University to benefit from title on and off field
Tuscaloosa News – Jan 18
…“It just gives us a lot of good feelings. You will see applications, car tags, annual giving, college licensing and car tags go up,” said Pam Parker, vice president for advancement. “There’s no doubt it benefits us.” A study by economists at Virginia Tech University and University of Pennsylvania a year ago found that from 1983 to 2002, applications to universities that won a football championship increased between 7 percent and 8 percent. UA has experienced faster growth than that under the tenure of President Robert Witt, even after disappointing football seasons. Witt’s aggressive academic recruitment plan raised enrollment from about 20,000 in fall 2002 to more than 28,000 students this past fall…Applications for this academic year, which followed a surprising 12-2 record on the gridiron, were up 5 percent to about 19,500 applications as Witt’s enrollment goal was closer to reality…“Clearly, we have been successful in attracting students for many reasons in recent years, and we expect continued success in our recruiting efforts this year and beyond,” said Mary Spiegel, executive director of undergraduate admission. “That said, it is very exciting to potential students to have the opportunity to go to a school with top-level athletics.”… “This (national championship) couldn’t have come at a better time,” Parker said…
University Business – Jan. 19
WVTM (Birmingham) – Jan. 18
Tide to celebrate national champs
Montgomery Advertiser — Jan. 16
The University of Alabama will honor its 2009 national championship team in an hour-long celebration at Bryant-Denny Stadium beginning at 2 p.m. today. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban will address the crowd along with several players and athletic director Mal Moore. In addition, the celebration will include new videos and interviews on the stadium’s video screens and the Million Dollar Band. Gates will open at noon and the first 50,000 fans will receive a commemorative championship poster…
Tide celebrates national championship
Montgomery Advertiser – Jan. 17
…”The University of Alabama is very proud of its team, coach Saban and his staff, “said university president Robert Witt, adding that the Crimson Tide “epitomize what a football program should be.”…
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 17
More than 300 turn out for MLK Day celebration
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 18
…The 21st annual Realizing the Dream Concert at the University of Alabama Friday night kicked off a weekend of activities, which included The Realizing the Dream Legacy Banquet, sponsored by UA and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, on Saturday…
Book traces Europe’s lack of role in Civil War
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 18
The true lost cause of the American Civil War might have been any effort by Confederate diplomats to secure sovereign recognition by European powers, writes a University of Alabama professor in his latest book… “The story of the Civil War cannot be complete without an exploration of its international dimensions,” writes Howard Jones, a UA history professor in his latest book, “Blue and Gray Diplomacy.” The Confederate States of America’s failure to win recognition did not determine the outcome of the war by itself, Jones writes. “But its inability to gain acknowledgement as a nation certainly contributed to its defeat,” he writes. Although there have been studies on the topic before, Jones said he is the first to cover it in one book, which was published this month by the University of North Carolina Press…
Birmingham native Anthony L. Williams Jr. a Project Runway contestant
Birmingham News – Jan. 16
Birmingham native Anthony L. Williams Jr. is one of the contestants on the seventh season of “Project Runway,” which debuted Thursday on Lifetime at 9 p.m.Williams, a 28-year-old freelance designer now living in Atlanta, was in the bottom three of designers near the show’s end. However, he was spared from elimination and will return next week…Williams grew up in Loveman Village and Cooper Green public housing areas and the Titusville area. He graduated from Minor High School and the University of Alabama. His mother, Stephanie Williams, lives in Atlanta.
20-year-old juggles running a church with college
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 18
…Micaiah Thomas’… now a 20-year-old junior majoring in Spanish at the University of Alabama, said she never saw herself going into ministry. When she told her father about her call from God, he suggested that she become a candidate for ministry with Cumberland Presbyterian Church…As a candidate for ministry, Thomas was placed on a list of substitute pastors who can be called to fill in for church pastors when they’re sick or vacant from Sunday service. Thomas said she acted as a substitute pastor for about a year and a half before she was asked to fill in for the pastor of First Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Hueytown on a Sunday in August 2009…As much as she enjoys her role as pastor, Thomas said, being a full-time pastor and a full-time college student does come with its challenges… “Some of my professors last semester didn’t believe me when I asked off from class to handle church business,” she said. “They required that I bring them proof and were kind of shocked when I did.” Being a pastor and student also interferes with her living a “normal life,” but that’s not something Thomas misses…
UA psychologist discusses depression on “Blue Monday”
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 18
University of Alabama psychologist Ginny Scott says depression can affect a lot of people, and is usually seen more in women than men…
UA student is praying for missing sister in Haiti
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 18
One University of Alabama student, is praying her missing sister will be found alive in Haiti. UA junior Caitlin Hayes, is studying abroad in Spain…