BEST BETS
UA RESEARCHERS TO STUDY SEVERE WEATHER PUBLIC COMMUNICATION – A study led by researchers at The University of Alabama will examine the effectiveness of tornadic-related weather information on the general public. The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research awarded a $15,000 grant to UA’s Dr. Cory Armstrong for the research as part of a program sponsored by the National Weather Service. Armstrong and her team will survey residents in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas to determine how they interpret severe weather information and plan accordingly. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
NEW COLLEGE PROFESSOR IS UA’S SEC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNER – The Southeastern Conference announced that Dr. Catherine Roach, professor of gender and cultural studies in New College, is the 2021 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner for The University of Alabama. Now in its 10th year, the program honors one individual from each SEC university for their teaching accomplishments, scholarly contributions and discoveries. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
PRWEEK NAMES UA SENIOR OUTSTANDING STUDENT – PRWeek has named University of Alabama senior Kathleen McManus its 2021 Outstanding Student. McManus, of Palatine, Illinois, is the third student from UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences to win the award in the past four years. The honor recognizes an undergraduate student for their outstanding display of a variety of public relations skills. “I’m very honored to have been selected for the award,” McManus said. “It is an incredible way to round out my time here at the Capstone and a true reflection of the exceptional education and experiences that the college and university provide its students.” For more information, contact Anna Claire Toxey, UA College of Communication and Information Sciences, at actoxey@ua.edu.
GET MOVING: 100 ALABAMA MILES CHALLENGE KICK OFF 2021 SEASON – The University of Alabama Center for Economic Development and its partners will kick off the 2021 season of the 100 Alabama Miles Challenge on April 24. The 100 Alabama Miles Challenge is a statewide public program designed to inspire all Alabamians to be active, explore, and connect with others by getting 100 miles of physical activity each year. While participants can walk, run, hike, bike, swim, paddle, ride, or roll to their 100-mile goal anywhere, the program encourages residents to visit Alabama state parks, nature preserves and rivers with friends and family. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at jamon.smith@ua.edu.
MOUNDVILLE ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK TO HOST SPRING EVENTS – UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park will host the annual Birdfest April 9-10 which will include in-person and virtual components. Birdfest will include an in-person bird walk with local expert Dwight Lammon at 9 a.m. each day, followed by a craft activity or lecture on the UA Museums YouTube page at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
PERFECTIONISM REAPS HIGH REWARDS, BUT CAN ALSO BRING MUCH PAIN – Though perfectionism has helped many high achievers and people with Type A personalities climb to the top of their class, work, sport or other fields, it also has many downsides. The negative aspects of perfectionism have to be managed or paralyzing mental anguish can follow, said Dr. Sha-Rhonda Green, assistant professor of social work. “There can be some healthiness to it in terms of someone saying ‘hey, I am challenging myself, I have high standards and goals and I learn from my mistakes.’ But on the other side, it can be very maladaptive where people set unrealistic goals and become obsessive to the point of not doing the activity at all if they feel they can’t do it perfectly.” For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at jamon.smith@ua.edu.
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