The University of Alabama Career Center. UA associate vice president of student affairs Molly Lawrence says Railsback’s experience within UA and outside of higher education have prepared him to take the Career Center to the next level, according to a press release. “He is committed to providing our students excellent career development services and employment opportunities,” Lawrence said. “His understanding of employer development and the challenges employers face will position UA to be a university of choice in meeting employer needs in a global market.”
Male nursing group works to break stereotypes
Crimson White – Feb. 29
This semester, through the first ever Alabama state chapter of the American Assembly for Men in Nursing, nursing majors at the University of Alabama are working to promote men’s health and break down stereotypes about males in the nursing industry. The Capstone chapter of AAMN will work like other chapters around the country to “provide a framework for nurses, as a group, to meet, to discuss and influence factors, which affect men as nurses,” according to the national website. “The overall purpose is for us to meet and talk about the factors that influence men in nursing,” said Tony Roberson, president of the Capstone chapter. “Our objectives are to encourage men to become nurses and join together to strengthen the healthcare system and support men who are already nurses to grow professionally.” Roberson said the group would advocate for research and education about men’s health issues in addition to issues specifically relevant to men in the nursing career field.
Medical program geared toward future rural doctors
Crimson White – Feb. 29
The Rural Medical Scholars Program, established at UA in 1996, offers students an opportunity to learn about rural practice in the medical field. The program is open to college seniors and graduate students from rural Alabama who plan on going to medical school to practice medicine in rural areas of the state. Each year, 10 applicants are chosen to join the program. Their admission is based on academic achievement, character, rural identity and leadership qualities. Selected students are enrolled at UA in the year before entry into the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham and take coursework each semester related to rural health or the practice of primary care in rural areas. After two years of study in Birmingham, Rural Medical Scholars return to Tuscaloosa for the last two years of medical school. Throughout the program, scholars receive support and mentorship from rural practitioners, take part in peer support group activities and receive administrative contact and support throughout medical training.
Interim dean focuses on quality care in rural areas
Crimson White – Feb. 29 (Print version only)
Thaddeus P. Ulzen, interim dean for the College of Community Health Sciences, said he has no major struggles in his position because of the many years of administrative and academic experience he had before taking this position while the college began its national search for a permanent dean.
10 Commandments judge seeks his old job back
Religion News Service – Feb. 28
You might think a candidate’s ouster from the post he is seeking to regain would play a central role in a statewide election. Yet Republican Roy Moore’s forced exit, almost a decade ago, as Alabama’s chief justice over a Ten Commandments monument seems only a murmur on the campaign trail. Voters don’t often ask about it, and the other two candidates in the March GOP primary hardly ever talk about it….University of Alabama political scientist William Stewart said Moore’s two opponents, incumbent Chuck Malone and Presiding Mobile County Circuit Judge Charles Graddick, must play a careful balancing game. “They don’t want to alienate people who like Moore and his stand,” Stewart said. “I think they hope people would factor that into their deliberations.”
Washington Post – Feb. 28
Alabama immigration law opponents plan more pressure on auto manufacturers
Huffington Post – Feb. 29
Civil rights groups plan to increase pressure on automakers that have plants in Alabama in an effort to stop the state’s contested immigration law, a member of the coalition told The Huffington Post on Tuesday. . . . The law has cost the state up to $11 billion, according to a cost-benefit analysis by University of Alabama economist Samuel Addy released earlier this month.
Kentuck Art Night to continue ‘Music Lives On,’ open new exhibits
AL.com – Feb. 29
Also in the Georgine Clarke Building is the Contemporary Potters exhibit. Fusing Red Earth is a gathering of potters, scholars, museum professionals and anyone else interested in Southeastern Indian pottery. The four-day program consists of symposiums, lectures, workshops and museum and collection tours. On Saturday, March 31, there will be a public expo day where potters display their works and demonstrate the art of pottery making. Outdoor firings, hands-on activities and artifact identification are additional offerings during the public day. An opening reception is set for Thursday, and a closing reception is scheduled for March 31. Moundville’s sister museum, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, is hosting Ancient Artists, an exhibit of prehistoric and historic works from University of Alabama Museums permanent collections.
The Ferg series encourages food, friendly discourse
Crimson White – Feb. 29
Over the weekend, the Ferguson Center took a road trip to Greensboro so participating students could make and eat pie. The trip was a part of an event series for University of Alabama students sponsored by the Ferg entitled “On the Town with the Ferg.” The series started a few years ago and aims at providing students with fun, educational and service opportunities in Tuscaloosa and surrounding areas. The recent PieLab trip is just one of the many places students have a chance to see and interact with the people in their community.
UA to hold Fashion Rocks and So Does My Body fashion show
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 28
Body image, two words that can make some people shudder! But a group at the University of Alabama is taking a stand and saying “fashion rocks and so does my body.”Here to tell us more is Shenna Quizon, director of health education and prevention. The Fashion Rocks and So Does My Body fashion show is set for this Thursday, March 7, in the Ferguson ballroom,
Bama Blitz helping to rebuild one home at a time
Crimson White – Feb. 29]
In an effort to help rebuild areas of the Tuscaloosa community that were heavily impacted by last year’s tornadoes, the University of Alabama recently partnered with Habitat for Humanity’s Tuscaloosa branch. The idea for Bama Blitz, a project that aims to raise $75,000 by April 27 in order to rebuild the home of a Tuscaloosa family, resulted from the collaboration. Jared Patterson, volunteer and partnership director for Habitat, said he helped to construct the idea for Bama Blitz with UA students in mind. “It is difficult sometimes for students to come out on our jobsites due to classes, work and student organization responsibilities,” Patterson said. “This program is designed not to interfere with the daily student grind, but still allow them to participate.
Fifteen minutes of face
Crimson White – Feb. 29
For many Internet sensations, fame comes from a YouTube video or a television gaffe. But for Alabama freshman Jack Blankenship, the attention comes from something completely different: a face. It all started when Blankenship decided to blow up a picture of himself making a unique face to bring to the Alabama men’s basketball games in order to distract opponents. After the Tide’s game against Florida, a picture of Blankenship was posted on AL.com, and from there, it spread like wildfire. Since that day, Blankenship has become a mini-celebrity. “My life has definitely been turned upside down,” he said. “I guess I know what it feels like to be Tay Zonday or Miss South Carolina.”
Inside Edition (nationally syndicated entertainment news show) – Feb. 28
WAGA Fox (Atlanta) – Feb. 28