Birmingham’s Energen Corp. plans to fund scholarship program for first-generation college students
Birmingham News – Feb. 10
Energen Corp. is funding a scholarship program aimed at sending first-generation college students to the state’s three biggest universities…. Energen is establishing a $1.5 million scholarship program over five years with Alabama, Auburn and UAB to fund educations for students who might not otherwise have a shot at higher education. Half of those receiving the money will be Birmingham public school graduates…. Scholarships for the University of Alabama will be limited to those students seeking a business degree, and UAB scholarships will be open to any course of study. Any requirements for Auburn have yet to be worked out…. Barry Mason, dean of the Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, said the program has the potential to significantly impact young lives. “Energen’s generous donation will mean a great deal to young Alabamians who might not otherwise have the opportunity to further their education,” Mason said. “We look forward to working with these deserving students and helping them prepare for their careers.”
Joint nursing degree to start
Crimson White – Feb. 11
A joint program among the three schools in the UA System will allow nursing students to become more specialized through the doctor of nursing practice degree. The UA System Board of Trustees approved a degree that will include the nursing colleges at the Capstone, the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the University of Alabama in Huntsville, along with the college of anesthesiology and other programs at each university, said Charles Nash, vice chancellor for academic affairs.
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 9
College News
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 11
. . . Susan Herndon Caples of Tuscaloosa, met with other national leaders of Mortar Board in Chicago Jan. 25-27 to make decisions regarding the future of the organization. Caples serves on the organization’s board of directors, the National Council. She was elected to serve a two-year term as secretary/treasurer at the 2007 Mortar Board National Conference.
UA rings in Year of the Rat
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 10
The University of Alabama’s Association of Chinese Students and Scholars brought in the Year of the Rat Saturday with a 2008 Chinese New Year celebration at UA’s Ferguson Center.
Crimson White – Feb. 11
Sister’s book about Rise grad spreads understanding
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 11
Kayla Terry’s story about her brother started out as a class project. “An Every Day Inspiration: The Authorized Biography of Ian Terry,” was originally an assignment in English class at Tuscaloosa Academy about her brother, Ian, who has Down syndrome… Now the project has become a self-published book, and Terry will celebrate its release tonight from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Stallings Center…Terry was one of the first students without special needs to enroll in Rise School to test the concept of “reverse mainstreaming.” The hope was that she would blossom into a thriving child with leadership qualities and high character, said Rise Executive Director Martha Cook.
UA Professor Writes Children’s Book after Adopting Baby from China
WIAT-CBS 42 — Feb. 9
“My husband and I began the process of adopting our daughter in China, so I was thinking of our daughter alone in an orphanage in China. I wanted to write something about the transformative power of fairy tales.” Karen Bernheimer, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama, also writes novels for adults but says this was far more challenging. “There are 32 lines in a children’s book so every single word has to be perfect.”
UA Senior Runs in Mercedes Marathon
WBRC-Fox 6 — Feb. 8
Joan-Marie Manolakis is “on the run.” Joan-Marie is senior at the University of Alabama. She’s been running all her life. The Mercedes Marathon is a lengthy 26.2 miles, half is 13.1, so you don’t have to break any records. “Beginners” take note: Joan-Marie sets the pace, and her cell phone keeps up. The GPS system tracks of elevation and even syncs with her computer,
Outside Looking In – Dreamland’s barbecue, Crimson Tide popular outside Tuscaloosa, Ala
Birmingham News – Feb. 10
Independent found a technology company named Crimson Tide in the land of cricket and that other kind of football. “After (the column) Small Talk flippantly asked if Crimson Tide had anything to do with the submarine thriller of the same name starring Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington, the answer was surprising. (Executive chairman Barrie) Whipp is a huge American football fan, and named his company after the University of Alabama’s team.”
Celebrating Black History with an Alabama Star
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8
One area high school held a black history month program featuring a former University of Alabama gymnast. Andree Pickens made a special stop over at Bryant High School on Friday. The students were celebrating cultural diversity as a part of Black History Month.
NAACP chapter holds State of Black Union Address
Crimson White – Feb. 11
The NAACP kicked off a weeklong celebration of its 99th anniversary at the Ferguson Center with guest speaker Stephen Miller’s State of the Black Union Address on Sunday. Miller, director of special programs at the Boys and Girls Club of West Alabama, focused his 20-minute address on following the dream of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., regarding children within the community.
Alabama Democrats moving forward, changing face
Crimson White – Feb. 11
Considering Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama’s victory in Alabama’s primary on Tuesday, the state’s Democratic Party seems to be moving away from the conservative group it once was. William Stewart, a political science professor who specializes in Alabama politics, said Alabama Democrats are becoming more liberal, considering many residents were comfortable voting for Sen. Hillary Clinton or Obama – two fairly liberal Democrats.
‘Irma Vep’ features spooks and laughs
Crimson White – Feb. 11
The cast and crew of the UA Department of Theatre and Dance’s latest production, “The Mystery of Irma Vep,” have their work cut out for them. Aside from juggling school and social lives while rehearsing for the play, the greater task has been intricately working out a total of 44 costume changes between the play’s two actors, which runs Tuesday through Sunday at the Allen Bales Theatre.
Legislature to begin hammering out budget
Decatur Daily – Feb. 10
The real story about how the state will spend its money next fiscal year is about to be written. Gov. Bob Riley laid out his priorities in his State of the State address to the Legislature on Wednesday night. Call Riley’s budget goals are a budget introduction. Chapter 1 of “How to Build a Budget” begins this week when budget-writing committees in the Legislature start work. “Budgeting is perhaps the most political aspect of the legislative process,” said University of Alabama Political Science Professor Emeritus Bill Stewart. “The governor can propose what he wants. The Democratic majority in the Legislature may not agree.”