University of Alabama using grant to train new mental health workers
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 4
The University of Alabama is planning to use a federal grant to help the state address a shortage of behavioral health care professionals. School officials said in a statement Tuesday that they’re using a grant of more than $945,300 from the Health Resources and Services Administration to offer stipends to Master of Social Work students. Officials say the move is part of a plan to produce 56 students trained in settings that are integrated with primary care settings. School officials say the students will be trained to work with youth between 16 and 25 who are at risk of developing mental illness and transitional age veterans. School officials say federal authorities have classified 67 of 68 Alabama counties as full mental health care professional shortage areas.
Athens News Courier – Nov. 5
Wichita Eagle (Kan.) – Nov. 5
UA graduate donates $1.5 million
Crimson White – Nov. 5
The Culverhouse School of Accountancy, recently ranked No. 8 in the nation by the 33rd Annual Survey in “Public Accounting Report,” continues to make news this fall as alumnus Gary Fayard announced a $1.5 million gift to create the Fayard Endowed Chair in Accounting. The donation, the largest in school history, will open up a new faculty position and help continue Culverhouse’s competitive edge. “This endowment by the Fayard family really gives UA a unique opportunity to compete for another top-tier researcher,” said Rich Houston, director of the Culverhouse School of Accountancy. Culverhouse recently posted about the new chair position online, and Houston and his colleagues have begun a search for the best candidate. “While we could fill the position internally, this endowment allows us to maybe bring in a behavioral accounting researcher with lots of published work elsewhere, and that’s incredibly exciting,” Houston said. Fayard retired earlier this year after 20 years with Coca-Cola, most recently serving as the company’s chief financial officer. Fayard and his wife, Nancy, are both alumni of the Capstone, graduating from Culverhouse and the College of Education, respectively, in 1975.
GOP Cruises in Alabama
Alabama Public Radio – Nov. 4
Yesterday’s election saw the Alabama GOP build upon its existing supermajority won in 2010 and increased their numbers in both chambers of the state legislature. Republicans will hold nearly 70 percent of the seats. Meanwhile, Republican Governor Robert Bentley cruised to reelection, easily dispatching Democrat Parker Griffith … The voting is over in Alabama—but the future still appears cloudy for the Speaker of the State House. Mike Hubbard was among the incumbents seeking re-election. But, he still faces twenty three counts of ethics violations. The court case has yet to be resolved. There are questions on whether Hubbard would automatically lose his house seat or face impeachment by the lower chamber if he wins and is convicted. Jenny Carroll is an associate professor of law at the University of Alabama. She says Hubbard has insisted that he acted for the good of the people … “And, he believed that his local constituency was benefited and Alabama in general was benefited. So, Hubbard may have a successful defense even if the State presents evidence that he did exactly what they claimed he did.”
UA political science professor says mid-term elections generally have small voter turnout
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 4
University of Alabama assistant professor of political science Dr. George Hawley says midterm elections generally have a smaller turnout compared to presidential elections. Hawley says this is often because there is a shift of power in either the House or Senate or both. “What’s interesting about this midterm election is that if Republicans win big, it will largely be due to discontent with the Democratic Party as opposed to any positive agenda that the Republicans may have at the moment.
Sky Shineman’s ‘Seismic Shift’ exhibit to show downtown
Crimson White – Nov. 5
UA professor Sky Shineman will showcase her artwork in the exhibit “Seismic Shift,” hosted by the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. The exhibit will be open Friday through Nov. 26. Shineman has worked in the art and art history department of the University since the fall of 2009. “She is an established and accomplished artist and educator,” said Kevin Ledgewood, a public relations professional for the Art Council of Tuscaloosa. Shineman’s pieces have showcased around the country, including at the Alabama State Council on the Arts Gallery in Montgomery, Alabama, and at the Shore Institute of the Contemporary Arts for the SICA 7th Annual International Exhibition in Long Branch, New Jersey.
Professor changed by CrossingPoints
Crimson White – Nov. 5
John Myrick didn’t expect one 4-year-old boy to change the rest of his life. During his first practicum in special education, Myrick met Hank. Hank was non-verbal, couldn’t walk and suffered from cerebral palsy. Hank may have lacked abilities physically, but this didn’t affect his ability to change lives. Myrick was there to teach, but ended up becoming the student. Myrick, clinical assistant professor at the University’s department of special education and multiple abilities, strives to develop the special needs students of CrossingPoints, the University’s transition program, into independent individuals upon graduation. Even though Hank was not able to walk or talk, Myrick noticed the smile that never left Hank’s face. From then on, Myrick said his perspective of life was never the same. The students of CrossingPoints are consistently joyful, which he said fuels his inspiration to help them achieve life at its fullest. … Seeing the transition of the students before and after the CrossingPoints program is the most enjoyable aspect of the job, Myrick said. Throughout the program, the students are taught self-determination, communication etiquette and how to create opportunities for themselves. CrossingPoints offers vocational training and employment at the University’s on-campus job sites.
Blount director discusses application process
Crimson White – Nov. 5
Each year, between 80 and 100 incoming freshmen are accepted into the University’s Blount Undergraduate Initiative. The students then begin their undergraduate studies in a rigorous learning atmosphere together within the Blount undergraduate dorms. Joseph Hornsby, director of the Blount Undergraduate Initiative, said the program, which celebrated its 15th anniversary last Saturday differs from any other living-learning experience on campus because of the rigor and cohesiveness of the curriculum. “We are unlike the Honors program in that our curriculum is progressive,” Hornsby said. “Each course builds on each other, culminating in the senior project.” During their freshman year, students in the program live together in the Blount dorms, take a common course, read books from the same reading list and participate in discussions among themselves and faculty in a smaller, more intimate classroom setting. “The program shrinks down The University of Alabama for our students, and they are put in an environment where they can make connections quickly,”
he said.
UA takes part in seminar designed to help students apply for college
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Nov. 3
The state Department of Education has designated this week as Alabama College Application Week. That’s why there’s a free seminar tonight from 6 to 7:30 at Northridge High School for any high school student at any public or private school across Tuscaloosa County. There will be representatives there from the University of Alabama, Stillman College and Shelton State, but much of the information could be applied to any school. Organizers say it’s helpful information for ninth graders to seniors. And it’s about taking the intimidation out of the process of going to college.