Anthony Braxton brings genre-defying music to Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 18
Categories limit as much as define. In naming a music jazz, does that mean be-bop, Dixieland, free improv, ragtime, big-band, stride; John Coltrane, Duke Ellington, Charlie “Bird” Parker, Billie Holiday, Miles Davis, Tommy Dorsey, Woody Herman? The answer’s all the above and more, but Ellington offered a broader response: “There are simply two kinds of music: good music and the other kind … .” Perhaps that’s in part why Anthony Braxton, the composer, musician and philosopher, NEA Jazz Master and MacArthur “genius” fellow who’s in a weeklong residency at the University of Alabama, resists categories. … Even approaching 70, Braxton never stops pursuing artistic drives, said Andrew Raffo Dewar, founder of UA’s Sonic Frontiers concert series and a former student of Braxton’s. … Braxton’s eclecticism can be witnessed in Tuscaloosa this week, starting with tonight’s solo saxophone show at 7:30 at the Bama Theatre. Still on display just down the block at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center is “Falling River Music,” an exhibit of Braxton’s graphic musical scores that opened Feb. 6 and runs up through Feb. 27. Then there’ll be a succession of performances featuring Braxton and his compositions, performed by ensembles including woodwind player Dewar.
Students study English, writing in Chile
Crimson White – Feb. 18
July 2015 will bring an opportunity for UA students to travel abroad to Chile and complete six credit hours in English, literature, and writing. The English course will also count as credit for Honors College and Blount students. There are no prerequisites for students to travel to Chile. “I’ve always wanted to travel abroad,” said Matthew Smith, a freshman majoring in marketing and American studies. “Although my major doesn’t really require it, like someone who majors in a foreign language, I want to be exposed to something different and expand my thinking.” In the summer of 2015, Chile will be hosting the Copa América, which determines the continental international soccer champion of South America. Students will have the chance to watch one of the matches in July. They will also have to chance to camp, ski or skydive in the Andes Mountains, the longest continental mountain range in the world.
Higher Ed needs to look for new forms of funding
WCBI-CBS (Columbus, Miss.) – Feb. 17
President Obama’s recently announced proposal to offer free community college tuition could help millions get a degree. University of Alabama professor Dr. Stephen Katsinas says, “If America is going to regain being No. 1 in the world in adult-degree completion, we’re going the wrong way.” Katsinas is the director of the Education Policy Center at The University of Alabama. He says more and more funds are being divested from higher education, and institutions must now look for new ways to get people back into college. Katsinas says the research shows that the number of Americans who complete a degree is on the decline. “The free community college tuition plan that the president has proposed is something we should consider, particularly since it has some provisions in order for the states to get the three federal dollars, it requires them to maintain the effort on the one state dollar,” Katsinas said.
Alabama Supreme Court and federal judge could both rule on gay marriage licenses within week
AL.com – Feb. 18
Could Alabama probate judges be caught in the middle of a state versus federal showdown on gay marriage by next week? It’s possible, but not likely, a few legal experts say. . . . Ron Krotoszynski Jr., a professor of law at the University of Alabama School of Law, said his own preliminary view is that the proceedings in the Alabama Supreme Court are very unlikely to affect the availability of same-sex marriage in Alabama between now and the end of June, when the Supreme Court of the United States is expected to rule on the merits of the federal constitutional question. A U.S. Supreme Court ruling would moot any state court litigation on this question in Alabama, he said. “It’s always dangerous to predict the outcome of appellate litigation, but if I had to venture a guess, I would think that there’s a very good chance that the Supreme Court of Alabama will resolve the petition for a writ of mandamus on a technical or jurisdictional basis — for example, by finding that the standards for an extraordinary writ have not been met or by holding that the plaintiffs lack proper standing to seek such a writ,” Krotoszynski said. … A retired professor of law, however, believes one of Judge Granade’s orders does apply statewide. Martha Morgan, Professor Emerita of Law at the University of Alabama School of Law, stated in an email to AL.com that regardless of the scope of the injunctions Judge Granade has entered against Attorney General Strange, as she reads it, the separate injunction she entered against Probate Judge Don Davis on Feb. 13, also binds the sixty-six other Alabama Probate judges and their staff under Rule 65(d)(2)(c) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure on injunctions.
UA holds Spring Career Fair week
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 17
The University of Alabama Spring career fair week kicked off today. More than 100 companies are being represented during the next three days. They are looking for students to fill internships and full-time positions. Today was focused on communication studies. The Career Center hopes that this will be a good networking opportunity no matter what year the student is in.
Local walk to fundraise for MS cure
Crimson White – Feb. 18
On the surface, Rachel Cannon seems like a normal college girl. However, she goes to sleep every night knowing she could wake up partially or completely paralyzed. Cannon is living with a disease called multiple sclerosis. Cannon, a freshman majoring in human development and family studies, was diagnosed with relapsing MS in June 2013. She has had two relapses during her time at the University. “At 18 years old I had to start taking medication on a daily basis to keep me healthy and slow down the progression of the disease,” Cannon said. “Most people at this age do not have to worry about taking medication to keep them healthy.” There are 4,300 people living in Alabama who have multiple sclerosis. One of the biggest nationwide fundraising and awareness events for MS is Walk MS. This will be the sixth year Walk MS is held in Tuscaloosa. The local walk supports the Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The walk will be Feb. 28 at 9 a.m. at Snow-Hinton Park. All money raised goes toward finding a cure for MS.
Men’s basketball hosts diabetes event
Crimson White – Feb. 18
The Blue Out Diabetes Event is the first event to incorporate diabetes awareness in conjunction with UA Athletics and campus, community and national partners. Blue Out Diabetes will occur at the men’s basketball game on Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 6 p.m. in Coleman Coliseum. Rebecca Kelly is the director of Health Enhancement Planning at the University, a diabetes educator for the past 10 years and a registered dietitian. She said she has been preparing for the event since November 2014. Undergraduate students Emily Capra, a senior majoring in nutrition, and Chris Lasecki, a senior majoring in biology, are working with Kelly to assist her in putting together the event. “Everything has been coming together to increase the awareness of diabetes and the impact it has on our campus and in the community,” Kelly said. “Having the opportunity to work with UA Athletics, as we look at our excellence, academic and athletic programs, it’s wonderful to be able to reach a much broader audience.”
Hudson leads growth of UA College Democrats
Crimson White – Feb. 18
Reshad Hudson, a senior majoring in telecommunications and film and political science, currently serves as president of the University of Alabama College Democrats. Hudson is from Birmingham and joined the College Democrats his freshman year. Q: Why did you want to get involved in College Democrats? A: I was fascinated with politics growing up, and my friends were interested in it so then I went to some meetings with friends. Then I started agreeing with the ideas, and I wanted to learn more about government and how it affects people.