The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama recently selected 40 students as Capstone Men and Women. Capstone Men and Women serve as official ambassadors of UA. They assist the University president's office, admissions and alumni during functions held on campus and in other locations, as well as host daily tours of the campus for prospective students and other visitors.

A University of Alabama student team is continuing a three-year tradition of local outreach projects. The University of Alabama Astrobotics team and a group of engineering senior design students partnered with the RISE Center, a school for infants and preschoolers with and without special needs on UA's campus, to provide the children with a sensory cube to assist with in-class therapy. The sensory cube, called the Stimulation Station, is a 4-foot-tall, 2-foot-wide machine that was designed around the idea of an electronic fidget cube. This device helps with physical therapy, occupational therapy and music therapy in a way that is engaging for the children. "It increased the [engineering] students' awareness of the needs that they can help with," said Angela Parham, a physical therapist for the RISE Center. "It gave them an opportunity to offer their services in a way that meets specific needs for our children. It has been a learning experience for all of us." The Stimulation Station took one year to complete and was delivered to the RISE Center during a holiday party in December 2018. The cube is made up of three sides of interactive stimulation that the children can use to assist with different forms of therapy such as helping with muscle strength and the association of sounds to objects. "Sometimes they don't even know they're doing [therapy], because they're just playing," said Joylyn Boggs, RISE service coordinator. "The sensory cube provides a fun way to explore all of the areas of development." Specific aspects of the cube include a music center, push buttons to control various light patterns, mechanical games, elements that teach cause-and-effect, and a mirror to help with early developmental stages of crawling and standing. The Stimulation Station is made of clear Plexiglas to show the kids the wires and the LED blinking lights on the computers inside the machine. The cube has proven beneficial for students of all ages at RISE with children starting from 8-weeks old to 5- and 6-year-olds. The project has also proven beneficial to the UA students involved with this. Dr. Kenneth Ricks, electrical and computer engineering associate professor and Astrobotics faculty adviser, stresses the importance of students gaining a deeper perspective on the different challenges others are facing in life. Meeting the RISE students can do that. And, knowing the engineering students widens the world for the RISE children, too. "Let's see what we can do to introduce K-12 students to engineering and science and then show them how STEM can help the disabled." In addition to members of the Astrobotics team, the UA students who participated in the designing and building process of this project were Kevin Townsend, Kristin Harris, Cody Colangelo and Trent Gibson. "We've been doing projects like this for the past few years. And we really enjoy doing projects like this, and they're really special to us," said Max Eastepp, senior Astrobotics team lead. "We're building something that is not just going to sit in a room, it's really helping children and people in need."

Forza Financial is a microfinance bank built for entrepreneurs. The firm, run by University of Alabama students, offers financial services at both socially and financially sustainable rates to new and existing small businesses with an additional emphasis on financial education. Forza's intent is to build a better Alabama with every loan. Forza was awarded the 2018 Most Outstanding Professional Organization of all the student organizations at UA. It also partnered with Junior Enterprise USA, which is the American branch of the Junior Enterprise Movement - the largest student-run entrepreneurial movement in the world.

A group of University of Alabama students spent fall break in Panama City, Florida, helping with the recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael. The trip was organized by the Beyond Bama: Alternative Breaks program, part of UA's Center for Service and Leadership. Students arrived in Panama City on Wednesday, Oct. 24, and assisted in clearing debris for three days before returning to campus on Sunday, Oct. 28. Beyond Bama: Alternative Breaks organizes trips for the UA student body during fall, winter and spring breaks. Alternative Break trips allow students to travel to communities in parts of the country and the world, and engage in service and experiential learning during university breaks.

The University of Alabama's team of 20 Parent Ambassadors welcomes more than 8,000 incoming parents and family members to UA during the summer. They work for Parent & Family Programs within the Division of Student Life. Students who are Parent Ambassadors receive opportunities to build their leadership skills and to work with other student leaders and professionals from across campus.

Nearly 60 students are serving on The University of Alabama's Avanti team -- a group that seeks to welcome new students during the Bama Bound orientation process. By becoming well-acquainted with Capstone academic programs and co-curricular opportunities, the Avanti Team provides essential support in preparing incoming students to meet the challenges of enrollment and in welcoming high school groups to campus for large-scale recruitment events. The Avanti team functions under the auspices of the Office of Orientation and Special Programs in the Division of Academic Affairs.

The University of Alabama recently recognized determined students who endeavor to empower their community. These students received SAL (Service & Leadership) Awards. The awards honor the contributions of campus organizations as well as individuals to service and leadership within and outside of the UA community. These are the highest honors that can be bestowed on student organizations and individuals in regards to campus leadership and service. They are hosted by Student Involvement, The SOURCE, the Center for Service & Leadership, Safe Zone, the Capstone Heroes Committee, and the Office of Fraternity & Sorority Lif e.

Beat Auburn Beat Hunger is an annual student-run event that was created by The University of Alabama's Center for Service and Leadership and the West Alabama Food Bank in 1994. During the six weeks leading up to the Iron Bowl, the food drive unites UA students, faculty, staff, alumni and Tuscaloosa and Northport community members to help fight hunger and poverty in West Alabama. In competition with Auburn University and the Food Bank of East Alabama, Beat Auburn, Beat Hunger challenges both institutions to collect the most food and monetary donations to help their local food bank. This good-natured competition has made an impact that reaches far beyond the campuses where it began. Since its inception, Alabama and Auburn have combined to raise 6 million pounds of food for Alabamians in need.

With cheers of "Go, Bailey, go!" coming from a crowd of children, engineering students from UA gave a special needs child at Inverness Elementary School in Birmingham a car he can drive himself. The six students adapted a toy ride-on car for Bailey Harris, a kindergarten student at the Shelby County school who was born with physical challenges. The car, which Bailey can control with his feet, allows him to move around at recess with classmates.

Honors College member Asia Hayes brings her own experiences to bear when she works as the DREAM coordinator for Engage Tuscaloosa , a forward-thinking endeavor that seeks to improve the lives of area students through working with UA students. The transformative nature of the Engage Tuscaloosa program can be expanded with financial contributions during Bama Blitz, an online fundraising event for alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends to support UA programs using the power of social media and crowdfunding. The first Bama Blitz will begin at noon CST on April 11 and end at 8:31 p.m. on April 12, lasting one day, eight hours and 31 minutes in honor of the University's founding year. Engage Tuscaloosa is one of several passion projects seeking support during the fundraising event. "Engage Tuscaloosa is not only an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of students in Tuscaloosa area schools -- our Honors College students also benefit from the experience and see that they can make a difference in the lives of others," said Vicki Holt, coordinator for educational outreach for UA's Honors College.

The University of Alabama recently selected 39 students as Capstone Men and Women. Capstone Men and Women serve as official ambassadors of UA. They assist the University president's office, admissions and alumni during functions held on campus and in other locations, as well as host daily tours of the campus for prospective students and other visitors.