UA archaeologists make interesting finds in downtown Tuscaloosa
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Jan. 28
An archaeological dig turns up some interesting items from Tuscaloosa’s past. Bottle fragments, animal bones and foundations from several buildings are just a few of the things discovered at the old City Fest lot. Here’s why the site holds historical significance. When Tuscaloosa was the state’s capital, the city’s first bank and house sat on that same block. Archaeologists want to learn more about Tuscaloosa’s past as the dig continues. Matthew Gage says: “And as a result, there’s all kinds of remains associated with those periods in Tuscaloosa’s history and Alabama’s history that we’re trying to find more answers to.” It’s unclear how much longer the archaeological dig will last. Soon after it ends, work begins on a new hotel on that same block.
Holt youth talks social issues with Obama
Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 29
A University of Alabama student from Holt met with President Barack Obama on Monday inside the Oval Office and talked about issues affecting youth in the U.S. “Obama looks just like the guy in the pictures,” said Tyler Merriweather, a freshman majoring in accounting at the University of Alabama. “He was so down-to-earth and was really supportive of youth development.” Merriweather was named the Boys and Girls Clubs of America Southeast Youth of the Year last fall. He and three other regional Youth of the Year winners were selected to travel to Washington, D.C., to meet Obama. “Never in a million years did I think I would win,” said Merriweather. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime meeting.” Merriweather said that the president told the group that he plans to focus on several issues that affect youth, such as education and the availability of jobs, in his Feb. 12 State of the Union address.
Alabama Museum of Natural History launches kids Museum Mondays $8 per child
Al.com – Jan. 29
The Alabama Museum of Natural History will have a Museum Mondays event each month. Open to kindergarten through fifth grade the first Monday afternoon of February, March, April and May. You’ll discover the secrets of the museum, romp with reptiles and discover Alabama’s geologic past. Programs are from 3:45 to 5 p.m. Drop off begins at 3:30 p.m. and includes snacks.
TCF class gives students the opportunity to network, see behind the scenes
Crimson White – Jan. 29
Last week, Steve Carrell and Ashton Kutcher were at the Sundance Film Festival Park City, Utah. Ellen Page was there, Amy Poehler made an appearance and, for the first time, so did a class of University of Alabama students. Kristen Warner and Rachel Raimist, assistant professors in the TCF department, planned and attended the trip. “In 2010, we proposed a student trip to Sundance and attended the festival in 2011 in an exploratory capacity,” Warner said. “I had been to the festival before in a variety of capacities. Both Raimist and I believed that our TCF film majors could gain valuable experience from a festival like Sundance that grants students unparalleled access to filmmakers and other key industry professionals.” Raimist said the task of planning a trip to Sundance was not easy and first needed approval from the University since students would be missing class. “What initially seemed to be a daunting task of articulating the benefit to students and countering assumptions that attending film festivals means that all you do is watch movies became a catalyst for us as co-teachers to discuss how we would teach the class and create measurable activities to demonstrate what the students learned,” Raimist said. “Put simply, there are no job fairs for filmmakers or industry professionals. This industry relies heavily on networking, ingenuity and access to insider information.”
Third annual Skin and Bones concert to be held Tuesday night
Crimson White – Jan. 29
The University of Alabama’s Trombone Choir and Percussion Ensemble will be performing together at the third annual “Skin and Bones” concert on Tuesday, Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Concert Hall of the Moody Music Building. The concert is a combined performance including the UA percussion and trombone studios, featuring 40 musicians – 10 percussionists and 30 trombonists. Last year’s program included classical compositions such as “Summer of the Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi and “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa, as well as popular contemporary songs “Don’t Stop Believing” and “The Simpsons” theme. The Trombone Choir and the Percussion Ensemble are led by two UA assistant professors, Jonathan Whitaker and Timothy Feeney. “We are performing a wide mix of music,” Feeney said, “Soca music from Trinidad, percussion music of Steve Reich, a wild arrangement of ‘76 Trombones,’ an original piece by UA trombonist Michael Johnson. It is a great chance to hear a wide variety of different music, with its own style and sense of humor.”
Medical students elected to join prestigious honor society
Crimson White – Jan. 29
Five medical students in their final year of clinical training in The University of Alabama School of Medicine have been elected to the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society. The society, founded in 1902, elects around 3,000 members a year, students as well as faculty, who exemplify a deep commitment to the medical profession, especially with regards to scholarship and leadership. The new members are Nicholas Deep of Birmingham, Ala.; Jonathan Black of Monroeville, Ala.; Jessica Grayson of Fayette, Ala.; Chris Ridgell of Andersonville, Tenn.; and Kevin Greer of Sylacauga, Ala…Ridgell, who received his undergraduate degree at Vanderbilt University, said he was humbled by the news. “My classmates are all very talented and diligent, which makes receiving this distinction truly an honor,” Ridgell said. Medical students receive their first two years of instruction at the main campus of the School of Medicine in Birmingham. The College of Community Health Sciences at the the University provides about 70 third and fourth year students with their final two years of clinical training via rotations in family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, neurology, psychiatry and surgery.