UA In the News — Jan. 5

China’s Largest Freshwater Lake Is Shrinking
Huffington Post – Jan. 3
China’s largest freshwater lake is under serious threat, and it seems no one can agree on how to save it. Poyang Lake can swell to over 1,700 square miles, an area larger than Rhode Island. But photographs released by China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency in November show it completely dry in parts, desiccated by drought … “I think [they’re] proposing a solution without understanding the causes of the problem,” David Shankman, a professor at the University of Alabama who has studied Poyang Lake, told the Times. “The whole idea of the dam is that there would be some economic benefit, but there may be potential long-term ecological problems.”

‘The history of science is like an Indiana Jones-style treasure hunt – this is how we can engage learners’
TES.com – Jan. 4
At the beginning of a new year, I want to focus on some key elements of science that are becoming renewed in purpose, application and power in the classroom in the United States. They are the foundations of all scientific study: the history of science, the philosophy of science and the nature of science as a practice … In the first of a series of pieces on the foundations of science – and exploring what and how to teach them – I spoke to Erik L. Peterson, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama who previously taught in the history of science department at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Here is part of our illuminating conversation.

Uncertainty, predictions for 2017 center on 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
CCJ Digital – Jan. 4
Every year the University of Alabama (yes, THAT university in Alabama) – the one where Forrest Gump went to college; the one whose fans greet one another in airports around the world with “Roll Tide” like it’s “Aloha”; and the same one it seemingly takes a court order to keep out of the college football playoffs – publishes its predictions for the coming new year.

Campus Notes
Pocono Record (Pennsylvania) – Jan. 3
Kathryn Catina among winter graduates at University of Alabama – Kathryn Catina of Stroudsburg was among some 2,270 students at University of Alabama who were awarded degrees during winter commencement. Catina received a bachelor’s degree. With this graduating class, UA will have awarded more than 257,000 degrees since its founding in 1831 as the state’s first public university.

Ellis Receives Master’s Degree From University Of Alabama
Stegen Herald (Ste. Genevieve, Missouri) – Jan. 4
Renee Ellis of Ste. Genevieve was among some 2,270 students at University of Alabama who were awarded degrees during winter commencement on December 10. Ellis received a master’s degree. With this graduating class, the University of Alabama, located in Tuscaloosa, has awarded more than 257,000 degrees since its founding in 1831 as the state’s first public university.

Wallace spends semester in Scotland
Greenville Standard – Jan. 4
Logan Wallace, a Luverne resident and a 2015 graduate of Lurleen B. Wallace Community College (LBWCC), has always set his sights high. Upon completing his studies at LBWCC, Wallace transferred to the University of Alabama to pursue a bachelor’s degree in history and economics. While on campus one day, Wallace found himself looking into study abroad opportunities. “During Get on Board Day at Alabama (where all the organizations set up tables), I looked at the study abroad table and realized that study abroad might be feasible for me,” said Wallace. “I always thought study abroad was real expensive, but when I realized that my scholarship would apply towards study abroad, I decided to try it.”

Camille Marsh Lives Alabama Cheerleader Dream
Cullman Today – Jan. 4
Dedication, persistence, and skill have brought Camille Marsh a long way in her cheerleading career. Cheering since the age of 9, Marsh dreamed about cheering on the Crimson Tide.

Special Guest: Larry Clayton – Headlines: Dems Break Rules First Day of Congress
Blog Talk Radio – Jan. 4
Lawrence Clayton taught Latin American history and the history of the Christian church at the University of Alabama where he is a Professor Emeritus of History.

ESPN Sportscenter on UA campus
WVUA 23 (Tuscaloosa) – Jan. 4
While the big game on Monday is not in Tuscaloosa, ESPN’s Sportscenter is certainly in T-Town. The show has been offering Bama fans a look at what’s ahead for Monday with a live crew broadcasting from right outside Bryant-Denny stadium on the Walk of Champions.