UA In the News — Nov. 12-14

Astronomy department hosts public supermoon viewing
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 14
The University of Alabama’s department of physics and astronomy will offer a public viewing Monday night of a supermoon, a full moon at the closest point in its orbit of the Earth. The viewing will be at the Gallalee Hall Observatory at the northeast corner of University Boulevard and Hackberry Drive from 8-9 p.m. Monday. Associate professor Dawn Williams will be in charge of the 16-inch reflective telescope that will be used for the viewing. The viewing will offer a chance to see a full moon at is closest point to the Earth since 1948. The next time it will be this close again is in 2034. Because the moon will be closer, it will appear larger and brighter than average.
AL.com – Nov. 11

University of Alabama students to present dance show
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 12
The University of Alabama department of theater and dance will present a show next week featuring more than 20 student-choreographed works. “Dance Alabama!” is scheduled to run at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 15-17 and at 5:30 p.m. Nov. 18 in the auditorium at Morgan Hall. Tickets are $14 for UA students, $17 for seniors and UA employees, and $20 for adults. Tickets are available in Rowand-Johnson Hall at the ticket office in the front lobby, or online at ua.tix.com. For more information, call 348-3400 or go online at www.dance.ua.edu.
Crimson White – Nov. 14
 
The play “Appropriate” brings drama, humor at UA
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 14
The 2014 Obie Award-winning play “Appropriate,” by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, will run for the first time in the area beginning Tuesday, as a production of the University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance. “Appropriate” is about the dysfunctional Lafayette family, who come back together in Arkansas after their patriarch passes away. It’s set in the father’s cluttered, Southern plantation home where his relatives pack up things, hoping to sell the house that’s drowning in debt. In his belongings, something’s discovered that leads to a family-wide meltdown. “It’s very dramatic but there’s also moments in the play that are really funny,” said UA theater professor Steve Burch, who’s directing. “Whether the audience finds it funny or not, or a little too close to the bone, we will see. It’s not a comedy of funny one-liners or comical character types. What makes it funny is the outrageousness of the discoveries that are made, and how far some of the characters in their emotional states go.”
Crimson White – Nov. 14
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 11
 
REVIEW: Musical accurately captures melodrama of love
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 12
A musical that starts with a song titled “Four Jews In a Room Bitching” — an alienated teenage boy (Kyle Van Frank); his father Marvin (Matt Gabbard) who’s just left home to be with a gay man (Whizzer, played by Peyton Davis); and the therapist Mendel (Daniel B. Hulsizer) — probably won’t showcase kick lines and bring-down-the-house choral numbers. But that’s not to say director Raines Carr’s production of the James Lapine and William Finn musical “Falsettos” lacks energy, variety or visual appeal. Within the confines of the Allen Bales Theatre’s thrust stage, and utilizing colored building-block props, aided by a chair, chess set or racquet here and there, Raines and crew crafted a minor spectacle, fitting for this comic drama about the families we have clashing with the ones we create.

Trump election could throw open door to new Alabama senator if Jeff Sessions gets a nod
Anniston Star – Nov. 13 (Subscription only)
Donald Trump’s election as president could shake up Alabama’s delegation in Congress, opening the door for Gov. Robert Bentley to appoint a new senator from the state. Sen. Jeff Sessions, a Trump ally since the Republican primary campaign, is widely seen as a likely appointee for a top-level position in the coming Trump White House. . . . Browder said he considered that theory too speculative to comment on. Trump still hasn’t appointed cabinet members, Browder said, and it’s still unclear whether Sessions will have to be replaced. “It might make more sense to leave Sessions in the Senate, where Trump is going to need an ally,” said George Hawley, a political science professor at the University of Alabama.

World Diabetes Day raises awareness of Type 2 diabetes
Crimson White – Nov. 14
In order to promote awareness and education of the growing global concern of diabetes, World Diabetes Day is an international campaign held on Nov. 14 every year. Formed by the International Diabetes Federation, World Diabetes Day also aims to celebrate the birthday of Frederick Banting, the man who first used insulin on humans, according to 
its website. Each year, World Diabetes Day has a specific theme. This year’s is “Eyes on Diabetes,” which is putting the focus on learning about treatment and prevention for Type 2 diabetes. Madilyn Tomaso, a graduate student in the rural medical scholars program and President of DiET, a student-led organization at UA that addresses the world’s increasing concern about diabetes by educating underserved communities, comes from a family that struggles with the disease. Because of her background, she decided to get involved in the fight 
against it. “It’s such a prevalent thing in the state of Alabama and just in my own personal family,” she said. “It’s really important to me to improve their lives and improve the lives of all Alabamians because it’s definitely pretty bad.”

