UA Preview

MONDAY, APRIL 13 – SUNDAY, APRIL 19, 2015

BEST BETS

SERVICE MEMBER TO CIVILIAN SUMMIT SET FOR THURSDAY, FRIDAY — Billie Filkins, business major at The University of Alabama and retired chief warrant officer (Army), was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD) five years ago, nearly six years after he left the military. He still has nightmares from missions during two tours in Afghanistan and Somalia. “The medicine does what it does, but it’s not a cure-all,” Filkins said. He wishes he would have gotten help sooner. Filkins said he had two DUIs, has changed jobs each year, and watched the effects of PTSD weigh on his family members, including his two daughters, one of whom is currently a student at UA, since leaving the military in 2004. Filkins is eager to attend the Service Member to Civilian Summit April 16-17 at the Bryant Conference Center at UA. Top policy makers, advocates, veterans and dependents will discuss issues related to PTSD, post-active duty careers in the private sector, and support of dependents. Keynote speakers include Col. James P. Isenhower, III and Maj. Gen. Glenn J. Lesniak. “I’m very interested to hear all of the ideas,” Filkins said. “There’s a little bit of everything that will be addressed.” For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.

UA’S RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE FEATURES COOKING CHALLENGE — Alabama suffers from one of the highest obesity rates in the nation, yet many residents struggle to find healthy food. The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences and its Institute for Rural Health Research hope to change that during the 16th annual Rural Health Conference April 17. This year’s event will feature a “cooking challenge,” which is being undertaken by Chef Leah Sarris, program director of the Goldring Center for Culinary Medicine at Tulane University School of Medicine in New Orleans and the first full-time chef ever employed by a medical school. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.

A UA STUDENT WINS ‘PEOPLE’S CHOICE’ AWARD FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR AT 3-MINUTE THESIS COMPETITION – UA graduate student Brandon Chicotsky won the ‘People’s Choice’ award at the regional 3MT conference in New Orleans. Chicotsky is the second straight UA student to win the award. Contact: Bobby Mathews, UA Media Relations, 205/348-4956 or bwmthews1@ur.ua.edu.

STRAN TO CONDUCT WHEELCHAIR STUDY WITH AREA YOUTH – Dr. Margaret Stran, assistant professor of kinesiology and associate director of The University of Alabama’s Adapted Athletics program, has received a $21,362 grant from the Christopher Reeve Foundation to conduct a manual wheelchair study with students in Tuscaloosa City Schools over the next year. Stran, along with colleagues in the kinesiology department, will help address issues of poorly-fitted wheelchairs, like arm length and arm positioning, and length of the back, all of which can lead to poor posture and impact a person’s quality of life, Stran said. UA researchers will make changes to students’ chairs, including axle position, brake position and removal of unnecessary items. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.

UA BOASTS 10 OF THE 16 EMERGING DESIGNER COMPETITION FINALISTS IN BIRMINGHAM FASHION WEEK 2015 – Ten apparel design students from UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences were selected as Birmingham Fashion Week’s Top 16 Emerging Designer Competition Finalists. Paige Denton, Liza Rogers, Seline Meisler, Valerie King, Chelsea Rae, Megan Mitton, Kenya Buchanan, Leslie Beattie, Kerstin Marie and Shannon Warren, along with six other finalists, will be competing for the title of BFW Emerging Designer 2015 during the annual fashion show, which will be held May 7 through 9. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.

CURRENT COMMENT

ASTRONOMER WHO LED MULTIPLE HUBBLE PROJECTS AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS SPACE TELESCOPE’S 25^TH ANNIVERSARY – Dr. William Keel, UA professor of astronomy, recently led a Hubble Space Telescope project. It marked the eighth time Keel has led a Hubble project during its years in orbit. As NASA looks to the 25^th anniversary of Hubble’s launch on April 24, Keel is available to give his thoughts on the instrument’s impact on space exploration and research. He may be reached at 205/348-1641 or wkeel@ua.edu. For assistance, contact Chris Bryant in media relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu.

UA EXPERT TIPS

UA MATTERS: THINKING OF ONLINE DATING? A FEW ITEMS TO CONSIDER – Many people try online dating as a way to meet the person of their dreams – or at least liven up their social life. The University of Alabama’s Dr. Christopher Lynn, assistant professor of anthropology, offers some do’s and don’ts to consider regarding online dating— and, in some cases, dating in general—based on some basic principles of human (and primate) nature in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.

UA MATTERS: MYTH VS. FACT ABOUT CREDIT CARD USE, CREDIT SCORES, HISTORY – Credit cards can be a large risk or an asset for consumers who are trying to build credit or manage their finances. Credit cards can serve as a great financial tool — if they are used wisely. Understanding facts and myths about credit card use will help you manage your credit and your credit score or credit history. The University of Alabama’s Dr. Melissa Wilmarth offers some valuable insight in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.

EVENTS

PARTNERSHIP PROMISES CREATIVE LOOKS DURING ANNUAL UA FASHION SHOW – UA apparel and design students have teamed up with Arts n’ Autism to create a fashion show that is truly one-of-a-kind. The annual T-Time Fashion Show, which is slated for April 14, has added a special category this year. The students with Arts n’ Autism are painting fabric inspired by a book they are currently reading. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.

UA HOSTS STATEWIDE HIGH SCHOOL PERSONAL FINANCE CHALLENGE – The UA College of Human Environmental Sciences department of consumer sciences will host the Alabama Personal Finance Challenge April 14. Sponsored by the Alabama Council on Economic Education, the challenge tests high-school students on their knowledge of income and money management, spending and credit, and saving and investing. The top 20 teams from across Alabama are invited to the final competition, which includes a comprehensive test and a quiz bowl. The competition will start at 9 a.m. at UA’s Child Development Research Center. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.

UA TO HOST SUMMIT TO ADDRESS CHILD ABUSE – The UA School of Social Work and College of Human Environmental Sciences will host “A Blue Ribbon Event: Leading the Way in Protecting our Children – An Alabama Legacy of Innovation and Leadership” on April 20 at the Child Development Research Center at UA. The summit will take place between 8:30 a.m. and noon. Robert E. “Bud” Cramer, former Alabama congressman and founder of the Children’s Advocacy Center Movement, headquartered in Huntsville, will be the keynote speaker. Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and Neal Wade, director of the UA Economic Development Academy, will be among four panelists for the discussion “Child Maltreatment and Economic Implications.” Panelists will field questions from audience members. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.