Guest Columnist: University of Alabama houses hub for water science
Tuscaloosa News – May 24
Editor’s Note: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Water Center officially opens on the University of Alabama campus Tuesday. The new 60,000-square-foot facility will serve as a central location for collaboration between academic institutions across the U.S. and the more than 20 federal agencies involved in critical water research. … Alabama is about to take center stage to help solve many of the nation’s growing water issues and prepare for this uncertain future. This week marks the official opening of the National Water Center on the University of Alabama’s campus. The Center will become a hub of integrated water science and forecasting, bringing together experts from across the government, academia, and the private sector to accelerate the implementation of cutting- edge products and services to provide more accurate water forecasts. The National Water Center will improve federal coordination to address water resource needs, including water security, and analysis and prediction of water extremes like floods and droughts. … The University of Alabama is an ideal home and academic partner for the National Water Center, with its robust research program focused on the protection and restoration of the nation’s water supply and natural environment. Among its many water-related activities and programs, the university has placed high priority on becoming a leader in holistic water resources research. Planned water collaborations between the university and the National Water Center will provide unique, hands-on learning opportunities for UA students. We know from experience the power of bringing together academia, managers, industry, forecasters and scientists to identify and knock down scientific barriers, and to better understand the real-world needs of those who rely on government information. … Kathryn Sullivan is Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and heads up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
UA’s robotic mining team wins 1st place in NASA competition
BAYN-TV (Tampa, Fla.) – May 22
Students from across the country converged on the Kennedy Space Center to discuss a new destination in space, Mars. NASA invited 47 teams for this year’s robotic mining competition. They built devices that could one day explore and mine Mars. This year the team from The University of Alabama won first prize.
What the aging baby boomers mean for Alabama’s economy
Birmingham Business Journal – May 22
Alabama’s aging baby boomers are expected to cause challenges – and opportunities – for the state’s economy over the next 25 years. According to the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama, the number of those over age 65 in Alabama is expected to increase to 1.2 million by 2040. The total is currently 721,166. Seniors will likely account for more than 20 percent of the state’s population by 2040, according to CBER. CBER said the trend will stress the state’s medical sector and the transportation industry, but will also create a number of opportunities for businesses in industries like health care. The large aging generation could pose particular challenges in rural areas when it comes to health care and nursing home access.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – May 22
Here’s where housing units are growing the fastest in Alabama; 2 in nation’s top 100
AL.com – May 22
Two Alabama counties, Russell and Madison, were among the 100 U.S. counties with the highest rates of increase in housing units between 2010 and the middle of last year, the U.S. Census Bureau reported Thursday. Changes in a county’s housing stock often serve as a strong indicator of population growth, and indeed, the counties that saw increases of 2 percent or more in the number of housing units since the last census year in 2010 mostly are at the top of the list for population growth. Russell County, along the Georgia border, increased its housing stock by 2,195 units from 2010 to 2014, an 8.9 percent increase that ranked it No. 31 in the country among counties with at least 5,000 units. At 12.6 percent, Russell also has led the state in population growth during that period. “You cannot ever say how much population grows because of housing units,” said Viktoria Riiman, a researcher with the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research. “It’s basically inventory.”
Science says using thin models could put off a lot of women buyers
Business Insider Australia – May 24
Using thin models in advertisements could be putting off a significant portion of potential buyers, according to a marketing study in the United States. James Roberts, professor of marketing at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business, says the defaul belief that thinner is better could be alienating up to 70% of the audience. Roberts co-authored a report, Does Thin Always Sell? The Moderating Role of Thin Ideal Internalisation on Advertising Effectiveness, with his daughter, Chloe Roberts, at the University of Alabama. The study, of a diverse group of 239 women, is published in the Atlantic Marketing Journal. “The current ‘thin sells’ fixation is a gross oversimplification of how women respond to advertising,” the study says.
Alabama job market ‘a work in progress’
Montgomery Advertiser – May 24
Gov. Robert Bentley had a nice backdrop last week when he took the stage to trumpet the 18,000 new jobs and nearly $3.4 billion in new investment that had been announced in the past year. Alabama’s unemployment rate stood at its lowest level in almost seven years. Business confidence was at pre-recession highs. Analysts were predicting more growth ahead. But those same analysts say the numbers could be misleading in a state where people are still desperate for jobs even six years after the end of the recession. “Most people don’t feel like we’re recovering,” said Ahmad Ijaz. “Even for low-wage jobs, you see multiple applications.” In fact, jobs are part of the problem, said Ijaz, the associate director of economic forecasting for the Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama. The rising job numbers have been inflated by low-wage retail and hospitality hiring, a situation that has held back spending and kept consumer confidence relatively low. “That’s not just an Alabama problem,” he said. “That’s a nationwide problem. That’s why we’re seeing such an income disparity.”
Tuscaloosa County jobless rate fell in April
Tuscaloosa News – May 24
Tuscaloosa County’s unemployment rate fell to 4.7 percent in April. It was 5 percent in March. Alabama’s unemployment rate rose 0.1 percent to 5.8 percent in April. “The numbers still look good, even though the (state) unemployment rate increased slightly,” said Ahmad Ijaz, director of economic forecasting at the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research. The state’s slight increase “was primarily due to a significant increase in labor force, and it’s perfectly natural at this stage of the recovery,” he said. “It just means more people are much more optimistic about job prospects and are looking for work, and some of it is due to college and high school kids looking for summer work.”
Proper wedding gift etiquette
KSLA-CBS (Shreveport, La.) – May 22
We’ve all been there. You get a wedding invitation and then you have to buy the happy couple a gift. So, what do you get the happy couple, and how long is too long to wait? Kim Boyle is a professor of restaurant, hotel and meetings management at The University of Alabama. She tracks the trends of wedding gift giving and etiquette.
