Second partner named for University of Alabama business analytics lab
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 6
A Birmingham-based health care company is partnering with the University of Alabama’s business school and will provide expertise and financial backing for a new business analytical lab that will be located in Bidgood Hall. On Tuesday, Healthcare Business Solutions, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, became the second company to sign on as a partner in UA’s Business Analytics Lab, which will be built in Bidgood Hall and is expected to open later this year. Lockheed Martin, an aeronautics company, became the first partner last year, and J. Michael Hardin, dean of the Culverhouse College of Commerce, said a third business is expected to become a formal partner soon. The partnerships will enhance the learning opportunities for graduate students interested in careers in the rapidly growing field of business analytics, according to Carl Pinkert, UA vice president for research and economic development.
How to spot a science ideologue
Genetic Literacy Project – Jan. 6
Where science trumps ideology…that’s the motto of the Genetic Literacy Project. It’s the perspective that we GLP writers are implored to take on every post, and by highlighting the science we try to make society as a whole evaluate genetics issue objectively. If people would think and vote about issues of science based on science, regardless of their ideology, things would work better … Nonetheless, history suggests that shaking off the beliefs often can take a great deal of time, and a study published last year tells us pretty much the same thing. Conducted at the University of Alabama, the investigation examined students’ acceptance of evolution. Education was found to be a factor with science majors showing a higher rate of accepting evolution and rejecting creationism compared with non-science majors. However, students’ religiosity was shown to have a greater effect, particularly for those learning about evolution in college classes. Specifically, only students identifying as not religious tended to accept evolution more and more as they learned about it more and more in college.
University of Alabama unveils new collegiate license plate
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 6
The University of Alabama and the state Department of Revenue have unveiled a new UA collegiate license plate. The new series began this month, according to the Alabama Department of Revenue website. In the new design, the tag number is bracketed by crimson bands on the top and bottom. The top band includes the state name in white, while the bottom band includes “Roll Tide.” The design includes a script A logo to the left of the registration number. The proceeds from the collegiate tags sold in the state are used to fund undergraduate and graduate scholarships. Annually, the tag sales generate about $4.5 million for scholarships at UA, according to David Wilson, director of alumni funds with the Alabama National Alumni Association. State law requires the collegiate tag designs to be updated every five years. The university received approval for its new design in fall 2014, Wilson said, adding that the design process took eight to nine months. Wilson said the alumni association consulted with fans and members of the UA community on the design. “We went everywhere we could to get second looks,” Wilson said.
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Jan. 6
UA Quiz Bowl team participates in out-of-state tournaments
Crimson White – Jan. 7
On any given week, The University of Alabama Quiz Bowl Club will be busy practicing, preparing for tournaments or going out to dinner. About 15 students practice regularly and compete with the club and the club has grown into a close-knit group of friends over the years. Quiz Bowl is a trivia competition where teams of four compete against each other in tournaments. … “We compete in academic competitions here and at other colleges throughout the nation,” said Jonathan Thompson, a graduate student on the team. “This is like Jeopardy but tougher questions, and there’s no money.” Thompson, who’s been on the team since 2006, has been a part of many of the tournaments, including several national competitions. Meredith Rickard, a senior majoring in chemistry, has been in the club since her freshman year and is now president of the club. … “A lot of us are very good friends. It’s normal for a group of us to go get dinner afterwards,” Rickard said. “A lot of our tournaments are far away, and you can’t spend that many hours in a car with someone without getting close to them.”
New UA gymnastics coach has first meet later this week
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 6
A new era of gymnastics at the University of Alabama starts this week. Dana Duckworth takes over the team following the resignation of longtime coach Sarah Patterson last year. Kelvin Reynolds joins us live from Tuscaloosa with more. Duckworth tells me she’s not trying to be Sarah Patterson. But there are some things she learned from the national championship winning gymnastics coach that she’ll continue at Alabama. Dana Duckworth is all smiles while talking up the UA gymnastics team ahead of their first meet of the 2015 season. “We are prepared for the first meet.”
Alpha Phi house on UA campus demolished
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 6
Construction crews are demolishing the old Alpha Phi sorority house at the University of Alabama, part of a campus master plan to build two larger chapter houses on the lots where three existing buildings sit. The demolition of the old Alpha Phi house on the corner of Colonial Drive and Paul W. Bryant Drive began in late December. The chapter is relocating to a new house on Bryant Drive.
Cochran to represent county in state Distinguished Young Women Program
Gadsden Times – Jan. 6
Gadsden City High School senior Callie Cochran will represent Etowah County in the 2015 Alabama Distinguished Young Women Program. Formerly America’s Junior Miss, DYW is a national scholarship program that has taken place for more than 50 years. The participants compete in five categories: scholastics, interview, talent, self-expression and fitness. … Upon graduation, she plans to attend the University of Alabama, where she has received the Presidential Scholarship to major in communications.