University of Alabama ranks 12 in number of National Merit Scholars enrolled 2007-2008
Birmingham News – Feb. 8
The University of Alabama enrolled 73 National Merit Scholars in the fall, ranking it 12th among public universities in the enrollment of National Merit Scholars for 2007-08 academic year. UA has used the National Merit competition as a way to recruit academically talented students. UA awards a four-year, full-tuition scholarship plus room and board, $6,000 that can be used for school-related expenses and a laptop computer to a student who scores high enough on a standardized test, the PSAT, to qualify as a National Merit semifinalist.
University of Alabama trustees panel approves renovation of Jones Archeological Museum in Moundville
Birmingham News – Feb. 8
A University of Alabama Board of Trustees committee Thursday approved a $4.9 million renovation to the Jones Archaeological Museum at Moundville. The museum lies in the midst of the university-owned Moundville Archaeological Park. The collection of ceremonial Mississippian Indian mounds at the site is believed to have been, at its peak, the largest city in North America. It was inhabited from about 1100 to 1300 A.D.
The park draws about 40,000 visitors a year….The committee also approved a $2 million project at the University of Alabama to replace the parking lot north of Gorgas Library in the heart of the UA campus with a new plaza with green space, water fountains and bench seating….
Trustees expected to OK today $20 million nursing building
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8
A committee of University of Alabama trustees approved a new building for the Capstone College of Nursing projected to cost nearly $20 million. The building will be off University Boulevard across from DCH Regional Medical Center. It was one of a handful of projects approved by the trustees’ physical properties committee Thursday.
Dr. Hillard’s former office bought by university
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8
The former offices of late Tuscaloosa surgeon Dr. Edward Dowling ‘Bo’ Hillard will become part of the University of Alabama. A board of trustees committee approved buying the offices on Anna Avenue for $953,410. The full board is expected to sign off on the purchase at its meeting today.
Gorgas parking lot to become green
Crimson White – Feb. 8
The rows of parked cars and black asphalt behind Amelia Gayle Gorgas Library could give way to green grass, academic monuments and a fountain in front of Clark Hall. The Physical Properties Committee of the UA System Board of Trustees approved a plan to convert the parking lot behind Gorgas into an academic honors plaza that will add more green space in the center of campus and include monuments to honor academic achievements.
BamaBike’s ‘Campus Wide Rollout’ starts next week
Crimson White – Feb. 8
The BamaBike program will kick off on Monday, which will be known as the “Campus Wide Rollout.” Alex Flachsbart, a junior majoring in political science who came up with the idea for the program, said the pilot program will finally give students a chance to rent bikes on campus for $20 a semester.
Alabama Collegiate Summit tomorrow
Crimson White – Feb. 8
On Saturday, the VOTES coalition at the University will host the third Alabama Collegiate Summit in the Ferguson Center. The summit is a meeting of students across the state of Alabama who are interested in examining – and possibly influencing – public policy.
Breast cancer awareness aims younger
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 8
Angel Burnett has no breasts. Her 7-year-old son, Campbell, wants to know when she’s going to grow them back. For the better part of 2007, she didn’t have any hair, either. Instead, she wore pink bandanas. . . . Burnett, who is in remission, is one of millions of reasons why Sarah Patterson and the University of Alabama gymnastics squad will host its fourth annual Drive for the Cause meet against the University of Arkansas tonight at Coleman Coliseum. The teams will wear pink leotards and compete before more than 15,000 fans, who have also been encouraged to wear pink, to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer.
Love is in the air, and it’s armed
Tusk Magazine – Feb. 8
The University of Alabama’s Alabama Museum of Natural History and Arboretum will co-host their annual Valentine’s Day gourmet dinner, with big-band and swing music, 6:30-9 p.m. Thursday in Smith Hall on campus.
This week in Tusk-aloosa
Tusk Magazine – Feb. 8
UA Public Radio Presents Kitchens of Consequence The 13th annual Kitchens of Consequence Tour to benefit WUAL-FM/Alabama Public Radio will be 1-4 p.m. Saturday, featuring six of Tuscaloosa’s finest private kitchens, along with an assortment of food from area caterers and local music.
Gallery showcases original art
Crimson White – Feb. 8
Opening today in the Sarah Moody Gallery of Art is the exhibit “Query and Repose,” which features clay figures from nationally-renowned artists Jack Earl and Tip Toland.
Hip-Hop Summit examines genre
Crimson White – Feb. 8
It began with 11 soul singers singing about freedom and ended with Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity stomping rhythmically across the stage. The third annual Hip-Hop Summit, “Evolution,” took over the Ferguson Center ballroom Thursday night. The program featured black music from Etta James to Soulja Boy, as well as local musical groups, on-campus fraternities and sororities and Central High School Marching Band’s drum line.