Huntsville businessman named director of alumni affairs at University of Alabama
Huntsville Times – March 11
Calvin J. Brown, a Huntsville businessman, has been named director of alumni affairs at the University of Alabama, the school announced today. Brown, a partner and portfolio manager with BlueCreek Investment Partners, LLC, will replace Pat Whetstone, who is retiring. Brown served as president of the National Alumni Association in 1997-98 and is a member of UA President Robert Witt’s cabinet.
President’s Cup renamed in honor of President Witt
Crimson White – March 11
The President’s Cup has been renamed the Witt Cup in recognition of the support university President Robert E. Witt has shown the greek community, according to a UA news release…Director of Greek Affairs Gentry McCreary said the President’s Cup became a part of the Greek Excellence Awards program in 2008. The award is given to the chapter in each governing council with the highest percentage of points on the Greek Excellence evaluation. The four greek governing councils passed a joint resolution to rename the award to honor Witt’s continued support of the greek community, McCreary added…The resolution states, “Dr. Robert E. Witt’s visionary leadership of the University has led to a period of unprecedented growth within the greek community, increased goodwill between the University and greek alumni and fostered a culture of academic excellence.” During Witt’s tenure, the UA community doubled in size, and the fall 2010 Panhellenic sorority recruitment class was the largest in the nation…
Spring Break Travel Safety Statistics
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – March 10
Researchers with the CAPs program at the University of Alabama collect data on traffic accidents across the state. With their databases, they can isolate variables to see the causes of crashes, the time of day most crashes occur, and even the gender that most often is involved in a traffic accident (more often, it’s men.) CAPs researchers discovered that during the spring break travel season, some of the normal statistics shifted. Not surprisingly, they report the number of DUI related crashes peak during this time. In fact, there are more DUI crashes during this week than at any other time in the year.
Alabama undergraduate presents paper to engineering conference
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – March 10
Chris Corley, a University of North Alabama senior, was recently notified that a computer science paper he co-authored with University of Alabama faculty member Dr. Nicholas Kraft was accepted by an international workshop. Corley participated in two eight-week NSF Research Experience for Undergraduates Sites in fall 2009 and again in summer 2010 with Kraft at The University of Alabama. The experience gave Corley the opportunity to conduct research and to be mentored by professionals working in the field.
Alabama unemployment rises to 9.3 percent for Jan
Associated Press – March 10
Alabama’s unemployment has risen to 9.3 percent, above the national average. State Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees said Thursday the January rate is up from 9.1 percent in December, but it’s better than the 10.3 percent Alabama recorded a year ago. The January rate represents 196,259 unemployed people, which is up 3,101 from the prior month. . . . Ahmad Ijaz, an economic researcher at the University of Alabama, said a slight rise in the unemployment rate is normal when the economy starts to improve. He said unemployed people who got discouraged during the recession and quit looking for a job were no longer counted in the unemployment rate. When the economy picked up and they started job hunting again, they were once again counted in the unemployment numbers.
Tuscaloosa News– March 10
Despite sobering figure, experts optimistic for economic improvement
Anniston Star – March 11
Though the area’s unemployment rate rose in January, economists — both from inside state government and local universities — say there are signs the economy is improving. Calhoun County and Alabama’s unemployment rates both rose above the national average in January, but with drops in jobless compensation benefits to the area combined with improvements in the retail and automobile industries in recent months, experts say the economy as a whole is on the mend. . . . “I would say these numbers are essentially unchanged — not much different from December,” James Cover, professor of economics at the University of Alabama, said of the state and national unemployment rates. “It must be that employment is flat.”
Gas costs a concern for spring break
Crimson White – March 11
This weekend, as students travel to the beach or other spring break destinations, one question is sure to come up at some time during the trip: What’s up with gas prices? Compared to last year, gas prices have increased significantly. A year ago, the national average price of gas was nearly 77 cents cheaper per gallon, according to the American Automobile Association. . . . Unrest in Libya and other oil-producing nations is the biggest reason for the spike in gas prices, said James Cover, an economics professor at the University. “My best guess is that the commodity markets are bidding up the price of gasoline because they believe that the political events in the Middle East might lead to an interruption in the supply of crude oil to world markets, and perhaps the shutdown of some gasoline refineries in the Middle East,” he said.
