UA researcher’s invention may curb car exhaust
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15
A University of Alabama researcher developed a starter fuel for cars that could reduce harmful exhaust. A technology designed by Marcus Ashford, a mechanical engineering professor, traps fuel vapor in a gas tank inside a smaller, second gas tank that could crank an engine with significantly less waste than regular fuel. Ashford’s vapor emission system was granted one U.S. patent, with others pending, and recently was licensed by UA to a private firm, Emission and Power Solutions, to begin making the technology commercially viable.
Love letters during war
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 14
Lige Dees couldn’t call his girlfriend, Mae, on Valentine’s Day. Nor could he send her a note on Facebook, write an e-mail or tweet his love. It was 1917. Instead, Dees wrote her a letter. In fact, he wrote her many letters, and she responded. “It’s rare to have a set of letters that go back and forth,” said University of Alabama history professor Andrew Huebner. “While there are lots of letters that were sent to someone during war, it’s rare that you have letters from both recipients.” For two years, Huebner and UA computer-based honors student Daniel Bush have been studying the 146 letters of correspondence exchanged between Dees, a soldier during World War I, and Mae. The correspondence started when Dees enlisted right after high school.
UA grad earns ‘Project Runway’ win
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 13
University of Alabama graduate and “Project Runway” competitor Anthony Williams came out on top in Thursday night’s competition to design an outfit for supermodel Heidi Klum to wear on the cover of April’s Marie Claire magazine. “At this point, ‘Project Runway’ has created an avenue that I probably would never have had access to ever in life. I can’t imagine what happens next,” Williams said on the show.
Candidates for Alabama governor loan $5 million
Associated Press – Feb. 14
Alabama candidates for governor have lent their campaigns more than $5 million, an unprecedented amount fueled by restrictions on campaign donations and the determination of candidates to stand out in a crowded field. . . . David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama, said candidates in a crowded field want to show their campaign chests have plenty of money, and one way to do that is to put in personal funds to boost the bottom line. “This has an arms race aspect to it,” he said.
House races in the South among most competitive
Associated Press — Feb. 13
The South is expected to host some of the most competitive House races in the country this year, political experts say. In several of those races, conservative Democrats are defending their seats amid strong regional hostility toward the Obama administration and Democratic leaders in Congress. . . . Any Democrat in the South who represents a district that voted for GOP Sen. John McCain of Arizona for president in 2008 “is likely going to be in the fight of his or her life,” said David Lanoue, chairman of the political science department at the University of Alabama. That includes Childers and Bright. Lanoue said the political landscape in the South could be as competitive this year as it was in 1994, when Republicans won enough seats to take over the House. “It’s kind of a scary time for the Democrats down here,” Lanoue said.
Entrepreneur program receives recognition
Crimson White – Feb. 15
EntrepreneurEDU.org, a Web site designed to highlight the top entrepreneurship programs in the nation, has selected UA’s entrepreneurship program to be featured as an Undergraduate Model Program. Lou Marino, professor of entrepreneurship and strategic management, said the entrepreneurship program has earned a lot of respect in the past. “We’ve been consistently recognized as one of the leading entrepreneurship programs in the world,” he said.
AdTeam campaigns for State Farm
Crimson White – Feb. 15
A group of UA students is putting their advertising skills to the test as they seek a national crown of their own. Last year, the Ad Team lost a close race to New York University in the annual national competition hosted by the American Advertising Federation, ranking second in the nation. This year, the team is planning a full ad campaign for insurance company State Farm.
Career center to host job fair
Crimson White – Feb. 15
Students on the lookout for post-graduation employment have a chance to make connections Tuesday and Wednesday as the spring career fair. The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Bryant Conference Center.
Dance Alabama! returns for the spring
Crimson White – Feb. 15
The Department of Theater and Dance is once again bringing the annual Dance Alabama! spring concert to Morgan Auditorium. Dance Alabama! will showcase originally choreographed pieces Tuesday through Friday. Shows start at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and 5:30 p.m. on Friday. Performances this season include a piece with a solo dancer moving to the mood of a monologue contrasting with a traditional musical piece, as well as a circus lyrical number.