The University of Alabama

Each spring semester, 50 new students are selected for The Blackburn Institute at The University of Alabama, an organization dedicated to developing leaders who understand the challenges facing the state of Alabama and the nation and who are committed to serving as agents of positive change. This year, the Institute is pleased to welcome this new Class of 2022. During their time with the Institute, students will develop and implement a civic engagement project, learn more about the state of Alabama and grow as leaders through engagement and experience. Upon graduation, students will transition into Blackburn Fellows, where they will continue to answer their call to action throughout their lives.

PhD Candidate Elizabeth Naranjo Hayes has been teaching French and Spanish at The University of Alabama during her doctoral degree, and she has received a perfect 5/5 rating on the popular website Rate My Professor. She was interviewed by Alice Magazine (March 2022) to discuss it, as well as to offer advice to students.

During fall 2021, the MAcc students evaluated a recently published FASB exposure draft, "Proposed Accounting Standards Update - Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions."

The College of Human Environmental Sciences hosted the 12th annual Fashion for Life runway show at the Bama Theatre Nov. 21. This year's fashion show featured 13 senior apparel design students' collections that represented their personal design philosophy and target market.

The Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association honored several UA students and publications, including Alice, The Crimson White, Nineteen Fifty-Six and the Corolla, with awards during the Fall National College Media Convention that was held virtually Oct. 14-16.

The University of Alabama has announced its Homecoming Court and Homecoming Queen. McLean Moore, a senior from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, was named 2021 Homecoming Queen after a student election. More than 13,000 students voted in the election.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2021 Love of Learning Award. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and career development for active Society members.

Even with the challenges caused by a global pandemic, undergraduate students at The University of Alabama rigorously pursued research and creative avenues outside the classroom, and this year's Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference showcased and recognized their efforts. About 350 students participated in the 14th annual conference, held both at the Bryant Conference Center March 31 and online for students who chose to present virtually. This year's winners of the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference at The University of Alabama highlight the ingenuity and dedication of those who rigorously pursued research and creative avenues outside the classroom. The premier research event to highlight undergraduate research at UA spurs interest in research among undergraduate students and helps students polish their communication skills.

The University of Alabama recently chose 45 students for the new class of Capstone Men and Women. Capstone Men and Women are students selected to serve as official ambassadors of The University of Alabama. Originally named the Crimson Girls in 1962, the organization accepted its first male members in 1976 and changed its name to the Crimson Girls and Capstone Men. In 1991, the name of the group was changed to Capstone Men and Women.

PRWeek has named University of Alabama senior Kathleen McManus its 2021 Outstanding Student. McManus, of Palatine, Illinois, is the third student from UA's College of Communication and Information Sciences to win the award in the past four years. The honor recognizes an undergraduate student for their outstanding display of a variety of public relations skills. "I'm very honored to have been selected for the award," McManus said. "It is an incredible way to round out my time here at the Capstone and a true reflection of the exceptional education and experiences that the college and university provide its students."

A University of Alabama senior was selected as one of the American Advertising Federation's Most Promising Multicultural Students of 2021. Hanna Fridriksson, a Mobile native, is one of 50 college students from across the country chosen to participate in the Most Promising Multicultural Students program, a premier event put on by the AAF to give traditionally underrepresented, multicultural students an opportunity to network with and learn from top advertising, marketing and media professionals. The program is part of an AAF initiative to promote diversity, equity and inclusion within the advertising industry. "It's a really great program, and I'm thankful for the opportunity," said Fridriksson, who is in UA's accelerated master's program in advertising and public relations. "The advertising world is a bit homogenous, in a sense. It's really nice to see that there are programs trying to push back on that and add diversity into the industry because it's really important for different perspectives to be represented." Students were selected for the program by a panel of leading industry professionals, including representatives from Apple, Google, L'Oreal and Twitter, among others. The four-day event, held last year in New York City, will be fully virtual this year and run Jan. 26-29, 2021.

