UA Preview

BEST BETS 

UA WORK SHOWS PATH FOR FINDING EARLY LIFE HERE AND ON OTHER PLANETS — Using a powerful microscope, researchers at The University of Alabama have shown a method that can provide strong data in determining the origin of life on Earth and if life existed on another planet. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu. 

LOW-COST SOLUTION VIABLE FOR SELF-DRIVING CARS TO SPOT HACKED GPS — Transportation researchers at The University of Alabama developed a promising, inexpensive system to overcome one challenge of self-driving vehicle technology: GPS hacking that can send a self-driving vehicle to the wrong destination. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.  

UA, AUBURN FANS CLASH IN CITIZEN SCIENCE COMPETITION — A new competition aims to excite everyone’s inner scientist by bringing the gridiron competition of the Iron Bowl into the realm of citizen science. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has organized the Marble Bowl for fans of The University of Alabama and Auburn University to compete in collecting much-needed data for Alabama’s ecosystems. The competition is ongoing throughout the fall and will end Nov. 27. For more information, contact Rebecca Johnson, UA Museums, at rljohnson8@ua.edu 

FOUR TO BE INDUCTED INTO COMMUNICATION HALL OF FAME — The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences will induct four new members into its Hall of Fame Thursday, Oct. 13, in the Bryant Conference Center on the UA campus. The 2022 inductees are Paul Finebaum, Charlie Monk, Janet Hall O’Neil and Frank M. Thompson Jr. For more information, contact Zarah Spraggins, College of Communication and Information Sciences, at zespraggins@ua.edu. 

CULVERHOUSE LIFT LEARNING SESSIONS OPEN FOR REGISTRATION — Free tutoring, job skills and financial literacy training sessions are available to West Alabama residents, including veterans and teens, through The University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Business. Culverhouse LIFT, or Learning Initiative and Financial Training, will begin classes for its fall 2022 term in September. Registration and specific course descriptions are available on the Culverhouse LIFT website. For more information, contact Lisa McKinney, LIFT program coordinator, at lift@culverhouse.ua.edu 

UA AWARDED NSF GRANT FOR HBCU BRIDGE PROGRAM — UA has received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to develop a bridge program for students from three Historically Black Colleges and Universities interested in opportunities in renewable energy. The UA Graduate School Strategic Graduate Partnerships Initiative and department of chemistry and biochemistry worked together to develop the program that partners with Stillman College, Fort Valley State University and Jackson State University to prepare undergraduate students for graduate programs, industry careers and entrepreneurial opportunities in renewable energy. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu 

DEAN’S LIST STUDENTS NAMED FOR UA SUMMER 2022 TERM — A total of 383 students enrolled during Summer Semester 2022 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). The UA dean’s and president’s lists recognize full-time undergraduate students. The lists do not apply to graduate students or undergraduate students who take less than a full course load. The complete list can be found on the UA News Center. 

UA EARLY COLLEGE STUDENTS NAMED TO SUMMER 2022 DIRECTOR’S LIST — A total of 286 students enrolled in UA Early College during Summer Semester 2022 at The University of Alabama were named to the director’s list with an academic record of 3.6 or higher. The director’s list recognizes students enrolled in classes through the UA Early College program. The complete list can be found on the UA News Center. 

EVENTS 

FREE FLU SHOTS AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS THIS FALL — UA faculty, staff and students can help protect themselves this flu season by getting a free flu shot on campus Sept. 8 through mid-November. Nurses from University Medical Center, Student Health Center and Pharmacy, and Capstone College of Nursing will administer vaccines at various locations on campus. For a list of dates and details visit the CCHS website 

ART AND SCIENCE MIX IN NEW EXHIBIT The Collaborative Arts Research Initiative at The University of Alabama is presenting the exhibition, “Rebecca Rutstein: Out of Thin Air: Microscopic Journeys Through Cosmic Landscapes,” through Oct. 14 in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art in Garland Hall on the UA campus. The exhibition is the result of a collaboration between Rutstein and UA department of geological sciences assistant professor Dr. Julia Cartwright. Rutstein’s paintings for this exhibition are inspired by microscopic investigations of ancient meteorite materials being analyzed by Cartwright, while considering both their formation, and the wild journeys that they experienced, before hurtling to Earth. For more information, contact Rachel Dobson, department of art and art history communications specialist, at rachel.dobson@ua.edu

AIDS QUILT EXHIBIT — In observance of National HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, the UA Intercultural Diversity Center and Five Horizons will host a special observance Monday, Sept. 19, from noon to 1 p.m. in the Student Center. Panels from the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu 

DEAF AWARENESS PUBLIC FORUMThe UA Critical Languages Center is hosting a public forum for Deaf Awareness Week Sept. 19 and 20 at Hotel Capstone from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Panelists include Dr. Kenneth DeHaan, an assistant professor from Gallaudet University, and Debrah Bryant from the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. Topics include local services, Deaf culture awareness, American Sign Language instruction in higher education, accessibility and inclusion. Registration is required and can be completed at www.clc.ua.edu/deaf-awareness-week-forum-september-19-20-2022/ or by emailing clc@ua.edu. For more information, contact Koji Arizumi at karizumi@ua.edu. 

NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON TOPICS MAKING NEWS? — See our frequently updated experts directory here.  

VISIT THE UA NEWS CENTER FOR STORY IDEAS. 

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.