The University of Alabama

The University of Alabama College of Communication and Information Sciences has announced the winners of the 2018 Holle Awards for Excellence and Creativity in Communication. The Holle Award for Excellence in Media Writing is awarded to UA's Mary Clay Kline, of Cleveland, Mississippi. Her submission led one judge to remark, "[Her] work is a demonstration that better reporting leads to better stories." The Holle Award for Excellence in Public Speaking is awarded to UA's Grace Meagher of Joliet, Illinois. Her speech cast a light on the gender gap in children's literacy ability, that young boys read less than young girls. She directed the audience to curb this trend by encouraging the young boys in their lives to read more. The Holle Award for Excellence in Screenwriting is awarded to UA's Blake Hudson, of Clanton, Alabama, for his work, "The Last Resorts Club." His script was praised by judges for its structure and its ability to lead the reader to great empathy for its characters. "The 2018 Holle Award winners have proven to be a uniquely talented and inspirational group of students from across the country," said Dr. Mark Nelson, dean of the College of Communication and Information Sciences. "These students excel in communication and creativity, two things Brig. Gen. Everett Holle believed in and supported through his generosity in funding these awards. He will be missed but his legacy lives on in the Holle Awards." The Holle Awards are named for the 1950 graduate of The University of Alabama who served as an announcer, director, writer and producer during his 40-year career at NBC 13. Holle was a member of the College of Communication and Information Sciences' board of visitors where he passionately invested in the success of University of Alabama students for years.

Two teams of nine metallurgical and material engineering students took first and second place in a local casting competition held April 9. The American Foundry Society Casting Competition consisted of each team making a small-scale version of the Vulcan statue located in Birmingham and a technical presentation of their work. The teams were judged on resemblance to the statue, overall use of the casting process, use of casting principles, use of engineering tools, creativity, quality and presentation.

The University of Alabama's Chem-E Car Team received the most creative design award and placed third in the poster competition at a recent conference, marking the best placement in the team's history.

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.

SummerTide, The University of Alabama'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, Alabama. 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, go to https://theatre.ua.edu/box-office/.

The National Alumni Association of The University of Alabama recognizes and honors one male and one female in the senior class to receive the Alumni Student Award. The association also recognizes and honors students in the senior class. The students have excelled in academics and extracurricular activities, shown strength of character and maturity and displayed exceptional hospitality.

The University of Alabama has inducted a new group of students into its chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Founded on December 5, 1776, The Phi Beta Kappa Society is the nation's most prestigious academic honor society. It has chapters at 286 colleges and universities in the United States, 50 alumni associations, and more than half a million members worldwide. Noteworthy members include 17 U.S. Presidents, 39 Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States and more than 130 Nobel Laureates. The mission of The Phi Beta Kappa Society is to champion education in the liberal arts and sciences, foster freedom of thought, and recognize academic excellence. UA's chapter was founded in 1851. Students are elected to membership on the basis of outstanding academic achievement in the liberal arts and sciences.

For the 2018-2019 competition period, 15 University of Alabama students have been selected for Fulbright Awards. The University of Alabama is a nationally ranked Top Producer of Fulbright Student Award Winners.

University of Alabama student Raien Emery of Sheridan, Wyoming, will receive the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship for 2018-2020. The scholarship provides $9,500 a year for full-time study during the junior and senior years and $7,000 for a 10-week internship at NOAA or an NOAA-approved facility during the summer between the junior and senior years. The Hollings Scholarship is given in addition to existing awards the student may already receive. Since the program's inception in 2005, more than 30 UA students have been named Hollings Scholars. Emery works in the campus Forest Dynamics Lab to quantify the effects of disturbances on forests. Long-term, she aspires to earn a Ph.D. researching methods to mitigate biodiversity loss from ecosystems affected by climate change. Her environmental science major is accompanied by a minor in creative writing, and some of her work has been featured in campus publications. Emery is also a member of Alabama's women's rowing team. In her free time, Emery enjoys oil painting, attending folk concerts and exploring the great outdoors. Emery is appreciative of the guidance provided by Dr. Justin Hart, her academic adviser, research professor and role model. Emery was raised in Sheridan, Wyoming, as the youngest child of Ben and Raili Emery. She also has three older brothers: Bret, Scot and Nathan.

Hadley Spadaccini, a University of Alabama student from Leesburg, Virginia, has received a Boren Scholarship for the study of languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. She will be studying Mandarin in China.

