University of Alabama leads study of Gulf oil spill impact
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 13
Two University of Alabama biologists are leading a three-year, $1.5 million study of the effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill and subsequent cleanup efforts on ecosystems in the northern Gulf of Mexico. “Our findings could prove helpful in improving society’s ability to respond to future petroleum pollution and will help in developing restoration plans in the Gulf,” said Patricia Sobecky, UA associate provost for academic affairs and professor of biological sciences. Behzad Mortazavi, UA associate professor of biological sciences, and Sobecky are part of a team of scientists conducting the research as part of a $6.5 million grant awarded to the Dauphin Island Sea Lab/Marine Environmental Science Consortium by the Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative. John Valentine, executive director of the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, is heading the overall effort.
Bayou Buzz (Baton Rouge, La.) – Feb. 12
Crimson White – Feb. 16
University of Alabama to host discussion on Tuscaloosa’s civil rights heritage
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15
The University of Alabama will host a discussion Friday focusing on Tuscaloosa’s civil rights heritage. The guest speakers will be the Rev. Thomas Linton and Maxie Thomas. The discussion will begin at noon in Room 223 in Little Hall. Linton is the owner of one of Tuscaloosa’s first black barbershops. He was instrumental in organizing the June 9, 1964, march in Tuscaloosa that became known as “Bloody Tuesday.” Thomas also played a key role in “Bloody Tuesday.” He now serves as director of the West Alabama Community Traffic Safety Organization.
New program in Japan opens
Crimson White – Feb. 16
University of Alabama students will have the opportunity for the first time to study political science 7,000 miles away from Tuscaloosa in the ancient cities of Tokyo, Osaka and Hiroshima, Japan. Students can earn six credits in PSC 321, which will focus on the issue of nuclear weapon proliferation and how it affects peace policies. When the U.S. dropped bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of World War II, Japan became the only country to experience a nuclear bombing. Through a tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, students will examine nuclear weapon proliferation through the lens of those who have been directly affected. “It’s an emotional experience,” said Derrick Frazier, director of graduate studies. “I’m not an overly emotional person, but being there and having that experience was the most fulfilling.” Frazier will lead the first trip. The trip partners with nearby universities to bring in experts on the subject of international relations and survivors of the bombing to tell their stories. … The trip is offered twice, in the May Interim and Summer I session. The deadline to apply is March 25.
Does gay marriage ruling threaten constitutionality of all marriages in Alabama?
Al.com – Feb. 13
Buried amid the extensive legal wrangling over same-sex marriage this week came an interesting side question raised by an Alabama Supreme Court justice: Does last month’s federal ruling threaten the constitutionality of all marriages? Justice Glenn Murdock raised the possibility in a concurring opinion when the full court declined to issue a “clarification” of Chief Justice Roy Moore’s order instructing probate judges to ignore U.S. District Judge Callie V.S. “Ginny” Granade’s ruling striking down the state’s same-sex marriage ban … What’s more, they said, it is questionable whether a court would buy the argument. “I don’t find it a particularly persuasive or compelling argument,” said Ronald Krotoszynski, a University of Alabama School of Law professor. “It’s virtually unimaginable to me. … It would be a remarkably bold step for a court to take.”
UA hosts Darwin forum
Crimson White – Feb. 16
Among the fossils in the Alabama Museum of Natural History in Smith Hall, a collection of people held philosophical discussions over evolutionary cake. The third annual Darwin Day Colloquium took place Thursday in honor of Charles Darwin’s 206th birthday. Sarah Duncan, a doctoral candidate in the department of biological sciences, gave the first lecture of the day about research she collaborated on studying UA students’ acceptance of evolution. Her research looks at what factors either increase or decrease their acceptance. “The University is a really special institution in that we actually have speakers come and talk about how important the theory of evolution actually is and the contributions that Darwin made to science,” she said. The Philosophy Club, the Secular Student Alliance, the Journal of Science and Health at UA and the Evolutionary Studies Club were all in attendance for the Darwin Day celebration.
