Tyrone Prothro to graduate on Saturday — John Parker Wilson and Rashad Johnson will also receive their degrees
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 7
Tyrone Prothro, John Parker Wilson and Rashad Johnson will all graduate from the University of Alabama on Saturday. Prothro, a former All-Southeastern Conference player who had his career shortened by a leg injury, and who was nationally acclaimed for his famous catch against Southern Miss, will graduate from the College of Human Environmental Sciences, according to a UA press release. Wilson, entering his third year as Alabama’s starting quarterback, will graduate from the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, while Johnson, a former walk-on from Sulligent, will graduate from the College of Arts and Sciences. Wilson and Johnson, a preseason All-SEC selection at safety, are expected to take part in commencement ceremonies before returning to the practice field Saturday.
A family affair
Crimson White – Aug. 7
A mother and son will share the graduation stage on Saturday morning at 9 at Coleman Coliseum. Moniaree Parker Jones, a 54-year old legal nurse consultant, will receive a master’s degree from the Capstone College of Nursing. Her son, Drew Jones, 21, will receive a bachelor’s in Latin with a minor in history, which he achieved in just three years…Moniaree said she became motivated to go back for a master’s degree after attending a continuing education dinner and talking with Dr. Marietta Stanton, the director of the nursing graduate program. “She made me see that there was opportunity for someone like me to fulfill a dream that I had,” Moniaree said. “Because of the nursing shortage, they were making it easier for older students to obtain their degree. It kind of ignited that low flame burning inside wanting to do this.”…
UA professor talks new book
Crimson White – Aug. 7
Howard Jones, a UA research professor of history, has spent the past three years gathering information and researching for a book titled “The Bay of Pigs.” At long last, that work is coming to fruition, as the book hits shelves tomorrow…
More than $1 billion raised for presidential campaigns
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 7
…Karen Cartee, professor of advertising and public relations and communication studies at the University of Alabama and the author of five books on the subject, said with the economy, the Middle East war and the lack of an incumbent, “the stakes in the nation are so high.” Throw in a long Democratic primary between Obama and Clinton, plus the cost of media, especially television that is up at least 40 percent, and it’s no wonder there’s a new record, Cartee said. “This is the longest election we have ever had,” Cartee said. “It started a year and a half earlier. They moved back the primaries, and the candidates got out there on the stump.”…
Florence Times Daily – Aug. 7
Jefferson County loses 8.6 percent of family-age population since 2000
Birmingham News – Aug. 7
…”I think most of the loss has been in the city of Birmingham,” said Annette Watters, director of the Alabama State Data Center at the University of Alabama, “so Jefferson County has not been equally affected.” “What does it do for a city when you lose the equivalent of a good-sized town?” she said. “It has significant social and economic effects that you’re living with over there.”…Bobby Wilson, a University of Alabama specialist in urban geography, said Jefferson County’s loss of young people reflects the continual movement of people out of Birmingham. That decentralization has been going on for years, fueled by affordable housing and higher-achieving school systems in suburban areas…
Political scientist doubtful of Obama ‘Bible Belt’ win
OneNewsNow.com – Aug. 7
An Alabama political scientist believes a surge in black voter registration in the state will not be enough to help Barack Obama pull off a “Bible Belt” victory in November…David Lanoue, chairman of the University of Alabama political science department, notes Alabama has been a strong Republican state at the presidential level since 1976 — and John McCain, he says, is the kind of candidate with a conservative and military background that would ultimately appeal to Alabama voters. Professor Lanoue thinks an increase in black voters may influence down-ticket races, but not the presidential contest in Alabama. “If the polls have McCain up by well over ten, fifteen points, even if African-American turnout really skyrocketed to unprecedented numbers that would still be very, very unlikely to close the gap,” he maintains…
Remembering John Mark Stallings
Crimson White – Aug. 7
The Alabama Crimson Tide family lost one of its long-time supporters on Saturday morning when John Mark Stallings, son of former Alabama football coach Gene Stallings, died at the age of 46…
Fan Day brings excitement
Crimson White – Aug. 7
The Alabama football team held its annual Media Day and Fan Day Sunday with an estimated 7,750 people at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the two-hour practice open to fans and the media…