National ranking confirms UA growth in prestige
Crimson White – Sept. 20
U.S. News & World Report released its 2012 rankings of best colleges in the United States last Tuesday…The online publication placed the University at number 31 in public universities and tied for 75th in the overall standings. Alabama improved three positions from last year when it was ranked 34th in public universities. It is the highest ranking the University has ever earned. “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,” said UA President Robert Witt in a press release… “The University has been very successful in growing with quality over the last decade,” said Cathy Andreen, the director of media relations for the University. “For example, looking at just one of the factors that influence the rankings, UA has become much more selective, admitting 53 percent of the applicants for fall 2011 as compared with 85 percent in 2002. “While it is always gratifying to be recognized in rankings, it is more significant that UA continues to attract excellent students from Alabama and across the country.”…
Students find hearth at Moundville
Crimson White – Sept. 20
A group of UA students helped to uncover two hearths at the Moundville Archaeological Park this summer. The group, made up of a field archaeology class, excavated the hearths after using a research instrument called a magnetometer to reveal where they might be…John Blitz, associate professor of anthropology, agreed that the group’s focus was to better interpret the magnetometer’s map. “The special thing about this research instrument is that it gives us a way to look under the ground to see things that might be there,” Blitz said. “[The magnetometer] is giving us big maps of where hearths are without us having to dig everywhere.”…
Students learn about conflict in Uganda
Crimson White – Sept. 20
…Last night, Aromorach told her story to over 200 UA students at an event sponsored by Invisible Children, an organization that has been raising awareness of the conflict in Uganda and the surrounding countries since 2003. The event featured a screening of Invisible Children’s new documentary, a speech from Aromorach, and a Q&A session with Invisible Children representatives. Senior Austen Lafferty, one of the event’s coordinators, contacted Invisible Children after seeing one of the group’s documentaries last spring. “It was severely moving, knowing that there are people living completely different lives, going through things that are completely against what we know as ‘moral,’” he said…The event was co-sponsored by the University Honors College and Apwonjo, a club to promote awareness of conflicts in Sub-Saharan Africa…
UA law professor discusses economy of going green
MSNBC (The Dylan Ratigan Show) – Sept. 19
…And joining us now is Andrew Morris, a professor of law at the University of Alabama and co-author of “The False Promise of Green Energy.” I’ve read your notes, Professor Morris, and I agree with you in the need for adapted experimentation and all the rest of us. We say the free market, and argue the free market should drive energy, but the fact of the matter is, we, you and I both know, don’t have a free market for energy, because the actual cost of fossil fuel in our economy is not reflected at the pump…
Dreams come true for jazz studies student
Crimson White – Sept. 20
Instead of wishing upon a star, Briana Carrasquillo auditioned for the Disneyland All-American College Band. Carrasquillo, a senior saxophonist and jazz studies major, is the first University of Alabama student to be chosen for the band in over a decade…Chris Kozak, the Director of Jazz Studies, drove Carrasquillo and another student to the audition for the All-American Band. “The intimacy between the professors and students is what sets our jazz program apart from others in the country,” Kozak said. “We have a smaller student base and are more tight-knit. We not only know how our students are playing but how they are doing in their personal lives as well, because that affects how they play their instruments.” Beth Gottlieb, a percussion instructor for the University, played in the Disneyland band as a college student herself and introduced the idea of auditioning to Carrasquillo….
Documenting Justice film screening to be held in Birmingham
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Sept. 19
Social injustice and the fight to achieve equality takes the spotlight in Birmingham. The second annual University of Alabama’s “Documenting Justice” film screening is tomorrow. Three short films will be aired at the Carver Theatre. The films will explore the struggle to recruit doctors to rural areas and educational disparities in the state.
Seven facts about Gorgas Library
Crimson White – Sept. 20
1. Sanford Media Center…2. Ask a Librarian…3. Students can enter library-sponsored contests each semester for a chance to win prizes such as iPads or Kindles…4. There’s a basement in Gorgas Library that you can’t access via the main elevators, and it’s a great place to study…5. Even if the UA library system doesn’t have the book you need, you’re not out of options…6. Gorgas Library isn’t open 24 hours, but Rodgers Library is…7. The libraries can help you with social networking.