$1M gift to fund scholarships at Univ. of Ala.
Associate Press (via Kansas City Star) – Aug. 24
The University of Alabama plans to use a $1 million gift for scholarships to help students avoid taking out education loans. Business Dean Michael Hardin says the fund will focus on gifted undergraduates who would otherwise need loans to cover their college costs. The Tuscaloosa News (http://bit.ly/16pcBfz ) reports that Eliza and Hugh Culverhouse Jr. gave $1 million to the university’s Culverhouse College of Commerce to fund the scholarships. Culverhouse says the gift was inspired by concern that debt may force college graduates to choose between lower-paying jobs they are passionate about and ones that will allow them to pay the bills.
Miami Herald – Aug. 25
CBS 12 (Chattanooga, Tenn.) – Aug. 24
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Aug. 24
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – Aug. 24
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Aug. 24
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 22
President of University of Alabama Visits Bayside Academy
CBS 5 (Mobile) – Aug. 23
Former Congressman Jo Bonner introduced his sister to students inside The Pilot Center Theatre of Bayside Academy Friday morning. Dr. Judy Bonner took the stage telling students, “We hope you will dream impossible dreams”. She is the first woman to become president of the University of Alabama in the school’s one hundred and eighty-one year history, an accomplishment Dr. Bonner didn’t really think about until after the board confirmed her, “But since that time, I realize how important it is to parents for them…for their daughters to see a woman as president”. She also believes she faces the same challenges as a man, but has an advantage. “I have found that is has been really helpful to be a woman because I certainly am concerned about the smallest of details…particularly as it relates to making certain that our students are first and foremost and at the center of everything we do”.
Leader in ‘God particle’ discovery to speak at University of Alabama
Al.com – Aug. 23
A leading scientist in the team that discovered the Higgs boson — a crucial building block for the universe dubbed the “God particle” — will speak about the particle’s discovery at the University of Alabama later this month. Albert de Roeck, a senior research scientists at CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, was deputy spokesperson of the experiment in 2010 and 2011, according to a UA press release, and convened the Higgs search physics group. The particle was discovered in 2012 at CERN, home of the Large Hadron Collider, an underground, 17-mile particle accelerator that was used in the experiments. The Higgs boson was predicted in the 1960s to help describe the creation of the universe and contributes to the size and shape of everything in the universe.
Alabama journalism professor Jennifer Greer named interim dean of communication college
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 24
University of Alabama journalism professor Jennifer Greer has been named interim dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences. Greer, the chair of the Department of Journalism, is scheduled to assume the interim role Sept. 1, according a message to the college’s faculty and staff from Interim Provost Joe Benson. She will replace outgoing Dean Loy Singleton, who is scheduled to retire Oct. 31. Greer will work with Singleton until his retirement, when she will take full responsibility for the college until a permanent replacement is found, according to Benson’s announcement. “I feel very positive out about it,” Greer said. Greer said she and Singleton had developed a plan for a smooth transition.
Alabama Action provides service, social opportunity
Crimson White – Aug. 26
As a freshman, Molly Deaver came to The University of Alabama a week early, and she credits a successful first year to that decision. Deaver, now a sophomore majoring in French and international studies, participated in the Honors College program Alabama Action. Alabama Action is a service-learning program in which incoming Honors College freshmen help renovate county schools during the week prior to classes starting. This year, in addition to participating in various projects, students had the opportunity to hear guest speakers, participate in discussion groups and journal about their daily experiences. “The program is led by upper classmen Honors students who have participated in Alabama Action in the past,” Susan Alley, faculty advisor for Alabama Action, said. “The student leaders plan a multitude of projects to be completed at the schools, as well as lectures, discussion groups and evening activities to help the freshmen learn the importance of civic engagement and get plugged in to a group of like-minded scholars before classes even begin.”
‘Cold War Dixie’ examines how construction of SRS impacted growth of Aiken
Aiken Standard (S.C.) – Aug. 24
Aiken is featured in a new book, written by University of Alabama professor Dr. Kari Frederickson. “Cold War Dixie” studies the effects of the construction of the Savannah River Site and how that construction impacted the industry and growth in Aiken. “(The Savannah River Plant) brought suburbanation and a national consumer culture to Aiken,” Frederickson said in a press release. According to the release, Frederickson spent 13 years researching the Site and studying its impact. Her studies are now part of her book, which covers the growth of Aiken from traditional Southern industry, or textiles, to its standing as “the frontier of nuclear science.” “It’s important to understand the impact that the Cold War and this specific corporation had on this small town in the South,” said Frederickson in a press release. “The Savannah River Plant introduced an entirely new cultural force that completely transformed the economic, political and social life of the area.”
