BEST BETS
UA DEDICATES JUDY BONNER CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER — The University of Alabama dedicated the Judy Bonner Child Development Center in honor of the University’s first female president June 10. The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees passed a resolution in February to rename the Child Development Research Center in recognition of Dr. Judy L. Bonner’s dedication, contributions and service to UA. The Center, part of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, is a leader in the study of young children. For more information, contact Shane Dorrill, UA Strategic Communications, at shane.dorrill@ua.edu.
NEW UA PROGRAM PREPARES PRE-MEDICAL STUDENTS FOR RURAL HEALTH CARE — The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences recently welcomed the first class of a new summer program for college students in pre-medical studies who are interested in rural primary care. The Tuscaloosa Rural Pre-Medical Internship is a seven-week program that provides opportunities for students to learn about the health needs of rural Alabama residents, particularly in the fields of family medicine, internal medicine and pediatrics. Participants will also gain a better understanding of the day-to-day life of family medicine doctors. The program also seeks to enhance students’ understanding of medical school and increase their competitiveness for medical school admission. For more information, contact Leslie Zganjar, UA College of Community Health Sciences, at lzganjar@ua.edu.
UA ONLINE ROLLS OUT NEW TUITION GRANT TO HELP MILITARY STUDENTS — To help make higher education more accessible for active-duty military members, The University of Alabama Online, a part of the College of Continuing Studies, is launching a new grant that will help cover tuition costs. The UA Online Military Tuition Grant is open to all active-duty military, National Guard and Reserve service members enrolled in undergraduate distance learning through UA Online. It will cover the costs that are not covered by military tuition assistance up to the maximum allowed by the student’s branch of service for up to 18 hours per academic year. For more information, contact James Shamlee, associate program manager for military services, at jshamlee@ua.edu.
WANT TO BE HAPPIER? PLAN A VACATION — Planning a beach vacation is the perfect way to welcome the warmer weather of spring and summer, and according to research by faculty members in The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences, it also improves your overall happiness. Dr. Jameson Hayes, associate professor and director of UA’s Public Opinion Lab, along with Jay Waters, an instructor in advertising and public relations, recently completed a research study in collaboration with the 30A Company, a beach media and lifestyle brand in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The data gathered by Hayes and Waters suggests looking forward to a future vacation makes people happier and is essential to mental well-being. For more information or to schedule an interview, contact Waters at waters@apr.ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
MANY WILL FIND A WAY TO TAKE THAT SUMMER VACATION — “There are many reasons to deter travel this summer such as exceedingly high gas prices, car rental prices soaring and airline tickets on the rise,” said Dr. Kimberly Severt, associate professor in the UA department of human nutrition and hospitality management. “Overall, it is taking more and more money to meet basic living essentials such as rent and food. It is anticipated that people will find a way to travel and all the obstacles we are seeing will not stop most people. They will find a way. I do anticipate many families opting for travel closer to home or even staycations. As the summer progresses, we may see the travel slow a bit.” To schedule an interview, contact Severt at ksevert@ches.ua.edu.
TIKTOK MAY NOT BE THE BEST PLACE TO GET HEALTH ADVICE — “Though the latest viral TikTok trend of balsamic vinegar and seltzer is one of the less harmful ideas on the internet, it can still serve as a cautionary tale to viewers to be critical consumers of health messages on social media,” said Sheena Gregg, a registered dietician in UA’s Office of Health Promotion and Wellness. “Unfortunately, we live in a current culture obsessed with “healthifying” every food and drink when that simply is not necessary. Having an attitude of moderation and flexibility with all foods is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle without having to resort to internet trends. If one does decide to explore a viral internet trend, it’s recommended to research the potential health credentials of the influencer and also check in with your own health care team to see if the trend is safe based on your specific personal health history and conditions.” To schedule an interview, contact Gregg at sqgregg@ua.edu.
JUNETEENTH GOES NATIONAL — For many Americans, 2022 might be the first time they have a day off work for Juneteenth, established as a federal holiday in 2021 to commemorate a Union general announcing emancipation on June 19, 1865, to the last enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas. Dr. Joshua Rothman, professor and chair of the department of history, is available to talk about the history of the holiday and its significance. Rothman’s scholarly work has focused on race, slavery, the 1800s and Southern history. He authored the book “The Ledger and the Chain: How Domestic Slave Traders Shaped America,” published in 2021. To schedule an interview, contact Rothman at jrothman@ua.edu.
EVENTS
MOUNDVILLE HOSTS SATURDAY IN THE PARK — The UA Moundville Archaeological Park will host Saturday in the Park, a series of demonstrations and presentations related to Native Americans, archaeology, natural history, sustainable gardening and more, throughout the summer. The June 25 event will feature native foods and gardening with Rosa Hall. Saturday in the Park activities are free with paid admission to the park. For more information, contact Lindsey Gordon, UA Moundville Archaeological Park, at fgordon@aalan.ua.edu.
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The University of Alabama strives to remain neutral on public policy issues. Strategic Communications may facilitate interviews or share opinions expressed by faculty, staff, students, or other individuals regarding policy matters. However, those opinions do not necessarily reflect the views of the University or its leadership, and do not constitute a statement on behalf of the University unless explicitly designated.