Displaying items by tag: science in motion

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Social Work will present a collaborative event series from March 22-28 for Social Work Month. The series—titled “Reclaiming Humanity in Alabama Prisons”—is co-sponsored by the J. Frank Barefield, Jr. Department of Criminal Justice, the Department of Political Science and Public Administration, and the Institute for Human Rights.

“The theme for Social Work Month 2023 is ‘Social Work Breaks Barriers,’” said Ronald O. Pitner, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Social Work. “The events hosted by our Department of Social Work and partners will provide our social work community and stakeholders an opportunity to learn more about criminal justice and mental health, criminal justice and human rights, and the barriers that social workers need to break in order for this community to thrive.”

The events include:

• Criminal Justice Reform and Human Rights in Alabama: During this event, Lisa Borden (Senior Policy Counsel, International Advocacy with the Southern Poverty Law Center) will lead a discussion on criminal justice reform and human rights. The Institute for Human Rights will host the event, which will take place on Wednesday, March 22 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. in University Hall, Room 1005. It will also be available via Zoom. Registration required.
• Movie Screening of 188 Years: Attend a screening of “188 Years: Life After Life Without Parole,” a documentary film directed by Michele Forman, director of UAB’s Media Studies Program. A panel discussion with some of the men appearing in the film will be held immediately after the film. The event will take place on Thursday, March 23 at 3:00 p.m. in the Alumni Theatre in the Hill Student Center. No registration is required.
• Re-Entry Simulation: This is a large-scale simulation designed to highlight unnecessary barriers to successful re-entry to society following incarceration. The simulation is two hours long, and no previous experience is required to attend. The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Alabama will facilitate this event, and attendees can obtain free social work CEUs. The simulation will take place on Friday, March 24 from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Center Court at the UAB Campus Recreation Center. Registration required.
• Webinar on Deliberate Indifference Podcast: Join Mary Scott Hodgin, host and journalist behind the podcast “Deliberate Indifference,” as she discusses her reporting on Alabama's prison system. Attendees can obtain free social work CEUs. The webinar will take place on Tuesday, March 28 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Registration required.

If you have questions about the events, please send them to socialwork@uab.edu.

Many professional mathematicians share a surprisingly similar point-of-origin story about the reasons they chose to pursue mathematics. They were encouraged by an elementary, middle, or high school teacher to participate in a local math contest and unexpectedly won it. Motivated by the desire to help in the development of the next generation of mathematical talent in Alabama, the UAB Department of Mathematics has been offering several contests and informal seminars to local high school students for the past 20 years. The list includes the Math-by-Mail Contest, Train-Your-Brain Math Club, UAB Math School (by correspondence), and, finally, the UAB Math Talent Search (MTS) Contest.

Since its inception in 2001, apprioximately 3,000 students have participated in the MTS Contest. Information about our past and current work can be found Dr. Alexander Blokh's website.

The contest is for students in grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. It features a two-hour Math Olympiad-style test, featuring five to seven problems of increasing difficulty. The problems require creativity, knowledge, and ingenuity. UAB Mathematics professors grade the tests; for the professors, clarity and completeness of the justification of the solution is as important as finding the correct answer. Drs. Alexander Blokh, John Mayer, Lex Oversteegen, Nikita Selinger, Roman Shterenberg, Nandor Simanyi, and Rudi Weikard—along with many mathematics graduate students—have provided regular support to this event. They compile and proofread the problems, as well as host the students, parents, coaches, and chaperons. And, of course, they grade all the solutions in less than two hours.

After a short break due to the pandemic, the UAB MTS Contest resumed on October 29, 2022. In its 19th year, the competition attracted 84 students from eight participating schools. The graders did an excellent job of determining winners in time for the awards ceremony at 1:00 p.m. Schools that won the contest received trophies, while the student winners received certificates and books about mathematics. The following individual prizes and school prizes for top scores were awarded.

