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MONDAY, MAY 21 – SUNDAY, MAY 27    

RESEARCH

STATE CRASH DATA SHOWS SEAT BELT USE CRITICAL IN SAVING LIVES – Those involved in auto crashes while not wearing seat belts are 40 times more likely to die than those who buckle up, according to an analysis of state crash records from the past five years by the UA Center for Advanced Public Safety. The analysis has more statistics for seat belt use during auto crashes – making for a timely story in connection with the ongoing national Click It or Ticket campaign.  For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA communications, at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.

METASTATIC BREAST CANCER CAN BE DORMANT OR ACTIVE, BUT WHY? – Metastatic breast cancer cells lodging in the brain may rest in a sleep mode before awakened to wreak havoc, but the reasons why the cells stay dormant and later become active is not fully understood. With funding from a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, a pioneering bioengineering project led by UA’s Dr. Shreyas S. Rao will engineer environments that mimic conditions in the brain to gain insight into this process. For more information, contact Adam Jones, UA communications, at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.

BEST BETS

WRITER HALL OF FAME TO INDUCT EIGHT — Eight distinguished authors will be inducted into the 2018 Alabama Writers Hall of Fame at UA’s Bryant Conference Center May 24. This year’s inductees are Winston Groom, Gay Talese, Charles Gaines, Shirley Ann Grau, William Bradford Huie, Wayne Greenhaw, James Haskins and Joseph Glover Baldwin. A reception will be held in their honor at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The induction ceremony will immediately follow dinner. A media opportunity with available inductees is scheduled from 5-6 p.m. in the Bryant Conference Center’s Rast Room AFor more information, contact Jamon Smith, UA communications, 205-348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu.

UNIVERSITY FELLOWS IN PERRY COUNTY — During May’s interim sessions, student members of UA’s University Fellows Experience perform a variety of community-centered projects and initiatives in Marion and Perry County. UA’s Honors College, which hosts the Fellows, is marking 10 years of working in the county as part of the 57 Mile Experience. Media are invited to Marion from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesday, May 23, to observe the University Fellows perform a variety of tasks, including working on a mural near Jefferson and Pickens streets in downtown Marion and a “pocket park” near 109 Jefferson St. In addition, the University Fellows are working on an outdoor classroom at Francis Marion School, 101 Hubbard Drive. For more information, contact Richard LeComte at 205-394-3040 or richard.lecomte@ua.edu.

BOYS STATE – The annual American Legion’s Alabama Boys State, which brings together students from high schools across Alabama, returns to UA starting Sunday, May 27. Activities include mock elections, panels, guest speakers and community service. For a schedule, contact Richard LeComte, communications, richard.lecomte@ua.edu or 205-348-3782.

FULBRIGHTS AND OTHERS – UA continues to be a leading campus for involvement in the Fulbright program. Fifteen UA grads have received funds to teach and study abroad, and three UA faculty members will head oversees – two to Namibia and one to Greece. In addition, a UA student has received a NOAA Hollings Scholarship and another undergraduate received a Boren Scholarship for language study. For more information, contact Richard LeComte in communications, at 205-348-3782 or richard.lecomte@ua.edu.

UA OFFERS NUMEROUS SUMMER ACTIVITIES FOR ALL AGESUA will offer a wide variety of activities for all ages throughout the summer. From outdoor explorations to computer camps, UA’s summer programs cover the spectrum of common and atypical interests. Activities and camps will be hosted by UA’s Museum of Natural History, the School of Music and the athletics department, among others.  For more information, contact Bryant Welbourne, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-8325 or bryant.welbourne@ua.edu.

MAKING NEWS

UA PARTNERSHIP OFFERS ONLINE SOLUTION TO HELP PREVENT SCHOOL VIOLENCE – Last week, multiple people were killed in a shooting that took place at Santa Fe High School near Houston. Brenda Truelove, program manager for corporate engagement in UA’s College of Continuing Studies, says she believes many school shootings can be prevented if clues are heeded and early intervention provided. That’s why UA’s College of Continuing Studies has partnered with Firestorm to offer a comprehensive, threat prevention, e-learning program to all Alabama K-12 schools free of charge for the first year. The program, BERTHA – Behavioral Risk Threat Assessment – is an online tool for Alabama schools that functions as part of a school’s overall school violence prevention program. Truelove is available for interviews beginning Tuesday. For assistance, contact Jamon Smith, UA communications, 205-348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu

U.S. EMBASSY OPENS IN JERUSALEM ON ISRAEL’S 70 ANNIVERSARY – Amid protests, violence and death, the U.S. Embassy recently opened in Jerusalem on the 70th anniversary of Israel becoming a nation again. The embassy move from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem serves as an acknowledgement – among much contention – that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. Also, coinciding with the anniversary and embassy opening, the Israeli Mikdash Educational Center announced that it would mint the “Temple Coin” featuring U.S. President Donald Trump alongside King Cyrus to mark the opening. Dr. Steven Jacobs, UA professor of religious studies and the Aaron Aronov Endowed Chair in Judaic Studies, is available to the media to offer his expertise on the topic. He can be reached at sjacobs@ua.edu or 205-348-0473. For assistance, contact Jamon Smith, UA communications, 205-348-4956 or jamon.smith@ua.edu.

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LOOKING AHEAD

PUMP BOYS AND DINETTES — SummerTide, UA’s professional summer theater, presents the musical comedy “Pump Boys and Dinettes” in June at the George C. Meyer Performing Arts Center in Gulf Shores. The “‘Pump Boys” sell high octane on Highway 57 in Grand Ole Opry country. The “Dinettes” — Prudie and Rhetta Cupp — run the Double Cupp diner next door. Together, they fashion an evening of country-western songs that received raves on and off-Broadway. With heartbreak and hilarity, they perform on guitars, piano, bass and kitchen utensils. The production will run from June 1 to 29 at the theater in Gulf Shores. Performances are at 8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. For more information, visit https://theatre.ua.edu/box-office/. For more information, contact Richard LeComte, UA communications, at 205-348-3782 or richard.lecomte@ua.edu.