Roll veterans roll: Bama ranked one of America’s most military-friendly colleges
Yellowhammer News – Feb. 15
The University of Alabama is ranked the second most military-friendly college in the country, according to BestColleges.com, a site that “seeks to empower students by providing the information needed to make informed higher education decisions.” “Since September 11, 2001, enrollment and subsequent retirement of U.S. military has surged, producing millions of new veterans,” explains Best Colleges. “Our nation is now home to a larger population of veterans than those on active duty, yet American military veterans and current service members alike face a number of challenges as they make plans to attend college and advance their career. “Our goal is to provide a resource for veterans, active service members, reservists and military dependents to find comprehensive support in the form of military-specific financial aid and student services on campus.”
Alabama students create their own comic book company
OANow.com – Feb. 15
For more than a year, Ethan Newsome-Jackson and Kris Pearce have been obsessed with the same woman. She only exists on paper, but for the two University of Alabama students, creating the character in the upcoming comic book “Breeze” has been grueling, mainly in how to present the heroine’s duality. “She’s very care-free, where she enjoys all kinds of things, but she lives in a very dark world,” Newsome-Jackson said during a recent work session with Pearce at The Comic Store on Hargrove Road. “She actually gets through it and keeps her sense of humor about it.”
Washington Times – Feb. 15
Miami Herald – Feb. 14
Moulton Advertiser – Feb. 14
Rock Hill Herald (S.C.) – Feb. 14
Decatur Daily – Feb. 14
Macon Telegraph (Ga.) – Feb. 14
Houston Chronicle (Texas) – Feb. 14
Myrtle Beach Sun News (S.C.) – Feb. 14
San Francisco Gate (Calif.) – Feb. 14
MySanAntonio.com – Feb. 14
Seattle Post-Intelligencer – Feb. 14
“The Countess of Storyville” takes shape during rehearsals
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15
Editor’s Note: “The Countess of Storyville” will premiere Tuesday, Feb. 16 at the University of Alabama as part of its development process on the road to Broadway. In addition to professional actors, local talent will be used in this week’s performances. Staff Writer Mark Hughes Cobb landed a role and he explains what it’s really like behind the scenes of a Broadway-bound play. Every rehearsal is worth the time, even if you’re not in for a bit, to sit in the wings and enjoy all these gorgeous voices. London’s Paulette Ivory, as our aloof Countess, the past-haunted brothel owner Willie Dupree, makes an entrances with a velvety smooth tone. Her will-they/won’t-they/of-course-they-will, it’s-a-musical duets with Cooper Grodin, as dark revolutionary Antonio Maduro, will break, as the kids say, all the hearts. If not, Jamie Laverdiere, who worked in the original Broadway run of “The Producers,” performing with Nathan Lane a number of times, will get ’em with his purity and sweetness. He’s Phillipe, a photographer loosely based on E.J. Bellocq, famous for lovingly crafted portraits of Storyville prostitutes. In this somewhat sordid collection, Phillipe is the truest of hearts, the one who craves love, yet, due to a physical affliction, feels destined not to find it.
Crimson White – Feb. 15
UA to give $6,000 in books to schools in the Black Belt
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – Feb. 15
The University of Alabama is giving $6,000 in new library books to schools in the Black Belt. Librarians can apply to get some of these free books from The University of Alabama’s School of Library and Information Studies Book Bonanza Program. The program gives free books to school libraries in the Black Belt counties of Alabama.
Work starts on Habitat Home to mark 16th National Championship
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Feb. 15
Volunteers are busy working on a Habitat Home to mark The University of Alabama’s 16th National Championship in football. Head Coach Nick Saban and his wife are working through their Nick’s Kids Foundation. After the April 27, 2011 tornadoes, the Foundation built 13 homes for the school’s 13 national championships. But, since then, the team has won three more titles so the project grew as well. This will be Anthony Taylor’s family home. He is a bus driver for UA, and is studying to be a minister.
