MONDAY, AUG. 24 – SUNDAY, AUG. 30, 2015
BEST BETS
U.S. HAS DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF WORLD’S MASS SHOOTINGS – The United States has just 5 percent of the world’s population but 31 percent of the public mass shootings from 1966-2012, according to new research by Dr. Adam Lankford, associated professor of criminal justice at The University of Alabama. Lankford used data from the New York City Police Department and the FBI, among other sources to build his analysis. Lankford also found that the United States, Yemen, Switzerland, Finland, and Serbia, all ranked in the top 5 countries in firearms owned per capita, were ranked in the top 15 countries in public mass shooters per capita. “My study provides empirical evidence, based on my quantitative assessment of 171 countries, that a nation’s civilian firearm ownership rate is the strongest predictor of its number of public mass shooters,” Lankford said. “Until now, everyone was simply speculating about the relationship between firearms and public mass shootings. My study provides empirical evidence of a positive association between the two.” For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
“RAISING MIA” ADOPTIVE MOTHER AMONG SPEAKERS AT SOCIAL WORK CONFERENCE – Sharon Behrens, whose experiences as an adoptive mother of an abused child were chronicled by CBS’ Katie Couric and Harry Smith, will be one of three keynote speakers at the 14th annual Fall Social Work Conference Aug. 27-28 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in downtown Tuscaloosa. The conference, “Cultivating Permanency: Nurturing Successful Families Through Interprofessional Collaborations,” is co-sponsored by The University of Alabama School of Social Work. Behrens will share her story of how she discovered the ability of children to heal through her own experience in raising “Mia,” who grew into a loving adult after a turbulent childhood. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
SECONDARY MATH ED EARNS NATIONAL RECOGNITION – The secondary math education program in the College of Education at The University of Alabama has a new recruitment tool. The program has received recognition from the National Council for Teachers of Mathematics as a program with a strong emphasis on research-based practices in the preparation of future mathematics teachers. The designation will help the program recruit high-school seniors, both in-state and out-of-state, for its undergraduate program, and will resonate with upper-level math teachers in high schools. Teachers play a vital role in advising high school seniors who want to major in math education, said Dr. Jeremy Zelkowski, SEMA program director. “We have 15 to 20 students who come into this institution each year thinking they want to be a math teacher,” Zelkowski said. “We have to have a higher number of students entering the program.” For more information, contact David Miller, UA Media Relations, 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
WETLAND FLOODING RESEARCH TAKES NEW APPROACH – A warming world could result in sea levels rising by as much as a meter by the turn of the century, according to estimates. This could, among other things, drastically alter coastal wetlands, impacting their roles as a last line of defense against storm surges and as sanctuaries for various species. A group of scientists, led by a UA researcher, developed a new, low-cost method for studying potential impacts of rising sea levels on wetlands. And, in research publishing today, these authors show how materials available at the local hardware store are central to the new approach. Contact the lead researcher, Dr. Julia Cherry, UA associate professor of New College and biological sciences, at 205/348-8416, Julia.cherry@ua.edu. For assistance, contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: PLANNING A WEDDING ON A TIGHT BUDGET – Today, the average American wedding costs about $30,000 — even more in major cities. The good news is that brides can cut back in so many areas and still have the wedding of their dreams. The first step in not spending too much is creating a budget. Put the budget in writing, and keep to it with a good tracking system. The University of Alabama’s Kimberly Boyle, assistant professor in the College of Human Environmental Sciences restaurant, hotel and meetings management program. offers some tips on cutting costs on the big day in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
UA MATTERS: CREATING A ‘WOW FACTOR’ IN SCHOOL LUNCHES – For many families, back to school means back-to-school lunches. Gone are the days of a brown bag lunch of a PB and J sandwich with fruit and milk. With an increasing prevalence in food allergies, bringing lunch and snacks from home has grown in popularity. The University of Alabama’s Sheena Quizon Gregg offers a few tips for adding the “wow factor” to your child’s next packed lunch. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
EVENTS
MIKE SLIVE TO SPEAK ON CAMPUS – Former SEC Commissioner Mike Slive will speak at UA on Thursday, Aug. 27 at 5 p.m. in 118 Graves Hall. Slive is an industry spotlight speaker for the Alabama Program in Sports Communication in the College of Communication and Information Sciences. Contact: Hailey Grace Steele, hailey.g.steele@ua.edu or 205/348-8599.
UA’S UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER-NORTHPORT CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING – University Medical Center’s new Northport location, which is operated by The University of Alabama, will hold its grand opening Aug. 26. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. at University Medical Center-Northport, located in the Fitness One building, 1325 McFarland Blvd., Suite 102. It will be followed by an open house for the community. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
UA’S CHILD DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES HOSTS CONFERENCE – UA’s Child Development Resources is hosting its first Early Learning Child Development Conference “Building a Good Foundation” later this month. The conference, which will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28, at the Bryant Conference Center, is open to UA faculty, child care providers, students and anyone who works with children. The cost is $15, which includes lunch. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.