Outdoor Recreation offers adventure trips for students
Crimson White – Nov. 14
Rock climbing, bike riding, backpacking and canoeing are for the adventurous soul, but can be pricey excursions on a college budget. Fortunately, Outdoor Recreation at The University Recreation Center offers such trips at an affordable price for students. These trips are planned throughout the year and offer students a chance to explore nature. Trips are scheduled on the weekend to avoid conflicts with class and give students a break from their busy week. Transportation and most of the necessary equipment are provided by Outdoor Recreation. Students are only asked to pay a small fee and to bring a few personal items. The price of the fee depends on whether or not the student is an Outdoor Recreation member. “I love being outside and enjoying nature”, said Jenna Schneider, a sophomore with an undecided major. “When I first arrived to Tuscaloosa I feared that I would not be able to enjoy it as much without a car, but the outdoor Rec has really been very beneficial, and plus the trips are really fun.”

Universities partner with NASA to boost space exploration
Made in Alabama – Nov. 12
The University of Alabama and Auburn University are collaborating with NASA on future technologies that could aid space exploration. Officials from both universities and representatives of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville signed new Space Act Agreements to kick off the partnerships. Under an agreement signed Thursday, University of Alabama students will work to enhance understanding of the propulsion systems for small satellites, called CubeSats, that orbit the Earth. . . .  The work will be done by students in STEM Path to the MBA, a program that allows students in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math to earn Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees within five years.

Veterans Day program honors those who paid the price
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 12
Nearly 400 people gathered Friday at Veterans Memorial Park in Tuscaloosa to pay tribute to those who served their country in the military. The annual Veterans Day program was hosted by the city of Tuscaloosa, the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center and the University of Alabama and sponsored by the Veterans Memorial Park Association and the Tuscaloosa County Park and Recreation Authority. . . . David Blair, director of the UA Office of Veterans & Military Affairs, spoke on behalf of the UA VA Center and shared some information about services the center provides for veterans students, active-duty members and dependents.v

Pat Ford’s Top Tips for Building Relationships
Progressions – Nov. 11
This summer I had the rare treat of working down the hall from a public relations great, Pat Ford, vice chairman and chief client officer at Burson-Marsteller. The recipient of the Milestones in Mentoring Legacy Award from the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations and recipient of 2016 Institute for Public Relations (IPR) Alexander Hamilton Medal, Mr. Ford knows a thing or two about building genuine relationships with mentees, clients and professionals around the world. He talks the talk, walks the walk and is a great person to look to for advice and valuable insight. . . . Sarah Dougherty is the 2016–2017 vice president of career services and a senior at the University of Alabama. Follow her on Twitter @sarahgdougherty.

Why I’m not going to agonize over President Trump

AL.com – Nov. 12
By Dr. B. Joyce Stallworth, who retired from the University of Alabama in April 2016. Until then, she served as the associate provost for special project and professor of English education. I began writing this article late Tuesday evening when the predictions clearly started to show an inevitable Trump victory. My purpose here is not to lament Secretary of State Clinton’s defeat. Plainly put, Trump’s victory was the result of the convergence of a plethora of factors; some include the following: One, a silent white majority backlash emerged to counter the last eight years of a Democratic black presidency.

College News
Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 13
The Center for Business and Economic Research at the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce received national attention during the Association for University Business and Economic Research’s annual meeting in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The center received the Award of Excellence in Print Publication for the 2016 Alabama Economic Outlook and Award of Excellence in Electronic Publications for the Alabama Business Confidence Index. CBER has been recognized for these categories in previous years. The Alabama Business Confidence Index was written by CBER’s Viktoria Riiman, socioeconomic analyst, and designed by Katie Howard, senior graphic designer. Authors of the 2016 Alabama Economic Outlook are CBER’s Sam Addy, associate dean of economic development outreach with Culverhouse College of Commerce; and Senior Research Economist Ahmad Ijaz, CBER director and director of economic forecasting. Other contributors include Anthony Bratina, Gregg Bell, Sarah Cover, Viktoria Riiman andMorgan Tatum.
 
Manderson Graduate School of Business graduates report higher starting salaries
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 11
It plays to be a graduate of the Manderson Graduate School of Business at The University of Alabama. Dr. Brian Gray says, “There is a serious return on investment for the two years they spend in that program.” So serious, the average starting salary for a Manderson MBA graduate in May 2016 was $72, 217. That’s more than 8% higher than the 2015 class. Director of Graduate Career Services for the Manderson Graduate School of Business Gary Ward says what’s equally impressive is that these graduates are getting these high paying jobs almost immediately.
 
‘Crimson Heart’ Book Signing at Corner Supe Store
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 11, 2016
You can get a special glimpse into the life and career of former UA Athletics Director Mal Moore with a special touch this weekend. You can meet former Alabama National Championship quarterbacks Gary and Jeff Rutledge and Steadman Shealey after the game. The former players will be signing the newly released paperback edition of ‘Crimson Heart” by the late Mal Moore at the Corner Supe Store from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tomorrow. Proceeds from the sale benefit The University of Alabama athletics department and the Crimson Heart foundation.