Bonner Voyage: Bonner discusses legacy before leaving president’s office
Crimson White – July 14
The past three years have been a whirlwind for Judy Bonner. … The transition from interim to permanent president, Bonner said, was an easy one, and that her knowledge of the University, both following her employment as a faculty member and before, heavily contributed to that ease. “On top of having been in the provost office since 2003, I had been at The University of Alabama since 1981,” she said. “And I hate to say this, but I actually entered The University of Alabama as a freshman 50 years ago this fall, so I knew a tremendous amount about what was going on at The University of Alabama.” Bonner received both her undergraduate and masters degrees at the University, and said it has been an honor to serve the University she loves. … Bonner’s appointment marked the first time in The University of Alabama’s 184-year history that a woman would serve as president. She said that facet of her selection did not occur to her immediately following her appointment, but its importance has become increasingly apparent. “One of the first questions I was asked was, ‘How does it feel to be the first woman president?’ And I think my response was I really had not thought about that. It’s exciting to be the president of such a great university,” she said. “As time has gone on, I have realized how important having a woman as a president is to our students, to our faculty, to our alumni, and I really appreciate so much more now the importance of that historic moment.” … Coming into the office, Bonner said she wished to extend upon the University’s recent successes and that she felt it was important to maintain the momentum. One of those successes was the emphasis on recruitment of what Bonner said are the best and brightest students and faculty. As for her individual contributions as president, she said she has found success in her goal to ensure that Alabama’s campus is an inclusive and welcoming place. “It has been extremely important to me to find ways for students to connect to the campus, so that they have the same kind of experience that our alumni had when they attended the university and it had 12,000, 15,000 or 18,000 students,” she said. “We have worked very hard to bring on new initiatives that bring on new opportunities for populations or subpopulations of the student body to connect.”
UA signs research deal with Japanese electronics maker
Tuscaloosa News – July 14
Japanese electronics manufacturer TDK Corp. and the University of Alabama have signed a research agreement focused on the next generation of new magnetic materials that could lead to technology breakthroughs in electronics. The agreement between TDK and UA’s Center for Materials for Information Technology (MINT) builds on an existing relationship between the two, according to Carl Pinkert, UA vice president of research and economic development. “This takes that relationship to a much higher level,” Pinkert said. He said he also hopes the new agreement, which formally begins Sept. 1, will lead to future development of ideas and collaborative opportunities. “This is just the start; that is something I am extremely enthusiastic about,” Pinkert said.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – July 14
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – July 14
Will Atticus Finch still be a hero in the new sequel to ‘Mockingbird’?
Anniston Star – July 12
Wayne Flynt is eager for a closer look at Atticus Finch, but not for the reasons one might think. Finch, the lawyer at the heart of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” is a hero to millions and a worldwide icon of tolerance and moral courage. But Flynt, a close friend of author Harper Lee, is expecting a much more recognizable figure from Alabama’s history this time around. “I can’t believe we’ll like him as much as we did in the old book,” said Flynt, an Auburn University emeritus professor of history … “It’s OK to think critically about a book and still love it,” said Andy Crank, who teaches literature at the University of Alabama. “People are so invested in this story, it may be hard for them to look critically.” Crank counts himself among the admirers of the book, although he spots some differences between the on-screen crusader in the 1962 film and the man depicted in the novel. “We’re so seduced by Gregory Peck, who is our Atticus,” he said. The Atticus of the book, Crank said, is more dispassionate and less emotive than the on-screen character. Crank describes him as a “pragmatist,” focused largely on fulfilling his duty as a lawyer. His most-repeated quotes are about courage, honor and mercy. “Atticus’ whole jam is about putting yourself in another person’s shoes,” Crank said.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – July 14
UA Astronomy Professor talks about NASA’s flyby of Pluto
Fox 6 (Birmingham) (no video available) – July 14
Dr. William Keel, UA professor of astronomy, discussed the significance of the New Horizons probe’s flyby of Pluto and the high definition quality photos that it sent back to earth.
Rare endangered leatherback sea turtle seen off the Golden Gate
Inside Bay Area News – July 14
A rare endangered leatherback sea turtle was spotted off the Golden Gate this past weekend, an apparent early and rare arrival to the area. … Leatherback turtles, which feed on jellyfish off the coast of Marin in the summer through fall, typically arrive in August. Recognizing their shrinking numbers, in 2012 the federal government established the Pacific Leatherback Conservation Area, which prohibits drift gill net fishing between Aug. 15 and Nov. 15 along California from Point Sur north, some 16,000 square miles. … A 2013 study found that the Western Pacific population of leatherback sea turtles, which includes the leatherbacks that feed in West Coast waters, has continued to decline since the 1980s. If the trend continue, extinction may be inevitable in 20 years because the number of turtles will be so low, predicted the University of Alabama study. Pacific leatherbacks were designated as the state’s official California marine reptile symbol in 2012.
Summer Camps Beat the Heat
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – July 14
With summer comes summer camps. But what happens when the heat becomes extreme? Officials over a summer soccer camp at The University of Alabama says they are prepared and help the campers adjust to the heat, while still allowing the kids to have fun.
Waters makes president’s list
The Daily Times (Maryville, Tenn.) – July 14
Chelsea J. Waters, of Maryville, made the president’s list at the University of Alabama for spring semester 2015. The president’s list recognizes students who earn a 4.0 or better on at least 12 credit hours of work.
Hartselle’s Smith named Miss Metropolitan
Decatur Daily – July 14
Hartselle native Megan Smith won the title of Miss Metropolitan in Pelham on Sunday and secured her spot in the 2016 Miss Alabama Pageant. This will mark the University of Alabama student’s fourth appearance at the state pageant. The three previous years, Smith finished in the top 11. The 21-year-old Smith performed a dance routine for talent and discussed her platform “Reach Higher: Expanding College Access.” The platform focuses on exposing students living in low-income communities to college options and getting them connected with scholarships and financial aid. The 2016 Miss Alabama pageant will take place in June at Samford University.