University of Alabama senior Lauren Pan received one of the Society of Women Engineers' most prestigious collegiate awards this year. Pan was named Outstanding Collegiate Member for her "stellar academic and internship performance; for commitment to both ethics and social responsibility; and for championing diversity and inclusion in SWE, on campus and beyond." The award was announced at SWE's annual WE20 conference, held virtually in early November. SWE is a worldwide organization that advocates for women in engineering and technology with more than 40,000 members globally, about half of which are collegiate members. Pan, an Atlanta, Georgia, native majoring in chemical engineering, has served in numerous leadership positions within UA's SWE section, as well as at the Society level, including positions as a global co-lead for the LGBTQ+ and allies affinity group. She was also elected as the only collegiate member for last year's SWE Senate. Although only about 13 percent of engineers are women, organizations such as SWE help students like Pan more easily find their way in the field of engineering. "UA has such a large campus and large College of Engineering," said Pan, who is attending UA on Presidential and Engineering Leadership scholarships. "Having an organization like SWE allows students to really build a sense of community within such a large organization. It helps them find their place and the support they need." The SWE award is a fitting addition to Pans' long list of achievements. She's devoted much of her college career working to make a big impact on her field, as well as on the lives of those working in it.

Ten students studying to become physicians with plans to practice in rural Alabama communities were recently accepted to The University of Alabama's Rural Medical Scholars Program for the 2020-21 academic year. The Rural Medical Scholars Program, part of UA's College of Community Health Sciences, is a five-year medical education program that leads to a medical degree. The program includes a year of study, after students receive their undergraduate degree, and leads to a master's degree in rural and community health and early admission to the UA School of Medicine. The 2020-21 class includes Brooks Bergman, of Killen; Jackson Broadfoot, of Hartselle; Devin Dobbins, of Flat Rock; Taylor Golden, of Florence; Stewart Gwin, of Gallion; Kayla Hazelwood, of Cropwell; Abye Nelson, of Woodstock; Boyd Price, of Clanton; Bethany Sparks, of Phil Campbell; and Matthew Tackett, of Pickensville. Students spend their first two years of medical school at the School of Medicine's main campus in Birmingham and return to CCHS for their third and fourth years of medical school - the clinical training years. The Rural Medical Scholars Program is exclusively for rural Alabama students who want to become physicians and practice in rural communities. It has been cited nationally as a model initiative. To date, it has placed 75 physicians into practice in rural Alabama.

University of Alabama student Andrew Smith, of Haslet, Texas, was named to the first team of the North American Collegiate Model UN All-Star Team. Haslet is among the first UA delegates to make the team that consists of the top 12 delegates in the nation. The purpose of the North American Collegiate Model UN All-Star Team is to recognize exemplary individuals in the college Model UN community who make a difference inside and outside of committee. The University of Alabama's Model UN team recently ranked on Best Delegate's list of the Top 25 Collegiate Model UN teams in the World Division. "Model UN team members come from various majors and interests across campus and compete at a world-class level through dedicated training outside of their regular studies," said Megan Wagner, assistant director of international partnerships and scholarships at UA's Capstone International Center. "They're practicing the problem-solving and critical thinking it takes to be engaged leaders in a global society." Best Delegate awards recognize both individual students and college teams as a whole for their accomplishments in leadership, research, public speaking, resolution-building, negotiation and diplomacy. According to the organization, this year's team rankings were more competitive than ever. UA's Model UN team is part of the Capstone International Center's Alabama International Relations Club. The Model UN is the cornerstone of the AIRC, the premier student-led global affairs organization at UA that continuously provides opportunities for its members to learn, develop, find community and make an impact at the Capstone and the world beyond.

University of Alabama student Russell Puffer, of Marietta, Georgia, was named to the first team of the North American Collegiate Model UN All-Star Team. Puffer is among the first UA delegates to make the team that consists of the top 12 delegates in the nation. The purpose of the North American Collegiate Model UN All-Star Team is to recognize exemplary individuals in the college Model UN community who make a difference inside and outside of committee. The University of Alabama's Model UN team recently ranked on Best Delegate's list of the Top 25 Collegiate Model UN teams in the World Division. "Model UN team members come from various majors and interests across campus and compete at a world-class level through dedicated training outside of their regular studies," said Megan Wagner, assistant director of international partnerships and scholarships at UA's Capstone International Center. "They're practicing the problem-solving and critical thinking it takes to be engaged leaders in a global society." Best Delegate awards recognize both individual students and college teams as a whole for their accomplishments in leadership, research, public speaking, resolution-building, negotiation and diplomacy. According to the organization, this year's team rankings were more competitive than ever. UA's Model UN team is part of the Capstone International Center's Alabama International Relations Club. The Model UN is the cornerstone of the AIRC, the premier student-led global affairs organization at UA that continuously provides opportunities for its members to learn, develop, find community and make an impact at the Capstone and the world beyond.