9th Grade Individual Winners

• 1st place: Alan Yvan (Hoover)
• 2nd place: Sarah Thomas (Briarwood)
• 3rd place: Emory Causey (Briarwood)
• 4th place: Hampton Smith (Briarwood)

9th Grade School Winners

• 1st place: Hoover
• 2nd place: Briarwood

10th Grade Individual Winners

• 1st place: Isabella Rutladge (Briarwood)
• 2nd place: Hill McCloney (Mountain Brook)
• 3rd place: Carmen Britt (Spain Park)
• 4th place: Reid Gill (Jefferson County International Baccelaureate)

10th Grade School Winners

• 1st place: Briarwood
• 2nd place: Mountain Brook
• 3rd place: Spain Park

11-12th Grades Individual Winners

• 1st place: Tommy Daley (Mountain Brook, 12th grade)
• 2nd place: Vu Ho (Bob Jones, 12th grade)
• 3rd place: Mark Thomas (Briarwood, 12th grade)
• 4th place: Abbey Waters (Briarwood, 12th grade)

11-12th Grades School Winners

• 1st place: Briarwood
• 2nd place: Mountain Brook
• 3rd place: Bob Jones

Niki Ookeditse sits at a small table near the front of Full Moon Bar-B-Que on 25th Street South in Birmingham. It’s a bustling community restaurant near the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) campus that features dozens of photos on the walls, delicious food, and a welcoming atmosphere. Ookeditse, a sophomore majoring in psychology and minoring in neuroscience at UAB, is visiting the restaurant for the first time and there’s a sparkle in her eye.

“My family loves Full Moon,” says Ookeditse. “I had no idea the original store was [located] here.”

She turns and sees Joe Maluff, co-owner of Full Moon, approaching the table.

“What can I get for you?” asks Maluff. “Chicken, pork, turkey?”

Ookeditse looks over the menu and decides to order a plate of riblets. Maluff’s smile grows as he makes his way to the back of the restaurant. Within a few minutes, Maluff comes back to the table with a plate stacked high with smoked ribs and a pile of French fries. As he delivers the food, Maluff settles in across from Ookeditse and begins to learn more about her life and her time at UAB.

This is a significant moment for both of them because Ookeditse is the first recipient of the Brooke and Joe Maluff Family Endowed Scholarship in Psychology, which is also the first endowed, undergraduate scholarship in the history of the Department of Psychology. Maluff, a psychology major who graduated from UAB in 1996, established the scholarship because he loved his experience at the university and wanted to find an opportunity to give back.

“I try to give back what UAB did for me, my business, and my family,” says Maluff. “UAB is my heart and soul—it’s in my backyard. I lived right there in Southside. So, I knew nothing but UAB.”

As a restaurant owner—with 17 locations across the Southeast—Maluff values his background in psychology. He is fascinated with people and the way they think, and he views the restaurant business as an ideal field to apply that fascination. Ookeditse is also drawn to the human mind.

“Psychology is very interesting,” says Ookeditse. “I love anything that has to do with the brain and behavior. Learning, in general, is fun to me.”

She grew up in Hoover and attended John Carroll High School. While in high school, she took her first psychology class and saw a future in the discipline. She later moved to Roebuck and started considering UAB after a campus visit.

“When I saw the campus for the first time, I was surprised,” says Ookeditse. “It looked really nice—I saw the dorms, and I [thought], ‘I definitely need to go here.’”

Along with her appreciation for the campus and the dorms, Ookeditse also has a longstanding family connection to institution. Her mother worked at UAB and also studied both psychology and computer science at the university.

Maluff leans forward as Ookeditse shares her story and nods as she details her future plans.

“I’m considering Physicians Assistant (P.A.) School,” says Ookeditse. “I will just keep going until I can get my doctorate and become a psychologist or psychiatrist. Anything in the field. As long as I can do something I love, I’m content.”

The two continue to chat about UAB and finish up lunch. As the plates clear and the lunch rush begins to file into the restaurant, Ookeditse looks over at Maluff and takes a moment to share the importance of the scholarship that bears his name.

“When I got the email [about receiving the scholarship], I immediately ran downstairs and told my grandparents. They were so happy. My grandaddy said, ‘See, I knew you could do it,’” says Ookeditse.

