Legal Battles

UA political science expert comments on President Trump’s legal battles: WVUA – Nov. 8

According to Dr. Allen Linken, University of Alabama political science professor, it’s possible votes counted after 8 on election day may be overturned but that’s not enough to effect the outcome. What the president is looking for is actual proof of fraud in multiple states…

History of Us

History of Us course introduces students to their ancestors and the role of race in America’s history: BirminghamWatch – Nov. 8

Eighteen-year-old Delphia McGraw of Tuscaloosa says she loves history. But, growing up, she received little instruction on the history of people who looked like her. “I went to a private school during my middle school years, and I didn’t have any Black history taught to me,” McGraw said. She said she knew she wanted in when her teacher at Tuscaloosa’s Central High School told her about an elective course at Central the following year. Its teacher was University of Alabama professor John Giggie, Ph.D. He directs UA’s Summersell Center for the Study of the South. He taught a year-long Black history course called History of Us with UA graduate student Margaret Lawson.

Outdoor Learning

‘If you build it, they will come’: Meet the GTA championing outdoor learning on campus: Crimson White – Nov. 8

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andrew Ash, a graduate teaching assistant in The University of Alabama English Department, sought permission to hold all of his classes in the shade of a magnolia tree between North Lawn Hall and Bryce Main. It’s an unconventional approach that’s paid off – one that Ash aptly compared to Ray Kinsella’s baseball field in the iconic film “Field of Dreams.”

November Art

8 vivid and eye-catching November art events no Houstonian should miss: CultureMap Houston – Nov. 9

“Selected Works from The Paul R. Jones Collection of American Art at the University of Alabama” at Houston Museum of African American Culture (now through January 16). As the Jones Collection is known for having one of the largest surveys of 20th-century African American art in the world, this exhibition is sure to offer a Houston art lovers a treasure from the last century.

Alabama Road Trip

The best stops on a weird and wacky Alabama road trip: Travel Awaits – Nov. 10

It’s something you don’t see every day — a giant robot relaxing in the quad of a major American university. But there she is, Goldie the Fallen Robot, right in the middle of Woods Quad on the campus of The University of Alabama. The 23-foot-long rusty sculpture represents the collapse of Birmingham’s steel industry and was crafted from scrap iron forged at the Magic City’s Sloss Furnaces. The name was discovered by sculptor Joe McCreary on one of the pieces of steel he was using to make the sculpture, apparently having been scribbled on it by an ironworker.

Chess Streaks

Stuart Rachels’ remarkable run and a new look at chess streaks: Washington Times – Nov. 10

If you’re scouting about for early holiday gifts, two of the year’s best chess books present a nice package gift. … Rachels’ book was named the best general chess book of 2020 by the Chess Journalists of America…Rachels, now a philosophy instructor at The University of Alabama, is partial to long reams of analysis and computer-aided explication, but his book also shines at portraying the human element of top-level chess competition.

Performing Arts Academic Center

UA achieves fundraising goal for Performing Arts Academic Center: ABC 33/40 – Nov. 11

The University of Alabama, reached its fundraising goal for the arts academic center. The Bryce Main building will provide dance, theater students with advanced equipment to hone their skills.
Tuscaloosa Thread – Nov. 12
WVUA – Nov. 13
The Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 14
The Marietta Daily Journal – Nov. 15

Immigration

Point of view: Undocumented immigrants may actually make American communities safer – not more dangerous – new study finds: Palm Beach Post – Nov. 12

Undocumented immigration does not increase the violent crime rate in U.S. metro areas. In fact, it may reduce property crime rates… Lesley Reid is interim dean of the School of Social Work at The University of Alabama.
The Conversation

Presidents Hall

UA renames Manly Hall: CBS 42 – Nov. 13

The University of Alabama System Board of Trustees approved a name change for Manly Hall. This is video of crews removing the name from the building earlier today. Manly Hall was named after Dr. Basil Manly, the second president of The University of Alabama. The building is now known as Presidents Hall. The University has changed the name of two other buildings in the past few months.
Fox 6
CBS (Huntsville)
WRBL 3
WHNT 19
WKRG 5
…and many more

Rising Stars

Some rising stars learned their craft at The University of Alabama: Tuscaloosa News – Nov. 14

Since foundation years in the 1970s, The University of Alabama Department of Theatre and Dance has trained and graduated thousands of dancers, actors and singers, many of them triple threats, who’ve moved on into professional performing, teaching, writing, directing and other careers.

Moundville 5K

Moundville Archaeological Park’s annual 5K goes virtual for 2020: Tuscaloosa Thread – Nov. 14

The University of Alabama’s Moundville Archaeological Park is changing things up this year for its annual 5K ‘Run ‘Round the Mounds’ Footrace by going remote. Rather than holding the event at Moundville Park, runners will have all of November and December to register to run on a course of their choice (including on an at-home treadmill) in order to keep the race safe and socially distant.