Chemistry of College for a day
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 24
From our Tuscaloosa newsroom, some high school students put down the books and picked up Bunsen burners at the University of Alabama. Students from Tuscaloosa and Greene counties put their lab skills to the test at UA’s science and engineering complex. The event was called “Chemistry of College for a Day.” Dr. Martin Bakker says it’s becoming harder to find more home-grown scientists in the United States. “About half our scientists and engineers are imported from New Zealand, India, China, all over the world.”
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Jan. 24
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 24
Top 2013 high-tech predictions
Engineering News – Jan. 25
At the end of each year, predictions are made for the following year. For the thirty-second consecutive year, the University of Alabama’s office of media relations offers predictions from faculty experts. Once in the realms of science fiction, cars that are able to drive themselves will become more prevalent as the first versions are introduced to consumers during 2013, according to a University of Alabama engineering professor who was instrumental in developing the technology. “[Cars that drive themselves] will get tremendous notice,” says Dr Bharat Balasubramania. “Premium luxury cars will kick it off.” While some companies, such as Google, are experimenting with vehicles that drive without the need for human interaction, the luxury cars with autonomous driving features to be introduced in 2013 will feature autonomous driving only in certain situations. Government regulations, liability issues and a general uneasiness with shifting all the driving to computers mean any move to entirely robotic cars will be slow.
Alabama Museum of Natural History starts Science Sunday this weekend
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 25
The Alabama Museum of Natural History begins a new program called Science Sunday this weekend, with museum experts and guest presenters offering hands-on programs and more in fossil discovery. Discovery stations will be open from 1-3 p.m. Sunday, and Discovering Alabama’s “Tracks Through Time” episode will run from 1-4:30 p.m. Local author Roger Reid will talk about his book “Time” at 3 p.m., and new museum paleontologist Dana Ehret will speak just after Reid. Arts and crafts programs for children will run during the afternoon. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 for children. The Alabama Museum of Natural History is in Smith Hall on the Quad at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Capstone Drive on the University of Alabama campus.
Ala. senators craft resolution commending the Crimson Tide on BCS win
NBC 12 (Montgomery) – Jan. 24
It’s a scene that continues to play out for Alabama’s senators on Capitol Hill. For a fourth year, they’re introducing a resolution in Congress to commend the BCS National Champion, hailing from their home state. Senators Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) and Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) Thursday introduced the latest resolution commending the University of Alabama Crimson Tide for their victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) College Football National Championship Game. Alabama beat Notre Dame 42-14 in the game, which was played on January, 7, 2013, at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium. The Crimson Tide’s victory marks its second straight BCS title and third in the last four years.
James Hood laid to rest in Gadsden
NBC 12 (Montgomery) – Jan. 24
James Hood, one of the first black students to enroll at the University of Alabama, was laid to rest today in Gadsden. Hood passed away nearly a week ago at the age of 70. Thursday afternoon, songs of praise filled the air as hundreds gathered to celebrate Hood’s life. “I am overwhelmed with joy. I have peace in my heart,” Hood’s son, Darrell Hood, said. “My father was a legend and a legacy.” That legacy began June 11, 1963 when the then 20-year-old Hood joined Vivian Malone and tried to integrate the Capstone. They were met with resistance by then Gov. George Wallace but were finally admitted after President John. F. Kennedy took federal authority over National Guard members and they escorted Hood and Malone inside. “To me, going into the University together, he and Vivian looked good together, they were neat, he had his tie, his hat on,” Darrell Hood says his father would mention that historic day from time to time. “He didn’t want people to forget the struggle it took to get where he was and be and he wanted the children after him to continue his legacy,” Hood said. “They refused to allow anything to put them in a box.”
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Jan. 24
Fox 6 (Birmingham)/span> – Jan. 24
WAFF-NBC (Huntsville) – Jan. 24
WKRG-CBS (Mobile) – Jan. 24
WLTZ-NBC (Columbus, Ga.) – Jan. 24
Moment of silence at UA for Dr. James Hood
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Jan. 24
Those on campus at the University of Alabama paused to remember Dr. Hood.
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Jan. 24
Hood praised as creating opportunities for others
Gadsden Times – Jan. 25
James “Jimmy” Hood, a 1961 Carver High graduate who 50 years ago was one of the first blacks to attend the University of Alabama, was eulogized Thursday as a civil rights pioneer who opened the doors of opportunity for others. Hood, 70, died Jan. 17. At a funeral service at Gadsden First United Methodist Church, his pastor, the Rev. Dedric Cowser of Sweet Home United Methodist Church, said as a child his grandmother told him stories of outstanding African-Americans. She told him how Hood and Vivian Malone Jones had integrated the University of Alabama. “They refused to be defined by the color of their skin,” Cowser said. “They refused to allow anybody or anything to put them in a box.” A picture of Hood and Jones, taken in June 1963, was in the corner of the sanctuary. The two are shown exiting Foster Auditorium after registering for classes, something they accomplished only after former Gov. George Wallace’s infamous “stand in the schoolhouse door.”
Reflecting on the passing of an Alabama pioneer
New York Amsterdam News – Jan. 24
The recent death of James Hood, half of the duo that broke the barrier of segregation at the University of Alabama 50 years ago, seems to be a fitting moment to reflect not only on his achievement but also on the tumultuous time in which he first gained notoriety. Black students who today attend schools like Alabama, the University of Mississippi, the University of Georgia and so many other large colleges in the South have little to no idea of the hostility that greeted Hood and Vivian Malone, who went with Hood to the Tuscaloosa campus. Fifty years have gone by since those students bravely walked to the registrar’s office, and it’s worth taking a moment to reflect on what this young man and young woman faced in the world of 1963.
Chemistry expert to speak on Feb. 4 at University of Tennessee at Martin
Northwest Tennessee Today – Jan. 25
Dr. Robin Rogers, research professor and director of the Center for Green Manufacturing at the University of Alabama, will give a lecture titled “Green Chemistry, Technology and Innovation” at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at the University of Tennessee at Martin…Rogers holds 12 issued patents and has published over 685 papers on a diverse array of topics. His research interests cover the use of ionic liquids and green chemistry for sustainable technology through innovation. He has had an influential role in the expansion of interest and research in ionic liquid systems. His initial paper on ionic liquid/aqueous partitioning effectively kick-started interest in applying ionic liquids to clean separations. Rogers is the founding editor-in-chief of the American Chemical Society journal “Crystal Growth & Design.” He has co-organized a variety of meetings and symposia on industrial applications of ionic liquids, and he started the company 525 Solutions to enhance the commercial viability of new technologies. He was named a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and was also named a Chinese Academy of Sciences Visiting Senior Scientist for the Institute for Process Engineering in Beijing, China.
Theatre Tuscaloosa to present AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, 2/8-17
Broadway World – Jan. 24
Theatre Tuscaloosa will present Ain’t Misbehavin’ February 8-17 in the Bean-Brown Theatre on Shelton State’s Martin Campus…Theatre Tuscaloosa’s Executive Producer, Tina Turley, will be directing this production of Ain’t Misbehavin’ with choreography by Nick Burroughs, a Musical Theatre major from The University of Alabama who came highly recommended by UA Professor and Director of Dance, Cornelius Carter.