University of Alabama student, Purple Heart recipient named 2014 Tillman Military Scholar
Al.com – June 4
A University of Alabama doctoral student and Purple Heart recipient who served in Iraq has been named to the 2014 class of Tillman Military Scholars. Clinical psychology student Michael LaRocca, originally from Ohio, is one of 58 service members, veterans and military spouses chosen from over 7,500 interested applicants. According to a UA press release, LaRocca served as an infantry officer in South Korea before serving in Iraq, where he earned a Purple Heart. He attended West Point before obtaining his Master’s in clinical psychology at Pepperdine University. According to the release, LaRocca works with veterans at the local VA as he completes his dissertation on PTSD predictors in combat veterans. The Pat Tillman Foundation, dedicated to the memory of the NFL player who enlisted following 9/11, awards more than $1.4 million in higher education scholarships.
Team of University of Alabama, Shelton State students wins NASA robotics competition
Tuscaloosa News – June 4
A team of students from the University of Alabama and Shelton State Community College won the top prize at an annual NASA robotics contest in late May. The Alabama Astrobotics team earned the most points in the fifth annual NASA’s Robotic Mining Competition, in which teams of college students compete with robots built to navigate courses and excavate simulated Martian soil. The team was awarded $7,750 to be used toward next year’s competition. Robots had two attempts of 10 minutes to move across a small contest arena through obstacles and to excavate as much Martian soil as possible. The Alabama team’s robot was designed to be autonomous, to make real-time decisions on what path to take and where to dig on the course. The teams were also judged on an oral presentation, an engineering paper, educational outreach and team spirit. The teams of UA and Shelton State engineering and computer science students also won in 2012 and placed third last year.
Yellowhammer Rocketry returns from launch competition
Crimson White – June 4
The Yellowhammer Rocketry team competed at the NASA Student Launch project at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Salt Lake City, Utah, from May 15 to 17. Group leader Shelby Cochran, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering, said Hermes, the group’s rocket, was 12 feet tall and weighed 44 pounds. They designed, built and launched the rocket with three payloads. “The first payload is a camera hazard detection payload,” Jake Barson, a senior majoring in aerospace engineering, said. “The other two payloads are structural dynamics payloads that analyze the flight characteristics of the rocket itself.” … Yellowhammer Rocketry was led by the three remaining members of the Rocket Girls team. After a group of male students emerged wanting to be on a rocketry team, they decided it would be best to work together as a co-ed team instead of forming two separate gender-specific teams.
Shelby announces funding for National Water Center in Tuscaloosa
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – June 4
U.S. Senator Richard Shelby has announced legislation that provides $4 million for the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Water Center in Tuscaloosa. The Tuscaloosa Republican is Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee and its Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice Science and Related Agencies. The money for the Water Center is included in the Fiscal Year 2015 appropriations bill, approved by the subcommittee. “The research conducted at the National Water Center at the University of Alabama is critical to gaining an increased understanding of our vital water resources,” said Senator Shelby. “This center allows the nation to better predict and manage various water-related ecological problems while fostering nationwide collaboration on water issues.” The National Water Center is a unique facility combining hydrological forecasting operations and research.
OPINION: The Black Stars of Africa set to shine in Brazil
Graphic Online (Ghana) – June 4
By T. P. Manus Ulzen
Ghana is the land of over 20 million unpaid football coaches, and I confess, periodically I am one of them. I have followed the Black Stars through the highs and lows of our football history since I was old enough to read the Daily Graphic and long before we had the benefit of television. Like many, I followed our team on radio, guided by Festus Addae and, later, Joe Lartey. What I can say of the Black Stars of old, who own our four continental titles, is that they had a winning attitude. They represented a republic that was unapologetically confident at that time in its history. They had a healthy respect for their opponents but entered every tournament to win. Unfortunately, the first time Ghana qualified to play for the Jules Remit trophy in 1966, the Black Stars of old did not field a team because of the boycott of FIFA by Africa. This was because all of Africa played for one berth and then would have to play the highest ranked European loser. Today, we have five spots against Europe’s 13, which still makes no sense. … The writer is Professor of Psychiatric and Behavioural Medicine at the University of Alabama and author of “Java Hill: An African Journey” – A historiography of Ghana.
Anna Caroline Adkins chosen for American Auxiliary Alabama Girls State
St. Clair Times – June 4
Anna Caroline Adkins has been chosen to represent Moody High School at the 2014 session of American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State, held on the campus of the University of Alabama. For one week, she will become a citizen of an imaginary state, taking part in the political life of her community, primarily through campaigning for and electing city, county and state offices. She will learn the operation of government by participating in party caucuses and through the election process. Well-known speakers and other state, county and city officials are expected to visit and enlighten the young women on their civic responsibilities. Adkins plans to campaign for the office of mayor. She will speak to her sponsoring organization and other organizations upon invitation, about her experiences at American Legion Auxiliary Alabama Girls State.