MONDAY, MAY 18 – SUNDAY, MAY 25, 2015
BEST BETS
UA STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL ACADEMIC RECOGNITION – University of Alabama students in recent weeks have received a number of nationally competitive scholarships that reward academic prowess. Fourteen UA graduates have received Fulbright awards for international study; two students earned Critical Language Scholarships to study languages in other countries; one UA student received a Boren Scholarship for study in Brazil; and two UA students were named Hollings Scholars by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Contact: Richard LeComte, UA Media Relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.
UA INTERIM CLASS HOLDS MOCK WEDDING – The flowers have been ordered, the dress and suit picked up, the rings secured and the invitations have been mailed to everyone – including you. The bride and groom will say “I do” at 10 a.m. Wednesday, May 20, on the steps of Russell Hall. Reception to follow. The event is the culmination of a three-week class on wedding planning. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
CAN YOU IMAGINE SHARING A BYLINE WITH 1,013 OTHERS? Me neither. But four former UA students and their faculty mentor, Dr. Laura Reed, are among the 1,014 co-authors of a paper published in the journal G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics. Of the authors, 940 are students at various universities around the country. The paper represents a huge coordinated effort called the Genome Education Partnership (http://gep.wustl.edu). It uses undergraduate students doing individual bioinformatics research projects as a part of their course work, but information from those individual projects is fed into a larger scientific data set. Bioinformatics is a relatively new science that uses the latest computational techniques to store, organize and analyze information about biology and, in this case, specifically genetics. Reed, a UA assistant professor of biological sciences, has been involved in the effort since 2011 when she first used the partnership in class. For more information, contact Chris Bryant, UA Media Relations, cbryant@ur.ua.edu or 205/348-8323. Contact Reed directly at 205/348-1345 or lreed1@bama.ua.edu.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS: WEDDING GIFT ETIQUETTE — The tradition of giving gifts to the newly married couple is as old as the institution of marriage itself. So, now that we are in the year 2015, what are the do’s and don’ts of bridal registry and gift giving? The University of Alabama’s Kimberly Boyle, assistant professor in the restaurant, hotel and meetings management program, offers a few suggestions on how engaged couples can navigate the sometimes tricky art of receiving gifts in this week’s UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
EVENTS
CREATIVE WRITING CAMP – UA invites local high school students – incoming freshmen through graduating seniors – to sign up for the Summer 2015 Creative Writing Camp. The Creative Writing Camp will meet from 1 to 4 p.m. each weekday from Monday, June 8, to Friday, June 19, in 301 Morgan Hall. No previous creative writing experience is required.
The instructors are writers who are graduate students in UA’s Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing Program. They will lead a two week-long exploration of creative writing. To register for the Summer 2015 Creative Writing Camp, send an email with the student’s name, mailing address, email address, parent-guardian contact number, school and grade level to Christopher O. McCarter, coordinating director, at uacreativewritingclub@gmail.com. Contact: Richard LeComte, UA Media Relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.
UA’S MOUNDVILLE PARK FEATURES ANCIENT HUNTING AND FISHING — The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park features ancient hunting and fishing techniques and tools at its Saturday in the Park program on May 23. Retired U.S. Marine and weapons expert Bill Skinner will display and discuss an assortment of implements used by the Southeastern Indians for hunting and fishing. Visitors can throw an atlatl, a spear thrower used prior to the invention of the bow and arrow, or Choctaw rabbit sticks – one of the first “weapons” young boys were allowed to use. Children can make and try out their own sling made from natural fibers. The program will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
UA’s MUSEUM OFFERS HISTORY EXPLORATION TO COMMUNITY — The West Alabama community will have an opportunity to search for pieces of the past during The University of Alabama Museum of Natural History’s 37th annual Museum Expedition. With a focus on paleontology, students will spend a week working side by side with scientists on a field research project in Alabama’s Black Belt. They will collect samples, learn how to care and maintain material and understand the importance of preserving these pieces. They are involved in every step of the process, from digging to identifying and processing. The middle-school camp is June 8 through 13, and it is open to rising seventh-, eighth- and ninth-graders.The high school camp is June 15 through 20. The public camp is June 22 through 27, and it is open to anyone over the age of 12. Each camp costs $350. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu
UA’S MOUNDVILLE PARK TEACHES CHILDREN NATIVE AMERICAN ART VIA CAMPS — The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park offers students an opportunity to delve into the Native American lifestyle through two, week-long summer day camps. Open to children ages 9 through 13, the Indian Summer Day Camp combines hands-on activities with educational learning opportunities that result in an enriching experience for the campers. There are two camp sessions offered — June 1 through 5 and July 20 through 25. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
UA’S MOUNDVILLE PARK FEATURES BIRDS IN MAY 30 PROGRAM — The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park invites visitors to a fun-filled day of activities related to birds. The park will host a West Alabama Birding Trail-themed Saturday in the Park from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 30. The event is free to attend with paid park admission. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu