UA ranks highest ever in college list
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 13
The University of Alabama this year achieved its highest ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s annual list of the nation’s top colleges and universities. UA is ranked 75th among large research universities, up four spots from a year ago, according to the magazine’s “Best Colleges” edition, which was published online Tuesday. It will be on newsstands Sept. 20. Among public universities, UA is 31st in the rankings, also its highest position among that group. Last year it was 34th. It’s the 11th consecutive year UA has been in the top 50 public universities, something administrators tout prominently in promotional and recruitment material. “Once again, we are pleased with this national recognition of our academic programs,” said UA President Robert Witt in a statement. “The quality of our students and our faculty and staff has never been higher, and our growing enrollment is a clear indicator that the educational experience at the University of Alabama is meeting the needs of our students and their parents.”…
UA professor explores motives behind 9/11 hijackers
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 10
…So why are the personal struggles of the men largely considered to be psychopathic extremists important? They weren’t until just a few years ago, said Adam Lankford, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama’s Criminal Justice department who has been studying terrorism since 2001. “Right after 9/11, there were two reactions in regard to motive behind the attacks. The public said these guys are crazy. The scholars said the public is wrong,” Lankford said. “The assumption by the scholars at that point was that the hijackers were like our Navy SEALs, their point being that in both cases these are men extremely committed to a cause and willing to sacrifice themselves for what they believe in. And I put emphasis on sacrifice.” But in the last few years, research done by both Lankford and Israeli psychologist Ariel Merari suggests that the real driving force behind the hijackers’ motive was a mixture of both mental health issues and the need to conform to the cultural and religious pressures of Osama Bin Laden’s extremist group al-Qaeda…
UA Honors College holds art show featuring works from three students
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Sept. 12
The University of Alabama Honors College Assembly has had its first “art speaks” show featuring work from three students…Two of the artists featured say they are glad the University is providing a platform for their work, “The University does so many things to get the students involved and also you know do to put them in the right place to let them have a successful career. I’m so excited to have a place to display my art.” They will be displayed in Nott hall from now until the next show in November..
Face-to-face with your fear
Crimson White – Sept. 13
…According to a survey he administered to 501 college students last year, Martin Sellbom, UA professor of psychology, found that the most common fears among college students tend to be social in nature…Failure was at the top of the six biggest social fears with 22.2 percent of students marking they feared this “very much.” Speaking in public followed, along with rejection, looking foolish, feeling disapproved of and making mistakes, according to the data…People who suffer from GAD exhibit excessive worry about daily events, said Matthew Jarrett, a psychology professor at the University of Alabama. For example, a student’s worries may lead them to avoid missing a class for fear of failing the course. “Although all people worry, people with GAD often have a tendency for ‘catastrophic thinking’,” he said…Others avoid eating alone for fear of judgment, but students don’t realize that other students experience the same fear, said Rosanna Guadagno, professor of psychology. She said students should take a chance on meeting new people to combat these feelings…
Author inspired by the number ’4′
Crimson White – Sept. 13
Creative Writing director Michael Martone’s new book is brought to you by the number four. Martone began “Four for a Quarter” when he was 44 years old. It’s a collection of 44 short stores that relate somehow to the number four – the four seasons, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, The Fantastic 4, etc. It’s divided into four parts, each containing four chapters. Each story is written in four sections…
Study Abroad Fair to be held in Ferg
Crimson White – Sept. 13
The annual Study Abroad Fair will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Ferguson Student Center’s second floor main lobby. The event, sponsored by the Capstone International Program, is open to any students who wish to learn more about study abroad opportunities. Representatives from affiliate providers, the exchange program and the 2012 faculty-led programs will have booths set up to answer questions and provide information to students who are interested in studying abroad…
UA telescope allows public closer look at moon, galaxy (Q&A)
Al.com – Sept. 9
Residents can take a deeper look into space tonight, specifically at the moon orbiting our Earth with a University of Alabama telescope at Gallalee Hall on University Boulevard. Tonight (7:30) marks the first of five planned events for the fall semester…UA professor and astronomer William Keel talks to us about this rare opportunity, what space novices will learn about the moon and how he remains concerned about why the cosmic expansion keeps accelerating…