Blood drive will feature electron microscopes
Crimson White – July 15
Donors at the Tuscaloosa Morning Rotary Club’s Red Cross blood drive will have an opportunity to see more blood – and needles – up close. “I’ve been telling people they’re going to want to see that after they donate,” Central Analytical Facility Manager Rich Martens said. Martens, a member of the rotary club, will be showing donors electron images of red blood cells and the hypodermic syringe under a scanning electron microscope, one of the facility’s nine major microscopes. The CAF, which is supported by the Office of Research, often looks at materials engineering projects or investigates textiles. He said he hopes the tour will also open the eyes of donors to the “micro-cosmos” around them and serve as
educational outreach. “You can make a much higher resolution image than you’re going to get with a light microscope. You’re going to be able to go to a much higher magnification basically,” he said. “I bet you 99 percent of people have not seen an image like that.”
City schools seek 53 employees before August
Crimson White – July 23
Recent UA graduates are prime candidates for 53 open positions within the Tuscaloosa City Schools that need to be filled soon. Mike Daria, assistant superintendent of general administration, said the 53 teacher, administrator and support staff positions should mostly, if not completely, be filled by the first day of school on August 7. “We are always looking for teachers in those high-need areas of math, science and special education,” Daria said. “Those are probably the three areas of priority, and that’s a need in a lot of school districts.” Daria said he sees UA students as an asset to the city school system … The College of Education at the University has a Memorandum of Understanding that maintains a strong relationship with Tuscaloosa City Schools and Tuscaloosa County Schools. It has four objectives that include writing and developing grants that offer training and service opportunities, developing research infrastructure in order to facilitate research efforts and initiatives, identifying and developing mechanisms that result in helpful interventions in the school and maintaining an active channel for the development of mutual understandings and undertakings. College of Education Dean Peter Hlebowisch, Tuscaloosa City Schools Superintendent Paul McKendrick and Tuscaloosa County Schools Superintendent Elizabeth Swinford have all signed The Memorandum of Understanding. “It’s a relationship that works both ways in the sense that our classrooms gain from having The University of Alabama with us in projects and in support and certainly in teacher preparation,” Daria said. “And then we reciprocate by, in many cases, working with the College of Education and other departments in The University of Alabama with research and information that they are doing. It’s a positive relationship, and it’s one of mutual benefit the way we see it.”
ICIR labs handle child nutrition, video games
Crimson White – July 23 (Print edition only)
The Institute for Communication and Information Research uses things like a Nintendo Wii and Final Cut Pro as lab equipment. Part of the College of Communication and Information Sciences, the institute has multi-functional labs that are being used to expand research in communications-related fields. “We have several labs with multi-use purposes,” said ICIR Director Kim Bissell. “The labs can be used by any C&IS faculty or graduate student, and we have rented out our space to other researchers who do not have similar facilities.
Hungry to Learn
Over The Mountain Journal – July 22
When you’re thinking about possible pizza toppings, the combination of blackberries and basil doesn’t immediately leap to mind. And at least one person who tasted the unusual dish had a few reservations—at first. “I wasn’t sure how that would work out, but it was absolutely delicious,” said Briana Morton, Homewood Middle School’s family and consumer science teacher. The blackberry-and-basil creation was the result of just one of the activities HMS offered this summer through its new Seed to Plate science and nutrition program. The school selected 15 students to take part in the June 23-26 event that taught the participants where their food comes from and why what they eat matters … While it may seem early to get students interested in foods and nutrition, providing this type of education to children can help them build healthy eating habits as adults, said Margaret Purcell, a faculty member at the University of Alabama’s New College. Purcell, who with husband John Fleenor owns Katie Farms in Coker, recently partnered with University Place Middle School to teach 160 students about small farming and local food. Hands-on opportunities like those provided by Homewood’s Seed to Plate program and the community garden are great ways to help students retain what they’re taught, she said. “If students can grow their own food at home or in a school garden, then the lessons can be strengthened with repetition and application to real-life activities,” Purcell said. “The ability to grow your own food makes the taste so much better.”
