University of Alabama to offer architectural, environmental engineering degrees this fall
Al.com – Feb. 7
The University of Alabama Board of Trustees approved architectural and environmental engineering majors Friday, slating the programs to begin in August 2014. According to a UA press release, the program additions make the University of Alabama the only school in the nation to offer four engineering disciplines that “focus on designing and improving many aspects of everyday life”: civil, construction, architectural and environmental. Because UA already offers minors in both disciplines, the College of Engineering won’t require any new faculty to accommodate the programs. UA also currently offers a Master’s program in environmental engineering. “By adding these two new programs, The University of Alabama is unique in offering students the opportunity to be part of an integrated program focused on improving our infrastructure and preserving our environment,” said Dr. Ken Fridley, professor and head of civil, construction and environmental engineering, in the release.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 8 and 9
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 7
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – Feb. 7
SnowJammed? There’s an app for that
Atlanta Journal-Constitution – Feb. 10
The Georgia Emergency Management Agency had — but did not use — a system to send weather and traffic alerts directly to people’s cell phones during the crippling Jan. 28 snowstorm, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has learned. Georgia received federal approval to use the technology, which resembles the “Amber alert” system for missing children, in 2012. It puts a big, type message on the phone’s home screen, accompanied by a distinctive sound and a vibration. The alert goes to cell phones within a given geographic area automatically, without the users having signed up for the service. In theory, alerts might have urged people to stay at home on the day of the storm, not to hit the roads as gridlock developed, and provided shelter and safety information through the night. “We had the system. It had never been tested, configured or used for weather and traffic alerts,” said GEMA spokesman Ken Davis. … Emerging technologies “can actually keep you from getting into a bad situation, and also help you get out of one quickly,” said Laura Myers, a senior researcher for the Center for Advanced Public Safety at the University of Alabama.
Alabama ranks high in number of smokers, low in money spent on prevention
Anniston Star – Feb. 9
News last week that a national pharmacy chain will stop selling tobacco products was the sort of announcement health advocates would like to hear more often. However, those advocates worry too many in Alabama still smoke, which costs the state millions each year in smoking-related health care expenses. The state also spends very little on smoking prevention programs, they say. CVS Caremark announced Wednesday the chain will stop selling tobacco products at its 7,600 pharmacies by Oct. 1 … A 2011 study by the Institute for Social Science Research at the University of Alabama found that tobacco-related medical costs in the state that year were $1.6 billion. If that money was spent on education, it could provide more than 52,000 full-tuition, four-year college scholarships, according to the study.
“Unchaining Alabama” exhibit opens at University of Alabama
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 8
The University of Alabama is set to open an exhibit on the school’s involvement in slavery on the Tuscaloosa campus. The “Unchaining Alabama” exhibit opens Thursday evening at 5:30pm at the Gorgas Library. The display is based on work by a senior at Alabama, Benjamin Flax. Last year, Flax announced his plans to research the university’s ties to antebellum slavery as part of an independent research project. His research includes 40 original documents, transcriptions and other research materials in his work. Alabama was founded in 1831, when slavery was the norm across the South. Other research revealed that two university presidents and some faculty members were slave-owners, and several of the oldest buildings on campus contain bricks made by slaves. A decade ago, the Faculty Senate apologized for the university’s role in slavery.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 8
Random acts of kindness sweeping campus
Crimson White – Feb. 10
When someone used the hashtag #randomactsofkindess on Facebook, Jennifer Hodnett decided to do a little research. Hodnett, a senior majoring in human development and family studies at The University of Alabama, stumbled upon the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation. On the foundation’s website, Hodnett found a map showing all the places across the country that have a kindness organization. Hodnett went on to start Crimson Kindness, a student organization designed to help spread acts of kindness across The University of Alabama. The group is hosting Random Acts of Kindness Week Feb. 10-14, coinciding with International Kindness Week … Last year, Crimson Kindness put together a daily challenge sheet and posted it around campus. It also has a challenge sheet for 2014, but the event has grown significantly since last year, with 30 organizations registered to participate in some way. Some organizations are hosting public events, and others are conducting members-only projects such as writing encouraging notes to faculty members.
