BEST BETS
STUDENT-BUILT SMALL SATELLITE READY FOR NASA MISSION – Members of UASpace, a student organization, will be available Tuesday at 2 p.m. in 150A Hardaway Hall to discuss their effort to ready a small satellite to be launched into space as part of a NASA program. The satellite, called a CubeSat, ships to California Nov. 12 ahead of the scheduled launch in December. The UA project is one of 18 small research satellites — called CubeSats — from 11 states selected by NASA to fly as auxiliary payloads aboard rockets launching over the next three years. The students aim to demonstrate an emerging technology to bring satellites out of orbit quicker. The UA satellite will be launched and put into orbit at an altitude of approximately 310 miles. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
VA CLINIC TO OFFER SATELLITE OFFICE FOR UA COMMUNITY – In partnership with the Division of Student Life and the Tuscaloosa Veterans Affairs Medical Center, The University of Alabama will hold a grand opening for a VA satellite clinic in Capital Hall Thursday, Nov. 11, at 2 p.m. The new clinic is made possible by a donation of $75,000 from UA’s Division of Student Life, and an additional $75,000 donation from the Alabama Marines Foundation, the Campus Veterans Association, and David and Linda Ford. The clinic will offer support to UA faculty, staff and students who are veterans and eligible for VA health care. For more information, contact Caroline Gazzara-McKenzie, UA Strategic Communications, at caroline.mckenzie@ua.edu.
ALABAMA’S RICH CULTURE, HISTORY TOLD ON MURAL TRAIL THROUGHOUT THE STATE – The Alabama Mural Trail encourages tourists and locals alike to explore the state’s rich culture and history through public art. UA’s Center for Economic Development in partnership with the Ala-Tom RC&D Council, the Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association and the Alabama Tourism Department, is spearheading the project to create a greater sense of community, drive economic impact and bring people together. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at jamon.smith@ua.edu.
SEN. RICHARD SHELBY TO DONATE OFFICIAL PAPERS, RECORDS, MATERIALS TO UA – U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., will donate his official Senate papers, records and materials to The University of Alabama at the conclusion of his sixth term. This donation will provide the University with the opportunity to house one-of-a-kind historical records. Upon receipt, the University will organize and archive materials gathered over Shelby’s decades of tenure for research and academic purposes, and for the benefit of future leaders. For more information, contact Lynn Cole, UA System director of communications, at lcole@uasystem.edu.
UA DEDICATES WADE HALL IN HONOR OF FIRST BLACK FACULTY MEMBER – The University of Alabama officially dedicated Wade Hall in honor of Dr. Archie Wade, the first Black faculty member at the Capstone, during a ceremony Nov. 3. In 1970, Wade became the first Black faculty member at UA and worked in the department of kinesiology for 30 years. During that time, he earned his doctorate from UA, achieved the status of tenured professor, and was a founding member of the Black Faculty and Staff Association. For more information, contact Shane Dorrill, UA Strategic Communications, at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR FIRST BLACK UA ALUMNI AWARD CEREMONY – There are many Black legends who got their start at The University of Alabama. A new awards program named after one of UA’s pioneers will honor and celebrate these alumni. The UA Black Alumni Association in partnership with the Culverhouse College of Business Office for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is seeking nominations for the first annual Vivian Malone Alumni Awards: Celebrating Alumni Excellence & Supporting Student Success to be presented in April 2022. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at jamon.smith@ua.edu.
THE BLACK TIE BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA SCHOLARSHIP BALL ANNOUNCED – Wakanda Forever. It’s been more than three years since the Marvel movie “Black Panther” was released, and it’s still making an impact on culture. The University of Alabama Black Faculty and Staff Association will host the first annual Wakanda Scholarship Ball Feb. 5, 2022 from 6 to 10 p.m. The fundraising event follows the second annual Dr. Trudier Harris Intercollegiate Black History Scholars Bowl that morning at 9 a.m. Both events will be at the Bryant Conference Center. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA Strategic Communications, at jamon.smith@ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
COP26 GATHERING REPRESENTS MISSED OPPORTUNITY – Global leaders gathered in Glasgow last week for COP26, the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which focused heavily on slowing the rate of global warming and securing net-zero emissions by 2050. A University of Alabama expert said the group missed an opportunity to focus on important ongoing human impacts of climate change. “The goals of COP26 are clearly centered on mitigation — less dependence on coal, lower methane emissions, ending global deforestation — with an ultimate goal of slowing the warming of the earth,” said Mike Gremillion, director of UA’s Global Water Security Center. “The earth is going to continue heating up regardless of what we do, it’s just a question of how much and how quickly it happens. While it’s critical that world leaders focus on reducing global warming as much as possible, climate change is already happening. We must learn to adapt to this changing climate so that humankind can continue to survive and thrive. That means considering water security, food, energy and health, and how we can ensure those elements of human security as the climate changes.” COP26 concludes Nov. 12. To schedule an interview with Gremillion, contact Misty Mathews, GWSC Communications Liaison, mmathews@ua.edu.
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