Statue to honor baseball Hall of Famer
Tuscaloosa News – July 20
The Alabama-Mississippi Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society will unveil a bronze statue of Willie Mays in Birmingham today, as part of a campaign to recognize community leaders by combining public art and fundraising. The statue of the baseball great and Alabama native will be officially unveiled at a dedication ceremony at 4 p.m. today on the 14th Street side of Regions Field near the Serra Kia plaza at the main gate. Mays, who played for the San Francisco Giants and later the New York Mets, is a native of Westfield who began playing with the Birmingham Black Barons, the city’s Negro League team, in the late 1940s. In 1951, he joined Major League Baseball’s New York Giants, staying with the team when it relocated to San Francisco.
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – July 19
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – July 19
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – July 19
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – July 19
40 high schoolers attend UA’s STEM camp
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – July 19
Not all summer camps are equal. At the University of Alabama, instructors hope to train the next generation of scientists and engineers by finding them in high school. Forty kids packed in a computer lab included some of the smartest in Alabama’s Black Belt. “I try to talk to the counselors and the people over the camp because they give me insight on what the college life is like and also what the STEM basically is and how it’s a growing field,” camper Tranita Harris said. They’re participating in UA’s STEM Entrepreneurship Academy. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. Many of these teenagers aren’t exposed to these studies at advanced levels at their high schools.
Fox 6 video report – July 19
Year-round Pell grants could be back by next summer
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – July 19
Students attending the University of Alabama next summer could soon be eligible for school grant money. As much as $10 million dollars in Pell grants could become available next summer, which is good news according to Dr. Steve Katsinas of the UA Education Policy Center Director. “This is exciting for students and great for Alabama. We are going to see the eight billion dollar surplus in the federal Pell program. The bulk of it is going to reinstate the summer Pell program. We estimate that could be up to one hundred thirty million dollars of additional aid for students next summer, the summer 2017,” Katsinas said. The topic was discussed Tuesday morning at Indian Hills Country Club at the Rotary meeting. Dr. Katsinas said the reinstatement of Summer Pell will encourage more students to complete degrees on time and provide greater access to aid for all. Pell funding was capped in 2011, but a Senate bill passed last month has reinstated it; the last hurdle is Congress’ spending bill later this year.
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – July 19
UA professors weigh in on Melania Trump’s speech at Republican National Convention
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – July 19
There’s been a lot of talk about Melania Trump’s speech at the Republican National Convention last night and its similarities to that of another first lady hopeful from 2008. It certainly wasn’t the headline that Republicans wanted after night one of the GOP Convention, but perhaps it means not much damage for the Trump effort. Experts from The University of Alabama told us today it’s not the first time a speech at a convention has born similarities to a previous one. Experts from UA say many political speeches sound the same anyway. Dr. Adam Brooks says, “I would say it’s likely the work of someone who’s not trying to break from those established conventions of those particular types of speeches.” UA Political Science professor Dr. Stephen Borrelli says, “If something like this was going to happen, it was probably good that it happened on the first day in terms of its lasting impact. Plus, the Trump campaign has shown to be immune to a lot of things that have damaged other campaigns.”
U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions reminds everyone at Republican National Convention that Alabama is the defending national champions
WTOP-FM (CBS Radio) July 19
This is one of the great American political traditions, the state-by-state roll call. To be fair, not everyone enjoys it. It does take a while to complete, and of course, every state takes time to promote itself. Alabama, alphabetically the first state, began the process by reminding everyone that The University of Alabama is the defending national college football champion, and that brought both cheers and boos.
CSPAN – July 19
UA professor conducts political party research
Crimson White – July 20 (Print only)
A UA researcher has found a disparity in how self-described conservatives and liberals view data that is presented to them but the two ideologies might not be as different as some may think. Alexa Tullett, assistant professor of psychology at UA, conducted a survey study. The findings showed a correlation between political ideology and how data is viewed. When she realized this, she decided to conduct a separate three-part study devoted to the findings.
UA professor awarded geoscience award
Crimson White – July 20 (Print only)
The American Geosciences Institute awarded UA professor emeritus Ernest Mancini the 2016 Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal. He is to receive the award in person at the AGI Past Presidents Dinner this September.
UA students gain professional skills at RNC
Crimson White – July 20
Early mornings, late nights and fully scheduled afternoons aren’t what most college students would call a perfect summer. However, Cari Lutkins, Lee Bonner and Paige Lindgren would have to disagree. They are part of a group of UA alumni and current students who have been working in Cleveland, Ohio for the Republican National Convention. The convention is taking place at Quicken Loans Arena until July 21.
Arboretum provides escape into nature
Crimson White – July 20
Located off Veterans Memorial Parkway and University Boulevard, The University of Alabama arboretum offers 60 acres of hiking trails, gardens and even a couple greenhouses for students to explore in a mostly quiet getaway from campus life. “It’s kind of a rest from all the concrete and asphalt everywhere, and except for when the train comes by, you can think you’re in a larger forest here,” said caretaker Joseph Wright. “It really kind of feels like you’re out in the woods sometimes. It’s a nice escape.” Established in 1958, the arboretum is used for many educational purposes for students of all ages.