The University of Alabama's Model UN team, comprised of 42 students, ranked on Best Delegate's list of the Top 25 Collegiate Model UN teams in the World Division for the first time. UA ranked No. 25 for strong performances throughout the 2019-20 academic year. According to Best Delegate, UA's showing at the McGill Model United Nations Assembly in Montreal in January, the second largest Model UN conference, was among the top performances in an evenly matched field. Unlike most top-performing universities that train one group of students within its team to compete at conferences, UA's team encourages all of its members to compete and gain experience. "Model UN team members come from various majors and interests across campus and compete at a world-class level through dedicated training outside of their regular studies," said Megan Wagner, assistant director of international partnerships and scholarships at UA's Capstone International Center. "They're practicing the problem-solving and critical thinking it takes to be engaged leaders in a global society." Best Delegate awards recognize both individual students and college teams as a whole for their accomplishments in leadership, research, public speaking, resolution-building, negotiation and diplomacy. According to the organization, this year's team rankings were more competitive than ever. UA's Model UN team is part of the Capstone International Center's Alabama International Relations Club. The Model UN is the cornerstone of the AIRC, the premier student-led global affairs organization at UA that continuously provides opportunities for its members to learn, develop, find community and make an impact at the Capstone and the world beyond.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce its 2020 Literacy Grant recipients. The grants of up to $2,500 were awarded to Phi Kappa Phi chapters and individual members to fund literacy initiatives.

Emma Mansberg, a University of Alabama student from Memphis, Tennessee, recently received the Horizon award. The award is presented annually to a young person who demonstrates "outstanding vision and hope in promoting social justice, equality and peace."

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2019 Love of Learning Award. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and career development for active Society members.

Morgan Ross, who studied metallurgical and materials engineering at The University of Alabama, received the 2019 Capstone Engineering Society Outstanding Senior Award. A native of Meridian, Mississippi, she earned 10 different scholarship awards and a 4.08 grade point average during her time at UA. Ross was in the University Honors Program and the Randall Research Scholars Program. She became a member of honor societies Tau Beta Pi, The Anderson Society, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, Cardinal Key, The XXXI, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma and Golden Key International. Ross was named 2018 RRSP Outstanding Junior, 2017 UA Outstanding Sophomore and 2016 MTE E.C. Wright Outstanding Sophomore. In 2017, she won the C.H.T. Wilkins Award for Excellence. During summer 2017, Ross was a research intern with the Army Education Outreach Program conducting thin film studies. She also worked with Dr. Gregory Thompson, UA professor of metallurgical and materials engineering, studying ultra-high temperature ceramics and coatings. Ross has presented her work at seven events during her undergraduate career including the 42nd Annual Conference on Composites, Materials and Structures. "She has been outstanding asset to our department and my research group. She exhibited maturity, professionalism, and dedication in both the classroom, evident by an excellent GPA, and accomplishments in the lab," Thompson said. In 2018, she earned first place in the UA System Casting Competition and first-place oral presentation at the UA Systems Conference. At the 2018 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Conference, Ross came in first in the College of Engineering category and second in the Engineering, Technology and Energy category. At the Capstone, she served in several leadership positions including secretary of the Materials Advantage/American Foundry Society, vice president of STEAM Alabama, professionalism committee head of RRSP, middle school outreach chairman of the Society of Women Engineers, vice president of involvement for University Stewards, and a student instructor in Honors Cultural Literacy. Ross was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and participated in the UA Honors Study Abroad Program in New Zealand. She also worked as an assistant to UA President Emeritus Dr. Robert Witt. "She is extremely bright, creative, hardworking and very dependable," Witt said. "I would rank Morgan in the top 1 percent of students I have worked with in my over 50 years in higher education." In 2018, Ross was a summer measurement engineering intern at Corning, Inc. in Hickory, North Carolina. This summer she will intern with Chevron in Mississippi. In the fall, she will return to UA to finish her metallurgical engineering master's degree in UA's Accelerated Master's Program. The Capstone Engineering Society, the alumni association for the College of Engineering, was established in 1973. CES is dedicated to maintaining relationships with UA engineering alumni to ensure the College is able to provide UA engineering and computer science students with a superior educational experience. The CES began the Outstanding Senior Award in 1986 to honor an exceptional student who deserves distinction among his or her peers. An outstanding student is selected from the 11 academic programs in the College, and the overall winner is determined by a selection committee after assessing each student's academic performance, professional and technical activities, College leadership, external leadership and other activities.

