Streiffer named dean of College of Community Health Sciences
Tuscaloosa News – April 25
Dr. Richard Streiffer never really saw himself as much of an academic. He simply has a passion for tending to the medical needs of those in small communities. But after more than 25 years of mentoring doctors for family and rural practice, Streiffer found his way into academia and on Tuesday was named the new dean of the University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences. “I wasn’t really looking for this,” Streiffer said. “But I kept in touch with the college over the years and was familiar with its mission and it was totally in sync with where I was in my career. “They were persistent and I came to take a look and it was just a really good match.” A native of New Orleans, Streiffer completed his undergraduate and medical school studies at Tulane University.
Gadsden Times – April 25
Student films screened at the Bama
Crimson White – April 25
The 6th Annual Documenting Justice Film Screening sponsored by the department of telecommunications and film and the Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility at the University of Alabama screened seven student documentaries last night at the Bama Theatre. Each film, produced by a pair of students, shined a light on local tales of history and adversity, from presenting the effects of the modern state of farming and mental health care to the impact of Alabama’s HB56 immigration law and the devastating April 27tornadoes… Started by Stephen Black, director of the CESR, as a way to strengthen relationships between students and their surrounding communities, the documenting justice program began at UA in 2006. According to Andrew Grace, the current director of the programing, the classes bring in non-film major students who often have little-to-no experience in documentary filmmaking and produce a seven to nine minute films on a story of justice or injustice in Alabama.
EDITORIAL: Sarah Patterson represents University well
Tuscaloosa News – April 25
…University of Alabama gymnastics coach Sarah Patterson makes an immediate impression with her physical presence. While Bryant seemed actually larger than he appeared from a distance or on television, Patterson seems even smaller. Yet that leaves people equally impressed. How could such a petite individual become such a dominating force?…Following UA’s sixth national championship last weekend, and second in a row under Patterson, the grand old coach probably would have sat back, smiled and quipped that he knew all along what Patterson could do. Almost 30 years after his death, Patterson is still winning, and she still represents UA in the most exemplary fashion imaginable. She has assembled a program that exudes class and attains academic success while bringing home national championships…To Patterson and her gymnasts, congratulations on winning the 2012 national championship. The University of Alabama has no finer representatives.
Month of May celebrates veterans
Crimson White – April 25
For students at the University of Alabama, May is a month associated with finals, graduation and the beginning of summer. Some calendar enthusiasts may even remember Mother’s Day or Memorial Day, but few know that May is also National Military Appreciation Month. Designated by Congress in 1999, NMAM is meant to promote awareness and support for our troops and veterans. It is a time set aside to thank active duty and retired service members of the United States Armed Forces. Walter Turner, Commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6022 in Cottondale, said the VFW strives to bring recognition to Tuscaloosa’s veterans and troops during NMAM…NMAM includes Loyalty Day on May 1, VE Day on May 8, Military Spouse Appreciation Day on May 11 and Armed Forces Day on May 19. The month of appreciation culminates on May 30, with the celebration of Memorial Day…Dr. Stephen Groff, a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and psychology professor at UA, views NMAM as a time to remember those who are serving and have served. His connection to the military, through his own service and the service of his family members, adds a special significance to the month of May. “Although both my grandfather and my dad are deceased, NMAM brings them back to life, and I picture them as the young, strong and patriotic soldiers they were so many years ago,” Groff said. “Besides my family history, I also think about and pause to remember, all of the brave men and women in the armed forces who came before me and those who will serve long after I am gone from this earth.”
Education Policy Institute brief explores charter
Crimson White – April 25
With highly contested bills in the Alabama House of Representatives and Senate over the past few weeks, charter schools are the hot topic in Montgomery, as well as school systems across the state of Alabama. But the University of Alabama’s Education Policy Institute is keeping Tuscaloosa informed of the conversation with the release of an analytical brief on the subject. Wayne Urban, professor of higher education administration and associate director of the EPI, authored the brief, which was released in February and is titled “Charter Schools: An Analysis of the Issues.” According to the analysis, Alabama is one of only nine states, along with Kentucky, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Vermont, West Virginia and Washington, which does not have charter school laws. “Charter schools are often called public schools of choice,” Urban said. “Beyond that, they can be difficult to classify generally, as the school you have depends on the charter, and the charter you have depends on the legislation.”
