UA In the News — March 31

UA undergraduate research shows verbal cues can distract drivers
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – March 30
Distracted driving is blamed for thousands of deaths each year. A University of Alabama student is working to find out how much of a distraction hands-free technology can be while driving. It is against the law to text-and-drive for safety reasons but UA Senior, Molly Cory, found out even taking verbal cues from a GPS or talking on a cell phone while using a blue-tooth device can also be very disracting a driver. Cory’s research was presented during University of Alabama’s Undergraduate Research Conference on Wednesday.

Alabama Economic Outlook: Slowing Down
Montgomery Business Journal – March 31
The state’s automotive sector continues to pump up the Alabama economy, but the headwinds of weakness overseas, a rising dollar as well as uncertainty in the stock market are putting pressure on the financial outlook for 2016. Speaking about gross domestic product (GDP) growth this year, Keivan Deravi, dean of the Auburn University at Montgomery College of Public Policy & Justice and an economics professor, said, “If we hit 1.5 (percent) to 1.8 percent – and that’s the rate we’re looking at – we’re going to be doing real well. We will not hit 2 percent.” … The University of Alabama’s Center for Business and Economic Research in the Culverhouse College of Commerce is a bit more optimistic with a GDP forecast of 2.3 percent. The forecast range is 1.5 percent to 3.0 percent. The center is also forecasting a 2.3 percent in GDP for 2017.

SEC honors University of Alabama theater professor Seth Panitch
Tuscaloosa News – March 31
Seth Panitch, a theater professor at the University of Alabama, was chosen Wednesday as the 2016 SEC Faculty Achievement Award winner for UA. Faculty members at all 14 SEC institutions were chosen for the award, which honors academic achievements in research and scholarship. Panitch serves as director of the master of fine arts and undergraduate acting programs at UA. He’s directed five international stage productions in Cuba, four off-Broadway shows in New York City, five regional theater productions, a feature film and numerous university productions. He’s also written international, off-Broadway and regional productions as well as several feature films.
SECSports.com – March 30

The hidden signs of a heart attack
New Zealand Herald – March 31
Would you know the symptoms of a heart attack? While many of us picture the scene as a middle-aged man clutching his chest and dropping to the floor, the reality isn’t always as dramatic, and signs can vary hugely between men and women. To make matters even more difficult, Dr Joseph Fritz, from the University of Alabama in the US, tells the Daily Mail that each heart attack is different, and signs and symptoms won’t necessarily follow a predictable pattern every time.

More than a patient: Students talk nursing
Crimson White – March 31
When senior Joy Prinsell came to The University of Alabama, she knew she wanted to work in the medical field, but she wasn’t sure where she would fit in. After choosing a major in biology as a freshman to pursue a career as a physician assistant, she thought about it more and realized that wasn’t what she wanted to do at all. There was one area of the medical field that was perfect for Prinsell: nursing. “In nursing you provide a more holistic approach,” Prinsell said. “You focus on the person, not just their disease or sickness. I really care about people mentally and emotionally as well as physically.” Prinsell is one of many students studying at the Capstone College of Nursing, which has been accredited by the Alabama Board of Nursing since its opening in 1976. Students have chosen nursing for a variety of reasons, but each has a passion 
for service.

Law enforcement reform will be subject of University of Alabama symposium
Tuscaloosa News – March 30
Calls for law enforcement reform have proliferated since the death of Michael Brown on Aug. 9, 2014, in Ferguson, Missouri, along with other subsequent allegations of police brutality. On Friday, the Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review in conjunction with the University of Alabama School of Law will host a symposium, “Redefining Clearly Established Rights After Ferguson.” The symposium will begin at 9 a.m. in the Bedsole Moot Courtroom of the law school and will end at 4:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Crimson White – March 30

University of Alabama lecture series focuses on Civil War history
Tuscaloosa News – March 30
People can learn more about the history of the Civil War during a lecture series this weekend on the University of Alabama campus. The annual John Caldwell Calhoun Sanders Lecture Series will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Grand Gallery of the Alabama Museum of Natural History, 427 Sixth Ave. William Bomar, executive director of University Museums, said the series will present a top-notch lineup of scholars with analysis of military battles, the politics of the war and descriptions of the key personalities that shaped the Civil War era.

