BEST BETS
CELEBRATE ‘THE FUTURE IS CRIMSON’ WITH UA’S HOMECOMING LINEUP — Get ready to turn up the crimson pride as The University of Alabama kicks off homecoming week festivities Monday, Oct. 9, in the lead-up to the Crimson Tide taking on the Arkansas Razorbacks in Bryant-Denny Stadium. This year’s theme is “The Future is Crimson,” and the UA homecoming board has several events planned where students, alumni and community members can show off their legendary spirit and skills. Stay up to date with details on homecoming week events, registration and tickets by visiting the UA homecoming website.
2023 HOMECOMING COURT ANNOUNCED — UA has named its 2023 Homecoming Court after a preliminary selection process. The court includes Sydney Clements, of Greenwood; Fatema Dhondia, of Tuscaloosa; Mae Farmer, of Nashville, Indiana; Chloe Holladay, of Hartselle; and Rachel Seale, of Northport. The winner will be announced during the annual Homecoming bonfire on the UA Quad Friday, Oct. 13, at 6:30 p.m.
UA WAIVES APPLICATION FEE FOR ONE WEEK THIS MONTH — The University of Alabama is again waiving application fees for domestic and international undergraduate, graduate and online prospective students from Oct. 16-20. During Free App Week, UA aims to empower prospective students by removing the financial barriers that may keep them from applying for admission. For more information, contact Jennifer Brady, UA Strategic Communications, at jennifer.brady@ua.edu.
VITAL PART OF NEW EFFORT FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION — A substantial effort in suicide prevention across the state will be led by a partnership between UA and the Alabama Department of Mental Health. UA’s VitAL program and ADMH received support from the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for to implement Project Zero Suicide in Alabama. The Zero Suicide framework is designed to proactively address suicide by emphasizing prevention and early intervention within healthcare facilities. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
UA EXPANDS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR RURAL ALABAMA YOUTH — UA is confronting the shortage of behavioral health services for youth in rural Alabama with more than $3.7 million in federal funding. UA’s College of Human Environmental Sciences and the Center for Substance Use Research and Related Conditions in the Capstone College of Nursing are leading the program supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration. Awards from HRSA’s Rural Communities Opioid Response Program – Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health support the establishment and expansion of sustainable behavioral health care services for children and adolescents aged 5-17 years who live in rural communities, and to prevent substance misuse. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
UA REACHING RURAL AREAS TO IMPROVE CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH — UA is spearheading an effort to reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease in West Alabama. With $6 million from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention spread out over the next five years, UA faculty, staff and students will work with local health care providers to implement programs and resources designed to reduce risk factors for heart attacks, strokes and other issues stemming from poor cardiovascular health. The work will focus on nine counties around the University that include rural and underserved areas of the state. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA Strategic Communications, at adam.jones@ua.edu.
BEAT AUBURN BEAT HUNGER KICKS OFF 30TH FOOD DRIVE — The 30th annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive launched Sept. 29 at UA. The drive runs through Nov. 16 and results will be announced Nov. 17. The Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive works to raise awareness about food insecurity while collecting donations for the West Alabama Food Bank. According to Feeding America, more than 710,000 Alabamians struggle with food insecurity. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
UA TO HOLD FALL 2023 COMMENCEMENT DEC. 16 — UA will hold fall commencement with two ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 16 at Coleman Coliseum on the UA campus. About 1,800 are expected to graduate. Each year, UA awards around 9,000 degrees and of the graduates that may be tracked since 2015, 52% remain in Alabama. More information, including live and recorded webcast details, an interactive campus map, parking information and fast facts about the 2023 fall class can be found on UA’s commencement website. Commencement information can be heard on UA’s radio station, 92.5 FM.
UA RURAL MEDICAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM ADDS 7 STUDENTS — The UA College of Community Health Sciences welcomed seven students from around the state to the Rural Medical Scholars Program, which is exclusively for rural Alabama students who want to become physicians and practice in rural communities. The 2023-24 class includes Morgan Bowman, of Cullman; Maycie Edmondson, of Slocomb; Kayla Harris, of Rockford; Griffin Howard, of Jackson; John Kuykendall, of Samantha; Raneisha Lee, of Brookwood; and Ariana Oliver, of Enterprise. The Rural Medical Scholars Program is part of the CCHS Rural Health Leaders Pipeline created to address the shortage of primary care physicians in Alabama’s rural communities. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
EVENTS
AN EVENING WITH SARAH GIRAGOSIAN — The UA English Creative Writing Program excited to host poet Sarah Giragosian Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center. Giragosian will read a selection of her work and answer audience questions. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for refreshments and mingling.
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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.