Magazine ranks Alabama law school 35th in nation
Tuscaloosa News – March 17
The University of Alabama School of Law placed 35th in this year’s ranking of law schools by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking is three spots up from last year’s and marks UA’s 13th straight year in the annual “Best Graduate Schools” edition of the magazine. It’s the ninth-highest ranked public law school, and the only top-tier law school in the state, according to the magazine. And with in-state tuition at $15,760 per year and out-of-state tuition at $28,070 per year, UA’s law school is less expensive than all of the schools ranked above it…UA’s Manderson Graduate School of Business also earned a spot on the magazine’s list of best graduate schools, coming in at 63rd…UA’s undergraduate business school, the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, also recently received a high ranking from Bloomberg Businessweek. The school landed at 33rd among the publication’s ranking of public universities. Bloomberg placed only the universities of Florida and Georgia ahead of UA among schools in the Southeastern Conference.
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – March 18
CBS 42 (Birmingham)—March 18
WHNT (Huntsville) – March 18
WTVM (Columbus, Ga.) – March 18
EDITORIAL: Capstone boasts elite grad colleges
Tuscaloosa News – March 18
The University of Alabama School of Law continues to distinguish itself nationally. The latest accolade can be found in the ranking of law schools by U.S. News and World Report, whose annual ranking of colleges and universities in a variety of disciplines is widely respected. The magazine has the law school, led by Dean Kenneth C. Randall as 35th in the nation, up three spots from last year and marking the 13th year the school has been among the magazine’s “Best Graduate Schools.” And with in-state tuition at $15,760 per year and out-of-state tuition at $28,070 per year, UA’s law school is less expensive than all of the schools ranked above it, many of them prestigious private and Ivy League schools…But while the law school ranked the highest among UA’s graduate schools, the Capstone’s Manderson Graduate School of Business also earned a spot on the magazine’s list, coming in at 63rd. The business school tied with Auburn University, Claremont Graduate University, Rochester Institute of Technology and Temple University. UA’s undergraduate business school, the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration, also received a high ranking from Bloomberg Businessweek. The business school was ranked 33rd among the publication’s ranking of public universities…The fact that several of UA’s various colleges remain among the elite in this period of unprecedented growth in enrollment is proof of the dedication you’ll find at the Capstone.
University of Alabama scientists working on hydrogen fuel for cars
Birmingham News – March 18
A University of Alabama professor and three students are part of a research team that may have taken a big step forward in hydrogen fuel for cars. In a report published in today’s issue of the journal Science, the team, which also includes members of the Los Alamos National Laboratory, outlines a new way to recycle a hydrogen-rich compound that can be used for an environmentally friendly fuel. The patented process could be a reality in about a decade, figures David Dixon, a professor of chemistry at the University of Alabama and co-author of the study. He said Dow Chemical is already doing computer models of what an ammonia borane production and recycling factory would look like — and that’s exciting for those looking for an alternative to gasoline…
Tuscaloosa News – March 18
‘Egg Night’ prepares students for photojournalism career
Tuscaloosa News
…For about four years, students in Kent Gidley’s Journalism 361 class have participated in “Egg Night,” a lesson for photojournalism students about the camera’s f-stop and shutter speed and how to stop action using light. Each student brings a dozen eggs to use in the lesson, and they take turns either egging themselves or others…Gidley, who is the athletic department photographer at the University of Alabama, has been an adjunct instructor at UA for about five years and also has worked with students as his assistants in the athletic photography office for more than 10 years. His role is more than just being their boss: Gidley often serves as a teacher and mentor to his student employees, who cover a wide variety of NCAA-sanctioned athletic activities at the university, including football…
Blitz Build to finish new home for widow in one week
Tuscaloosa News – March 15
…More than 50 college students from the University of Alabama and the Montgomery area gave up their spring break to work on the house this week and even made cash donations to participate. Church members and others in the community donated money, pitched in to work on the house or host out-of-town volunteers. Local businesses donated construction supplies and food for volunteers…
UA graduate a finalist for writing award
Tuscaloosa News – March 12
Former Tuscaloosan and University of Alabama master of fine arts graduate Brad Watson was announced this week as one of five finalists for the prestigious 2011 PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction for his story collection “Aliens in the Prime of Their Lives.”…The Meridian, Miss.-born Watson spent many years in Tuscaloosa, working on his master’s, writing press releases for UA’s University Relations and, after stints as a newspaper reporter on the Gulf Coast and working at an advertising agency in Montgomery, teaching at UA as an adjunct professor…
Bill would create new class of felonies
Anniston Star – March 16
…University of Alabama law professor Joseph Colquitt, a former judge for the state’s 6th Circuit and a member of the coalition that came up with the sentencing recommendations, said that shifting the financial burden from state to local governments is inevitable every time sentencing changes like Marsh’s are on the table. “There’s always that trade-off, and how to address that, the common answer is more money for the group that’s taking on that burden,” Colquitt said…
Tuscaloosa’s sister city in Japan has heavy damage
Tuscaloosa News – March 12
…Koji Arizumi, a University of Alabama Japanese instructor and the director of the Critical Languages Center at the university, said Friday afternoon that he had been able to get in contact with several UA students and graduates living in Japan. “Most of our students are in the western part of Japan, far away from the epicenter,” Arizumi said. “I’ve made sure all our students all right. “So far everyone is OK. Scared but OK.”…
Problems in Japan may affect Alabama
Tuscaloosa News – March 16
…Although the state is a major producer of forest products, most of the American timber used in construction in Asia comes from the Pacific Northwest rather than the Southeast, said Brian Davis, director of the Alabama International Trade Center at the University of Alabama. It is less expensive to ship to Asia from Pacific ports, he said.
Business Buzz
Tuscaloosa News – March 14
Calvin J. Brown, a partner and portfolio manager with BlueCreek Investment Partners LLC in Huntsville, has been named director of alumni affairs at the University of Alabama, effective April 1. He will replace long-time UA Director of Alumni Affairs Pat Whetstone, who is retiring April 30. Brown has been active in UA alumni activities since he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the College of Commerce and Business Administration in the early 1980s. He was president of the National Alumni Association in 1997-98 and is a member of the UA President’s Cabinet. He also served on the steering committee of the university’s “Our Students Our Future” capital campaign. He is chair of the Library Leadership Board, a member of the planned giving advisory committee and a board member for Capstone Village. Brown was president and a partner in West Ellis Investment Management Inc. in Decatur from 1994 until 2009, when he joined BlueCreek Investment Partners. Previously, he was an investment analyst and portfolio manager for Management Advisory Group Inc. in Decatur. He and his wife, Judy, are the parents of two children, Julia and Pete, both of whom attend UA…
United Way of West Alabama seeks to uncover hidden stories
Tuscaloosa News – March 13
…People who have used United Way services through its member agencies are encouraged to tell the story of their experience. Amy Eifler, director of The Production House at the University of Alabama, said she discussed the idea of getting stories from the community through a contest. “Hopefully, this contest will urge more people to tell their stories,” she said. “There are many positive things the United Way has done and we want to help get that message out there.” The Production House is a multimedia and video production agency at UA’s Center for Public Television and Radio. It is assisting the United Way with marketing tools to get its message out to the community and those who may have benefited from or donated to its agencies…