BEST BETS
DEAN’S LIST STUDENTS NAMED FOR UA SPRING 2021 TERM – A total of 11,813 students enrolled during the Spring Semester 2021 at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean’s List with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the President’s List with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s). Search a list of the students and their hometowns in this news release.
UA TO HOLD SUMMER COMMENCEMENT JULY 31 – More than 1,000 degree candidates are expected to participate in two summer commencement ceremonies on July 31, at Coleman Coliseum. The ceremonies will follow a modified model UA used to facilitate safe and successful commencement exercises last August, December and May. One important distinction is that no tickets will be required for guests and there are no limits to the number of guests a graduate can invite. Guest groups are to remain 3 feet apart. Face coverings are required for everyone attending the event who is not fully vaccinated.
UA OFFERS RURAL STUDENTS INSIGHT TO HEALTH CARE PROFESSION – High school students and recent graduates from rural Alabama are participating in annual programs this summer at The University of Alabama where they learn about the need rural communities have for more doctors and other health care professionals. Through the Minority Rural Health Scholars Program and Rural Health Scholars Program, both part of the UA College of Community Health Sciences, 27 high school students and recent graduates spend five weeks on the UA campus taking college courses for credit and learning how to prepare to enter health professions education and training. For more information, contact Leslie Zganjar, UA College of Community Health Sciences, at lzganjar@ua.edu.
NEW UA CENTER TO FILL NEED FOR UNDERSTANDING WATER SECURITY – As global demand for water increases alongside a predicted decrease in water quality and availability, The University of Alabama is taking a leadership role to ensure the nation can better manage risks to the water supply and withstand future water disruptions through the Global Water Security Center. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Communications, at 205-348-8328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
NATIONAL AWARDS FOR EARLY CAREER RESEARCH GO TO FOUR UA PROFESSORS – Four professors at The University of Alabama have received national recognition early in their careers for leading-edge research that will advance knowledge and enhance the educational experience. The National Science Foundation selected the four professors for a CAREER Award, one of the nation’s most prestigious recognitions of top-performing young scientists. The grants allow each researcher to train and motivate a new generation of scientists and engineers not only at UA through instruction and hands-on lab work, but also through outreach efforts to schools and the community. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Communications, at 205-348-8328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.
MOUNDVILLE’S SATURDAY IN THE PARK RETURNS – UA’s Moundville Archaeological Park’s Saturday in the Park returns this summer to provide a series of demonstrations and presentations related to Native American culture, archaeology, natural history, sustainable gardening and more. The June 26 event will feature tools and weapons with Bill Skinner. Saturday in the Park takes place each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, visit the Moundville Archaeological Park website.
CURRENT COMMENT
CLIMATE CHANGE A FACTOR IN WESTERN HEAT WAVE – A scorching heat wave in the western United States is part of a trend of intensifying heat waves in a warming climate. Research by Dr. David Keellings, assistant professor of geography at The University of Alabama, has shown heat waves are becoming larger while also becoming more severe over the last 60 years, and recent UA research indicates significant increases in heat waves across the United States during the last four decades. “These patterns of increased size, magnitude and duration are happening much more frequently,” Keellings said. “Climate change is definitely a factor. We can’t say that it caused this event, but it certainly makes it much more likely to happen and likely increases the magnitude of the event.” Keeling is currently in Europe, but available for interviews at djkeellings@ua.edu.
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