Bonner promises to build on successes of past decade
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 14
University of Alabama President Judy Bonner reiterated her goal of building on a culture at the Capstone that focuses on success during a state of the university address Wednesday to faculty and staff. Bonner, joined by leaders from campus institutions such as the Faculty Senate and Student Government Association, spoke at the fall faculty and staff meeting at the Bryant Conference Center. Faculty Senate President Steve Miller praised Bonner’s leadership, especially during the aftermath of recent allegations of racial discrimination during fall sorority recruitment. Bonner did not comment Wednesday on the allegations or her mandate for continuous open bidding to improve diversity, though she did praise student leadership and progress toward a more diverse Greek-letter community during a similar presentation last week to the UA System board of trustees. Her comments Wednesday followed a similar script to her Friday report.
Associated Press — Nov. 13
Alabama Public Radio – Nov. 13
NBC 38 (North Columbus, Ga.) — Nov. 13
Expert says eating healthy on a budget is all about planning ahead
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 13
To most people, the idea of buying healthy food also means having to break the bank. Sheena Gregg, a registered dietician with the University of Alabama, says it’s a common misconception. “They associate healthy with expensive and inconvenient,” she said. But Gregg explains it’s possible to buy healthy food on a tight budget. “Usually I tell folks to follow through with the three p’s,” explained Gregg. The three p’s are plan, purchase, and prep. The planning phase is where people map out healthy meals, create a shopping list and dig for possible coupons. Once that’s covered, then it’s on to the next p, purchase. Gregg says it’s all about picking the right place to shop. She recommends buying in bulk so a membership store could be good for that. At a supermarket, choose the store brand if it’s cheaper because there’s usually no nutritional difference between generic and brand name options. Gregg says it’s okay to reach for frozen foods, which can be a cheaper alternative to fresh produce.
College enrollment caps a threat in many states
University Business – Nov. 13
Leaders at public flagship universities, regional institutions, and community colleges are reporting more capped enrollments than in past years, according to “2013 National Survey of Access and Funding and Issues in Public Higher Education” released last month by the Education Policy Center at The University of Alabama. Respondents from 10 states say the facilities at their community colleges are insufficient to serve the numbers of current and future high school graduates and returning adults, says the the report, “Halfway Out of Recession, But a Long Way to Go,” which accompanied the survey…Capped enrollments stem directly from a lack of state funding, says Stephen Katsinas, director of the Education Policy Center. “The issue is that 26 percent of state budgets go to funding Medicaid,” he says. “As higher education is the largest discretionary budget item, it is the first to receive cuts when Medicaid increases come.”
Sorority elects 1st black president
Crimson White – Nov. 14
Hannah Christine Patterson was elected president of Sigma Delta Tau Wednesday, Nov. 6, making her the first black president of a Panhellenic sorority in the history of The University of Alabama. Patterson, originally from Pittsburgh, Penn., said she came to the University to have an adventure. “I wanted the college experience of something different,” Patterson said. “Something adventurous, not like my hometown.”…When Patterson came to the University in fall 2012 as a transfer from the University of Dayton, she participated in formal recruitment but found Sigma Delta Tau to be the better fit for her. Sigma Delta Tau has not participated in formal recruitment in the past, although it participated in the first two days last year. Patterson said the informal recruitment process lets Sigma Delta Tau get to know potential members better. “It’s more laid back,” Patterson said. “You get to have a longer conversation than you would in regular recruitment with the girls. It’s about an hour long in the house. It’s a more one-on-one basis.”
TESCAN and the University of Alabama Announce the Addition of the LYRA XMU FIB-SEM Workstation to the UA Central Analytical Facility, a National Facility of Excellence for Atom Probe Applications Development
Yahoo! – Nov. 14
TESCAN, a leading global supplier of scanning electron microscopes and focused ion beam workstations has delivered a LYRA FIB-SEM workstation to the University of Alabama Central Analytical Facility (CAF), a national center of excellence. The LYRA is a FIB-SEM workstation and will be used for preparing atom probe tomography and transmission electron microscope specimens. In the future, this instrument will be configured with an EDAX Pegasus EDS/EBSD system to provide chemical and structural analysis in three-dimensional views. “The CAF at the University of Alabama is a national center of excellence for the multi-scale characterization of materials,” says Dave Nikles, Director of the CAF. “The CAF supports the education, service and research missions of the University. The University of Alabama is the only university in the Southeast region with a Local Electrode Atom Probe microscope from Cameca Instruments. The atom probe serves users from research groups at the University of Alabama and visitors from across the country. It provides atomic scale compositional information on a range of sample specimens, including metals, semiconductors and geological specimens. The new TESCAN FIB-SEM will enable scientists to precisely prepare specimens for atom probe tomography. These instruments provide the basis for a unique educational experience for our students, faculty and visiting researchers.”
Students showcase fashion designs
Crimson White – Nov. 14
It’s not every day that college finals give students the chance to live out a childhood dream, but for some students in The University of Alabama class CTD 450: Advanced Apparel Design, the upcoming senior fashion show provides a chance to do just that. “Fashion for Life” will take place Sunday in the Ferguson Center Ballroom and will showcase 14 students’ collections. They create their own collections from concept to production, a process that takes more than six months. “It defines their design philosophy and tells who they are as a designer,” course instructor Brian Taylor said.
UA student diagnosed with leukemia, to receive bone marrow transplant
Crimson White – Nov. 14
At the age of 14, Ashley Roberts’ life changed when she was diagnosed with a rare and serious blood disorder. “Right at the time where you’re like, ‘Oh, I’m a teenager,’ and you’re just kind of starting to figure out who you are, then I had this huge thing happen, and I had to go to St. Jude,” Roberts said. Roberts, now a graduate student in rehabilitation counseling, was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, a condition in which the body fails to produce blood cells. After a couple of months at St. Jude, Roberts was able to return home but continued receiving blood and platelets every week…A few weeks ago, Roberts’ doctors found blast cells in one of her blood samples, a sign of leukemia…To fight the leukemia, Roberts and her doctors are counting on a bone marrow transfusion…Students inspired by Roberts’ story can sign up with the marrow registry Be The Match On Campus in January or check out bethematch.org to find another location to register.
“Angels Yell Roll Tide” Author Talks About Children in Her Book
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Nov. 13
Two unrelated boys share one amazing story. Thanks to author Darla Hall, the lives of Hunter Alexander and Ryan Kitchens are now being remembered for their story and their courage…”Angels Yell Roll Tide.” Hunter and Ryan will always be our champs. Darla Hall remembers Hunter Alexander’s spirit and Ryan Kitchens’ glowing personality. “He was a funny kid he was hilarious.” Her relationships inspired “Angels Yell Roll Tide”, Her book about Ryan, about Hunter, their love for life and family and their passion, for Alabama football … Fifty percent of the profits from “Angels Yell Roll Tide” benefit organizations like the University of Alabama, St. Jude’s Research Hospital, A-Team Ministries, and Nick’s Kids.