MONDAY, AUG. 18 – SUNDAY, AUG. 24, 2014
BEST BETS
MSNBC ANCHOR TO SPEAK AT 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACKBURN INSTITUTE – Former U.S. Rep. Joe Scarborough, host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” and UA alumnus, will speak at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in the Moody Music Building Concert Hall. The event, which is free and open to the public, will highlight the 20th anniversary symposium of UA’s Blackburn Institute. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The symposium will run from Friday, Aug. 22, to Saturday, Aug. 23. In addition to Scarborough’s talk, the institute will include a symposium on Alabama literature led by Rick Bragg, professor of writing at UA, at 11:45 a.m. Saturday at the Hotel Capstone as well as other panels about Alabama culture and the media. Scarborough, who graduated from UA in 1985, co-hosts “Morning Joe” with Mika Brzezinski. In 2011, he was named to the Time 100 list of the world’s most influential people. Contact: Richard LeComte, UA Media Relations, at 205/348-3782 or rllecomte@ur.ua.edu.
NEW STUDENT CONVOCATION – New Student Convocation will be at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 19 at UA’s Foster Auditorium as part of Week of Welcome 2014. The event will induct new students into UA. All new freshmen and transfer students are welcome. The Class of 2018 will be able to take the Capstone Creed and hear from UA officials and upperclassmen. Students will receive an Alabama script “A” lapel pin and are invited to a reception with live music and refreshments at the Malone-Hood Plaza after the ceremony. For more information about WOW 2014 and New Student Convocation, visit www.wow.ua.edu. Contact: Richard LeComte, UA Media Relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.
ADMINISTRATOR ELECTED CHAIR OF FEDERAL PARTNERSHIP – Members of a national initiative designed to reduce administrative burdens associated with federal research grants and contracts elected a UA administrator as its chair in results announced last week. The Federal Demonstration Partnership, a cooperative initiative among 10 federal agencies and 119 institutional recipients of federal research funding, elected Cindy Hope, UA assistant vice president for research and director of the Office for Sponsored Programs, as its chair for the initial three years of its next emphasis, known as Phase VI. The number of institutional members will increase to 155 in this new phase. Contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8323, cbryant@ur.ua.edu for more information.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: CHOOSING CHILD CARE – In the second of two related UA Matters’ posts, representatives from The University of Alabama’s Child Development Resources, a part of the College of Human Environmental Sciences, say it is important that parents spend time visiting potential providers when selecting child care. They recommend visiting at least three different child care arrangements in order to have some basis for comparison. It is important to be able to see the program in action, so be sure to schedule visits when the children are present. http://uanews.ua.edu/2014/08/ua-matters-choosing-child-care-ii/ For the first post in the two-part series, see http://uanews.ua.edu/2014/08/ua-matters-choosing-child-care/. Contact UA Media Relations at 205/348-5320 for details on reaching a source.
BACK TO SCHOOL –Want to help your k-12 student excel in literacy courses this year? The University of Alabama’s Dr. Shannon Henderson, assistant professor of literacy education, can provide tips for parents to help their children comprehend texts and accelerate their progress. Henderson has led professional development sessions for reading teachers and successful service projects in area schools, such as a k-2 tutoring program at Holt Elementary School in the spring. Henderson is available Tuesday and Wednesday of this week. Contact: David Miller, UA Media Relations, 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu
RE-ESTABLISHING A ROUTINE – Amy Walker, a parent resource specialist within UA’s Child Development Resources, can answer questions related to preparing your child for the back-to-school routine. Contact Walker directly at 205/348-0181 or awalker@ches.ua.edu. For assistance, contact Chris Bryant in UA Media Relations, 205/348-8323 or cbryant@ur.ua.edu.
CURRENT COMMENT
NEW SEC NETWORK RAISES QUESTIONS – Dr. Andrew Billings, Ronald Reagan chair of broadcasting in UA’s department of telecommunication and film, said the SEC Network is set to make a big impact in college sports. “In just its first year, the SEC Network has now assured a large footprint in the cable and satellite world,” Billings said. “With this week’s agreement with DirecTV, the SEC Network already stands to be earning at least the fourth-highest sports channel income with even more possibilities. Now questions will move to issues such as: what are the ramifications for watching games on Saturday? How will the SEC Network potentially alter game attendance?” Contact: Dr. Andrew Billings, 205-239-2337, acbillings@ua.edu