Dr. Peter Harms brings a new perspective to business and leadership
Metro Birmingham Business – April 4
It all started with the box, that cardboard font of statistics and insight housing the Transformers toys of the ’80s. Dr. Peter Harms, admittedly a studious child, dove for the data about Optimus Prime (good guy), Megatron (bad guy), and all the rest, not realizing that years later he’d link the characters—and their fans—to leadership theories. Now a PhD and assistant professor of management at the University of Alabama’s Culverhouse College of Commerce, Harms says, “Those boxes had these little charts on them, and you had to use a special red cellophane tape to read it, like a secret message. The charts gave stats for each character—how smart this one is, how strong that one is, and so forth. It became really important to me to know who was fastest or best at some skill.
If Gov. Bentley is removed from office, Sen. Rusty Glover could take on added leadership
Al.com – April 4
A Mobile area state senator could have a bigger leadership role in the Alabama Senate if a change occurs in the governor’s office. State Sen. Rusty Glover, R-Semmes, said Monday that if Lt. Gov. Kay Ivey replaces scandal-plagued Gov. Robert Bentley, he would be asked to preside over the Senate and take on additional leadership duties … “The Alabama Constitution provides for the lieutenant governor to preside over the Senate,” said William Stewart, professor emeritus of political sciences at the University of Alabama. “He or she has no other constitutional duty–except to take over in case of a vacancy in the office of governor.”
UA Public Relations Class helps with Secret Meals Program
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – April 4
One in five Alabama children go home on Friday afternoons not knowing where their next meal is coming from. Alabama Credit Union Secret Meals for Hungry Children Program aims at fixing this problem. Students who suffer from food-insecurity, have meals secretly placed in their backpacks at school. A University of Alabama public relations class paired with the organization. One group decided to raise awareness through a backpack decorating contest.
Were the Gov. Robert Bentley sex scandal tapes legally obtained?
Al.com – April 5
It isn’t clear exactly who, how, and where the recordings were made of a few racy phone conversations purportedly between Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley and a woman on the other end believed to be his senior adviser Rebekah Mason. Apparently neither was the person who recorded the conversations … Alabama is what is known as a one-party recording state, said Jenny Carroll, a professor at the University of Alabama School of Law. That means one of the persons in the conversation may record, or allow to be recorded, without informing the other party, she said.
Study details Brazilians’ lack of desire for children, marriage
E-Science News – April 4
Fewer men and women in Brazil value marriage and having offspring when selecting a mate, according to a University of Alabama psychologist.
IceCube Neutrino Observatory Receives National Science Foundation Funding
Lab Manager – April 4
Smaller than an atom and hurtling through space at near the speed of light, neutrinos are high-energy particles that pass right through just about anything in their way—yourself included—at a pace of billions per second … But the IceCube Neutrino Observatory is catching some of these tiny particles ever so briefly in its icy net … The University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa leads the calibration efforts as well as the reconstruction and analysis tools; Michigan State University is a main contributor to the simulation software and production; and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls oversees the education and outreach program.
Yellowhammer Festival: See photos from the inaugural Tuscaloosa event that draws large crowd
Al.com – April 5
Gorgeous weather provided a perfect backdrop for the well-attended inaugural Yellowhammer Festival at the Tuscaloosa River Market on Sunday. The festival, an open community event focused on creative sustainability, featured live music, art-making activities, a bike-powered stage, a kids corner and booths with eco-friendly campus and community organizations. Organized by Creative Campus at the University of Alabama, the festival drew a terrific crowd and ample volunteers, hopefully making for a tradition the community can count on for the foreseeable future. See photos from the event in the gallery above.
Japanese X-ray observatory seen spinning out of control
ARS Technica – April 4
The prognosis wasn’t good last week when the Japanese Space Agency, JAXA, lost communication with its new Hitomi X-ray astronomy satellite. However, there was some hope a few days later when the space agency reestablished intermittent contact with the spacecraft orbiting some 580km above the Earth. Astronomers have since been observing the satellite, originally known as Astro-H, as it has orbited around the Earth. The photos with this story, captured by University of Alabama astronomer William Keel on Sunday evening, appear to show different pieces of the spacecraft catching the Sun as they slowly rotate.
Lanham appointed to UA’s ACRE Leadership Council
Al.com – April 4
Clay Lanham, a partner in the firm’s Real Estate Practice Group who practices from the Mobile office of Jones Walker LLP, has been appointed to the University of Alabama’s ACRE Leadership Council. Lanham assists clients throughout the entire development process with the formation of development entities, initial acquisition of properties, representation before political bodies for rezoning and approvals of projects, acquiring permits, financing, easements, leasing and other general real estate matters common to commercial, residential, and industrial developments.
Living Civil War history observed April 9 at Blakeley State Park
Al.com – April 4
Historic Blakeley State Park observes the 151th anniversary of Alabama’s largest and the last Civil War battle with a day full of exciting living history events Saturday, April 9 on the preserved grounds on which the actual battle was fought in 1865 … Educational displays and children’s activities at the park’s Nature Center begin at 9:30 a.m. and continue until 1:30 p.m. highlighted by a display of artifacts associated with actual soldier camps and the battles of Fort Blakeley and Spanish Fort on loan from the University of Alabama. Russell Blount Jr., author of Besieged Mobile 1865, lectures at 2 p.m. at the Center.
Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers to hold Masquerade Ball
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – April 4
Get ready to put a swing in your step this weekend. The Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers are hosting a masquerade ball this Saturday. The event will be held at the Ferguson Center on the UA campus….CTBD is a student organization, however, the event is open to anyone who wants to dance.
Moundville in contest to pick best
Tuscaloosa News – April 4
Moundville Archeological Park is in the running in a contest to choose the country’s best archaeological site. Moundville is among 20 sites competing in USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Best Archaeological Site. The park south of Tuscaloosa was among the sites selected based on expert consensus, geographic diversity and quality of the visitor experience, according to the contest. The four-week contest allows people to vote online at the 10Best website once a day for their favorite site. Voting ends April 11 at 11:59 a.m. EDT. The winners will be announced on the 10Best website on April 15 at noon EDT.
Huntsville Museum of Art holds Fashion Fusion Face-off
WHNT-CBS 19 (Huntsville) – April 4
A design competition at the Huntsville Museum of Art pits Alabama and Auburn against each other once again. Football and fashion, everything’s a competition with the SEC schools in the state. It seems the Huntsville Museum of Art is hosting the Iron Bowl of Couture. Fashion Fusion Face-off is a design competition that pits four Auburn University students against four recent University of Alabama grads to show off their ensembles.