Southeast Regional ADHD Conference to be held
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – July 22
Many people with attention-deficit disorder face unanswered questions about the disorder, for years. Plans are underway for the 7th annual Southeast Regional ADHD conference sponsored by the University of Alabama. Joining us now are, internationally-known ADHD expert, Chris Zeigler Dendy, and UAB researcher, Dr. Despina Stavrinos, to tell us what it has to offer.
CCHS conference to focus on patient-centered medical homes
Crimson White – July 23 (Print edition only)
The College of Community Health Sciences will be hosting a conference July 25 and 26 to inform the medical community about patient-centered medical homes and encourage their incorporation. “As a college, we are interested in not only transforming our own practice into this PCMH approach, but also helping to further the transformation of medical care in our areas,” Richard Streiffer, dean of the College of Community Health Sciences, said.
Hot Hundred will return to campus
Crimson White – July 15
The Hot Hundred bike ride, with its Tuscaloosa roots and university connections, will return to campus Saturday with discounted tickets available to students. “Really anyone can come out to experience the excitement and fun of a large group ride like the Hot Hundred,” Ride Director Pixie Hicks said. “We have outstanding escort through campus and downtown Tuscaloosa by the TPD and also a local motorcycle club, the Dirty South Cruisers.” Hicks said the ride, which headquarters at the University Recreation Center, has five distance options, six well-stocked rest stops and seven support vehicles. Riders, who can choose to ride 29, 36, 71 or 103 miles, have access to support teams and sports trainers. The ride began 12 years ago as a fundraiser for the Tuscaloosa Mental Health Task Force and welcomes riders of all ages and abilities.
Local University of Alabama student joins co-op
Marietta Daily Journal – July 22
Lee Soble of Marietta is among more than 180 University of Alabama students who are receiving a hands-on educational experience at more than 60 companies and organizations through the University of Alabama’s Cooperative Education Program during the summer 2014 semester. Soble will work with Alabama Power. In the Cooperative Education Program, students alternate periods of full-time study with periods of full-time employment. This program offers work related to the academic major or career interests of each student. The experience enhances the students’ employment prospects after graduation. While in school, students carry regular course schedules. While on co-op, they work with professionals in their fields who supervise their training and work. At work, co-op students earn competitive salaries and may receive benefit packages in addition to valuable on-the-job experience.
Bryant Dining, Fresh Food Company to see changes
Crimson White – July 23 (Print edition only)
Students coming to campus in the fall will experience a new Fresh Food facility and updated Ferguson Center food court, as well as two operational changes in Bryant Dining. “First, Bryant Dining will now serve brunch from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., rather than serving lunch,” Aramark Regional District Manager A.J. DeFalco said. “Second, the evening training table meal will be available only to students with an active Athletics meal plan. Students will no longer be allowed to enter Bryant Dining for dinner with a regular meal plan plus an upcharge of $9.95. Dinner will still be served from 4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.”
Lift like a girl
Crimson White – July 23 (Print edition only)
As the Alabama summer blazes down, UA students Danielle Ra’ed and Alyssa West brace themselves to flip a 200-plus pound tire outside the Student Rec Center. A few moments of struggling ensue before the tire lands on the grass with a thud and the girls stand over it, sweaty and satisfied. “See, this is why girls in magazines use the two-pound weights,” Ra’ed said. “It’s so they won’t get tired during photo shoots.” For men and women, fitness can mean very different things. Open up a men’s fitness magazine, and the pages will be littered with words like “build muscle”, “shred” and “strength.” However, in a women’s fitness magazine, words like “tone up,” “slim down” and “lose weight” appear alongside images of beautiful, fit women holding two or three-pound dumbbells. These photos don’t always tell the entire story, Ra’ed said.
State bar names president
Crimson White – July 23 (Print edition only)
Richard Raleigh, the new president of the Alabama State Bar, is tasked with leading its nearly 17,500 members. He is a two-time graduate of the University of Alabama, completing his undergraduate career in 1992 and earning his law degree from the School of Law in 1995. “It gave me a good experience and background educationally but provided opportunities to lead and get involved and help other people – things I’ve tried to continue to do throughout my life,” Raleigh said.