Whales Had Legs, Wiggled Hips, Study Says
NationalGeographic.com – Sept. 12
…”What’s interesting about this animal is that it had these back legs that it used to push itself through the water,” said study author Mark D. Uhen, a paleontologist from the Alabama Museum of Natural History. This animal didn’t have flukes, but the ones just a little bit younger [geologically] did. So we can really narrow that time frame now.” Uhen’s study is detailed in the latest issue of the Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology…After the various fossil parts were brought to the University of Alabama in 2005, Uhen realized that all the pieces belonged to the same individual of the species Georgiacetus vogtlensis.
DiscoverMagazine.com – Sept. 12
Williams ask students to make UA better than how they found it
Crimson White – Sept. 12
On September 12, 2007, Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox and the Tuscaloosa City Council proclaimed the day India Williams Day for all of the hard work she had put forth through The Good Shepherd’s Project. India Williams is the founding director of The Good Shepherd’s Project, an organization with the purpose of bringing ministers from various faith communities together to combat some of the social issues facing Tuscaloosa…“We are currently working on the healthcare crisis,” Williams said. “We are doing this with the Good Samaritan Clinic in downtown Tuscaloosa and with the construction of the new health clinic in Northport.” The organization recently did work through Greek Fest. Twenty-five percent of all of the funds raised at Greek Fest went towards the construction of the new health clinic in Northport…
Presidential hopefuls tap Internet resources for campaigning
Crimson White – Sept. 12
…Jennifer Greer, chairwoman of the journalism department, said she has been following the growing use of the Internet with presidential elections since the 1996 elections between former president Bill Clinton and Bob Dole. It was here that the first candidate Web sites began to take shape, but very primitively. “In the early days, candidates couldn’t even take donations through their site,” Greer said…“The Internet is a great place to energize someone,” Greer said…Though the candidates have used the Internet in ways never before, Greer thinks that the Internet has not been used in a revolutionary sense — like TV was in the 1960 presidential debates between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, which became historic for its role in guaranteeing Kennedy the presidency. “It’s not there [for the Internet] yet,” Greer said. “There are some amazing things happening, but I’m not sure that we’re using it to its full potential.”…
New student group encourages political discussion
Crimson White – Sept. 12
UA students from all across the political spectrum have formed Collegiate Politicians, a group that encourages political discourse and involvement…the group looks to host guest speakers from various levels of government, inform people on issues such as access to local government and voting ballot literacy and promote discussion on issues they think aren’t being covered adequately by major news outlets…last Monday’s meeting included a talk with State Representative Jack Williams, who spoke on the dangers of political apathy and stressed that getting involved is not just for “connected” people…
Scholarship set up for Meg Ingram
Crimson White – Sept. 12
When Meg Ingram died from brain cancer in February 2008, she left behind a cheerleading squad of friends who loved her, a sorority of sisters that supported her and a family back in Huntsville that will never be the same without her. Now, almost nine months after her death, Ingram’s legacy will live on and help other students have the same opportunities she had at the University. The Alabama Beta Chapter of Pi Beta Phi fraternity contacted the Pi Beta Phi Foundation to establish the Alabama Beta Meg Ingram Memorial Scholarship for members of Pi Beta Phi in June 2008. The scholarship, endowed by a $50,000 gift to the foundation by the Alabama Beta chapter, will go to members of Pi Beta Phi who exemplify the same dedication to school and community that Ingram did…
UA Student to co-chair Alabama Students for McCain-Palin
Associated Press – Sept. 13
…a John McCain campaign organization geared toward college students…Co-chairs are…Ben Foster of the University of Alabama…
UA Student Designs Statue for Tuscaloosa Workers’ Memorial
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Sept. 11
…The statue was designed by a University of Alabama student…
UA’s Lifelong Learning Institute Offers Community Program
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Sept. 11
That’s why the University of Alabama’s Lifelong Learning Institute is trying to help West Alabamians manage their money better