Week honors student achievement
Crimson White – April 4
This week, the University of Alabama is celebrating the achievements of outstanding students as part of Honors Week. Throughout the week, hundreds of students will be recognized and inducted into more than 50 university-wide and divisional honor societies, as well as awarded scholarships. Honors Week, an annual event, began in 1967 as Honors Day. However, over the years, it was extended to the first full week in April. Each day, individual colleges and departments will host celebrations, ceremonies and receptions recognizing achievements made by students. One of Honors Week’s most anticipated events, the tapping on the Mound, will take place Friday at 1:30 p.m. The Mound, located on the west side of the Quad, has served as the primary location of Honors Day since around 1905. On the Friday afternoon, societies such as Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Blue Key National Honor Society and the Anderson Society will induct new members on the Mound.
University of Alabama student named Truman Scholar
Tuscaloosa News – April 4
A University of Alabama junior has been named a 2012 Truman Scholar, making him the first engineering student at UA to earn the prestigious public service scholarship. Ryan Flamerich, a Miami native who graduated from Chelsea High School outside of Birmingham, is UA’s 13th Truman Scholar since the first awards were handed out in 1977. The Truman Scholarship Foundation was established by Congress in 1975 as a federal memorial to former President Harry S. Truman, and its activities are supported by a special trust fund in the U.S. Treasury.
University of Alabama professor consulting ‘Sesame Street’ on portrayal of Latinos
Al.com – April 4
When the team at “Sesame Street” needed an expert, they made a call to University Boulevard. Jamie Naidoo, an assistant professor in the University of Alabama’s School of Library and Information Studies, began working as a consultant for the iconic children’s TV show in February. Rocio Galarza, Sesame Street’s senior director of content planning and design for outreach, contacted Naidoo after the show’s researchers read some of his work on Latino children’s and young adult literature as well as his blog “Imaginense Libros.” “I’ve admired the work of Sesame Street for a long time and grew up watching the show as a child,” Naidoo said. “I was surprised that they were contacting me but the entire experience has been pleasant and eye-opening.”
The Huffington Post – April 4
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – April 3
2 Auburn University professors, 1 Alabama professor named among nation’s 300 best by Princeton Review
Al.com – April 3
Two Auburn professors and a University of Alabama professor have been named among the nation’s best by the Princeton Review in “The Best 300 Professors,” which was published today…University of Alabama professor John Beeler was also profiled in the book. Beeler is a history professor for the university. The guidebook profiles professors at 122 colleges. All of the professors included won high praise from the undergraduate students they teach and inspire.
WLTZ-NBC (Columbus, GA) – April 3
SGA welcomes new leadership
Crimson White – April 4
Tuesday afternoon, the balcony overlooking the manicured lawn of the Gorgas House served as the platform of inauguration for the 2012-2013 Student Government Association. SGA Chief Justice Joe Hart administered the oath of office to members of the executive council, the judicial board and the senate. Stephen Swinson, this academic year’s SGA president, said he could leave office knowing that his administration has improved campus life. “This year, we worked to rebuild storm-stricken areas of Tuscaloosa, implemented an evening transit system … from campus to downtown, reformed the student organization seating process in order to increase transparency, assisted with the academic advising tool to make the student registration process easier and created an incentive-based program to increase student attendance at campus events,” he said. The last to be sworn in, SGA President Matt Calderone said in his inaugural address that his administration has set forth three standards to create a campus culture of cohesion and inclusion, which will better represent the student body’s diversity… Calderone is the 100th president to lead the SGA, which was founded in 1914 by future United States Senator J. Lister Hill, the first SGA president.
Professor receives UA peace award for AIDS stigma research
Crimson White – April 4
Bronwen Lichtenstein, an associate professor and graduate director in the Department of Criminal Justice, said winning the 2012 Lahoma Adams Buford Peace Award brings to light certain issues that may not have been obvious to people without her research. “I am really pleased that my work on social justice issues have been recognized by the University,” Lichtenstein said. Communications specialist David Miller said the award was established in 2002 by social work alumnus Tony D. Walker to honor Lahoma Adams Buford. He said it is given annually to a faculty member at UA who, in his or her teaching, research, professional practice and personal life, has demonstrated exceptional levels of involvement in mediating human disputes, helping overcome prejudice, promoting justice and establishing peace. “She was nominated for the Lahoma Adams Buford Peace Award because of her commitment to justice and to the rights of neglected and underserved people in the United States,” Miller said.
Report: Financial services company founded by University of Alabama students provides first loan
Birmingham News – April 3
A nonprofit, student-run microlender partnering with the University of Alabama has provided its first loan which went to a stylist whose 25-year-old salon was destroyed during last year’s April 27 tornadoes, according to a report by The Crimson White. The company, Forza Financial, will be giving loans to Tuscaloosa entrepreneurs who earn less than 50 percent of the U.S. average median income, David Bailey — CEO of Forza Financial and a junior at the university — told the UA student newspaper. The first $3,500 loan went to Katrina Rollins, has been building a new salon attached to her house and will use the funds to bring her building up to city standards. Interest rates for the loans range between 10 and 20 percent, according to the report.
