MONDAY, APRIL 15 – SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2013
BEST BETS
UNDERGRADUATES DRAWN IN INCREASING NUMBERS TO RESEARCH – More than 550 students representing various disciplines are registered to present their findings April 16 during UA’s annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference. About 400 students participated last year. Students compete for cash prizes and earn practical experience presenting or defending their research projects before judges in both poster and oral presentation categories. More details on the conference, which will be held in various locations within the Bryant Conference Center from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., are available here and at http://osp.ua.edu/UndergradResearch.html. For more information, contact Chris Bryant, UA media relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu.
HONOR ROLL FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE – UA has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll with Distinction for helping the community through service and service-learning partnerships. UA, named to the list for the fourth consecutive year by the Corporation for National and Community Service and the U.S. Department of Education, was one of 113 schools to receive the honor with distinction. “UA students, faculty, and staff have a longstanding tradition of working side by side with community partners to meet local needs, and it’s exciting to see that commitment formally recognized,” said Stephen Black, director of the UA Center for Ethics & Social Responsibility. Contact: Richard LeComte, UA media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.
GREEK WEEK GRANTS – UA’s Greek community will award its annual Greek Week grants as part of the Profiles in Service and Leadership Banquet on Tuesday, April 16. The grants, which total $100,000, will be given to some 30 nonprofit organizations operating in and around Tuscaloosa. Recipient organizations are selected following a grant request application process. “The primary goal of Greek Week 2013 is to unite the four Greek councils and to give back to the community,” said Hannah McBrayer, Alabama Panhellenic Association vice president of administration. Greek Week activities, which included nightly tournaments of bowling, basketball and dodge ball, took place on campus in March. The week concluded with a song and dance competition. Ticket sales for the events fund the yearly grants. Contact: Katie Snyder, 214/704-5463, kasnyder1@crimson.ua.edu.
UA STUDENTS RECEIVE GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIPS – Two University of Alabama students were awarded scholarships by the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, and two more students were recognized for an honorable mention. For more information visit http://uanews.ua.edu/2013/04/ua-students-receive-goldwater-scholarships/ or contact Adam Jones, UA media relations, 205/348-6444 or acjones12@eng.ua.edu.
ENGINEERING TEAMS READY TO LAUNCH AND FLY – Two teams of UA engineering students compete this weekend. The Rocket Girls, an all-female team, will launch rockets in a NASA competition in Huntsville this weekend. Also, a team of 14 students will travel to Tucson, Ariz., to compete in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Student Design/Build Fly completion April 19-21. For more information visit http://uanews.ua.edu/2013/04/ua-engineering-students-launch-rocket-for-nasa-competition-2/ or http://uanews.ua.edu/2013/04/ua-engineering-students-to-compete-in-aircraft-contest-2/ or contact Adam Jones, 205/348-6444 or acjones12@eng.ua.edu.
EVENTS
UA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK TO FACULTY AND STAFF APRIL 17 – UA President Judy Bonner will speak at the University’s spring faculty/staff meeting Wednesday, April 17 at 1:30 p.m. in the Rast Room of the Bryant Conference Center. Recipients of the Vergil Parks McKinley Sr. Employee Awards, the E. Roger Sayers Endowed Distinguished Service Award and the Dr. Minnie C. Miles Endowed Excellence Award will also be recognized during the meeting. Contact: Cathy Andreen, director of media relations, 205/348-8322, candreen@ur.ua.edu
APA PRESIDENT TO SPEAK AT DINOFF MEMORIAL LECTURE – Dr. Donald Bersoff, president of the American Psychological Association, will examine confidentiality rights of violent patients during the annual Michael Dinoff Memorial Lecture at 6 p.m., Friday, April 19 in 1093 Shelby Hall. Bersoff, professor emeritus at the Earle Mack School of Law and adjunct professor of psychology at Drexel University, says it may be time to revisit a law in 33 states that holds psychotherapists accountable for protecting intended victims of their potentially violent patients. “With the proliferation of mass shootings in the recent past, the ongoing push for legislation to control access to firearms, and the alleged connection between mental illness and violence, it may be particularly timely to revisit this case. I argue that the case is bad law, bad social science, and bad social policy,” Bersoff said. Bersoff has directed three JD/Ph.D. programs in law and psychology. He served as a clinical psychologist in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War and as first general counsel of the American Psychological Association.Contact: David Miller, UA media relations, 205/348-0825, dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu
UA STUDENTS SHOW CREATIVE STYLE IN T-TIME FASHION SHOW – University of Alabama apparel and design students will be showing off their creativity during the annual T-Time Fashion Show on Tuesday, April 16. Beginning at 7 p.m. on the front lawn of Doster Hall, sophomores, juniors and seniors in the College of Human Environmental Sciences apparel and design program will show designs that range from deconstructed T-shirts to garments made from recycled and nontraditional materials. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
BLACK TO RECEIVE BUFORD AWARD – Dr. Stephen F. Black, director of The University of Alabama Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility and a faculty member in the Honors College, will be awarded the Lahoma Adams Buford Peace Award at 5 p.m. Wednesday, April 17 at the University Club. Established in 2002 by School of Social Work alumnus Tony D. Walker to honor Lahoma Adams Buford, the award 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. Contact: David Miller, UA media relations, 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
MOUNDVILLE SATURDAY IN THE PARK FEATURES WIRE-WRAPPED JEWELRY – Park patrons will enjoy “Past Times Pastimes,” a program offered by Moundville Archaeological Park staff and volunteers for visitors of all ages interested in Native American games. Visitors will learn how to play stickball and “Indian football” and throw rabbit sticks. The park program runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park. Park entrance fees will apply. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu
UA TO OPEN FOUNDRY – The University of Alabama will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and dedication Friday, April 19 at 1 p.m. to open a new foundry meant to encourage creative collaboration between engineering and art students. For more information visit http://uanews.ua.edu/2013/04/ua-to-open-foundry/ or contact: Adam Jones, UA media relations, 205/348-6444 or acjones12@eng.ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
SIMON TO GIVE “LAST LECTURE” –Dr. Cassandra Simon, associate professor in the UA School of Social Work, is the 2013 recipient of “The Last Lecture,” awarded by the Graduate School. At 6 p.m., April 22 in Room 159 at Russell Hall, Simon will present a lecture titled “Through the Doors: Lessons Learned from an Unexpected Life Journey.” Students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to attend the lecture.The Last Lecture, presented by the Graduate School, features a University of Alabama faculty member nominated and selected by students to answer one question in the form of a highly engaging lecture: “If this were your last time to address a group of students, what would you say to them?” Contact: David Miller, UA media relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu
Contact
Cathy Andreen, director of media relations, 205/348-8322, candreen@ur.ua.edu