The overwhelming cyclical nature of this world can lead one to feel as though they are descending into madness. We repeat ourselves, ending up in the same place and unable to stop. From the individual to the masses, we struggle to find our place and voice within this revolving carousel that is life. "Carousel" calls to mind this question: Are we to remain mindless cogs or can we redefine our place in this seemingly inescapable structure? The University of Alabama's Crimson Stage presented Grace Kurosaka's "Carousel" in April at Morgan Auditorium.

The University of Alabama's Creative Campus presents a gallery installation, "(un)Wrapt: New Arts Research by Creative Campus Fellows." The installation will open at The University of Alabama Gallery located in the Dinah Washington Cultural Arts Center in downtown Tuscaloosa Friday, May 4, from 5-8 p.m. and will remain at the gallery through May 15.

The Omicron Delta Kappa Society is the national leadership honor society for college students, faculty, staff, administrators and alumni that recognizes and encourages superior scholarship, leadership, and exemplary character. Membership in ODK is a mark of the highest distinction and honor. Omicron Delta Kappa recognizes and encourages achievement in scholarship; athletics; campus or community service; social and religious activities; campus government; journalism, speech and the mass media; and creative and performing arts.

The Anderson Society is a leadership honorary that recognizes students who have made significant contributions to The University of Alabama. Twenty-four students are accepted each year; and seven honorary memberships are awarded to faculty and graduating seniors. While these contributions often take many forms, there are certain qualities of members of the Anderson Society that are prominently and ubiquitously found -- an immersion into some sort of community service, passion for improving the university community through both explicit and implicit means, and persistent effort to attain excellence in some sphere of university life. Once an Anderson initiate, members are expected to continue to devote themselves to service, some directly under the auspices of the Anderson Society, but much more individually.

Blue Key is a premier honor society that recognizes college students for balanced and all-around excellence in scholarship, leadership and service.

The University of Alabama Outstanding Student Awards recognize one or two students from each class as well as outstanding transfer and graduate students.

Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for superior achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. The University of Alabama's Hypatia Chapter is one of the oldest chapters in the nation. Only a select few students on each campus are invited to join this esteemed society. Mortar Board members are presented with the opportunity to join a diverse group of students from different disciplines and interests.

Jalen Drummond, a senior from Wedowee, Alabama, finished first nationally in Informative Speaking at the 41st American Forensics Association National Individual Events Tournament Championships in Colorado Springs, CO. The Alabama Forensic Council traveled to the AFA-NIET with more than 20 students competing. "Preparing to compete on the national stage is nothing short of intense," Drummond said. "I spent hours perfecting my delivery, researching current events, and practicing with some of the most respected coaches in the nation. It is definitely grueling; however, the laborious preparation definitely pays off when you hear your name shouted as the national champion." Drummond's topic focused on the 2014 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, and an Obama Administration report that sheds light on details of that day. Drummond's speech attempted to address and combat fake news and emphasizes the need for truth in reporting. The AFC entered 24 students in 66 events and advanced nine students in 15 events to quarter-finals, six events to semi-finals, and four events to the final rounds of competition. AFC finished in fifth place out of 63 competing schools for the second year in a row. "The fifth-place finish of the AFC at this year's National Speech tournament is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the students and staff," said Bobby Imbody, Director of Forensics. "All of the students did the hard work required to be great, and it shows. More importantly, our students tackled hard topics and spoke truth to any and all audiences in an effort to make their world a better place more than any year before." The AFA-NIET is the most competitive national forensics tournament in the nation with the most rigorous qualification process of any intercollegiate forensic tournament.

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.

The University of Alabama's Black Faculty and Staff Association recently recognized students who received premier academic awards for 2017-18. The students were honored on Black Scholars Day in March. The mission of the Black Faculty and Staff Association is to contribute to the betterment of UA a by serving as an advocate for educational equity, with an emphasis on African-American students, and the professional needs of its members. To that end, this organization promotes and provides opportunities for networking among individuals and groups to articulate mutual concerns and advance educational opportunities.

