BEST BETS
WHITE HOUSE HISTORIAN, UA ALUMNUS TO DISCUSS FAMED HOME — Stewart McLaurin, president of the White House Historical Association and University of Alabama alumnus, will provide a talk about the history of the association and famous residence March 1 at noon at the Bryant Conference Center. The event, presented by the UA Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, is free and open to the public. During his tenure, McLaurin has expanded the association’s cultural and educational programming through award-winning books, popular video series, and virtual and in-person events. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
FAMILY NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD — The Alabama Museum of Natural History and University of Alabama Graduate School are partnering to present Family Night at the Museum March 4 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. This year’s theme is “Around the World!” Families will have the opportunity to learn sign language, read Arabic stories, learn Mandarin, study fossils and examine Alaskan wildlife. Family Night at the Museum brings graduate departments together to showcase their content area through interactive activities. UA Graduate School organizations and departments involved include secondary math education, biological sciences, modern language, NERD lab and geological sciences. For more information, contact Joyia Davis, Alabama Museum of Natural History, at joyia.davis@ua.edu.
DIAL FOR TUNING DOPAMINE, ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNALS FOUND IN PARKINSON’S — Researchers at The University of Alabama identified a critical mechanism for how signals from the environment are integrated with genetic information to influence the health and survival of brain cells, providing a key insight into the development of Parkinson’s disease. In findings outlined in a paper recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers open unexplored treatment avenues that could emphasize how regulation of forces outside the body contribute to the protection of brain cells, or neurons. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
UADM RAISES MORE THAN $201,000 FOR CHILDREN’S OF ALABAMA — The University of Alabama Dance Marathon raised $201,413 over the past year for Children’s of Alabama. The amount was revealed during the organization’s BAMAthon event Feb. 18, the student-led organization’s annual 13.1-hour dance marathon. Now in its 12th year, UADM has raised more than $2 million for Children’s of Alabama. Current and former patients of Children’s of Alabama, known as “Miracle Kids,” shared their stories of pediatric illness with the more than 1,165 registered Miracle Makers. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
UA ENGINEERING STUDENT SELECTED FOR PRESTIGIOUS AEROSPACE FELLOWSHIP — Lilly Saub, a University of Alabama junior majoring in aerospace engineering, is one of 47 undergraduate students in the nation selected for the Brooke Owens Fellowship, a nationally acclaimed nonprofit program that awards exceptional women and gender minorities with an internship in the fields of space and aviation. Saub, a native of Omaha, Nebraska, will take part in the program that pairs each fellow with a summer internship at one of the leading aerospace companies, an executive-level mentor who is a senior leader in the aerospace industry and a peer-level mentor from the Brooke Owens Fellowship alumnae network. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
UA TO HOLD SPRING COMMENCEMENT MAY 5-7 — The University of Alabama will hold spring commencement with eight ceremonies May 5-7 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus. More information, including live and recorded webcast details, an interactive campus map, parking information, graduate profile stories and fast facts about the 2023 spring class can be found on UA’s commencement website. Commencement information can be heard on UA’s radio station, 92.5 FM.
EVENTS
ALABAMA REPERTORY DANCE THEATRE — The UA Department of Theatre and Dance presents its first dance concert of the new year, Alabama Repertory Dance Theatre, March 1-4 in the dance theatre located in the English Building. ARDT presents five choreographic works, each conceived and produced by members of the UA dance faculty or guest choreographers. ARDT gives students the opportunity to engage in a professional dance atmosphere. Throughout the concert, audience members should expect to experience a diverse concert of captivating performances that beautifully showcase the various techniques and styles that UA’s dance program has to offer. For more information, contact Justin Sweeney, marketing manager for UA Theatre and Dance, at jssweeney@crimson.ua.edu.
MOUNDVILLE KNAP-IN MARCH 3-4 — Moundville Archaeological Park will host its annual Knap-In March 3-4. This stone tool maker event will host flint knappers from all over the country. Flint knapping is one of humanity’s oldest crafts. Knapping is the process of shaping stone to make stone tools, such as but not limited to arrowheads. The Knap-In will host new components as well as feature demonstrations and crafts, showcasing Native American culture in a variety of ways.
UA HOSTING INDUSTRY ENGAGEMENT DAY — Local business and industry leaders as well as government and elected officials will be at the Bryant Conference Center March 3 to meet and network with researchers and institute directors at The University of Alabama. The goal is to explore opportunities for collaborative research projects and economic development and diversification partnerships. The best opportunity for media is from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for interviews with either Dan Blakley, UA associate vice president for Economic and Business Engagement, or Dr. Russel J. Mumper, UA vice president for research and economic development. To learn more about the event, visit its website. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@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.