Play based on Greek mythology premieres
Crimson White – Feb. 16
Dry ice and blue lighting will dominate the stage of the Allen Bales Theatre as part of the set of American playwright Sarah Ruhl’s “Eurydice.” The play, part of the University’s department of theatre and dance spring season, will open Monday. The play is based on the original Greek myth of Orpheus entering the underworld to retrieve his wife, Eurydice. Matt Davis, a third-year MFA directing candidate, will direct the production, which is Orpheus’ tale told from Eurydice’s perspective. The show offers stunning visual imagery and promises to be a spectacle, Davis said. “Because the play is based in this expressionistic world, we get to play and create through the design elements something that is very otherworldly,” he said. “A lot of the set, props and costume design are very abstract.” Davis said he is excited for audience members to see and gather their own thoughts and meanings from the production. “I like working in this world that’s not based in realism, where audience members are taking their own meanings out of things through critical thinking,” he said. “I like to direct shows where the answers aren’t necessarily there for you.”
Chinese New Year Celebration held at UA
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 15
The University of Alabama brought a little bit of China to Tuscaloosa today. UA’s Chinese Student Association held their annual new year gala in the Ferguson Center. Traditional Chinese cuisine was offered at the event as well as entertainment. Many students and locals came together to celebrate the beginning of the year of the goat.
Black Warrior Film Festival held
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 15
The Black Warrior Film Festival returned to Tuscaloosa for its third year this weekend. Forty-four student films were featured. The festival’s executive director Katie Howard says the goal is to get students’ films out there and to help them network. Oscar nominated producer Tom Heller was this year’s featured guest.
Leading Edge Institute inspires women to lead
Crimson White – Feb. 16
Leading Edge Institute is a nine-month program designed to prepare college-aged Alabama women to become leaders of the state. Two students at The University of Alabama will graduate from the institute at its Winter Summit in Birmingham Feb. 20 and 21. Students begin the program in the summer and spend the last full week of June on-site with program directors and other participants. “We partner with colleges around the state, and we ask colleges to identify students on their campus,” said Ashley Gilbert, executive director of the program. “It’s pretty evident that each campus has a different set of rules and values. We ask the colleges themselves to identify students who aren’t currently in roles of leadership with the goal being students will gain the tools to run for leadership positions.”
University of Alabama President’s List and Dean’s List for fall 2014 semester
Bayou Buzz (Baton Rouge, La.) – Feb. 14
President’s List: Alabama – Addison: Jayla A. Robinson. Alabaster: Joshua A. Blackwell, Bevin E. Clark, Molly C. Cline, Ryan L. Coleman, Laura H. Fulmer, Jamie E. Hillman, Erin D. Hutter, Rachel E. Irvin, Sean M. Jackson, Mariah M. Lawrence, Stephen A. Powers, Deondre Marquette Rodgers. Albertville: Taylor DeWitt Blevins, Sydney P. Cochran, Mandi Marie Miller. Alexander City: Alexandra A. Hudson, Richard D. Hudson, Jennifer M. Lamberth, Rose E. Lamberth, Anna L. Price, Robert W. Weaver.
Bayou Buzz (Baton Rouge, La.) – Feb. 14
Author of book about Coca-Cola to speak at Wofford
GroupState.com – Feb. 15
Environmental history professor and author of “Citizen Coke: The Making of Coca-Cola Capitalism,” Dr. Bartow J. Elmore will speak at Wofford College at 11 a.m. Feb. 24 in the Olin Teaching Theater in the Franklin W. Olin Building. The talk is free. Elmore’s visit is co-sponsored by the Wofford’s Department of History and Environmental Studies program. During his two-day trip to Spartanburg, Elmore will visit an environmental humanities class at Wofford and will lead a book discussion and sign books at 7 Feb. 23 at Hub City Bookshop at 186 W. Main St. Publisher W.W. Norton & Co. Inc. describes Elmore’s book as “an absorbing history of how Coke’s insatiable thirst for natural resources shaped the company and reshaped the globe.” … He is an assistant professor of environmental history at the University of Alabama. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College and received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia.
VIDEO: Alabama gymnasts introduced with cancer survivors
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 16
Cancer survivors are introduced with Alabama gymnasts at the Power of Pink meet on Friday, February 13, 2015.
Tuscaloosa News (gallery) – Feb. 16
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 13