Bankhead Memorial Lecture

Prize-winning poet to give reading at UA: Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 20

Poet Tyehimba Jess, whose book “Olio” won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, will give a reading from his work 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday at Room 205 in The University of Alabama’s Gorgas Library. He’ll deliver the Bankhead Memorial Lecture that evening, beginning at 7 p.m. in UA’s Moody Concert Hall. His Bankhead lecture is titled “Poetry’s Musical Bloodline: A Sociohistorical Soundtrack,” exploring connections between music and poetry, in particular focusing on music of the African diaspora.

Paul R. Jones

Spirit of Alabama: Paul Jones embodies forgiveness, redemption through art collection: WVUA – Jan. 21

Paul R. Jones’ story, one of forgiveness and redemption, begins 70 years ago and ends in a sunny little studio in downtown Tuscaloosa, where his collection of American art sits today. “It’s fantastic to be around this art every day,” said Emily Bibb, the museum’s curator. “Every time I go into my collection storage area to look at a painting for somebody or to learn more about one of the artists, I come away with a new favorite piece of artwork.”

Diversity

UA on list of best employers for diversity: Tuscaloosa News – Jan. 24

The University of Alabama is the second-highest ranked employer in the state for diversity, according to Forbes magazine. UA was also the only institution of higher education in the state to make Forbes’ list of America’s Best Employers for Diversity. Among universities, UA was ranked No. 21 in nationally in terms of diversity. G. Christine Taylor, UA’s vice president and associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion, called the ranking “an honor.”