The University of Alabama's department of art and art history is presented the master of arts thesis exhibition of Katie Adams, titled "Space Between the Ears." The exhibition was held March 21-31, 2019, at Harrison Galleries, in downtown Tuscaloosa. Adams designs and builds sculptures that visually express the effects of neurological disorders on those afflicted as well as the people around them, both in form and through the media in which she works. "My sculptures examine the complications of neurological disorders," she said. "Each piece builds a perspective for viewers to experience simultaneously the breakdown of neurological systems as well as the disruption of function and communication." She wants the experience of viewing her sculpture to bring a realization to the viewer that, as she says, "perspective can be distorted without materially changing objects." Adams works with metal, glass, ceramics and photography for the work in this exhibition. "Each brain model is different: with each disease the portions of the brain affected are either missing or made of glass instead of metal," she said. Adams hopes that by bridging the gap between art and medicine through her work, she will help people understand what is happening physically and mentally with neurological diseases. Katie Adams is a graduate student in sculpture. Adams received the BA from Western Kentucky University in art with a concentration in sculpture. Her work has been included in numerous juried and group exhibitions including Height x Width x Depth (HWD) in Kettering, Ohio; 51st Annual National Drawing and Small Sculpture Show, Corpus Christi, Texas, and 24th Annual Jack Lunt Memorial Juried Art Exhibition, Bowling Green, Ky. She demonstrated at the 2016 Sculpture Objects Functional Art and Design Convention (SOFA) in Chicago. Her work consists mostly of metal, wood and glass components. Adams says that she searches to understand and combine nature's physical elements and systems with emotional connections.

The University of Alabama's department of art and art history presents the master of arts thesis exhibition of Nasrin Iravani, "I'm a Woman Here Standing in the Mist." The exhibition will be through April 30 at the UA Gallery in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center, in downtown Tuscaloosa. Nasrin Iravani is a graduate student in ceramics and serves as a teaching assistant in ceramics. Iravani received the MA in Handicrafts (ceramics) from Tehran University of Art. Her work is inspired by Persian art and she is particularly interested in figurative forms. She presents a critical view of ethical, social and cultural issues in her art work and is currently working on a collection of pieces titled Femininity, which refers to women's rights and concerns. "The history and culture of Iran, my home country, gives me a sense of identity, tranquility and confidence," she said. "I use symbols and signs of traditional Iranian art to showcase some of that history and culture. In my work, I explore feminine narratives in aesthetics, politics, history and personal experiences, and I use the concept of art as a tool to address contemporary women's rights and concerns." Iravani uses elements such as asymmetry, color contrast and the simultaneous presentation of the inside and the outside of some of her pieces to convey her own conflicts with Iran's traditional ways, especially regarding women. The title of her exhibition is taken from a poem, written by her husband the Iranian poet Saeid Ranjbar, which she feels expresses her relationship to the culture she loves but struggles with. "While incorporating signs of traditional and contemporary art, I strive to reflect the view that the relationship between tradition and modernity needs to be continuously reconsidered." Nasrin Iravani's selected international, national and juried exhibitions include L'artigiano in Fiera 2016, Milan; Fitur 2016, Feria de Madrid, Spain; International Handicraft Exhibition; Tehran; 46th International Art Show, Brownsville Museum of Fine Art (Texas); The Millennial Show (juried), TEJAS Gallery, Dayton, OH; Clay: A Southern Census (juried), New Orleans; 33rd Annual Alabama Clay Conference, Montgomery, AL; The Ritual Table: A Place of Memory, A State of Mind, Corning, NY; and Vitreous (juried), Clay Center of New Orleans.

The University of Alabama's Career Center announces that staff members Chris McGee and Jarrod Stisher have received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award from UA's Division of Student Life, recognizing students' exceptional service to constituents. McGee and Stisher were recognized at the division's meeting May 3. https://career.sa.ua.edu/2018/05/career-centers-mcgee-stisher-get-division-of-student-life-honor/

University of Alabama students participated in the UA Washington, D.C. Policy and Advocacy Fly-In, a unique crash course in policy research, strategy and advocacy created in 2017. The students met with 40 federal legislators in the nation's capital March 20-21 to explain how proposed legislation would improve the lives of foster youth, human-trafficking victims and people struggling with opioid addictions.

The National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program's Foundation recently selected Kenya G. Bledsoe, a UA doctoral student in the counselor education and supervision program, for its Minority Fellowship Program.

The founders of Food Drop, a web-based grocery delivery system, finished in second place and won $3,000 to advance their business at the Edward K. Aldag, Jr. Business Plan Competition on March 31 at The University of Alabama.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2016 Love of Learning Award from Session A of the program. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and career development for active Phi Kappa Phi members.