Apparel and Design students from The University of Alabama's College of Human Environmental Sciences showcased their creativity and resourcefulness in the 2018 Tee Time Fashion Show on April 17 on the front lawn of Doster Hall. Students are asked to create one or two looks that focus on sustainable design. This year's show will feature discarded tee shirts from a local screen printing company. Students must cut up the shirts and create a new garment. "It is an opportunity for the students to show their designs in public and go through the production of a fashion show," said Brian Taylor, apparel and design instructor. Because of the focus on sustainability, Tee Time is always held near Green Week and Earth Day celebrations. "Tee Time is an annual opportunity for students in the apparel design program to experience showing their work for the first time. Not only presenting their work, but giving them an opportunity to design outside of the box," said faculty member Paula Robinson.

Students representing majors from across The University of Alabama campus pitched their business plans to judges in the Edward K. Aldag Jr. Business Plan Competition Tuesday, March 27.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that The University of Alabama will receive two grants totaling $28,909 to fund two Phase I student teams through the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) grants program. More than $463,000 in funding is being provided by the program for 31 teams nationwide that are developing sustainable technologies to solve current environmental and public health challenges. One project is "GIS Enabled Green Infrastructure Design Tool," led by Dr. Andrew J. Graettinger, professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-awards-more-28000-grants-university-alabama-innovative-technology-projects.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has announced that The University of Alabama will receive two grants totaling $28,909 to fund two Phase I student teams through the People, Prosperity and the Planet (P3) grants program. More than $463,000 in funding is being provided by the program for 31 teams nationwide that are developing sustainable technologies to solve current environmental and public health challenges. One project is "GIS Enabled Green Infrastructure Design Tool," led by Dr. Mark Elliott, assistant professor of civil, construction and environmental engineering. For more information, go to https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-awards-more-28000-grants-university-alabama-innovative-technology-projects.

The University of Alabama has welcomed the 12th cohort of Coca-Cola First Generation Scholars to campus. The 12 students werer honored at a luncheon in April. Representatives of the Coca-Cola Foundation attended, along with students who are members of previous cohorts. The Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship program was established at UA in 2006. Since then, the Coca-Cola Foundation has donated $3 million to support first-generation scholars at UA. The scholarship provides $5,000 a year, renewable for four years, provided that recipients maintain a 3.0 GPA. The program also provides a strong support structure for the scholars. Since 2006, the Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program boasts a freshman-to-sophomore retention rate of 100 percent and a graduation rate of 90.1 percent. Graduates of the program have gone on to medical school, law school and graduate school and have found employment in their chosen fields. Each year, scholars participate in individual meetings with the program coordinator, attend cultural and academic enrichment activities and participate in service projects.

The University of Alabama department of art and art history announce the names of the student exhibitors who have been selected for the 2018 Annual BFA Juried Exhibition at Harrison Galleries in Tuscaloosa, April 20-28.

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 Association for Information Systems chapter has won chapter of the year. AIS is a student organization intended to further the Information Systems field by means of technology improvement and corporate engagement.

Cadet Trevor M. Hearing received the Air Force Reserve Officer Trainings Corp Silver Valor Award on April 1, 2018. This award is given to a cadet who has portrayed a voluntary act of heroism and is the second highest award the U.S. Air Force gives ROTC Cadets. Only a handful of these awards are given out yearly.

The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program has selected two University of Alabama students as Goldwater Scholars for 2018-2018. The two UA students are: Elizabeth Rowe of Chicago. Elizabeth Rowe has conducted research under the advisement of Dr. Paul A. Rupar, an assistant professor in chemistry, since the fall of her freshman year. Her work investigates the anionic ring-opening polymerization of azetidines. These polymers have a wide range of applications including carbon dioxide capture, antimicrobial coatings, chelation (removing metals from water), material templating and gene transfection and drug delivery. Outside of research, Rowe is the liaison and educational outreach director for the Society of Women Engineers. She plans to pursue a research career in chemistry after obtaining her Ph.D. Her parents are William and Margaret Rowe. Donna Xia of Tuscaloosa. Donna Xia is a chemical engineering major and a Randall Research Scholars student. Her faculty mentor at UA is Dr. David A. Dixon, Robert Ramsay professor of chemistry. An overall goal of Xia's research in the Dixon group is to develop computational chemistry approaches to aid the Department of Energy's efforts to provide new nuclear materials that meet the Nation's needs for energy and national security as well as to deal with the environmental legacy issues due to the production of nuclear weapons during the Cold War. Outside of research, Xia is a leader in organizations for engineers in medicine and works as a scribe at University Medical Center. Her parents are Paul Xia and Carola Hsieh.