Maluff smiles again and stands up and walks over to the counter, grabbing a bag of Half Moon Cookies. He walks back to the table, hands the cookies to Ookeditse, and lets her know that he is excited about her future and happy to meet her.

“I wish you all the luck in the world,” says Maluff.

Michele “Mike” Wilson, Ph.D., was an award-winning faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of Sociology and launched the Women’s Studies Program. She researched numerous topics, including abortion rights, activism in government, and civil rights, and she served as an active member of the Southern Sociology Society. According to her colleagues, she also strongly advocated for women graduate students and faculty members.

“When I arrived at UAB, Dr. Wilson was the only female faculty member [in the department]. She was steadfast in her commitment to women and social justice,” said Patricia Drentea, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Sociology. “She led many classes and projects that helped students understand how gender affects them. She also supported those who had survived violence against women, leading initiatives such as the T-Shirt Project and Take Back the Night. Students (both men and women) flocked to her leadership, advocacy, and classes.”

Wilson retired as an associate professor in 2008, and, afterward, she continued to work for and engage with the department. Sadly, Wilson passed away on May 30, 2021. Her colleagues wrote a thoughtful remembrance of her.

Wilson generously donated a significant portion of her estate to the Department of Sociology with the goal of supporting women’s studies within the department. Her gift will help the department recruit and hire a new faculty member whose scholarship focuses on women, gender, and health.

“The Department of Sociology is delighted and humbled to accept this wonderful gift from Dr. Wilson,” said Verna Keith, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Sociology. “We are looking forward to using these funds in ways that live up to her dedication to women at UAB and in the community.”

“This gift is such a surprise, and yet in some ways it is not,” said Drentea. “Mike wanted to make sure that the sociology department continued to do its work in understanding inequality and applying those lessons to real life.”

The department recently announced the associate professor position. Interested applicants can access the announcement and learn more about the position.

The College and the Department of Sociology are both grateful to Dr. Wilson for her generous gift.

The Alabama Power Foundation and the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Political Science and Public Administration are teaming up to promote capacity building and credential attainment within Central Alabama’s nonprofit community.

Beginning in Fall 2022, the department will begin offering scholarships to eligible students who pursue a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. The Alabama Power Foundation provided a generous gift to fund these scholarships, aiming to remove financial barriers for current and future nonprofit leaders who want to build competencies vital to nonprofit organizations.

UAB’s Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management is the only certificate of its kind in the state of Alabama and the classes taken in the program can be used towards further graduate work. Through the program, students can take an array of courses on topics ranging from data management to grant writing. Many notable nonprofit leaders have taken courses in the program and went on to earn their MPA degrees, including Katrina Watson, executive director of the Literacy Council of Central Alabama.

“We are very happy to be collaborating with the Alabama Power Foundation,” said Rob Blanton, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration. “We are excited about the ways in which we can further develop the considerable talent in this sector and provide a foundation for increased collaboration among these organizations.”

The new partnership, also known as the UAB Nonprofit Certificate Management Scholars Program, will strive to nurture a cohort model with scholarship recipients. By catalyzing these new connections, both the Alabama Power Foundation and the Department of Political Science and Public Administration aim to prompt new strategic alliances and partnerships across the nonprofit community.

“We’re excited to support this unique initiative that will open the door for more nonprofit leaders in Alabama to attain and share valuable information,” said Hallie Bradley, manager of Strategic Initiatives for the Alabama Power Foundation. “The knowledge and training they gain through this program can help these leaders become even more effective in serving their clients.”

Visit the department's website to learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management. You can also learn more about scholarship opportunities.

Dean Kecia M. Thomas with Kim Hazelwood at the UAB Service Awards reception.Twenty-seven College of Arts and Sciences employees who have worked at UAB for 20 years or more were recognized at the UAB Service Awards reception on April 11, 2022. These dedicated colleagues were honored for their number of years of employment at UAB as of December 31, 2021.

