Birmingham native leads team in assembling new C-Class sedan at Mercedes
Birmingham Business Journal – June 19
David Reeves began his career at Mercedes Benz at the Tuscaloosa County plant when he was a co-op student at the University of Alabama. The mechanical engineering major and Vestavia Hills native knew early on he wanted to work at the Alabama car plant full time. As a group leader on the assembly line, Reeves was involved with production of the new C-Class sedan that was introduced to the public on Wednesday from the early planning stages. He went to Germany with several colleagues and learned the ins and outs of what the company expected when the car was to be completed. “I’ve worked on the project for the new C-Class for over two years, and I can honestly say that it’s the most beautiful car that I’ve ever seen,” Reeves said. “It think it’s going to be one of the best luxury vehicles in the United States on the roads. I think customers are going to love this vehicle.” Reeves’ participation in the car’s assembly was not limited to the mechanical side. Reeves has to make sure his team is following all safety guidelines and that each car is getting the care it needs to be the best on the road.
Student with Guillain-Barre accepted into UA’s Master’s Program in Theater
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – June 19
A few years ago, a teenage girl found that her body was failing her, she didn’t even know how much longer she could walk. But, she was restored. And, she says, it was a miracle. … Chelsea Reynolds is a sales associate at State Farm insurance in Vestavia Hills. She also sings and acts, and loves performing. … But every day now is a precious gift. Working and performing are gifts she thought her health would rob from her. “I got ill when i was 14 years old. It started in my toes. I remember very distinctly. I was playing in a golf tourney.” Doctors didn’t know what it was at first. Things got worse when she was playing Mary in a Christmas play. “It was like I had flippers on my feet, I had to pick up my foot to put in front of the other.” After that night the testing got more aggressive and months passed. Finally doctors found, she had a form of Guillain-Barre. … But now she is perfectly healthy, even though doctors said she would never walk normally again. “I know for a fact it was a miracle. I can run down the street and back and I was told. I would never walk again.” More good news … Chelsea just got accepted into the University of Alabama’s acting master’s program, and she got a grad teacher’s assistant job.
University of Alabama Catcher and Type I Diabetic, Molly Fichtner
Huffington Post – June 19
University of Alabama’s catcher Molly Fichtner is someone whose story needs to be told for a number of reasons. You may be interested in hearing about a young woman who has been working at her sport since childhood, others will want to know how a type 1 diabetic balances playing at the very top of a grueling hot weather sport with the insulin and carbohydrates that are required for her to live. I think that many who read this will be impressed at how Molly left UT-San Antonio so that she could chase a dream. Though these are all good reasons to Interview Molly, none are why I tracked her down. I wanted to speak with Molly because she possess a will to succeed that is not often seen. Molly began her journey to the 2014 NCAA Woman’s College World Series by playing Little League baseball with the boys and she said that she, “threw a fit” when her parents told her that she needed to switch to softball. Seems like her parents knew what they were talking about…
Water center collaborates to make efficient weather forecasts
Crimson White – June 18
The National Water Center on The University of Alabama campus is unlike any other in the country, and legislation that will fund its development is currently making its way towards final approval. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Hydrology Laboratory Chief Don Cline said the 65,000 square foot green building, which was completed in December, will have two major components. “One is what we call operations, which is running models, bringing in data from across the country and using the data and the models to evaluate water resources, water availability and hazards like floods and droughts,” he said. “The other main function is research and development. It supports operations.” Senator Richard Shelby announced that the Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice and Science passed an appropriations bill alloting
$4 million to the center for the 2015 fiscal year. The legislation has passed the Senate and must go through the House and the President’s budget, with an official decision available
Oct. 1. … The center will also be collaborating with the University to do research. Interim Provost Joe Benson said the center will allow faculty and students to work with federal scientists in addressing “issues of mutual interest.” “From the standpoint of the community, the center, when fully staffed, will bring up to 200 professionals to Tuscaloosa, which will have a positive impact on the local economy,” he said.
Alabama’s Sodomy Ban Is Ruled Unconstitutional—Finally
The Atlantic – June 18
Last Friday, the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that consensual anal sex between two male adults is legal. The state’s ban on sodomy, covered under its “sexual misconduct” statute, is officially unconstitutional. Which would be a remarkable milestone, if not for the fact that the Supreme Court declared this kind of law unconstitutional more than a decade ago. … “The notion that there’s a serious commitment to use the law to prosecute sexual acts in Alabama is a non-starter,” said Ronald Krotoszynski, a constitutional law professor at the University of Alabama. The real question is this, he said: “Why don’t lawmakers clean up these codebooks?” … “There’s a famous Alabama case saying that sodomy is such a detestable crime that it didn’t need further definition.” Joseph Colquitt, a law professor at the University of Alabama, chuckled at the thought: a legal definition based on a lack of definition. In the 1970s, he was one of the legal reporters who helped draft Alabama’s original sexual-assault statutes; around this time, many states were trying to codify definitions that had previously been “common law,” or generally accepted standards based on precedents. … “A lot of states retain the idea that it was against the law for persons of whatever gender to engage in sodomy activity; it was a word used in common law,” Colquitt said. “Everyone knew what sodomy was: It’s a crime against nature.”
University of Alabama announces spring Dean’s List
Montgomery Advertiser – June 18
A total of 8,388 students enrolled during the 2014 spring semester at The University of Alabama were named to the Dean’s List with an academic record of 3.5 (or above) or the President’s List with an academic record of 4.0 (all A’s). University of Alabama spring Dean’s List. The UA Dean’s and President’s List recognizes full-time undergraduate students. The list does not apply to graduate students or undergraduate students who take less than a full course load.