Christine Taylor: University of Alabama’s First Chief Diversity Officer
Diversity 411 – June 14
A former Purdue University official will be the first chief diversity officer at the University of Alabama. The university announced G. Christine Taylor as the new vice president and associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion on Tuesday. Taylor will start Aug. 1, pending approval by the University of Alabama System board of trustees. “This role is critical to supporting the University’s strategic goal for an inclusive and diverse community,” Provost Kevin Whitaker said in comments released by UA. “We believe Dr. Taylor will provide the leadership, vision and oversight necessary to enhance our already strong commitment to diversity, equity and inclusiveness.”
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – June 14
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – June 14
Crimson White – June 15
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Participating in Unpaid Internship with Wisconsin Judge
Bleacher Report – June 14
Green Bay Packers safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix is taking part in an unpaid internship under a Brown County Circuit Court judge in Wisconsin for college credit. According to Jason Wilde for the Wisconsin State Journal, Clinton-Dix began the internship June 2 and is aiming to complete 180 hours in order to get six credits toward his criminal justice degree at the University of Alabama.
NBC 4 (Milwaukee, Wisconsin) – June 14
Wisconsin State Journal – June 11
Russian hackers targeted Dallas County servers before presidential election
Dallas News (Texas) – June 14
Russian hackers took aim at Dallas County’s Web servers, possibly trying to access voter registration rolls, before the November presidential election, officials said Wednesday … America’s elections system is decentralized — with at least 7,000 local elections jurisdictions — which is both good and bad for cyberdefense, said Diana Dolliver, a professor at the University of Alabama who specializes in cybersecurity.
Research on snakes could help treat diabetes
Cullman Times – June 15
Could the answer to treating digestive ailments like diabetes and Crohn’s disease be slithering around in a laboratory at the University of Alabama? Stephen Secor, a professor of biological sciences at UA, hopes so. “This all kind of started as, ‘Hey let’s do something crazy,’ and come to find out, we found these amazing results,” Secor said.
WAFF-NBC (Huntsville) – June 14
WSFA-NBC (Montgomery) – June 14
The Represent Rose: Part 1
Slate.com – June 14
On this episode of Represent, Slate producer Veralyn Williams and Robin M. Boylorn, an associate professor at the University of Alabama and member of the Crunk Feminist Collective, recap Episodes 1–3 of The Bachelorette.
What Christians should know about the alt-right
Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission – June 14
Earlier today, the Southern Baptist Convention adopted a resolution condemning the movement known as the “alt-right.” … Is the alt-right conservative? No. As George Hawley, a University of Alabama professor who has studied the movement, told The Washington Post, “the modal alt-right person is a male, white millennial; probably has a college degree or is in college; is secular and perhaps atheist and [is] not interested in the conservative movement at all.”
Northport Fire Rescue demonstrates water rescue in front of live audience
Fox 6 (Birmingham) – June 14
Northport Fire Rescue jumped into action in front of an audience. Firefighters demonstrated what they do and the equipment they use in a low to medium high angle rescue from the water. “Anytime that we have heavy rain very quickly, within a short period of time, the dangers of flash floods persist,” Capt. Jason Norris with Tuscaloosa Fire Rescue explained. They put on a demonstration involving a boating accident where rescuers saved one survivor and recovered another victim’s body. Graduate students attending the simulated rescue watched closely. They’re working at the National Water Center at the University of Alabama developing tools to manage flood-related disasters around the nation.
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – June 14
WTVM 9 (Columbus, Georgia) – June 14
Capstone Rural Health Center to get new facility
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – June 14
One Walker County health care facility is a step closer to getting a new home. Capstone Rural Health Center in Parrish, Alabama is currently housed in a building that the director says they’ve outgrown. With the help of local legislators, they are closer to getting a new facility. On Friday, they found out they are receiving a $200,000 grant for the Appalachian Regional Commission for construction of a new building.
Health Matters: The effects of chronic stress
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – June 14
Hi, this is Dr. Rick Streiffer and this is Health Matters. Today, we are talking about the effects of chronic stress. We all have stress every day. In fact, some stress can be good and help us perform better. Think about those players during a big game out on the football field. The stress helps them meet their optimal performance. On the other hand, if it’s all day every day, it can become dysfunctional. It can worsen our chronic conditions. It can make us more difficult to go with what our doctor recommends.
Lifeguarding is serious business
Florence Times Daily – June 14
It’s appears to be the perfect summer job – sitting outside in the sun working on a tan, overlooking a pool, or walking along the side of the pool – until something happens. “That’s when the lifeguards go to work,” said Storm Spencer, who has been a lifeguard for nine years, and a certified instructor for the last two years. “They will tell you, it’s not just a summer fun job to hang out with friends and get a tan.” Kari Anne Fowler grew up swimming, so when she thought about a job, becoming a lifeguard seemed to be the natural fit. “It was something I felt I would enjoy, and I do,” said Fowler, a Muscle Shoals native who is a sophomore at the University of Alabama.
Free legal clinic assists low-income residents
Tuscaloosa News – June 14
A free legal clinic for low-income residents of Tuscaloosa County will be held Thursday. The clinic’s hours will be from 3-5 p.m. at the main branch of the Tuscaloosa Public Library, 1801 Jack Warner Parkway … The Alabama State Bar Volunteer Lawyers Program, working in cooperation with the Tuscaloosa County Bar Association, the University of Alabama School of Law and Legal Services Alabama serves as hosts for the clinic.
University of Alabama Awards 5K Degrees
Greenwich Patch (Connecticut) – June 14
From The University of Alabama: The University of Alabama awarded approximately 5,000 degrees during spring commencement May 5-7.
College notes
Hutchinson News (Kansas) – June 14
Kansas State University: Twenty-four students were recently inducted into the chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda at Kansas State University. Area student inducted was Michael Carter, Wilson … University of Alabama: Jennifer Rodgers, Hutchinson, was awarded a Doctor of Nursing Practice in May from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Names and Notes for June 15
Aiken Standard (South Carolina) – June 14
Chandler graduates basic training: U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Brandon J. Chandler graduated from basic military training at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, San Antonio, Texas … Grier earns degree from UA: Camilla Grier of Aiken received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from the University of Alabama during ceremonies May 5-7.
Locals earn bachelor’s degrees
Jackson Progress-Argus (Georgia) – June 14
VanderVen graduates from Alabama: The University of Alabama awarded approximately 5,000 degrees during spring commencement May 5-7. Among the graduates was Caitlin VanderVen of Flovilla, who earned a Bachelor of Arts.
Area students excel in higher education
Ocala Star Banner (Florida) – June 14
University Graduates: Krista Thurston, Ocala, Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration, University of Alabama; Caviness Drake, Ocala, Bachelor of Science in Commerce & Business Administration, University of Alabama.
Opelika Employee to Receive Economic Development Honors Certificate
WLTZ (Columbus, Georgia) – June 14
The City of Opelika employee, Tyler Chaffee, Project Manager for Opelika Economic Development, recently completed The University of Alabama Economic Development Academy. The Academy just finished its first Applied Economic Development Honors class with 18 young professionals from around the state participating in the program. Chaffee will receive his graduation certificate during the Economic Development Association of Alabama summer conference in July.
When will Republicans hold Trump accountable?
Al.com – June 14
The question on many Americans’ minds is what will be the final lie, the final scheme, the final egregious act that will prompt President Trump’s 37 percent base to accept the fact that Trump is deleterious to America? (By B. Joyce Stallworth, Ph.D., who retired from the University of Alabama in 2016. Until then, she served as the associate provost for special projects and as a professor of English education.)
Meet Jessica Procter, Miss Alabama 2017
Al.com – June 14
Alabama, meet your representative in the 2018 Miss America Competition. Out of 48 contestants, Jessica Procter was recently crowned Miss Alabama 2017. The 21-year-old senior at the University of Alabama will pause her studies in interdisciplinary studies and psychology to fulfill the duties of Miss Alabama. She says she’s humbled, grateful and ready to make people in Alabama proud this year. Here’s a few things to know about her as she starts her year as the new Miss Alabama.