Bonner reflects on years as president at Alabama
WTVA (Tupelo, Miss.) – June 15
University of Alabama President Judy Bonner sat on the porch of the campus’ antebellum president’s mansion on a muggy afternoon in late spring. Joggers made their way around the Quad, and the heat and humidity gradually rose after a brief afternoon shower. The porch is one of Bonner’s favorite places and one of the things she will miss about the presidency, a post she will leave in mid-July. “I will miss graduation, I will miss the first day of school, everyone is so excited when they come back for a new academic year … I will miss the students who want to do selfies,” Bonner said. She announced plans to retire from the presidency in December during the winter break. The University of Alabama System announced Louisiana State University Provost Stuart Bell as the nominee to succeed her. If approved by trustees at a meeting scheduled for Thursday, Bell will become president July 15. As the system prepares for the fall, Bonner, 67, considers a life ahead without the university at its center. An Alabama graduate, Bonner began teaching there in 1981. “The first thing I have got to do is become a recovering workaholic,” Bonner said, adding she is happiest juggling multiple tasks. “And I think I can handle that. In order to do that, I am going to spend some time away.”
Daily Reporter (Greenfield, Ind.) – June 15
Moulton Advertiser – June 15
Times Daily – June 15
Gadsden Times – June 15
Seattle Post-Intelligencer – June 15
Houston Chronicle – June15
San Antonio Express-News – June
San Francisco Chronicle – June 15
Region positioned for growth, says Aerospace Alliance chairman
Made in Alabama – June 15
The chairman of The Aerospace Alliance says Alabama and its Gulf Coast neighbors stand to benefit from a growing commercial aviation sector symbolized by the Airbus manufacturing facility that’s about to open in Mobile. The Alliance is a partnership meant to foster cooperation between four Southeastern states that have targeted expansion and growth opportunities in aerospace. The group sponsored a Sunday networking cruise on the Seine that was heavily attended by industry executives and economic developers from alliance states. On the eve of the Paris Air Show’s opening ceremonies, Chairman Neal Wade, a veteran recruiter who now serves as the director of the University of Alabama’s Economic Development Academy, said the Gulf Coast region is poised for aerospace growth because of its already robust capabilities. “The four states – Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida – comprise the fourth largest aerospace corridor in the world, so we really come at this from a position of strength,” Wade said during the cruise. “Every major aerospace company is in one of those states, or more than one of them.”
Why daily meetings aren’t a complete waste of time
Fortune – June 15
In its purest definition, productivity means that value is being created. The more senior an employee or executive becomes, the more value he or she should bring to the company; therefore maximizing and measuring productivity over cost is key for any organization. Over the years, I’ve learned that there are five facets that are inextricably linked to productivity … Time management: How can I ensure I am focused on results versus activity? I recently returned from my daughter’s orientation at the University of Alabama. In the Business School’s presentation to the incoming freshmen, the speaker firmly stated that time management was the key to success. He showed how students should break down their schedule for class, studying and personal time; and he emphasized that productivity can only be achieved by testing the right mix until the individual figures out the time management formula that works best for them. Knowing how and when you are most productive is crucial. College students are just learning to figure this out, as professionals, we should already know how to best structure our days and work accordingly.
SummerTide Theatre does shows in Gulf Shores
WALA-Fox (Mobile) (Live Interview and performance from the show) – June 12
This group of performers come down to the Gulf Coast and put on a show. This year they are performing, “Ring of Fire”, which features the music of Johnny Cash. The show is about the life of Johnny Cash told through his songs.
Tuscaloosa school summit to be held Tuesday morning at UA
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – June 15
A summit focusing on Tuscaloosa-area education will begin at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 16 at the Bryant Conference Center at The University of Alabama. The event is free and open to the public. This will be the third year that the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) will provide data and research regarding the funding and performance of the Tuscaloosa City and County Schools. Following the presentation, Alabama Department of Education Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice will speak on education at the state level. Local superintendents Dr. Elizabeth Swinford and Dr. Paul McKendrick will share their thoughts on the PARCA report and the state of local schools. The speakers will also take audience questions. The session is set to end at 11 a.m.