Technology and technique: State conference features contests in robotics, dragster design
Tuscaloosa News – March 11
Middle and high school competitors matched skills Thursday at the Technology Student Association’s statewide conference at the Bryant Conference Center. The University of Alabama College of Engineering hosted the conference, which is a gathering of the state’s Technology Student Association chapters. The conference featured competitions in several categories, including robotics, desktop publishing and dragster design. “We’re so blessed to be here on the University of Alabama campus,” said Ben Scheierman, the Technology Student Association state adviser. “The College of Engineering has kind of taken us under their wing. They’re paying the rent and taking on some of the costs.”
Two inducted into Women’s Hall of Fame
Montgomery Advertiser – March 11
Paralyzed at the age of 4 by a stray bullet that ripped through her spinal cord, Evelyn Anderson became an inspiration to her students and those who came in contact with her. A home economics teacher after college, Ada Ruth Stovall achieved a national reputation for her classroom work as well as writing textbooks for students around the country. Their exceptional efforts were honored Thursday at the 40th induction ceremony at the Alabama Women’s Hall of Fame at Judson College. . . . Milla Boschung, dean of the College of Human Environmental Sciences at the University of Alabama, was mentored by Stovall. She said she exhibited “the highest level of leadership.” “Ruth established herself as a pioneer for women and was a true Southern lady,” said Boschung in her induction address.
Top college wheelchair basketball teams competing at UTA
Arlington (Texas) Citizen Journal – March 11
Ready for March Madness but can’t wait for the NCAA playoffs to begin? Well, you can get an early taste of the excitement today and Saturday at the University of Texas at Arlington, where collegiate wheelchair teams are facing off for a national championship. Teams from across the U.S. and other countries are competing in the tournament, which is expected to bring 400 visitors to the campus. . . . “I think something people find when they come watch the games is that these are some of the finest athletes in the world and that you appreciate how strong they are, how skilled they are, and you start to forget about the chair,” said Brent Hardin, director of the wheelchair program at the University of Alabama and coach of the women’s team.
Social work gives award for involvement
Crimson White – March 11
Nominations for the Penny Allen Award, given to one student and one faculty or staff member every school year, are due today at noon. The award, established by the School of Social Work and the Union Board of Governors, recognizes those who have made significant contributions at the University, said Suzanne Roff, dean of the School of Social Work. “This award was established some time ago through a joint effort of the School of Social Work and the Union Board to honor Penny Allen, a former faculty member and founder of the School of Social Work,” Roff said.
UA engineering students prepare to compete
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – March 10
Some University of Alabama students are showing off their latest creation. Seven seniors majoring in electrical and computer engineering have made a robot for the IEEE Southeast-con hardware competition. The competition was inspired by the 2010 earthquake in Haiti and has an obstacle course modeled after a collapsed building, each team has to create a robot that will operate on its own and be able to identify victims.
UA students motivate elementary kids
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – March 10
An elementary school is pulling all the stops out to motivate their students to make the grade. Oakdale Primary School had a pep rally today, with step dancing, cheerleaders, a rap performance, and some motivational words from outgoing Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, who’s academic achievements rank right up there with best. Oakdale Primary is currently in school improvement status, after failing to make AYP for at least two consecutive years.
The love of football
World Business, PBS – March 10
Throw in a live tiger mascot, a bizarre mix of pageantry, color and noise and you’ve got a pretty good representation of the south’s long standing love affair with football loom: the entire region has put an emphasis on football for a long time. It’s generational. In Tuscaloosa Bryant Denny stadium is home of the University of Alabama. With 102,000 seats, it’s the fifth largest stadium in America but despite that, match tickets are as rare as hen’s teeth. And, every game this season is already sold out.