Graduate student lives scholar’s dream
Tuscaloosa News – July 1
University of Alabama doctoral student Brandon Hill is living a dream of sorts this week while attending an annual meeting of Nobel Prize winners and graduate students in Germany. “One of my long-term goals is to win a Nobel Prize,” the 29-year-old molecular biology student said. Hill, whose childhood interest in science crystallized into a career goal in high school, looks forward to the opportunity to listen to presentations and meet with the laureates. He said he’s especially interested in gaining insight into their career paths from graduate students to preeminent scientists. He said he also looks forward to exchanging ideas with the fellow graduate students about their work and career plans. “I was so intrigued and very excited to be nominated,” Hill said. Hill is one of about 600 students from 80 countries selected to attend the meeting from June 29 through Friday in Lindau, Germany. The students are selected through a multistage nomination process. The students will have the chance to interact professionally and socially with 37 Nobel Prize winners. The meeting will include lectures by the laureates, discussion sessions, master classes and panel discussions.
Professor recognized in athletic hall of fame
Crimson White – July 2
The University of Alabama has
contributed a number of individuals to halls of fame nationwide. … Friday, professor Ken Wright will join those ranks when he is enshrined in the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Hall of Fame. “Honorees will be recognized for their significant, lasting contributions that enhance the quality of health care provided by athletic trainers and advance the profession,” according to an NATA release. Wright serves as the director of the sports management graduate program in the College of Human Environmental Sciences and has a long and varied career in both athletic training and sports business.
Professors go back to class for computer science
Crimson White – July 2 (Print edition only)
Nine hundred and forty teachers all around the country have their eyes on The University of Alabama this summer for an online course. After receiving a grant from the National Science Foundation, Jeff Gray, associate professor of computer science, teamed up with the College Board, the Alabama State Department of Education and the A-Plus College Ready Program to train high school teachers from across Alabama on computer science involvement in the new College Board Advanced Placement exam. “Google then asked us to take what we are doing in Alabama and broadcast it live over the internet to other teachers in other states and even countries,” Gray said.
UA grad takes research, rehab to business stage
Crimson White – July 2
Brandt Hendricks underwent three surgeries for injuries he sustained while playing baseball at The University of Alabama. For Hendricks, who graduated from the University with a degree in kinesiology, rehabilitative physical therapy became a source of inspiration. “Rehab is very monotonous,” he said. “It’s a real struggle to go in everyday and push yourself to get better. We wanted to make the process visible so that you can see yourself making progress or not making progress.” Hendricks heads the team behind a local, University of Alabama-affiliated start-up company, 2B Electronic, which has made it to the semi-final round of Alabama LaunchPad’s statewide competition for budding businesses. The winning team will receive a $300,000 award. Patrick LeClair, assistant professor of physics, assists Hendricks. “In my senior year, I approached Dr. LeClair with an independent research project based on this idea I had about making the rehab process more visual and interactive,” Hendricks said. … 2B Electronic’s primary concept is a device that monitors muscle activity and can be used for a variety of purposes from physical therapy to personal fitness. Partnering with the University provides funding and research facilities for the company.
Wellness campaign gets family focus, pool kickoff
Crimson White – July 2
Snakes, turtles and Greek yogurt met at the University Recreation Center Outdoor Pool as the Summer Family Makeover kicked off. The makeover, a program offered to UA students, faculty and staff, will continue for the next four weeks. “It’s an opportunity to really engage and enrich the lives of our faculty, staff, students and their families through health improvement, health enhancing programs,” Director of Health Promotion and Wellness Rebecca Kelly said. Kelly, along with the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness, is implementing a nationwide campaign called the 5-2-1-0 challenge. Participants are challenged to eat five fruits and vegetables a day, limit looking at screens to two hours a day, participate in at least one hour of physical activity a day and consume zero sugar sweetened drinks.
Raising Cane’s furthers retail residential dining
Crimson White – July 2
While some students are enjoying home-cooked meals, other students are eating on campus throughout the summer. “With the food court and Fresh Food Company being closed this summer, Bama Dining needed to provide food service options on campus while construction is completed,” University Dining Service Director Kristina Hopton-Jones said. This food option came in the form of Raising Cane’s, a Baton Rouge-based restaurant now open in Paty Hall. “The chicken fingers and fries menu concept fit the current north campus late night demand for something simple, fast, fresh and satisfying,” Sara Kolodziejczak, Bama Dining market coordinator, said. Although the franchise serves students on campus, it has also received attention from the community. “We have received much of our business from our campus construction staff and off-campus community,” Kolodziejczak said. The only other Raising Cane’s in Alabama is located in Mobile. Hopton-Jones said Bama Dining negotiated the contract with Raising Cane’s, a brand that had been desired for some time.
University of Alabama recognizes Ashburn resident
Loudon (Va.) Times – July 2
Christi Burnum of Ashburn, was recently recognized by her alma mater the University of Alabama with an Outstanding Alumna Award. Burnum serves as the media director of LMO Advertising, the largest advertising firm in D.C. She was one of nine people recognized by the College of Communications and Information Sciences.
Silver Creek Roman named to University of Alabama dean’s list
Rome (Ga.) News-Tribune – July 2
Dakota Ellis Ball of Silver Creek was named to the University of Alabama’s Dean’s List for the Spring 2014 semester. He is a red-shirt freshman for the University of Alabama football team and a graduate of Pepperell High School.
Amateur Paul Dunne secures place at the British Open
Irish Independent – July 2
Irish amateur Paul Dunne capped a memorable week by securing a place at the Open at Royal Liverpool after coming through final qualifying – although his hopes were nearly ended even before his round had begun.The 21-year-old, studying at the University of Alabama and a member of the victorious European Collegiate team which won the Palmer Cup against the United States opponents at Walton Heath at the weekend, arrived on the first tee at Woburn with just a minute to spare ahead of his opening round.
UA graduate turns roasting hobby into business
Crimson White – July 2
Last winter, popcorn popper in hand and more than 20 pounds of home-roasted coffee beans in tow, Todd Johnson and Ryan Harlan made their way to the artist market fair at their church. At that point, they were simply sharing their hobby with a small community. After the event’s surprising success, however, the two realized they could transform their hobby into something more. That something more became the groundwork for their own trademark coffee roasting company, Atlanta Coffee Co. LLC. … “We decided, ‘Well, let’s roast some coffee, and sell it there and brew it for some people and see what happens.’ We were just going to do it for fun,” said Johnson, who graduated from The University of Alabama in spring 2012 with a degree in management information systems. “It kind of blew up. Everyone really liked it, so we just decided to go a little bigger.”
7 from county participate in Girls State
Atmore News – July 2
Girls State was held June 8-13 at the University of Alabama. Escambia County was represented by seven young ladies. All ran for an office. Delegates are, from left, Christin Simpkins, Escambia County High School; Claire Dawe, Escambia Academy; Hannah Corcoran, W.S. Neal High School; Madison Matthews, St. Luke’s Episcopal School (Mobile); Anne Catherine Campbell, T.R. Miller High School; Hannah Wiggins, W.S. Neal High School; and Brooke Bell, Flomaton High School. This photo was taken at the Inaugural Ball held in The Zone at Bryant Denney Stadium on Thursday night after State inauguration held at Davis Theatre in Montgomery. Justice Lyn Stuart gave the oath of office.Molly Barnett of Atmore is a counselor for Alabama Girls State and a 2012 delegate.