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – Feb. 15
UA to participate in Megagenesis 2016 College Fair (Live Interview)
WAVY-NBC (Norfolk, Va.) – Feb. 15
“We will have colleges from all over the country. We will have our local schools like Hampton, and James Madison. But, we will also have The University of Alabama, Jackson State, The Ohio University.”
Replacing Justice Scalia could take longer than ever before
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Feb. 15
The death of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia has set off a political firestorm with President Barack Obama promising to nominate a replacement soon and Republicans vowing to block any nomination until after the November election. One political analyst in Alabama said the Republicans could face big trouble in November if they come off as “The Party of No.” “This is a potential mine field for them,” said Larry Powell, a communication studies professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Delaying the nomination, he said, could hurt Republicans and light a fire under Democrats — especially on issues of abortion and gun rights.
UA political science professor talks about deaths of Antonin Scalia
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Feb. 16
Scalia’s impact are felt across the country. Political Science experts at The University of Alabama say the effects of his decision can be felt by everyone, and now affecting the presidential race. “To me that suggests that the Supreme Court is getting way too important in our American political system,” says Dr. Joseph Smith, associate professor of Political Science at The University of Alabama.
Stillman, UA students to display art
Tuscaloosa News – Feb. 15
A one-day exhibit Saturday in downtown Tuscaloosa will showcase paintings and ceramics created by visual arts students at Stillman College and the University of Alabama. The free exhibit will be open to the public from 3-6 p.m. at the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, 620 Greensboro Ave. The exhibit is hosted by the Arts Council of Tuscaloosa and presented by the Miss Black Alabama Ambassadors. For more information, call 205-758-5195 or visit tuscarts.org.
SoZo Children’s Choir to perform at UA
Crimson White – Feb. 15
Jingo is a 17-year-old orphan from one of the most poverty-stricken places in the world. He has every reason to be unhappy, but you couldn’t tell from the way he acts. He loves to sing, dance and smile. He and 16 other orphans from the SoZo home in Uganda are touring the United States in a children’s choir. They’ll be putting on a performance featuring singing, dancing and their testimonies. “I was excited, not about coming to America to sing, but [to] be a part of the choir to sing to for Jesus,” Jingo said. The event will include praise and worship songs, as well as the Disney favorite “Hakuna Matata.” Sarah Elrod, who was with the children through the entire rehearsal process and is now on tour with them, said the event will give viewers a taste of Ugandan culture.
SGA hosts mental health panel
Crimson White – Feb. 15
On Feb. 10, the UA SGA hosted an event in the Ferguson Theater for Mental Health Awareness Week. SGA partners with The University of Alabama at Birmingham and The University of Alabama at Huntsville to promote mental health awareness and resources. “Suicide prevention is key,” said SGA President, Elliot Spillers. The University hopes to treat people as early as possible before illnesses worsen. SGA’s mental health PSA kicked off the event, produced by student Patrick Maddox. Then six UA faculty members and students joined a panel in which they answered questions such as, “What is the most common mental illness around 18-25 year olds?” and, “Why do you think suicide is more common among the Greek community?”
The opportunity cost of studying abroad
Crimson White – Feb. 15
Kaitlyn Nott left her home in South Korea to have a college experience that would be different from her friends back home. She was finished with her years in the Korean school system, being ranked against every student in her class and having to spend five to six hours a day after school with a tutor to stay on top of her grades. Nott always knew she wanted to go to America for college and was ready to travel over 7,000 miles away. “In my opinion, the pressure to perform is a universal thing, but it’s very prevalent in Asian countries,” said Nott, a sophomore majoring in economics. “The Asian culture is just very focused on academics and good grades, and you feel that pressure from your family most. When you grow up in that environment, you feel that for yourself, too.” Once Nott enrolled in The University of Alabama, she realized that stress easily translates into every language. It would have followed her no matter how far away she went.