Journalist, author Rick Bragg tells McCallie students about poverty
Chattanooga Times-Free Press (Tenn.) – Aug. 24
From the front of the McCallie School chapel on Friday morning, Rick Bragg looked at row after row of prep school students, about 10 boys to a pew, packed front to back. Almost every boy wore a blue monogrammed polo, tucked snugly into khaki shorts that stopped just an inch or two above the knee. For students from families who, for the most part, will pay between $20,000 and $40,000 in tuition this year, the attire was flawless. And from the front, without any notes, Bragg told stories, mostly about growing up in poverty…McCallie welcomed Bragg to the chapel after the Upper School students spent the summer reading his 1998 memoir, “All over but the Shoutin’.” His book tells the story of his childhood in northeast Alabama, where he grew up poor with a flaky father and a mother who picked cotton to support the family. Kenny Sholl, the head of McCallie’s Upper School, selected the book for this year’s summer reading, and he arranged about a year in advance for Bragg, a University of Alabama journalism professor, New York Times bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner, to visit.
The Best States for Entrepreneurs
Entrepreneur – Aug. 26
Two hundred and twenty-five years after the U.S. Constitution was ratified, the push and pull of states’ rights is still fought over by politicians. But Washington’s dysfunction is an entrepreneur’s gain. By letting each state define its own business regulations, taxes and policies, the founding fathers created a competitive marketplace for industries of all sizes looking to put down roots … 2. Alabama With government agencies willing to help entrepreneurs navigate regulatory hurdles, Alabama scored the No. 2 overall ranking for small-business friendliness. “The state has really tried to be a good partner, rather than an obstacle,” Allen says. Case in point: The E3 program (economy, energy and environment) was formed to attract auto manufacturers and suppliers who are looking for higher profits through efficient, less wasteful processes. So far it’s working, with the state producing a record number of vehicles in 2012 for Mercedes, Honda and Hyundai. This past spring, Alabama doubled down on car manufacturing, joining the Automotive Accelerator Alliance, a group of Southern states working to identify and commercialize technologies for future cars. The program, which operates at several locations, including the University of Alabama, opens up an entirely new avenue for entrepreneurship, thanks to financial backing, established vehicle factories and a skilled automotive work force from which business owners can draw. Alabama ranked first in the nation for ease of hiring in the Thumbtack poll; the survey’s analysts anticipate that the state will have the top hiring rate in 2013.
Student’s music hits Sirius XM Radio
Crimson White – Aug. 26
After run-ins with high school heartbreak, Alex Calderone, now a junior majoring in kinesthesiology began writing music to track her experiences. This summer, her hobby was exposed after her collaborative song “SunSoaked” played on Sirius XM Radio. Calderone said she was inspired to write after finding comfort through music. She later taught herself to play the guitar to accompany her lyrics. “Senior year, I started writing, and that just opened a whole new door for me because it’s a release,” Calderone said. “You can use a diary and write things; you can go for a drive or go running or work out to release tension, but for me, it was always writing down what I needed to get out and physically sing it. That was just the best form for me to do anything.” Matt Calderone, Alex’s brother and former University of Alabama SGA president, said some of their best times were spent making music together. “Growing up, Alex and I would play guitar and sing in the basement of our house and at high school and family get-togethers,” Matt said. “Alex and I are very good friends and are separated by just a few years in age. Playing guitar with some of our best buddies was certainly something that brought us closer.”
College News: 8/25
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 25
… Gamma Phi Beta Epsilon Lambda Chapter at the University of Alabama pledged more women than any other sorority on campus at the Capstone’s 2013 formal fall recruitment. With 145 new pledges, Gamma Phi Beta Epsilon Lambda now has a membership of 347.The chapter is in the process of constructing a $12-million, 40,000-square-foot house to accommodate its new membership. The new building is the largest facility project undertaken by the international sorority. The new house features 68 beds, a new coffee shop, a 24-hour study room, modern furnishings and an outdoor courtyard. The scheduled move-in date is tentatively set for early 2015.
CMA hosts block party and Tuscaloosa International Friends Hold Reception
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 25
The Campus Ministries Association welcomed students back today by hosting a block party on campus. Various denominations and associations were represented. This is the first time this event has been held in eight years. Ryan Moore with Reform University fellowship says he was very happy with today’s turnout. Meanwhile, also near the University of Alabama campus, Tuscaloosa International Friends hosted a reception at Calvary Baptist Church. Host families and international students were in attendance to be matched and get to know one another.
UA Alumni Association is traveling with the Tide
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Aug. 23
Super fans are busy making travel plans for this season. And you’re invited to join the ride … The UA Alumni Association is “traveling with the Tide”. Throughout the season, they’re offering land and/or air packages to Alabama football away games.
Gameday changes for 2013
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Aug. 23
Here’s a live look at Bryant-Denny Stadium from the WVUA tower cam. With less than a month until the Crimson Tide’s first home football game, Gina Johnson with UA Gameday Operations says season ticket holders can start preparing now by purchasing their parking passes online. “We have some lots that are reserved for people with disabilities and those are on sale right now as a season pass and then we also have our soccer lot which is also a season pass on sale, we have those available for print at home and also we can mail that to you.”
Does UA have the best tailgate?
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Aug. 24
Don’t forget to cast your vote for the South’s best tailgate. Southern Living’s contest puts the University of Alabama among the top 15 in the South with the best pregame parties. You can vote once a day through Sept. 30. Cast a vote on Saturdays and it counts as two.