Bailey says UA’s future is bright
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 18
Guy Bailey sees a bright future at the University of Alabama. “Most universities in the United States right now are trying to hang on to what they’ve got. Their golden years are in the past,” the university president said. “But that’s not true at UA. We’ve had a decade of great success, but our best years are now and our golden age is ahead of us.” In order to reach those golden years, the focus needs to remain on student and faculty success, he said. Bailey on Wednesday briefly outlined several ways he planned on doing that during the fall 2012 faculty/staff meeting at the Bryant Conference Center. Several awards, including the 2012 Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Awards, were presented to various faculty and staff during the meeting. Student success is measured by graduation rates, and while the university ranks higher than the nation and state in both the freshman-to-sophomore retention rates and graduation rates, Bailey wants to do better. The graduation rate for the 30 institutions ranking higher than UA in the U.S. News and World Report is more than 80 percent; Bailey would like to see the Capstone’s six-year rate increase from about 66 percent now to at least a mid-70 percent. “The most expensive college education you can get is an incomplete one. You don’t get any benefit from that,” he said. “We want to do everything in our power to help our students stay in school and graduate. It will be good for them, good for us. There is really no down side.”
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 17
UA researchers look for new magnetic material
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 17
Producing affordable green energy is something the U.S. is striving for, and with new research being conducted at the University of Alabama, the country may be one step closer to its goal. WVUA’s Marilyn Vaughn has the report from the lab. “This is a really strong magnet we can use for sensors in motor vehicles.” — Dr. Suzuki and his staff are working to mimic magnetic powers of rare metals by creating an element from more prevalent resources. Dr. Suzuki: “Manganese is also the second abundant element … now not many people are working on this manganese alloy permanent magnet and we are the first trying to develop new type of manganese alloy permanent metal so that cost is cheap and any electronic devices or motor device or medical equipment using this magnet would be really more cheap on the market.”
Montgomery Advertiser – Oct. 18
Gadsden Times – Oct. 17
With grant, UA leads way in computer science
Crimson White – Oct. 18
Inspired by Alabama state students’ poor performance on computer science-based exams, a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation will allow high school teachers across the state to work with University of Alabama students and faculty to provide higher-quality instruction. In 2011, only 100 computer science advanced placement exams were taken throughout the state and 46 percent of students scored a one or a two. Jeff Gray, associate professor of computer science at the University, feels the issue lies in unfair expectations of high school teachers. “Applying the current AP training model for new computer science teachers is similar to asking a teacher with no mathematics background to initiate a new Calculus AP course with just one week of training,” Gray said. “This situation would seem absurd to most administrators, but it is the common expectation for promoting new AP computer science courses.” … The grant will also allow the University to offer high school students the opportunity to attend computer science summer camps, weekend study sessions in the weeks leading up to the AP test in May and a state competition. Beyond high school students, students at the University will also have the opportunity to learn and help.
Lawn decorations, painted store fronts will return starting Monday
Crimson White – Oct. 18
Next week The University of Alabama campus will transform. From ornate lawn decorations adorning sorority row and painted store fronts along the Strip to a towering bonfire Friday night on the Quad, this year’s Homecoming Week’s theme, “Timeless Traditions,” will come alive. Homecoming Week begins Sunday, Oct. 21 and concludes Saturday, Oct. 27 with the Alabama football game against Mississippi State University. The theme was chosen to honor the four national championships won by the Crimson Tide this past year, a timeless tradition of our own, said Abby Grace Brown, executive director for Homecoming 2012…These festivities kick off Sunday, Oct. 21, with the annual Roll Tide Run…Paint the Town Red, an event where students representing different organizations across campus paint storefronts throughout Tuscaloosa in the theme of Homecoming, will take place Monday, Oct. 22 from 1 to 4 p.m. Homecoming Queen elections will be held Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m, when students can vote on www.mybama.ua.edu. The winner will be crowned at halftime of the Mississippi State game on Saturday.
UA debate will focus on constitutional reform
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 18
The University of Alabama Honors College today will host a Town Hall Experience on constitutional reform. The forum will include former Gov. Albert Brewer and Senate President Pro Tempore Del Marsh, R-Anniston, who will debate ways to address change. The Town Hall Experience will begin at 6 p.m. in the moot courtroom of Farrah Hall. Bob McCurley, retired director of the Alabama Law Institute, is the Town Hall Experience director within the Alabama Honors College.