13 faculty members to be awarded for research
Crimson White – March 30
What: For the second year, Faculty Research Day will celebrate and honor high quality research done by UA faculty members. Faculty members from each of UA’s colleges will be awarded the President’s Faculty Research Award. The event will include a keynote address from David Francko, dean of the graduate school, as well as two-to-three-minute videos explaining the research done by award recipients. Following the award ceremony, there will be a reception with light refreshments. Childcare services will be provided … Why: “If you attend the event you will see people recognized for completely different types of research,” said Jason Scofield, associate professor, department of human development, event organizer. Scofield believes learning about research at the University is important because it is so impactful. “Faculty on campuses like this are on the front lines of new, innovative discoveries…the institution you walk around every day is a place that innovates and discovers,” Scofield said.

Observatory hosting Midsouth Star Gaze
Webster Progress-Times (Miss.) – March 30
Rainwater Observatory is gearing up for its annual Midsouth Stargaze and Astronomy Conference coming up April 6-9. This event attracts amateur and professional astronomers from around the country. It is held under one of the darkest skies in the southeastern United States and just off the Natchez Trace Parkway near the village of French Camp. Join us this year for fun, fellowship, observing and fascinating presentations by professional astronomers and others such as galaxy researcher Dr. William Keel from the University of Alabama, extra solar planetary system researcher Dr. Angelle Tanner from Mississippi State University, NASA-recognized teacher/lecturer Dave Teske, Rainwater Observatory director and space artist-lecturer, Edwin Faughn and more.

Writers spotlighted at WCU during next week’s literary festival
The Sylva Herald (N.C.) – March 30
A return appearance and reading by Pulitzer Prize winner and bestselling author Rick Bragg will culminate a week of literary events featuring distinguished writers during the 14th annual Spring Literary Festival at Western Carolina University. Author readings begin Monday, April 4, and continue through Thursday, April 7. All events are free and open to the public. Each reading will be followed by a book signing with the author. Bragg is the author of six books, a contributor to Garden and Gun and Southern Living magazines, and a professor of writing at the University of Alabama.

Isbell among inaugural class of Alabama Schweitzer Fellows
Gadsden Times – March 30
Frances Isbell of Gadsden is one of 16 graduate students working in the field of health chosen for the inaugural class of Alabama Schweitzer Fellows. Isbell, a student at the University of Alabama School of Law, will open a chapter of NMD United, an organization that serves those with neuromuscular disabilities, in Alabama. She will create a support network for teens and adults with conditions such as multiple sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy. Isbell has SMA, a progressive disorder that affects her voluntary muscles.

Student enrollment brings big bucks to Tuscaloosa
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – March 30
Student enrollment has doubled in the last 14 years bringing hundreds-of-millions of dollars to Tuscaloosa. More than 50% of the student population at The University of Alabama is from out-of-state students and that’s doubled in the last eight years. 54% of the 37,000 students attending The University of Alabama are from out-of-state. On average, a student will live in Tuscaloosa, ten months out of the year, spending $366 million annually. The numbers were presented at the second annual “State of the Economy” on Wednesday. It shows on average, students who live on campus spend around $257 per month, compared to students who live off campus and spend nearly $1400 per month.

Huntsville Museum of Art holds Fashion Fusion Face-off
WHNT-CBS 19 (Huntsville) – March 30
Live Interview. – The Huntsville Museum of Art is holding a Fashion Fusion Face-off, where fashion design students from The University of Alabama and Auburn University are competing by designing fashion inspired by a piece of art at the museum.

Work and Wealth in Scripture: How to Grow, Prosper, and Work as a Christian
Blog Talk Radio – March 30
Get  Inspired and Encouraged and Exhorted on today’s edition of Bible News Radio with Stacy Lynn Harp. Today Stacy Lynn talks to Lawrence (Larry) A. Clayton about his new book Work and Wealth in Scripture: How to Grow, Prosper, and Work as a Christian.  Larry is a Professor Emeritus of History at the University of Alabama.