Ham Ham Jam Jam 7 bringing awesome 8 bands to rock Tuscaloosa for Autism research this weekend
AL.com – May 22
Musician and shredder extraordinaire Ham Bagby will host his annual three-night throwdown for charity this weekend, and any fan of local music won’t want to miss it. Bands on tap for Ham Ham Jam Jam 7: Looksy, Manchino and Ne’er-do-wells on Friday; John Smith, Golden Monica and Ferguson and the Copper Dogs on Saturday; and CBDB and Ham Bagby and the Siege on Sunday. All proceeds will go to the Parent Support and Resource Library at the Autism Spectrum Disorders Clinic at the University of Alabama. Bagby shares this message from ASD Clinic to promote the event: “The University of Alabama Autism Clinic Parent Resource and Support Library will provide books, materials and support for parents whose children have recently been diagnosed with autism. When their child is diagnosed with autism, parents often feel isolated and confused when trying to navigate intervention options.
Moundville to host birding trail event
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – May 22
The University of Alabama is inviting you to get a glimpse of nature by going on a walk in the Moundville Archaeological Park. The park will host an Alabama Birding Trail event on Saturday, May 30. Joining us now is Kendric Minges.
Astronomy photo of the day: 5/24/15 — AM 1316-241
Quarks to Quasars – May 24
AM 1316-241, otherwise known as ESO 508-45, is the collective name of two interacting galaxies, found approximately 400 million light-years from Earth in the constellation of Hydra. On the left, we have a spiral galaxy, and an elliptical stands on the right—the latter illuminates the foreground galaxy, bringing many subtle details to light. . . . Image Credit: NASA, ESA, the Hubble Heritage (STScI/AURA)-ESA/Hubble Collaboration, and W. Keel (University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa).
College News: May 24
Tuscaloosa News – May 24
Shuwen Yue of Tuscaloosa received the Dr. Charles L. Seebeck Endowed Scholarship, awarded by the Computer-Based Honors Program in the Honors College. . . . The ninth group of Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars was recently welcomed to campus. The students are the first in their families to attend college. Each receives a $5,000 scholarship renewable for four years. Area recipients are: Madeline Hope Green, Northport, and Timothy O. Holley II, Greensboro. . . . Crystal Skinner of Duncanville was honored with other 2014-15 University of Alabama Rural Medical Scholars at the 19th Annual Rural Scholars Convocation. . . . Thirty-one student researchers were recognized by the Randall Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award Program. Local winners are Randy Arnold of Northport and Shuwen Yue of Tuscaloosa.
Hoover chamber gives out $21,000 in college scholarships for 2015
AL.com – May 22
The Hoover Area Chamber of Commerce this week presented 13 college scholarships totaling $21,000 to students from the Hoover area. Five of the scholarship recipients are 2015 graduates of Hoover High School, while three graduated this year from Spain Park High and one graduated this year from the new Helena High. Three others are former Hoover High students now at the University of Alabama, and the final one is a former Thompson High student now studying at Troy University.
Sisco named one of four drum majors in UA marching band
Jackson County Daily Sentinel – May 24
Scottsboro native Kayla Sisco was initially reluctant to join her school band. But her decision to do so has paid off in more ways than one, and she is now part of a historical group of drum majors at the University of Alabama. Sisco first got involved in band when she was in the sixth grade, but she said she did so more at her mother’s urging than for personal desire. “I didn’t want to be in the band at first,” she said. “But my mom prodded me to do it, and I was in the marching band by eighth grade. At that time, I dropped my other extracurricular activities and focused solely on band.” In addition to being in the marching band, Sisco, a trumpet player, also played in the jazz and symphonic bands at Scottsboro High School. And, during her junior year, she tried out for drum major and earned the position. She credits this success to the help from one of her friends and the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy. Sisco graduated from SHS in 2012 and headed to Tuscaloosa to attend the University of Alabama on a marching band scholarship. During her time at UA, Sisco, a rising senior, has been a member of the marching band and athletic pep band. As a member of these bands, she has gotten to travel to various athletic events, and she said the best part about these trips has been the camaraderie among band members.
Small Trinity Episcopal class dreams big at graduation
Natchez Democrat – May 24
It wasn’t the numbers that mattered Saturday as 12 members of Trinity Episcopal Day School’s class of 2015 left the Trinity Episcopal Church looking to the sky. It was their experience. … When Alex Patel approached the stand to give his salutatory address, he noted to the graduating class that despite difficult months, they managed to find their way. He later went on to compare his alma mater to a lollipop, which those in attendance found amusing. “It looks great on the outside, takes forever to get through it and once you’re done, you’re going to miss it.” Patel plans on attending the University of Alabama to study healthcare management and pre-pharmacy.
See how Alabama’s football uniform has changed through time
AL.com – May 25
With all the attention the University of Oregon gets for changing its uniform constantly, it’s a wonder why Alabama hasn’t changed their uniform more. Nick Saban laid that to rest during a press conference in September of 2011 when he said, “When you line up and play, I’m not sure what your uniform really has anything to do with how you play. I don’t think they have any advantage over anybody else.” The University of Alabama football team has had little change to its uniform over the team’s 123 year history. The classic look of the crimson and white has been a part of the team’s image since the beginning. In the early years, the uniform’s design changed in a more noticeable manner. The 1930 uniform had a candy cane striped pattern on the jersey and helmet. In 1941, the predominantly crimson jersey took hold. The 1952 team donned all white helmets. Take a look at the video above to see 12 uniform changes that the Crimson Tide have had throughout its history.