President Judy Bonner reflects on her University of Alabama tenure, future
Tuscaloosa News – June 14
University of Alabama President Judy Bonner sat on the porch of the campus’ antebellum president’s mansion on a muggy afternoon in late spring. Joggers made their way around the Quad, and the heat and humidity gradually rose after a brief afternoon shower. The porch is one of Bonner’s favorite places and one of the things she will miss about the UA presidency, a post she will leave in mid-July. “I will miss graduation, I will miss the first day of school, everyone is so excited when they come back for a new academic year … I will miss the students who want to do selfies,” Bonner said. She announced plans to retire from the presidency in December during the winter break. The University of Alabama System announced Louisiana State University Provost Stuart Bell as the nominee to succeed her. If approved by UA trustees, Bell will become president July 15. As the system prepares for the fall, Bonner, 67, considers a life ahead without the university at its center. “The first thing I have got to do is become a recovering workaholic,” Bonner said, adding she is happiest juggling multiple tasks. “And I think I can handle that. In order to do that, I am going to spend some time away.”
Al.com – June 15
University of Alabama students recognized in EcoCAR3 competition as ‘Team to Watch’
Tuscaloosa News – June 12
University of Alabama students competing in a four-year national competition to design an energy-efficient high-performance vehicle were recognized as the “Team to Watch” after completing the first year of the competition. The awards came as the top teams and presenters were recognized during the first-year EcoCAR 3 competition earlier this month in Seattle. The event allowed the teams to describe their efforts and projects during the first year, according to a release from UA. UA is among 16 universities nationwide competing in the EcoCAR- 3 contest co-sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and General Motors. The teams are redesigning a Chevrolet Camaro into a high-performance hybrid-electric car, with goals of reducing its environmental impact while maintaining its muscle-car performance. The university teams are tasked with designing, developing and integrating powertrains into the Camaro that will allow it to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining performance, utility and safety of the gasoline-powered production model, while also considering cost and innovation.
Jeb Bush and majority of Republican voters actually agree on immigration, George Will says
Politifact – June 14
As Jeb Bush readies his push to win the Republican nomination, one of the charges he has to fend off is that he lacks conservative zeal. The issue popped up June 14, 2015, on Fox News Sunday, when a viewer suggested in a note to the show that Bush seems like more of a Democrat than a Republican. Conservative columnist George Will sprang to Bush’s defense. On cutting taxes and government as governor of Florida, and on social issues, Will said Bush was every bit a conservative as President Ronald Reagan, and maybe more. The latest report from the Pew Research Center bolsters Will’s claim. However, George Hawley, a political scientist at the University of Alabama, cautions that the Pew survey also shows a complicated set of attitudes. “A majority of Republicans also felt that giving people who came to the United States illegally a way to gain legal status is like rewarding them for doing something wrong,” Hawley said.
Front Row: ‘Ring of Fire’ brings Cash’s music to life
Pensacola News Journal (Fla.) – June 12
This year marks the 12th that the University of Alabama’s SummerTide Theatre has presented a musical at the George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center in Gulf Shores, Ala. I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing past shows presented as part of this program, and I’ve always been impressed by the quality of the work. This year’s production is “Ring of Fire,” and it was great to see that the quality has not wavered. “Ring of Fire” is a musical revue that focuses on the songs and life of Johnny Cash, and the ten-member student cast from the University of Alabama’s Department of Theatre and Dance is very entertaining. Cast members include Loui Clagett, Craig First, Matt Gabbard, Anthony Haselbauer, Kaylee MacKnight, Terry Moore, Zachary Swanner, Miranda Therkelsen, Harrison Wallace and Mary Catherine Waltman. The production is directed and choreographed by Stacy Alley, with Terry Moore as music director.
THE PORT RAIL: Middle ground good, but lonely place to be
Tuscaloosa News – June 13
While teaching the history of the Christian Church, or the history of Christianity in general, I have to tread a rather fine line. I liken it to a pilot landing in weather, like in low clouds and reduced visibility. You are looking hard for the “runway environment,” and for the end of the strobe lights, what pilots call the “rabbit,” leading to the runway, and the center line. If you are landing in a stiff crosswind, you have to work to stay in the center of the runway, and keep your wheels aligned with the center line. There is little room for gross mistakes or errors in judgment. Land too far to the left or right, or touch down too early, and you can be in trouble. When touching down, I want to be on the center line, at the right spot on the runway. I know I am on the right spot, the middle ground, in teaching the history of Christianity when I get people from both sides condemning me for prejudice, bias and discrimination. One example is the history of the rise and evolution of the Roman Catholic Church. Larry Clayton is a retired professor of history at the University of Alabama. Readers can contact him at larryclayton7@gmail.com.