Protective Life CEO to give keynote during Alabama Insurance Day
The Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 10
The president of Protective Life will be the keynote speaker during Alabama Insurance Day on Oct. 16 on the University of Alabama campus. Protective Life President and CEO Rich Bielen will speak on the trends, challenges and opportunities facing the insurance industry as part of the daylong conference at the Bryant Conference Center. The theme is “Vision 2020: Seize The Future.”
Moundville celebrates culture with 31st annual Native American Festival
The Tuscaloosa News – Oct. 8
The Moundville Native American Festival isn’t just about the past, it’s about today. “We hope everyone who comes to the festival will leave with a greater appreciation of Native American cultures,” said Alexander Benitez, director of the University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park. “Many people have this misconception that Native Americans are a people of the past. The festival is an extraordinary showcase that tribal nations and their cultural traditions are still thriving.”
Girls rule: A number of law schools see female enrollment growth
The National Jurist – Oct. 8
For several years running, women have made up the majority of the nation’s law students. And while statistics for this year’s entering class won’t be available for a while, it appears that women are still making strides. The University of Alabama School of Law’s newest class also has — for the first time, as well — a majority of female students, at 53%.
Researchers develop tool to diagnose dying forests
NBC (Huntsville) – Oct. 8
Dr. Makesh Kumar, from The University of Alabama and other researchers used satellite and aerial pictures to determine which forests are reaching the point where it’s too late to save them from drought. “It’s important for us to be able to predict when they are going to die if there is a big drought. Our study does exactly that. We are developing a new tool that can help predict mortality 16 to 19 months ahead of time.”
Fox 6
NBC (Montgomery)
Suicide Awareness Walk to be held Sunday
WVUA – Oct. 8
Looking ahead to this Sunday where a suicide awareness walk will be taking place. It’ll be held on The University of Alabama campus at the Ferguson center. The event is called “Coming Out of Darkness” where the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention hopes the walk raises awareness for suicide prevention, especially in Tuscaloosa. The walk begins at 2 p.m. The UA Counseling Center will be on hand to provide further information to those who may need it.
15 Things You’re Doing That Make People Dislike You Immediately
Thrive Global – Oct. 8
Generally speaking, you’ve only got a few seconds to make someone want to spend more time with you. And in those precious few seconds, everything matters — from your last name to the smell of your sweat (unfair and gross, we know). A 2000 University of Alabama study found that people could predict the personalities of undergraduates they shook hands with. Specifically, the handshake raters intuited that the students with firm handshakes were more positive, more outgoing, and less socially anxious.
Business Insider
UA part of tornado research project in Alabama
NBC (Montgomery) – Oct. 8
The University of Alabama’s looking to help you better prepare for severe weather. A group of students will visit with families to see how they get their information about severe weather warnings and the steps they take after getting the information. Researchers want to make sure people are preparing for severe weather.
WERC-FM
Screening Kindergarten Readiness
Science Magazine – Oct. 8
Starting kindergarten can be a challenging time for children as many are leaving home and learning to interact with others for the first time. As such, it is important for kindergartners to receive proper support from their teachers. “Teacher-rated school readiness items in a kindergarten sample: Outcomes in first grade,” was published in School Psychology. Stormont’s coauthors from the MU College of Education included Keith Herman and Wendy Reinke. Daniel Cohen with the University of Alabama is also a coauthor.
Phys.org
EurekAlert!
DOJ Tells Federal Judge Courts Were Wrong to Give Congress ‘Road Map’ to Nixon’s Impeachment
Law and Crime – Oct. 8
Attorneys for the U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday asked a federal judge to block Congress from obtaining grand jury evidence obtained during former special counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 election. Former federal prosecutor and current professor at the University of Alabama Law School Joyce White Vance reacted to the DOJ’s argument in much the same manner as Judge Howell, calling the government’s argument “remarkable.”
Tackling tumbleweeds
The Brookings Register – Oct. 8
Thistles tumbling across the plains have become an iconic symbol of the American West. However, scientists know very little about how this Eurasian weed adapted genetically to thrive in the United States, according to botanist Maribeth Latvis, an assistant professor in South Dakota State University’s Department of Natural Resource Management. Latvis is part of a five-university team of scientists who will use historical plant collections to study the evolution of invasive species. The consortium, led by University of Louisiana at Lafayette, is made possible through a four-year, multimillion-dollar National Science Foundation grant from the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research Infrastructure Program. Other institutions working on the project are the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa, West Virginia University and Wichita State University.
Excellence in Education
Meridian Star – Oct. 8
The following area residents were among 1,450 degree recipients the University of Alabama awarded during its summer commencement: Rebecca Elizabeth Holman, bachelor of science in nursing, and Kristy Machelle Truitt, master of social work — both of Meridian, Mississippi; Bilal Ameir Ahmad of Marion, Mississippi, bachelor of arts; Bradley Allen Clark, bachelor of science in mechanical engineering, and Jhett C. Nordan, bachelor of science in commerce & business administration — both of Gilbertown; and Shundreka Deatrice Croom of Cuba, master of social work;