University of Alabama’s first woman president: Judy Bonner says she is proud to be a role model
Al.com – Nov. 2
Moments after being named the first woman president in the University of Alabama’s 181-year history, Judy Bonner was handed a box of hastily printed business cards with her new title. “I guess it’s official,” said Bonner, who until moments before had served as executive vice president and provost at the University. “It’s exciting to be named president of this great university. I am honored and I am humbled at the opportunity,” Bonner said. University trustees earlier today named Bonner to replace Guy Bailey, who resigned Wednesday after two months on the job, citing a need to focus on the health of wife, Jan Tillery. Bonner had served as interim president earlier this year after former president Robert Witt was named chancellor of the UA system. Asked today what the new role means to her, Bonner noted that this is the 40th anniversary of Title IX, the law that requires women be given the same opportunities in athletics as men. “This year we saw our gymnastic team, softball team and golf team win national championships and I think these young women were just as proud of being national champions as our football team was. … I’m proud to be a role model, if I can, for women students at the University of Alabama, but I certainly want to work with all students.” Bonner, 65, is a Wilcox County native whose younger brother is U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner, R-Ala., who serves the state’s 1st Congressional District.
Alabama: University gets second leader in 2 months
New York Times – Nov. 2
Judy L. Bonner became the first woman president of the University of Alabama on Thursday, a day after the previous president stepped down after less than two months on the job. Trustees named Dr. Bonner, a longtime professor and administrator at the university, effective immediately. The university had named Guy H. Bailey as president in July, and he took office in early September, but he resigned Wednesday, citing his wife’s illness.
CBS.com – Nov. 1
Fox News – Nov. 1
Florence Times Daily – Nov. 1
Huffington Post – Nov. 1
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
WTVM (Columbus, Ga.) – Nov. 1
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
To see a roundup of broadcast coverage, visit http://67.214.99.203//PublicNewsroom.aspx?PortalId=33D07503-BE47-42B6-9AD0-306656F7CE73&FolderId=AA882714-8987-4E3F-87D5-5EC09B915005
After paperwork error 40 years ago, Vietnam vet John L. Hooks finally given Purple Heart (photos)
Al.com – Nov. 1
Tuscaloosa resident John L. Hooks finally has the Purple Heart he earned in the Vietnam War more than 40 years ago. Lt. Gen. David S. Fadok, commander and president of the Air University, at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, presented the honor to Hooks at a ceremony Thursday in the North Zone at the University of Alabama’s Bryant-Denny Stadium. University of Alabama Air Force ROTC cadets, servicemen, UA administrators, friends and family watched Hooks’ ceremony and greeted him at a reception following. Hooks earned the prestigious military award while serving in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. Due to an error in processing paperwork, Hooks never received the honor.
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 1
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 1
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
Production catches wacky energy of musical
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 2
“A New Brain” needs to be rethought. Not the production in the Allen Bales Theatre at the University of Alabama, which captures pretty much all the wacky energy in William Finn’s biographically based musical, and serves as another splendid showcase for a department gifted with glorious voices and agile feet grafted onto talented actors. But the show itself needs a few more workshops…The rapid-fire, scattered bits of song, more hints of melodies than compositions, stab at Sondheim-style narration through music, but without the genius’ gift for turning a minor phrase into a powerful moment… But — and fitting with the level of this kind of comedy, it’s a big but — the UA production is mostly charming. As directed by Jimmy Kontos, it crackles with energy and style, from the versatile lighting by Mike Morin and pseudo-psychedelic stage design by Kathryn Cook, suggesting the patient’s demented state of mind — struggling to finish songs for a children’s show featuring a froggy character named Mr. Bungee — to the sharp, witty, room-filling choreography by Brittany Steelhammer, right through the committed and, as noted above, beautifully talented cast.
NCAA gymnastics championships to be held in Birmingham in 2014
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
Today, the NCAA announced the 2014 women’s gymnastics championships will be in Birmingham. The University of Alabama and the Alabama Sports Foundation will co-host the championship at the Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex. Gene Hallman says: “I think the prior success in the community with the Davis Cup, Indy Car, golf and now the college coming next month … All those things led to the NCAA committee to pick our community has demonstrated its support big national sporting events.”
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
UA student gives ghost tour of old Bryce Hospital
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 1
Security kept a spooky Northport building safe overnight. Two guards kept watch at the old Bryce Mental Hospital through the night last night. They were there to keep away any curious ghost hunters. Rumor has it, the dilapidated building is home to active spirits. And this time of year is when thrill seekers head out to the site. One University of Alabama student gives ghost tours, and she says the old hospital is just as creepy as rumors suggest. Bailey Simpson helps with ghost tours. Guards are often present year round, but patrols are increased around Halloween.