Lincoln Letters found at UA
KLTV-ABC (Tyler, Texas) – Aug. 19
Some historical documents that were recently uncovered at the University of Alabama are getting nationwide attention … University of Alabama librarians handle President Abraham Lincoln’s letters with care. “What’s really interesting to us and interesting to the general public is that the man who is president of the United States during the Civil War wrote on a topic very sensitive to anyone at the time or studying the Civil War or the Confederacy.” In one letter dated November 6, 1863, Lincoln discusses how some people charged with treason in Baltimore should be treated during the Civil War. The other is from July 30, 1862 where he explains what to do with muskets taken from ships trying to run the Union blockade into the confederacy … The papers are now on display at the Gorgas Library, on the University of Alabama campus.
Students spend first week volunteering in Tuscaloosa
Crimson White – Aug. 20
University of Alabama students worked to make a difference in the Tuscaloosa community during the week leading up to the start of classes through participation in Honors Action programs. Students who participated in Alabama Action this year helped renovate two local elementary schools, Matthews Elementary and Faucett-Vestavia Elementary. The two schools were suggested by the Tuscaloosa County Board of Education. “We were able to do landscaping, renovate hallways, playgrounds, gyms and the front of the schools, as well as build outdoor classrooms,” Susan Alley, program director of Alabama
Action, said. Students not only assisted in renovations, but also interacted with students. “I was able to feel a sense of achievement that I helped out this school,” Grant Nicholls, an Alabama Action participant, said. “I think that Alabama Action is a positive experience for everyone who
is involved.” Students who participated in Outdoor Action had the opportunity to do service learning projects centered around local environmental issues, including projects at the Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Areas such as Deerlick Creek Campground, Foscue Campground and Jennings Ferry Campground. Students also had the opportunity to spend the day at Lake Lurleen State Park clearing trails, painting, removing invasive plants, picking up windfall branches and sprucing up the park.
UA Students Volunteer at Maxwell Elementary School
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 19
Jennie Kriznik paints balloons on the cafeteria wall at Maxwell Elementary School. Approximately 250 University of Alabama students participated in a program called the Ripple Effect by volunteering time and energy in service projects in the Tuscaloosa community on Tuesday Aug. 19, 2014 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Ripple Effect is the annual day of service program which offers volunteer opportunities for incoming students allowing them to get connected with the local community. Students worked with various local organizations including the Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity and Maxwell Elementary School.
York native part of pilot program at Walter Reed
Demopolis Times – Aug. 19
York native Shankitta Brown has always loved working with children and community development. “Even as a child,” Brown said. To make a positive impact in children’s lives and communities in the state, Brown, a senior in The University of Alabama’s Honors College, chose social work as her major. And unlike the majority of undergraduate social work students, she’ll get a head start in her desired field: medical social work. Brown will participate this fall in the first structured undergraduate internship program at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Joining Brown at Walter Reed will be fellow honors social work majors Caroline Miller, of Charlotte, N.C.; Stephanie Craig, of Pace, Fla.; Nick Marshalek, of Flower Mound, Texas.; and Keri Warren, of Decatur. They begin their internship on Aug. 20 and will remain in Washington D.C. for the fall semester. The students will live in the Washington, D.C., metro area and will gain valuable experience in social work administration, advocacy and direct service at the largest military treatment facility in the world.
Alabama Graphite Creates Technical Advisory Council and Appoints Leading Carbon Expert Dr.Nitin Chopra from the University of Alabama as Inaugural Member
ABC 6 (Providence, R.I.) – Aug. 19
Alabama Graphite Corp. is pleased to announce that Dr. Nitin Chopra, Associate Professor in the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering and an adjunct professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at The University of Alabama, has joined the Company’s Technical Advisory Council. The council will include members that have specific technical, regulatory or administrative expertise necessary to rapidly advance the Company’s flagship Coosa Graphite Project, located in Coosa County, Alabama, USA. Dr. Chopra’s research interests include development of nanoscale heterostructures based on graphene/carbon nanotubes/carbon nanocapsules, their growth mechanisms and reactor design, surface modification/materials chemistry and purification of carbon materials, materials characterization of nanomaterials using microscopic and spectroscopic methods, and applications in biofunctional surfaces, sensors, energy, complex nanoarchitectures, and devices. Dr. Chopra is the recipient of the 2010 Young Leader Professional Development Award of The Minerals, Metals, and Materials Society (TMS), the 2011 TMS Young Leader International Scholar Award. He was inducted into the 2010 class of Emerging Professionals in the American Society of Metals (ASM) International.
