Pulitzer Prize-winning biologist donates 246 career awards to University of Alabama
Al.com – April 22
Renowned biologist and Alabama native Edward O. Wilson announced Monday he would donate all 246 of the international awards, prizes and tributes he has received throughout his career to the University of Alabama. The awards, which are valued at nearly $400,000, include two Pulitzer Prizes, the U.S. National Medal of Science and the Crafoord Prize, the scientific equivalent to the Nobel Peace prize. Wilson has also given $100,000 to the Edward O. Wilson Biodiversity Fellows Endowment within the College of Arts and Sciences to provide student support in fields of museum and field biodiversity research. Wilson is recognized as the world’s leading ant expert — he won the 1991 Pulitzer Prize for Non-Fiction for his academic reference book “The Ants”, and later authored a novel, titled “Anthill”, exploring a civil war between ant colonies in Alabama that won the Heartland Prize for fiction.
Six students from Alabama universities named 2014 Goldwater Scholars
Al.com – April 22
Six students at Alabama universities have been named recipients of the national Goldwater Scholarship, the most prestigious award given to undergraduates in the sciences. The recipients are: Brian Goodell (University of Alabama), a chemical engineering and physics major from Plattsburgh, N.Y.; Lynda Truong (University of Alabama), a chemistry major from Grand Prairie, Texas … Though recipients can receive up to $7500 through the scholarship, the award itself is particularly prestigious as universities are allowed to nominate 4 undergraduate students for the applicant pool, from which roughly 300 winners are chosen each year. Six Alabama students were also named Scholars in 2013 from UA, UAB and Auburn University. According to a UA release, the University of Alabama ranks second for most scholars selected in the past eight years with 21, just one behind Harvard University.
UA students honored nationally
Crimson White – April 23
Each year, students from universities across the country are selected to receive various prestigious scholarship awards. This year, The University of Alabama had eight students who were chosen for three of these awards. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hollings Scholarship was awarded to five UA students among 106 total awards nationally. The NOAA Hollings Scholarship provides recipients with $8,000 a year for full-time study during their junior and senior years, said Gary Sloan, coordinator of prestigious scholarships and awards. It also awards students with $6,500 for a 10-week internship at NOAA or an NOAA-approved facility for the summer between their junior and senior years. “UA ranked fourth in the nation behind the University of Miami, the University of Oklahoma and the University of South Carolina for these awards,” Sloan said.
Russian group visit Rise School in Tuscaloosa
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – April 22
The Rise School at The University of Alabama attracts families from outside Tuscaloosa and even outside Alabama, because of its services for children with disabilities. Now, the school is getting some attention from across the world. Rise has formed a partnership with a group in Russia, focused on providing opportunities for people with disabilities. The partnership started through two Russian musicians who were interested in music therapy visiting Tuscaloosa. Since then, Rise officials have traveled to Russia and now are hosting a group from Russia to give the group a firsthand look at how the school works. “It’s very important for them to see what we do, to see the children, to see how much they can accomplish in these early years,” Rise Director Dr. Martha Cook said. “And I think that’s, you know, very, very important. And then also, to see our adults who have disabilities, who are employed at Rise, so that they see that model also.” The students at Rise are a mix of children with and without disabilities, learning together. “The services available at Rise are not widely available in the United States, in that it is an expensive model, and we raise the money so that the children benefit maximally from their years here,” Cook said. “So certainly we don’t see it outside of the country, especially Eastern European countries.”
Montgomery economic optimism hits 8-year high
Montgomery Advertiser – April 22
Montgomery’s business community expects more growth and success this spring than at any time since 2006, according to a new survey of executives. The quarterly Business Confidence Index asks business leaders to predict things like profit and hiring for their company for the next few months. The new study from the University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) shows that executives in the city are more optimistic about the second quarter of 2014 than their counterparts in other areas of Alabama. However, Alabama business leaders had positive outlooks on the national and state economy during the spring. Faith in a rebounding state economy was one of the key factors that helped carry the area to the top of the list. Study organizer Carolyn Trent, a socioeconomic analyst for CBER who organized the study, pointed out that the survey was conducted during the legislative session. “That must be a good indicator of how the state economy seems to be going, when you’re hearing that from the seat of state government,” she said.
Dementia Care Intervention Eases Burden for Families
Bio-Medicine.org – April 22
Intervention sessions, individually tailored to help people caring for family members with dementia//, show promise in reducing rates of clinical depression, according to a multi-site study co-authored by a University of Alabama researcher. Study results, publishing in the Nov. 21 issue of Annals of Internal Medicine, indicate the intervention strategies can also significantly ease the burden and improve the quality of life for the caregiver. “Caring for a loved one with dementia presents a number of challenges that can seriously compromise the caregiver’s quality of life,” said Dr. Louis Burgio, Distinguished Research Professor at the Center for Mental Health and Aging at The University of Alabama and principal investigator at one of the five study sites. “For the millions of Americans who care for a loved one at home, an intervention that can improve their quality of life and lessen the burden of caregiving can make meaningful differences in their ability to better care both for themselves and their loved ones,” he said.
New book tells story of PCB pollution in Anniston
WAAY-TV (Huntsville) – April 22
A new book tells the story of decades of chemical pollution in the east Alabama city of Anniston. Written by University of Alabama researcher Ellen Griffith Spears, “Baptized in PCBs: Race, Pollution and Justice in an All-American Town” traces the history of the toxic chemical in the city. The book details how the production of the chemical polychlorinated biphenyls led to Anniston being once listed among the most toxic towns in America. A sprawling factory made the chemical in Anniston for generations, and the resulting pollution resulted in a multimillion dollar legal settlement. The city’s black community was particularly affected by contamination. The book was released this month and published by the University of North Carolina Press. The author is an assistant professor in Tuscaloosa.
Relay for Life to raise money for cancer awareness
Crimson White – April 23
This Friday, The University of Alabama will host its annual Relay For Life fundraiser for The American Cancer Society. Teams will camp out at the Sam Bailey Track and Field Stadium and take turns walking or running the track. “We’re hoping to see a big turnout because this is something that affects everyone,” Laura Lantrip, Relay For Life executive director, said. “Relay gives people the chance to fight back against a disease that affects so many.” Relay For Life is worldwide fundraiser to raise money for cancer research through The American Cancer Society. This year, the Tuscaloosa Relay For Life event organizers are aiming to raise $100,000. According to the official UA Relay For Life page, 48 teams and 634 participants have already raised close to $40,000. Many organizations on campus are participating in the walk, such as Greek Life organizations, Honors College Assembly and other student-run groups affiliated with the University. The Athletic Training Students’ Association has raised more than $5,000 and currently sits as the number one team.
Former UA Professor Honored at Montgomery Elementary School
WAKA-CBS (Montgomery) – April 22
A Montgomery elementary school honors one of its seasoned volunteers. Dr. Kathleen Stitt is 90-years-young. Stitt is a former professor at the University of Alabama and now volunteers for one of Bear Elementary’s kindergarten classes. For the past 14 years, she has donated her time each Monday through Thursday. Stitt also donated Ipads and Ipods to help the students be 21st century learners. She and other volunteers were honored this morning at Bear’s annual volunteer appreciation tea.