Rapper to headline Amp concert sponsored by UA
Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 18
B.o.B., the hip-hop star formerly known as Bobby Ray Simmons, Jr., will headline the Nov. 8 RAGE concert at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater, a show sponsored by the University of Alabama Student Government Association. It’s the first time the amphitheater has been used merely as the venue, with an outside promoter in charge of paying the bills. “We operate just like we normally do,” said Wendy Riggs, director of the amphitheater, “but they are paying all the expenses. So the university is taking the risk, not the city.” The SGA’s RAGE concert is a fund-raiser for student scholarships. Past shows have been held in the Bama Theatre. With the move to the bigger venue, the SGA hopes to raise $100,000 this year. Local musicians can compete in a Battle of the Bands at the Jupiter on the Strip Nov. 6, with the prize being the opportunity to open for the Winston-Salem-born B.o.B., whose hits include the No. 1 “Nothin’ On You” with Bruno Mars, “Airplanes,” “Magic,” “Strange Clouds,” “So Good” and “Both of Us,” the last of those featuring Taylor Swift. He’s also collaborated with Nicki Minaj, Li’l Wayne, Rivers Cuomo and others. Tickets can be purchased by UA students, faculty and staff for $25 via mybama.ua.edu, starting this morning. Guest tickets will be $30. UA students, faculty and staff can buy only two guest tickets and can only log in once to purchase.
On-campus museum offers always-changing exhibits
Crimson White – Oct. 18
The monumental stature of The University of Alabama’s towering structures assign a historical and museum-like quality to many campus buildings. Often lost in this shuffle of brick and mortar is the Alabama Museum of Natural History housed within the unimposing Smith Hall. “For the most part, unless a student takes a class here, they have little idea about the museum,” director Randy Mecredy said. “I want students to know it’s more than just a building.” Constructed in 1907 as a part of the geological survey of Alabama, the museum aims to represent the natural history of the state through a combination of research, education, outreach and active specimen collection, he said…the museum displays rotating exhibits of specimens from the times of dinosaurs, coal and ice age. The collections are as varied as the replica Basilosaurus hanging from the ceiling to the Hodges meteorite, the only documented case of a meteorite striking a person.
UA forensics team holds debate watch party
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Oct. 17
Members of the University of Alabama Forensic Council held a watch party tonight to watch how the candidates debated.
Students can take faculty members ‘Out 2 Lunch’
Crimson White – Oct. 18
Students can now know their professors on a more personal level through a new University of Alabama program that includes a one-on-one lunch session. Out 2 Lunch was designed by the Office of Student Affairs’ First Year Experience and Bama Dining to foster interactions between faculty or staff members and students. The program encourages new students and transfers to get to know University employees and their professors by treating them to lunch at a Bama Dining facility using a guest meal provided on their meal plan. After spending time with their faculty member of choice, students can fill out an assessment of the lunch found on the FYE website, and the meal is then refunded…Phillips Thomas, the coordinator for Student Affairs’ programs, said Out 2 Lunch serves as a helpful icebreaker, of which students should take full advantage. “We know it’s intimidating for students to approach this person who’s like a stranger at the front of the classroom,” Thomas said. “The Out 2 Lunch program gives students the chance to ask questions outside of class and allows them to receive feedback and advice.”
Social activist to speak at WRC event
Crimson White – Oct. 18
The Women’s Resource Center will use every form of the spoken word Thursday to give a voice to the personal stories of breast cancer survivors, activists and patients’ families. Paige Miller, the coordinator for Campus Violence Programs for the Women’s Resource Center, said the event, called “Our Stories Remember,” will target those who have personally been impacted by breast cancer. “The intention is to raise awareness about breast cancer but also to allow people to come together to honor survivors and loved ones who have been affected by breast cancer,” she said. The event will feature Reanae McNeal, a performance artist and social activist who tours nationally and internationally to give lectures. McNeal will give a nontraditional lecture involving stories, songs, poetry and chants. She will emphasize the different ways breast cancer impacts diverse women and will inform attendees how to become activists for breast cancer awareness.
Quidditch on the Quad to return in spring 2013
Crimson White – Oct. 18
For students interested in knowing where Quidditch on the Quad is this year, the Honors College Assembly has your answer. “We are moving Quidditch on the Quad to the spring semester this year for a number of reasons, but most importantly among those reasons is so we can stay on the Quad,” Olivia West, a senior majoring in studio art, said. West is HCA’s vice president of special events and is overseeing this year’s Quidditch on the Quad. This is the first year HCA will be responsible for Quidditch on the Quad, taking over from Creative Campus.
Carroll High holds career fair for students
Dothan Eagle – Oct. 18
Carroll High School alumnus Aaron Blankenship…a land surveying department worker with Barge, Waggoner, Sumner and Cannon (BWSC),…was among several college representatives and people in medical and engineering fields from throughout the community who participated in a career fair held at CHS Monday… Pam Carroll and Dr. Charles Smith manned a booth promoting the University of Alabama’s undergraduate programs. Carroll said many of the students were familiar with the college’s football program but weren’t sure of all the academic programs offered there. “There was one who mentioned that Alabama was their favorite football team. We’re proud of that, but we want it to be their favorite college – be their university – as well,” Carroll said.