Moby-Dick Moves From Page to Stage
CBS 42 Birmingham – Feb. 20
The University of Alabama’s theatre department is taking on a whale of a tale with the world premiere of Moby-Dick. For three years, the play’s writer, Dr. Steve Burch, and director, Seth Panitch, have discussed bringing the notorious story of Ismael, Captain Ahab, and the white whale to stages.
Family Success Center director stays motivated by helping people
Gadsden Times – Feb. 21
While an entrepreneur focuses on profits in building a business, Marie Johnson, director of the Robert Echols Family Success Center, focuses on improving lives — one family and one person at a time, which profits the community. Johnson will be honored this week by the Alabama Entrepreneurship Institution at the University of Alabama as the state’s Social Entrepreneur of the Year for her work in developing the Family Success Center, a resource for families and individuals needing help.
2-year, 4-year Alabama colleges partner to expand educational opportunities
Mobile Press-Register — Feb. 21
Nanjita Aryal plans to enroll at the University of Alabama Capstone College of Nursing this fall, and she’s staying in Mobile. As a graduate of the nursing program at Bishop State Community College, Aryal is taking advantage of the RN Mobility partnership established in the spring between the schools in Tuscaloosa and Mobile.
Distance learning connects classes in every Alabama high school
Birmingham News – Feb. 20
Wesley Minor didn’t want much. Just a shot at an advanced education he couldn’t get at Cordova High School. Savanah Gilbert didn’t want much, either. She had spent so much energy pushing the academic boundaries at Oak Grove High School that she simply needed more classroom time than she could fit into a day. A few years ago, both of these high-achieving students would have been out of luck. But thanks to technology — and a program called Alabama Connecting Classrooms, Educators and Students Statewide, which is now in every high school in the state — they both got what they needed. . . . Teachers who want to teach distance learning classes must undergo three days of training at one of three sites. In central Alabama, teachers receive their training at the University of Alabama.
Arty Party event to support UA students’ art research
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 20
Those who received an invitation to the seventh Arty Party will be able to admire the work of students they have the potential to help by attending. The cover of the invitation is an image of University of Alabama students’ Quad painting with a few stars falling and twinkling around the title, “Starry Night.” This image was produced by one of the art students and is an example of the type of student the Arty Party is intended to support.
Sewell’s election a reminder of black women’s progress, struggle
Montgomery Advertiser – Feb. 19
Terri Sewell stood out last month among the newly elected congressional lawmakers waiting to be sworn in inside the House chamber. Almost everyone in the crowd was white and male. Not Sewell, who made history that day as the first black woman from Alabama to take the congressional oath of office. . . . “She speaks for the Democratic party, as far as Congress is concerned, from Alabama,” said Bill Stewart, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Alabama. “That’s a big responsibility that she inherits.”
LARRY CLAYTON: The ‘S’ word in American History rises again to political rhetoric
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 20
Socialism has returned to the currency of political debate lately. Conservatives and tea partiers accuse President (Barack) Obama of a socialist agenda undermining American values, American prosperity and the American way of life. The president insists, on the other hand, that he is just as passionately pursuing the American dream — not socialism — with his agenda of equality and fairness. . . . Larry Clayton is a professor of history at the University of Alabama.
Kami-Con held at UA’s Ferguson Center
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 19
Season three of “Kami-Con” kicked off today at the University of Alabama’s Ferguson Center. All levels of the building were full of anime enthusiasts. Anime is a cartoon with Japanese roots targeted at young adults.
Aspiring animator comes to Japan to chase her dreams
Japan Times – Feb. 19
It’s fun to walk down the street or get aboard a train with Tracey Seals and watch how Japanese people react. Once they notice the blue-eyed, bespectacled 21-year-old redhead from Mississippi in their midst, some break out in smiles. And others do double-takes, as if they’ve just seen an anime character come to life. . . . If you were in the U.S. South, you might consider attending the annual “Kami-Con” (held since 2009 at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa) or other anime conventions. Here in Tokyo, you should go to places where otaku are known to hang out — the Broadway Center building in Nakano, or Akihabara, would be good starting points. And there’s also the free Suginami Animation Museum, which is near Ogikubo Station, that’s very educational.
UA freshman featured in new Martin Lawrence film
WVUA Tuscaloosa — Feb 18
The road to Hollywood may be long but one local dancer is already on the big screen. University of Alabama freshman Carson Seeley is debuting in Martin Lawrence’s “Big Momma’s: Like Father Like Son.” The movie hit theaters today. In the movie, Seeley is a dancer at performing arts school.
UA dietitian discusses weight loss surgery
WVUA Tuscaloosa — Feb 18
She found a doctor there who was willing to do the surgery for free. But what are the considerations for anyone considering this method of weight loss? Here to discuss that is Sheena Quizon, a dietitian from the University of Alabama.