Students dive into French culture
Crimson White – Feb. 10
Each summer, students immerse themselves in French culture by staying with host families as part of the University in France faculty-led study abroad program. Michael Picone, University of Alabama professor of French and linguistics, currently serves as the program director. He takes between 15 and 18 students on a five-week trip to France. Students take six credit hours in various courses, including subjects like grammar, literature and civilization. All courses are taught in French by highly qualified instructors. … An added bonus of the trip is the week spent in Paris prior to the month of classes. Picone, who lived in France for nine years, uses his knowledge of the area to ensure his students get a tour of both the well-known and lesser-known attractions … The cultural immersion continues into the academic portion of the program. Host families serve as the only housing option, providing students with another outlet for practicing their French.
Student group battles obesity, diabetes
Crimson White – Feb. 10
Every year, Alabama and Mississippi struggle to determine which is the top state in the nation in obesity and diabetes. While the state is usually happy being in contention for number one in sports, this particular competition raised concern for Koushik Kasanagottu, a senior majoring in biology. Kasanagottu decided to form UA Diet in Spring 2012 to combat related issues. The purpose of the group is to go into rural areas of the state and educate people on the leading causes of diabetes and obesity as well as ways to prevent them. “Diabetes is highly preventable, but because people in these areas do not have easy access to the Internet or doctors, they are unable to educate themselves on the causes,” Kasanagottu said.
Students look to market art online
Crimson White – Feb. 10
Working while in college can mean anything from interning at a relevant company to asking, “Would you like fries with that?” and everything in between. For some students, though, a day at work doesn’t involve folding clothes, answering phones or waiting tables. It involves painting, carving wood and melting crayons. Many University of Alabama students sell custom artwork on Facebook in order to do what they love and make a little extra money at the same time. Sarah Day, founder of Rags to Riches Artwork, developed her love of painting while taking art classes in middle school. Her passion for art continued to grow, and in the summer after her freshman year at the University, Day said she found her artistic purpose … Jordan Cowie, a senior majoring in criminal justice, also paints, but rather than working with canvas, she paints on wooden pallets she creates from scratch. To make these pallets, she carves and sands plywood and then uses nails and a drill to connect the pieces together. “I hand-paint and draw everything, including the letters,” Cowie said. “I have never used a stencil, so none of my pieces look exactly the same.” Cowie founded her business, Wood Ya Look at That, after her friends started asking her to make them artwork.
Campus Movie Fest Held at UA
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 7
If The Strip looked dead tonight, it was because Campus Movie Fest held their annual movie competition at the University of Alabama … CFM goes around the country to universities and holds a movie-making competition. Student filmmakers receive professional equipment to help them make their movie. Three winners are selected from each genre: drama, comedy, and action.
University of Alabama fall 2013 honors lists
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8
UA President’s list for Fall 2013 …
GUEST COLUMN: Life muddles on even as history is made
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8
Not too long ago I was looking at newspapers from 1942. As I read the front pages of some newspapers, like The New York Times and The Atlanta Constitution, I expected the news of the war to trump everything else. After all, “the greatest generation” was at war, the world was at war, and the very existence of this nation as a free nation was at stake. … So, when I found the front page of The New York Times for Feb. 10, 1942 — a date related to a project I’m working on — news of the war played second fiddle to a fire that destroyed the great ocean liner Normandie tied up at the 48th Street Pier in Manhattan. The ship was still smoking, listing heavily, and I thought, “Wow, German saboteurs at work, the war splashing the front page,” just like I figured it would. But alas, that was not the case. (Larry Clayton is a retired professor of history at the University of Alabama. Readers can contact him at larryclayton7@gmail.com.)