Tuscaloosa and UA team up for community memorial service
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – April 3
As we get closer to the one year anniversary of the April 27th tornadoes, plans for a memorial service are taking shape. The city and the University of Alabama are teaming up for a community memorial service at Coleman Coliseum…
Mouzon promotes sustainable rebuilding of city after tornado
Crimson White – April 4
Tuscaloosa and New Orleans might have few features in common, but at least one noted sustainability advocate sees one similarity — an opportunity. Steve Mouzon, an architect, urabanist, author and photographer, will address UA’s master planning committee, City of Tuscaloosa planners and UA’s environmental stewardship committee over the course of two days. The presentations are centered on his personal experience rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina and focus on the benefit’s of rebuilding sustainably. Mozoun feels that the recovery efforts in Tuscaloosa from the April 27 storms could offer Tuscaloosa an opportunity to rebuild more environmentally friendly and sustainable structures. “If you take a tragedy and use it to rebuild structures better than they were before, it’s a transformative opportunity,” Mouzon said. Dan Wolfe, University planner and designer, said he believes the presentations are of interest to both the Tuscaloosa community and UA students. “A lot of people can benefit from this, if you are interested in the campus or development,” Wolfe said. “Steven is a really talented guy who has done neat projects all over the country. Anyone who is interested in the environment and the development and future of the campus and other development would really benefit from hearing him talk.”…Presentations are open to students, faculty and the community.
College binge drinking initiative with Shaquille O’Neal
ABC 27 (Madison, Wisc.) – April 3
In addition to Ask, Listen, Learn, The Century Council has also partnered with future basketball Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal to help fight college binge drinking. In conjunction with Alcohol Awareness Month, Shaq will visit University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa on Friday, April 6 to produce the student-led Less Than U Think campaign, which will ultimately be featured across college campuses in Alabama including Alabama State University, Auburn University, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Troy University and the University of South Alabama…Shaq, who recently attended film director’s school, will work alongside college students to bring the voice of the students to life by producing student-created videos addressing the serious issue of binge drinking on campus.
Who, What, Why: How many soldiers died in the US Civil War?
BBC News – April 3
The US Civil War was incontrovertibly the bloodiest, most devastating conflict in American history, and it remains unknown – and unknowable – exactly how many men died in Union and Confederate uniform. Now, it appears a long-held estimate of the war’s death toll could have undercounted the dead by as many as 130,000… historian J David Hacker published a paper that used demographic methods and sophisticated statistical software to study newly digitised US census records from 1850 to 1880. His finding: An estimated 750,000 soldiers died in the war – 21% higher than the 19th Century estimate. “…Prof Hacker’s findings, published in the December 2011 issue of Civil War History, have been endorsed by some of the leading historians of the conflict … Prof Hacker’s finding “ups the ante on just how destructive the Civil War is”, says Joshua Rothman, a 19th Century US historian and director of the Summersell Center for the Study of the South at the University of Alabama. “The moral weight of the Civil War is so large and the consequences of emancipation loom so large that we forget just how brutal the war actually is. It’s good to remember that.” Prof Hacker’s figure of 750,000 would translate into about 7.5 million US deaths in proportion to America’s current population, Prof McPherson notes.
Foreclosures down in Calhoun County
The Anniston Star – April 4
Fewer Calhoun County homes were in foreclosure in the first quarter of 2012 than during the same period last year, signaling improvements in the housing market, some experts say. Local home foreclosure numbers are on a downward trend and are far lower than when they reached their peak in 2010, according to records in the Calhoun County Probate Office. Some experts say the decreases could encourage home prices across the board to rise and further strengthen the market. “It’s happening, but not quickly … housing markets are clearing slowly of foreclosures,” said Leonard Zumpano, professor of finance at the University of Alabama. “I think if we have no major shock to the system … the market will follow.”
Dance Marathon is a new way to fundraise
Crimson White – April 4
The nation’s largest college philanthropy has finally reached the University of Alabama. Dance Marathon is a year-round fundraising event benefitting Children’s Miracle Network and Children’s Hospitals across the nation. Each event culminates around a daylong celebration — as few as five hours at some places, and as many as 36 at others — in which students stand, dance and participate in numerous activities. Dance Marathon revolves around its national slogan, “Standing for Those Who Can’t,” speaking to the numerous children and their families impacted by Children’s Miracle Network each year. Across the nation, hundreds of colleges host Dance Marathon on a yearly basis…The University of Alabama Dance Marathon will hold its first annual Dance Marathon on April 20 at the University Recreation Center. The event will be a seven-hour event lasting from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. benefitting Birmingham Children’s Hospital. The Dean of Students, the Honors College and the Panhellenic Council sponsor the event.
Striking a beat at the Bama
Crimson White – April 3
After three months of practice, Scott Radock was ready to play. The leader of the University of Alabama student drum ensemble called Rhythm Entertainment Group had his six-man team of drummers ready for Rhythmagic on Tuesday night at the Bama Theatre. “Our goal is to show the world percussion through our own eyes,” Radock said before the show. The show, which was completely percussion based, featured the group using all sorts of noisemakers, such as drum sets, bamboo sticks, newspapers and their own hands and feet.
Class project campaign promotes healthy sleep habits
Crimson White – April 4
Freshman women may have enough to lose sleep over already, but the use of cell phones and laptops before bedtime may be adding to the problem, according to the Running on Fumes campaign being conducted by a group of UA students. Running on Fumes is a social marketing campaign that encourages freshman women to turn off all electronics before going to sleep. Katherine Gelineau, campaign member and advertising major, said the campaign is targeted toward freshman women because turning off all electronics before going to sleep is a habit they can start now and carry throughout their college careers… Lee Lyons, campaign member and public relations major, said she and her fellow campaign members chose to target electronic usage because it is the most personal way to reach female college students. “There are a lot of things that can reduce sleep deprivation, but stopping the usage of electronics before bedtime is probably the most effective way since we live in a world where our lives revolve around electronics,” Lyons said.