Forecasters see rising Alabama economy
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 19
Alabama’s economy appeared relatively weak at mid-year, but there are indications it will gradually improve during the rest of the year, according to the latest quarterly update of the state’s 2014 economic forecast. The forecast by the University of Alabama’s Center of Business and Economic Research said slow economic growth dampened the state economy since CBER’s 2014 economic forecast was released in January. But it also noted that heading into the last half of the year, business executives it surveyed are more optimistic. CBER economists are now forecasting GDP growth of 1.5 percent for 2014 — better than the 0.8 percent increase seen in 2013. Output gains could be higher for the state’s automotive and automotive parts manufacturers and for the primary and fabricated metals industries. Professional and business services firms and the health care and social assistance sector are also expected to expand at a faster pace.
Students encouraged to attend Week of Welcome
Crimson White – Aug. 20
Students will have 55 events to attend during Week of Welcome, hosted by University Programs. WOW is designed both to help new students get involved in the activities around campus and to begin the year right with a variety of fun and exciting events. WOW kicked off Sunday night at Coleman Coliseum with an X-Games-themed event, featuring zip lining, bungee jumping, BMX biking and the first pep rally of the year. Latoya Scott, director of University Programs, said the event brought in over 9,000 students. “The cool thing about it is it’s not mandatory, but everyone still came out here to have fun,” Scott said. “It’s a chance to connect and make lifelong friends.” On Wednesday and Thursday mornings between 7 and 10 a.m., students are encouraged to stop by the Ferguson Center Plaza for a free Welcome Back Breakfast with the Student Government Association courtesy of University Programs. Chick-fil-A and Dunkin’ Donuts will be offered. Crimson Compass volunteers will be stationed all around campus to help students. They will be available on the first and second day of classes to provide answers, maps and information about Android or iPhone apps to ensure successful navigation to class. Free samples of food will be available at the Ferg on Friday night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the Ferguson Center Grand Opening, hosted by University Programs.
Director juggles mentoring, performing
Crimson White – Aug. 19 (Print edition only)
At the helm of the University of Alabama’s School of Music stands director Skip Snead, who manages to divide his time between leading the school, instructing the school’s horn players and maintaining his own career performance. Snead attends to the logistical side of the School of Music while teaching a class on applied horn and brass pedagogy.
Oxford grad receives science scholarship
Anniston Star – Aug. 19
Mileena B. Arensmeyer (center), a 2014 Oxford High School honors graduate, is surrounded by other scholarship award winners and Southern Automotive women’s forum officers following an honors luncheon in Nashville, Tenn., recently. Arensmeyer, the daughter of Jeff and Marianne Arensmeyer, is enrolled at the University of Alabama to study chemical engineering. Arensmeyer is the recipient of the first Connie Malace Scholarship, one of a variety of scholarships sponsored through the SAWF for female students pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering and math fields (STEM). … The $3,000 scholarship is named in honor of a Malace HR partner and co-founder.
New Fresh Foods offers more options, space
Crimson White – Aug. 19
Moving from within the Ferguson Center to a stand-alone location of its own, the new Fresh Food Company is officially up and running. Located in an entirely new building, the new Fresh Foods has redesigned almost everything. “Today is the busiest day we’ve had so far,” Sandra Robinson, a Fresh Foods employee of five years, said. “There’s new equipment and larger spacing, which is making everything a lot better.” In addition to the new Fresh Foods, the old location is getting a makeover. The space will be used solely for fast food and will include Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s, Topio’s Pizza, Panda Express, Subway and Auntie Anne’s Pretzels. “The new Fresh Foods and the new fast food restaurants all have brand new concepts,” said Daniel Lowery, a manager at the new food court. … Fresh Foods not only increased in size but also completely redesigned its menu and added new stations, including an Asian food station and a Mexican food station. “The quality of food is better now. There are new ingredients and it’s going to make everything a lot better,” Lowery said. Foot traffic flow will be managed with four entrances to the new fast food location and two entrances to the new Fresh Foods.