The University of Alabama

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.

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.

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.