MONDAY, OCT. 5 – SUNDAY, OCT.11, 2015
BEST BETS
UA HOMECOMING: This year’s theme is “Forever Crimson: Faithful, Loyal, Firm and True.” Activities culminate with the annual pep rally and bonfire and the Homecoming Parade. The bonfire and pep rally begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, on the UA Quad. The Homecoming Parade will start at 1 p.m. Oct. 10 in downtown Tuscaloosa and move eastward along University Boulevard through the UA campus. Dana Duckworth, head coach of UA gymnastics, will be grand marshal. For more information and activities, go to https://homecoming.sa.ua.edu/. For more details, contact Ashley Olive, Alumni Affairs, 205/348-1547, or aolive@alumni.ua.edu. For assistance, contact Richard LeComte, media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu, 205/348-3782.
RESEARCHER: MERGERS DON’T HELP LARGEST BANKS – To merge or not to merge? If you’re a bank, that’s a question you may want to ask Dr. Daniel Henderson, UA professor of economics. His research finds that most banks can benefit from mergers, but the largest banks don’t benefit because they have exhausted their potential gains. Contact Henderson directly at djhender@culverhouse.ua.edu or 205/348-8991. For assistance, contact Edith Parten, 205/348-8318 or eparten@Culverhouse.ua.edu.
NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL CELEBRATES FAMILY ‘HOMECOMING’ — UA’s Moundville Native American Festival is more than just an event for the hundreds of people who participate each year. To these volunteers, staff and performers, it’s a family homecoming. “Even though it’s crowded, we all know one another because we’ve been doing this event for the last 27 years,” said Betsy Irwin, interim director at Moundville Archaeological Park and festival director. “We have little groupings – the flintknappers over in one spot, the living historians in another, some of the different tribal members camping in another nook. I call it the festival family. I’ve watched my children and the children of many of my close friends grow up at the festival.” With a theme “A Native American Homecoming,” this year’s festival kicks off Oct. 7 and runs through the 10th. CONTACT: Betsy Irwin, 205/371-8732 or birwin@ua.edu, or Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
RECRUITING MILITARY VETS FOR PSYCHOLOGY STUDY – Mike LaRocca, a UA doctoral student, seeks military veterans to participate in a survey-based study about how positive psychology may predict psychological distress among combat veterans. LaRocca, a military veteran, Purple Heart recipient and Tillman Scholar, seeks to measure the effects of transformational leadership, which can include a squad or unit leader who actively encourages new ideas or mentors soldiers, and how it may serve as a predictor for symptoms of depression or PTSD. For more information, contact David Miller, UA media relations, at 205/348-0825 or dcmiller2@ur.ua.edu.
EVENTS
BEAT AUBURN BEAT HUNGER – UA’s Center for Service and Leadership launches the 22nd annual Beat Auburn Beat Hunger food drive with a kickoff event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 5, at UA’s Ferguson Plaza. The food drive, which benefits the West Alabama Food Bank, runs through Friday, Nov. 20. The kickoff includes free buttons, T-shirts, food and drinks. Participants may buy raffle tickets for a hat signed by Nick Saban and a softball signed by Patrick Murphy. All proceeds go to the West Alabama Food Bank. Winners will be drawn at the end of the week. In addition, the Homecoming “Can Formation” features student organizations building themed structures out of canned goods. Sponsored by SGA Homecoming, the event runs from 2 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7, at the Ferguson Center. For interviews, contact Courtney Chapman Thomas, center director, at ccthomas2@sa.ua.edu or 205/348-2865. For assistance, contact Richard LeComte, in media relations, rllecomte@ur.ua.edu or 205/348-3782.
UA EXPERT TIPS
UA MATTERS – FINDING A MUSIC TUTOR FOR YOUR CHILD – Engaging a tutor to guide your musical development is an excellent means of effecting change. Finding a teacher in music can be relatively easy in a college town, but as with any engagement for services, it is important to observe a few basic principles. UA’s Dr. Jane Weigel offers suggestions in UA Matters. Contact: Kim Eaton, UA Media Relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
NEW BUSINESS ANALYTICS LAB OPENS — The Culverhouse College of Commerce is holding a Grand Opening event for its Business Analytics Lab at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, in 250 Bidgood Hall. A ribbon cutting takes place at 3:30 with analytics demonstrations from 3:30 – 5:15 p.m. Corporate partners Lockheed Martin, SAS, and Healthcare Business Solutions will be on hand for the event. For more information, contact Edith Parten, eparten@culverhouse.ua.edu or 205/348-8318.
‘DISCOVERING ALABAMA’ FEATURES LOCAL WATERSHED IN NEW DOCUMENTARY — Viewers are invited to explore the North River Watershed with Dr. Doug Phillips in the newest documentary by UA’s Emmy Award-winning series “Discovering Alabama.” The 30-minute program, “Discovering Alabama: North River Watershed,” will air on Alabama Public Television at 6 p.m. Oct. 18. CONTACT: Dr. Doug Phillips, 205/348-3553, info@discoveringalabama.org; Pam Sloan, 205/344-5457, ptsloan@ua.edu, or Kim Eaton, UA media relations, 205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu.