MONDAY, APRIL 23 – SUNDAY, APRIL 29
BEST BETS
STUDENTS PARTNER WITH OTHER VOLUNTEERS TO STRENGTHEN LITERACY – Education majors from UA are partnering with the Bright Minds Volunteer Reading Program, a program by Success by 6, the early childhood initiative of the United Way of West Alabama, to strengthen literacy in schools throughout Tuscaloosa. It also helps UA students gain practicum experience in reading aloud to pre-K through third grade classes. At 12:15 p.m. Monday, reporters can observe a read-aloud session and interview a UA education major, a pre-K teacher and the Bright Minds program director at Woodland Forrest Elementary School at 6001 Hargrove Rd. East, in Tuscaloosa. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
FORMER NFL QUARTERBACK TO DISCUSS SUBSTANCE ABUSE, RECOVERY – Ryan Leaf, who was drafted second overall in the 1998 NFL draft, will discuss his NFL career, the impact substance abuse played in his incarceration and his subsequent recovery during a lecture Monday at Ferguson Center’s Great Hall on the UA campus. Leaf will be available for media interviews at 1:40 p.m. He’ll begin his talk at 2 p.m. His talk is the first in a new UA Collegiate Recovery & Intervention Services speaker series aimed at promoting recovery to the campus community. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.
MAKING NEWS
IS IT TIME TO GET OFF SOCIAL MEDIA? – With 87 million Facebook users having their private data shared in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, some may be wondering if it’s time to jump off the social media train. Dr. Elliot Panek, a UA assistant professor of journalism and creative media who specializes in social media, said there are pros and cons to bailing. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, communications specialist, at jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956, or reach Panek directly at epanek@ua.edu or 650-296-0747.
FROM SYRIA TO WORLD WAR III? – Recent events in Syria have led to U.S. President Donald Trump, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iran President Hassan Rouhani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu making strong military statements. What is going on in Syria? Why is it such an international powder keg? Is a full-scale conflict ahead? Dr. Holger Albrecht, a UA associate professor of political science who specializes in Middle East politics, is available to provide commentary. For more information, contact Jamon Smith, communications specialist, at jamon.smith@ua.edu or 205-348-4956, or reach Albrecht directly at halbrecht@ua.edu or 205-348-5528.
NEED A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON ANOTHER TOPIC? – See frequently updated expert directory here.
EVENTS
SUBSTANCE ABUSE FOCUS OF RURAL HEALTH CONFERENCE – Substance abuse in Alabama is the topic of the 19th Annual Rural Health Conference hosted by UA’s College of Community Health Sciences and its Institute for Rural Health Research. The conference, “Substance Abuse in Alabama: When it Hits Home,” will be held April 25-26, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Bryant Conference Center. Dr. Richard Streiffer, dean of the UA College, will be available to speak to the media at 10 a.m. Wednesday from the conference. It is attended by health-care providers, researchers, community leaders, government officials and policymakers who hear from prominent speakers and share information and knowledge about rural health issues. For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.
LOOKING AHEAD
UA TO HOLD SPRING COMMENCEMENT EXERCISES – UA will hold its spring commencement exercises May 4-5 at Coleman Coliseum. The first ceremony will be held at 4:30 p.m. May 4, while three ceremonies will be held May 5 at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. The UA School of Law will hold its ceremony at 2 p.m. May 6 at Coleman Coliseum. Additional information can be found at ua.edu/commencement or by contacting David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205/348-0825 or david.c.miller@ua.edu.