University of Alabama ranked first among public universities for National Merit Scholars enrolled in 2012-13
Al.com – Feb. 6
The University of Alabama is ranked first among public institutions and fourth out of all universities in the 2012-2013 enrollment of National Merit Scholars, the university said in a statement today. UA enrolled 241 National Merit Scholars in the fall 2012 freshman class. The university enrolled 181 scholars in fall 2011, putting it second among public universities. The private universities ranked ahead of the University of Alabama are the University of Chicago, Harvard and the University of Southern California, according to the National Merit Scholarship Corp.’s 2011-2012 annual report.
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 6
Gadsden Times – Feb. 6
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Feb. 6
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 6
WAFF-NBC (Huntsivlle) – Feb. 6
UA veteran affairs office to honor fallen soldiers, visit vets at Walter Reed during Washington trip
Al.com – Feb. 7
Representatives from the University of Alabama’s Office of Veteran and Military Affairs will visit Arlington National Cemetery and meet with wounded vets during a trip next week to Washington. UA VMA director David Blair and Lowell Davis, UA assistant dean of students, will participate in wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier with U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell at 3:15 p.m. on Feb. 14. The UA Alumni Association is providing the wreath that will honor UA alumni who served in the military. UA students, alumni and fans are welcome to attend the ceremony. Participants should arrive at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington National Cemetery by 2:45 p.m.
Special African-American history campus tour at UA
WVUA (Birmingham) – Feb. 6
Lucy s experience at Alabama was a civil rights movement. But the university also has African- American history you may not … that the subject of a tour at the University of Alabama … The president s mansion and Foster auditorium are familiar places …
The Federal Pell Grant Program: A quick primer
Community College Week – Feb. 6
The Federal Pell Grant Program is the bipartisan result of the landmark Education Amendments of 1972, signed by President Richard Nixon. Pell is the foundation of federal student aid, providing access to higher education for low-income undergraduate students seeking for-credit degrees and certificates. In 1976, the maximum Pell Grant paid for about 72 percent of college costs, while today it only covers about one-third of the cost. Academically qualified students with demonstrated ability to benefit from attending an eligible college or university may apply for a Federal Pell Grant to help defray costs, based upon a formula established by Congress. Award amounts depend upon financial need, attendance costs, status as a full- or part-time student, and plans to attend college for a full academic year or less … (Source: The Education Policy Center at the University of Alabama).
University of Alabama announces President’s and Dean’s list for fall 2012
Jackson County Daily Sentinel – Feb. 6
The University of Alabama has released the President’s List and Dean’s List for the fall 2012 semeste. A total of 8,561 students enrolled during the 2012 fall term at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean’s List with an academic record of 3.5 or above, or the President’s List with an academic record of 4.0, all A’s. Jackson County recipents for the President’s List include: Dynasty R Moore of Bridgeport, Seth S. Ashmore of Scottsboro, Kaci B. Davis of Scottsboro, Ciara M. Herberholz of Scottsboro, and Megan L. Tyler of Scottsboro.
Tide, Tigers duel in hovercraft battle
Crimson White – Feb. 7
The rivalry between Auburn University and The Univeristy of Alabama will be pushed to a new level next month as both schools take to the air in the first ever University Hover Challenge hovercraft competition, March 16 and 17 at Lake Lurleen in Tuscaloosa. The UA hovercraft team expects more than 20 competitors from all corners of the country in the race, including a team from rival Auburn University. The challenge is sponsored by the Hoverclub of America. Kent Gano, the racing director for Hoverclub of America, is also serving as director of the University Hover Challenge. Gano said he hopes to have other universities join in on the race and perhaps even expand the challenge at other universities in the future. “I am hoping that each team participating will be competitive,” Gano said. “I am under the impression that both teams have a challenge ahead of them, with UA having a slight advantage since they have been doing this longer.” Hisham Ali, the senior who started the project and the team leader, said he has high hopes for the race.
SPLC director to speak on contemporary civil rights issues Monday
Crimson White – Feb. 7
Lecia J. Brooks, director of Outreach for the Southern Poverty Law Center, will speak about black history through the lens of civil rights at noon on Monday in Little Hall Room 223. Brooks is the featured speaker for the School of Social Work’s annual Dr. Ethel H. Hall African-American Heritage Month Program. She plans to speak on contemporary issues involving civil rights and SPLC’s role in fighting injustice. The program is part of “Through the Doors,” a series commemorating the 50th anniversary of the UA desegregation. “I want to underscore what has been done in Alabama for social justice issues,” Brooks said. In Montgomery, Ala., in 1971, the SPLC was founded by two Alabama lawyers, Morris Dees and Joe Levin, who were concerned the victories of the civil rights movement would not be fully realized for all. They took pro bono cases that other lawyers would not take, with far-reaching effects. Legal triumphs by the SPLC have helped dismantle hate groups and win justice for some of our nation’s more vulnerable groups. Today the SPLC’s influence has grown, and its mission of “fighting hate, teaching tolerance and seeking justice” has taken several forms. The SPLC continues its work in litigation, offering legal aid to those in need but also free educational materials for teachers, promoting diversity and tolerance. The SPLC also tracks and monitors hate groups in an effort to protect citizens.
WellBama to host first Zumbathon Friday at Rec Center
Crimson White – Feb. 7
Students looking to turn up the volume as well as their heart rate can do so Friday at WellBama’s first Zumbathon, a fitness event benefiting the American Heart Association. Attendees will participate in a three-hour Zumba session with multiple instructors. Zumba, a Colombian dance fitness program involving dance and aerobic elements, has been growing in popularity throughout the United States since the 1990s. “Zumba has been around for a long time and it has been known to be fun and lively,” said Carolyn MacVicar, a representative for WellBama. At its heart, Zumba is a dance-aerobics program with Latin and internationally inspired moves and rhythms. Sara-Margaret Cates, a Zumba instructor who will be working at the event Friday, said the appeal of Zumba is that it really does feel like a dance party as opposed to a workout. “I love the joy on participants’ faces,” Cates said.