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MONDAY, MAY 6 – SUNDAY, MAY 12  

RESEARCH

YES, A BOX ENCOURAGES A CHILD’S IMAGINATION – Every parent can attest to the phenomenon of watching a child play with a cardboard box while an expensive toy sits on the shelf. In a child’s mind, a cardboard box can be so many things that the possibilities are endless. In contrast, a spaceship or unicorn toy during play usually remain, well, a spaceship or unicorn. It is that versatility of generic objects that attracts children, especially those at a preschool age, according to research from UA published in this month’s printed issue of Infant and Child Development. Researchers conclude that children’s play spaces can benefit from the inclusion of generic objects with few details as tools to promote object substitution and creative play. For more information, contact Adam Jones in UA communications at 205-348-4328 or adam.jones@ua.edu.

BEST BETS

LOCHMAN NAMED 2019 BUFORD AWARD WINNER – Dr. John Lochman, retired director of the Center for the Prevention of Youth Behavior Problems at UA, has been named the 2019 winner of the Buford Peace Award, given annually to a UA faculty member who is active in causes that promote peace and justice. Lochman will be honored at the UA School of Social Work’s academic awards banquet Monday at 5 p.m. at the NorthRiver Yacht Club in Tuscaloosa. For more information, contact David Miller, UA Strategic Communications, at 205-348-5384.

THREE STUDENTS SELECTED FOR GOLDWATERSThe Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program has selected three UA students as Goldwater Scholars for 2019-2020. The selections bring to 56 the number of UA students who have received Goldwater scholarships. The three students are Thomas “Hank” Richards, of San Antonio, Texas; Ryan Tuckey, of Middletown, Maryland; and Peyton Strickland, of Pelham. For more information, contact Richard LeComte, at 205-348-3782 or richard.lecomte@ua.edu.

COCA-COLA RENEWS FIRST GENERATION PROGRAM The Coca-Cola Foundation is continuing its support for the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars program at UA with a new four-year grant award of $1 million. The new grant will fund the program through 2022. The program was first established at UA in 2006 with an initial $1 million gift. Since that time, The Coca-Cola Foundation has awarded $4 million to support first generation scholars at UA. For more information, contact Amy Martin, director of communications, UA Division of Advancement, at 205-348-7654 or UA communications, 205-348-5320.  

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