Reception Friday for costume exhibit at Dinah Washington center in Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa News – Sept. 3
To tell the story of how costumes come to life, Donna Meester created the exhibit “The Life of a Costume: From Page to Stage,” going up Friday at The University of Alabama Gallery at the Dinah Washington Cultural Art Center in downtown Tuscaloosa. A reception will be held at the gallery, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., as part of downtown’s First Friday events. The exhibit and reception are free and open to the public; the exhibit will run through Sept. 25. Meester, associate professor and director of costume design at the University of Alabama’stheater and dance department, said inspiration came from an open house activity at UA. She wanted people to understand what costume designers do, so she opened one of her apparel design class’s studio rooms to the campus, showing costumes from first mock-up to final looks. It was a hit, so she thought a similar creation might be interesting to the community at large.
Alabama marching band to play halftime show before high school football game in Flower Mound
Dallas Morning News – Sept. 4
The University of Alabama Million Dollar Band will perform its halftime show prior to the high school football game between Marcus and Arlington. The band is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. at Marauder Stadium, 5707 Morris Road. The Alabama band is in the area to perform Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington where the Crimson Tide will take on the University of Wisconsin in the AdvoCare Classic. The band will rehearse Friday morning in Shreveport, La. On Saturday, the band will rehearse from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Marcus. “Marcus has a really outstanding band program and they were willing to let us use their fields,” said Heath Nails, the university’s director of band operations.
Flooding’s impact on wetlands measurable via low-cost approach, UA-led research shows
Environmental Research Web – Sept. 4
Scientists designed a new, on-site method for studying potential impacts rising sea levels can have on vital wetlands, said a University of Alabama researcher who led a study publishing today describing the modifiable apparatuses. Primarily using materials available at the local hardware store, the scientists, including UA’s Dr. Julia Cherry, designed, constructed and tested low-cost enclosures, called weirs, to realistically simulate three flooding levels on coastal wetlands. Simulating impacts of sea level rise on-site and at larger scales had previously proven difficult.
Alabama trooper shortage at critical level
WTVY (Dothan) – Sept. 4
The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency says its staffing is at a critical low. According to a study by the University of Alabama’s Center for Advanced Public Safety, the state needs 1,016 troopers. Right now, there are 418. Trooper Brock Gwaltney said, “When I was transferred to the Dothan post, Houston County had 9 troopers, now there’s 3. That’s one of the largest counties in our area.” On the day News 4’s Devon Sellers rode along with Trooper Brock Gwaltney, after 6 p.m. he was the only trooper working Covington, Coffee, Geneva, Crenshaw and Butler counties.
Video report — WTVY
Secondary math education program receives two-year designation
Crimson White – Sept. 3
The University of Alabama’s secondary math education program in the College of Education has received recognition from the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics. The NCTM two-year designation asserts that the program is strong and improving in focusing on the preparation of future mathematics teachers. “You know, you’re always examining your program and trying to improve it,” said Dr. Jeremy Zelkowski, director of UA’s secondary math education program. “So, what the NCTM does is they have the Specialized Professional Association, and what they do is have former teachers and others nationally who look specifically at your program area.” The University’s math program has seven standards in which it has to demonstrate that more than 80% of its graduates has met. The program collects data of its students over the course of two years, then has seven assessments it has to provide and show evidence of. UA is the first institution in the state of Alabama to go through the new 2012 NCTM SPA standards. UA is the first to change from the 2003 standards. Auburn University is the only other school in the state to be nationally recognized.
Child Development Center has long rich history
Crimson White – Sept. 3
Traditions are taken seriously at The University of Alabama, whose own history dates back to 1831. While athletic customs quickly come to mind, the University’s academics have long held a precedence of their own. One such example is the Child Development Center, created in 1942. “The Children’s Development Center is a laboratory program that educates future child development professionals about development and appropriate practices with young children,” said Laura Bloom, professor of Human Development and Family Studies. “It models high quality programming for child care providers in the state, region and nation, and offers an exemplary program based on a developmental perspective to the children of The University of Alabama faculty, staff
and students.”
Students work on-campus jobs, internships
Crimson White – Sept. 3
With a new academic term beginning and students being consumed once again by the overflow of papers, tests and other collegiate adversities, it is difficult for a student to fit in the much needed work-hours. Since students are away from home and separated from their parents, often financial difficulties take place all throughout the semester. Regardless of if the student needs a monetary boost in order to accommodate their social life, pay the monthly rent, textbooks or even tuition, The University of Alabama offers a plethora of student employment opportunities ranging from on-campus jobs to work-study programs. There are many University related jobs that are feasible with a student’s academic load and schedule. A large number of students are employed at many locations on campus, such as the Alabama Student Supply Store, Aquatic Center, Student Recreation Center, Intramural Sports, and even help desks all over campus offer students the opportunity to fit in feasible hours that would coincide with their class schedule. However, the positions at these businesses are often high in demand; therefore, they fill quickly.
Career Center offers students help planning for the future
Crimson White – Sept. 3
The pressure for students to secure jobs after college may seem ever-growing, but there are resources on campus to make sure students are ready for the next step after graduation. The Career Center, located on campus in the Ferguson center, offers an array of services to help students choose the right career path and land that first big job or continue their education. “One of the best services the Career Center offers is being able to meet with a career consultant,” said Mary Lowry, director of career education and development. She went on to explain that these meetings can range from helping students with resume critiques to career choices to exploring different paths for particular majors. Lowry said the first step is to come in and meet with one of the peer advisers, who take walk-in appointments. Even if a student doesn’t have specific questions, the Career Center can help them get moving in the right direction. After students meet with a peer adviser, they can then get connected with a career consultant.