University of Alabama president: ‘We are certainly on our way’
Tuscaloosa News – April 8
University of Alabama President Judy Bonner echoed previous comments as she recapped the academic year for the Capstone Tuesday during a faculty and staff meeting on campus. Bonner’s comments during the spring faculty and staff meeting at the Bryant Conference Center were similar to her speech in November 2013 on the state of UA, with praise for the university’s programs surrounding the 50th anniversary of its successful integration, student leadership during efforts to increase diversity in Greek-letter organizations in the fall, capital projects including the new engineering and sciences quad, growth of the campus community and faculty achievements. “As we bring this academic year to a close, we celebrate many successes,” Bonner said. The university’s first female president used the occasion to highlight ongoing efforts to increase diversity in campus’ Greek-letter organizations. The topic was also the subject of comments by the presidents of the Faculty Senate and the UA Student Government Association, who offered observations ahead of Bonner Tuesday.
Crimson White – April 9
UA nursing students give bicycle helmets to kids
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – April 8
Having fun while being safe … University of Alabama nursing students say that nursing students spread that message, along with some free bicycle helmets … “It feels good inside. It fits good. It’s snug.” Bike safety was the focus of this after school program hosted by the University of Alabama and Tuscaloosa’s One Place. “They get free helmets with this program and we’re just going to reiterate again what it is to be safe on a bike and why the helmet is important.”
University of Alabama takes home new trophy after ‘Iron Bowl of Programming’ at Auburn University
Al.com – April 8
The University of Alabama took home a new trophy over the weekend. This time, it was won by the college’s chapter of the Association for Computing Machinery. Auburn University and the University of Alabama went head-to-head in the “Iron Bowl of Programming” on Saturday at the Shelby Center of Engineering in Auburn. During the competition, members of the two teams faced-off to see who could solve the most programming problems in a five-hour window without internet access. Ultimately, the three Alabama teams took home the victory after solving nine problems while the Auburn teams solved eight. Because of their win, the University of Alabama will house the competition’s 3D printed trophy until next year’s event.
DHS grad earns engineering awards
Demopolis Times – April 8
Demopolis High School graduate Logan Culpepper Holley earned two awards from a recent engineering banquet at the University of Alabama. Holley was awarded the George J. Davis Award for Outstanding Civil Engineering Sophomore as well as the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award for having a 4.0 grade point average. He was given the awards during the Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering Spring Banquet at UA in March.
Free mortgage assistance clinic set April 12
Tuscaloosa News – April 8
A free mortgage assistance clinic will be held at 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the Rotary Room of the Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway NE. The clinic, sponsored by the University of Alabama School of Law’s clinical program and Community Service Programs of West Alabama, will present options available to homeowners who are having difficulties making house payments. The UA law school clinical program and Community Service Programs offer assistance to people in Bibb, Fayette, Greene, Hale, Lamar, Pickens and Tuscaloosa counties.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – April 8
Trustees approve plan to install storm shelter on Univ. of Alabama campus
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – April 8
University of Alabama System trustees have approved a plan to install a storm shelter on the University of Alabama campus. The above-ground storm shelter will be built near the child development center on the east side of campus. The $1.6 million facility will be large enough to protect more than 700 people. Two FEMA grants will pay for roughly half of the project. Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2014.
Alabama alum Hunter Bell to bring Southern style with an urban twist to Birmingham Fashion Week
Al.com – April 9
For designer Hunter Bell, Birmingham Fashion Week is not just about showing off her fashion line. It also serves as a homecoming of sorts. “Alabama was a home away from home for four-and-a-half years,” she said. “The state will always be and still remains a special place in my heart and I love to give back to that state.” The South Carolina native and University of Alabama alum will show her fall 2014 collection on Friday, April 24 as the opening designer of fashion week’s final night. She describes her involvement as “second nature” because of her connection to the area. She said the 30-look collection will have elements of Southern style but an urban edge, thanks to her decade of living in New York. “You going to see a little bit more of an urban, I guess you could say edgier side to the brand than people are typically seeing,” she said. “I think that’s what’s really exciting; our New York side is really shining through in this collection.” Bell’s clothing line is in shops all over the state, including Marella and Manhattan South in Birmingham and Effies in Tuscaloosa. Her designs have been seen on Lake Bell, Emma Roberts and Maria Menounos, according to her website.
Public speaking students compete in Speak-Off
Crimson White – April 9
It seems to be a rite of attending college to, at some point, face a large crowd of your peers as a result of an assigned speech or presentation. Many dread speaking in front of other people, but others relish the excitement. “I truly believe that public speaking is one of the most important skills you can have,” Alexa Chilcutt, professor of communication studies, said Tuesday night at the annual Public Speaking Speak-Off. Six contestants competed in Morgan Auditorium Tuesday night for the Oscar Newton Public Speaking Award. The group consisted of four freshmen and two sophomores, speaking on topics ranging from homelessness to the life of Will Smith. These six students, all currently taking Chilcutt’s public speaking class, initially competed against 24 other students in the preliminary round in order to qualify to compete in Tuesday’s final round. … The winners were decided upon by the judging panel, including Mark Nelson, vice president of student affairs and vice provost, Beth Bennett, department chair of communication studies, and Angela Billings, a professor in the department of communication studies.
Ferg to expand food court to add Wendy’s, Auntie Anne’s Pretzels
Crimson White – April 9
The Ferguson Center is expanding and renovating to accommodate the increasing number of students at The University of Alabama. With the Ferguson Center closed for Summer 2014, students should expect the Fresh Food Company to relocate to a new location, allowing for the construction of new eateries in place of its former location. Cathy Andreen, director of media relations, said the new location of the Fresh Food Company will be a stand-alone building on Margaret Drive next to Rodger’s Library, and the space currently occupied by Fresh Food in the Ferguson Center will become an expanded wing of the food court. “The vacated space will allow the food court to expand to meet the customer demands and population growth,” Andreen said. “With the Ferguson Center being closed for construction during summer 2014, it is the perfect opportunity to incorporate the vacated Fresh Food Company space into an expanded and enhanced food court. The new food court will include Wendy’s, a full service Chick-fil-A restaurant, Panda Express, expanded Subway, Topio’s Pizza & Pasta and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. We anticipate seating for 800 in the new food court.” With the number of students who decide to come to The University of Alabama growing every year, moving the Fresh Food location to a stand-alone building will allow the dining hall to serve more students, she said.