Plays reflect April 27 storms
Crimson White – April 25
The April 27 tornado claimed 53 lives, including six University of Alabama students, and caused widespread devastation across Tuscaloosa. Everyone who it touched has coped in different ways, but one UA professor is asking his students to do so by writing plays. “Inside the Tornado” is a collection of original short plays, dances and musical compositions produced jointly by the University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College. Its aim is to bring the community together in remembrance of those affected by that storm, said Steve Burch, UA associate professor of theater history and playwright instructor. Burch worked alongside Michael Carr, a theater instructor at Shelton State, to bring the production together. The duo was already planning to collaborate, and the events of April 27 gave Burch the opportunity to create a unique assignment that would allow powerful stories to be told. “Ultimately, I think the way we honor things is through memory, bearing witness,” he said. Burch said seeing The Crimson White’s front page photograph commemorating the six-month anniversary of the storm inspired the assignment. Burch presented his students with the photograph as inspiration and asked them to write a 10-minute play of any style in two weeks. “There was nothing that was off limits,” Burch said. “They could choose to approach it in any way, whether it be autobiographical or completely made up.” Of the 21 students in Burch’s playwright class, nine plays were chosen to be a part of the production.
House of éprouver Static store to pop up on campus
Crimson White – April 25
After much preparation, the House of éprouver will open their spinoff project store, Static, today. “Our mission is to provide an environment for students to enjoy fashion and to get a feel for the industry,” said Mischa Lewis, president of House of éprouver and leader of Project éprouver. The Project éprouver team has been working consistently for weeks to prepare for the grand opening, which they hope students will anticipate annually. They have collaborated various styles and ideas while working on the store’s opening. Known names like the GAP, Megan La Russa, and Buffalo Wild Wings have also made contributions to Project éprouver for the Static store opening. “I have big expectations for the store opening because a lot of students will really like the clothes because they’re one of a kind,” Bridgette Jones, a freshman majoring in fashion retail, said. Jones worked closely on drafting the original concept for the store. Static will feature pieces redesigned from items purchased at local thrift and consignment stores. The team purchased the clothes then restored them for the store. “The designers worked really hard on revamping all of the thrift items and we’d love to put a smile on a student’s face when they walk away with something like a one-of-a-kind pair of studded shorts,” Mari Johnson, a senior majoring in visual journalism said. Johnson initially worked as a buyer on the team and later became a designer … The team hosted their showcase event for the store Tuesday and later revealed that the store would open today in Lloyd Hall Room 131 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sonic Frontiers to host Ghanaian saxophonist at Ferg
Crimson White – April 25
The Sonic Frontiers Concert Series will host its spring finale tonight at the Ferguson Center Theater at 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature Nii Noi Nortey, a Ghanaian saxophonist and visual artist. Nortey will perform using woodwind instruments of his own design. He will perform solos, duets and trios with Japanese-American percussionist Tatsuya Nakatan and UA professor Andrew Raffo Dewar, who teaches in New College and the School of Music and organized the series…“This music is strongly connected to the jazz tradition, but in place of playing pre-composed melodies followed by improvised variations on those melodies, the musicians will be interacting together to create new music from scratch that none of them have played before,” Dewar said. Nortey’s two day residency at the University of Alabama will be one of only two stops in the U.S. during his current tour. While at the University, Nortey will visit classes in the School of Music and New College and discuss his approach to music making, the connection between his musical practice, visual art and connection to jazz composer and musician John Coltrane.
Couple creates photography business
Crimson White – April 25
When University of Alabama sophomore Natalee Briscoe’s mother first bought her a Digital SLR camera three years ago, Briscoe said she thought of it as a new way to take pictures. As she and John Pounders, her boyfriend and a freshman majoring in economics and marketing, began playing around with the camera, they realized that photography was their new passion. “We set up the website and received a Facebook message immediately after from two friends who wanted us to take their engagement and wedding pictures,” Briscoe said. “It blossomed from there and took off really fast.”On Feb. 4, 2012, Briscoe and Pounders launched The Classic Photography Company after receiving positive feedback on pictures they had posted on Facebook. Shortly after, they booked their first client.