UA In the News — April 25

Oyster shells show evidence of early human pollution of Chesapeake Bay
Chesapeake Bay Program – April 24
Researchers studying historic pollution levels in the Chesapeake Bay found their answers in a somewhat out-of-the-ordinary subject: oyster shells. A recent study from the University of Alabama looked at nutrient levels in Bay oyster shells dating back over three thousand years, finding that humans have been polluting the Chesapeake Bay since the early 19th century.

Largest Arts and Sciences endowment in over 20 years gifted by alumni couple
Crimson White – April 24
Two distinguished University of Alabama alumni have granted the College of Arts and Sciences its largest academic endowment in more than 20 years, according to UA News. The endowment – gifted by Dr. E. Gaylon McCollough, a renowned facial plastic surgeon, and Susan McCollough, an award-winning artist – will create the Dr. E Gaylon McCollough Institute for Pre-Medical Scholars and the Susan N. McCollough Art Biennale. “Susan and I have long been committed to the pursuit of excellence,” E. Gaylon McCollough told UA News. “We have dreamed of creating unique educational experiences in an academic environment that enlighten the mind and buoy the spirit.”

PREVIEW: The Mental Health Crisis in Jails
Crimson White – April 24
In order to raise awareness about mental health in jails, the College of Community Health Sciences is hosting a presentation and panel discussion about the topic today. The speakers at the event will be Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine and Chief Psychiatrist for the Tuscaloosa County Jail Marisa Giggie, Tuscaloosa County Sheriff Ron Abernathy and M. Bradley Almond, presiding judge of Tuscaloosa’s Mental Health Court, according to the University. Leslie Zganjar, director of Communications and Community Relations for the College of Community Health Sciences, said this issue impacts the local community due to overcrowding at jails and financial concerns … “If people are being booked into jail and not getting the mental health care that they might need, then there’s a chance that, once they’re released, they could end up back in jail,” she said. “It becomes a cycle that’s not good for the person, and it’s not good for the community and it’s not good for the city’s finances.”

Town Council hears update on civic history partnership
Anniston Star – April 24
To keep a collaborative effort with the University of Alabama going, the professor who’s led the effort says she’ll need Hobson City’s help with funding. “This is a partnership that’s working,” Michelle Robinson said Monday night at a Town Council meeting. “I would like to see it continued,” she added, but “at this point, we need to move away from university funding.” Robinson and her graduate assistant appeared before the council Monday not to ask for money, but to brief members on the work they’ve done so far — and the path toward new funding the assistant professor sees.

Fundraiser for Humane Society of West Alabama
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – April 24
This Saturday you can get some good food and help our a great cause. Miss Dots is hosting a fundraiser for the Humane Society of West Alabama. One of the University of Alabama campaign classes organized this event.

Bama By Distance allows students to earn degree online (Live Interview)
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – April 24
Did you know that you could earn a degree from The University of Alabama no matter where you live? It’s all possible through a program called Bama By Distance.

Writer’s Festival taking over Tuscaloosa this weekend
Crimson White – April 25
Powerful words will echo through the bars and venues of Tuscaloosa this weekend as writers and literary enthusiasts share the stage for the Slash Pine Writer’s Festival. The festival will take place this Friday and Saturday and gathers all kinds of writers and literary enthusiasts for a Literary Bar Crawl on Friday and readings at the Tuscaloosa Riverwalk and Kentuck Art Center on Saturday. Food trucks and music will also be stationed, and all the events are free and open to the public. . . . The festival will be hosted by the Slash Pine Press and its interns. The Slash Pine Press was founded in 2009 and is a part of the University’s English department. The organization focuses on hosting events and publishing hand stitched chapbooks of poetry and other mixed genre work. The Press is partnered with Ruth Lilly Poetry Fellowships and chooses annual chapbook winners.

Magic City Newsmakers: YWCA, Publix, Swift Industrial Power and more
Birmingham Business Journal – April 25
University of Alabama business majors Andrew Johnson and Grant Becker and chemical engineering major Kyle Pecot founded KüLVAX, a start-up company that has created a more efficient cooling process for the transportation of life-saving vaccines, and they recently won a $50,000 grand prize in the Edward K. Aldag Jr. Business Plan Competition at UA.