The UAB Service Awards are given to active employees beginning at five years of employment and at each five-year milestone. Employees who reach 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, and 45 years of service are invited to a reception on behalf of UAB President Ray L. Watts and presented with a service award pin, certificate, and a gift of gratitude.

This year, Dr. Vithal K. Ghanta, professor in the Department of Biology and co-director of the Undergraduate Immunology Program, was honored for 50 years of service to UAB. Dr. Gregory Pence, professor in the Department of Philosophy and director of the Early Medical School Acceptance Program, was honored for 45 years of service. Congratulations to all our colleagues for their dedication and commitment to the University’s mission and vision.

20-Year Recipients

• Kimberly H. Hazelwood, College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office
• Erin Wright, Art and Art History
• Tanja Matthews, Chemistry
• Dr. Jacqueline Nikles, Chemistry
• Daniel L. Butcher, English
• Dr. Gale M. Temple, English
• Dr. Lourdes M. Sanchez-Lopez, Foreign Languages and Literatures
• Dr. Stephen J. Miller, History
• Dr. John Heith Copes, Criminal Justice
• Dr. Reinhard E. Fambrough, Music
• Dr. Gitendra Uswatte, Psychology

25-Year Recipients

• James R. Grimes, Advising
• Margaret Amsler, Biology
• Leslie C. Hendon, Biology
• Adriana S. Addison, Psychology
• Dr. Karlene K. Ball, Psychology
• Wanda R. Fisher, Psychology
• Pamela Y. Robinson, Psychology

30-Year Recipients

• Dr. Tracy P. Hamilton, Chemistry
• Dr. Kathryn D. Morgan, Criminal Justice and African American Studies
• Kimberly A. Schnormeier, Theatre

35-Year Recipients

• Dr. Edwin W. Cook III, Psychology
• Dr. Edward Taub, Psychology

40-Year Recipients

• Dr. Howard L. Irving, Music
• Dr. Franklin R. Amthor, Psychology

45-Year Recipient

• Dr. Gregory E. Pence, Philosophy

50-Year Recipient

• Dr. Vithal K. Ghanta, Biology

Fred DyessIf you ever stepped foot inside of Avondale Antiques in Birmingham, Alabama, you surely met owner Fred Dyess. His engaging personality and encyclopedic knowledge of antiques would grab ahold of every customer, prompting new friendships and sparking dynamic conversations.

“He was an interesting person with a lot of different hobbies,” said Seth Dyess, Fred’s son. “He was always willing to help people.”

Fred nurtured his interest in antiques and history as he traveled the country as a young man. He grew up in Saraland, Alabama; moved to Waynesboro, Mississippi; then settled in Houston, Texas for several years. While in Houston, Fred met his wife Judy Flowers Dyess, and they began to build a life together.

“Throughout his travels, he gained a passion for history,” said Seth.

Along with his journeys, Fred also explored several career fields, including landscaping and sales. When Fred and Judy moved to Birmingham, he made a major life decision and enrolled in college. He selected the University of Alabama at Birmingham and, after taking a few courses, decided to pursue his academic passion: history.

According to Seth, his father was a first-generation college student, which is why he held a special place in his heart for UAB.

“[Many UAB students] are doing everything they can, which is what my father did,” said Seth.

Over time, Fred put his business-sense and love for history into practice, and, in 2015, he opened a mid-century community institution simply known as Avondale Antiques.

When spending time in his store, Fred was more than a salesman. He was a guide—someone who could help you curate a room, while also providing historical context for a rattan chair or a mid-century buffet. In some cases, Fred would personally drive a piece to a customer’s home, carry it inside, and help arrange it. Clearly, he loved his work.

Sadly, on January 2, 2022, Fred passed away after battling COVID-19. The painful news reverberated through his community of friends, supporters, and customers, many of whom shared heartfelt memories of Fred on the Avondale Antiques Facebook page and elsewhere.

While still grieving, Seth sought a way to honor his life and legacy. Given his father’s love for history and UAB, Seth established the Fred Dyess Endowed Student Award in History.

“It honors him,” said Seth. “For someone who is working and raising kids and is trying to go to school, [this scholarship] will hopefully ease the burden.”

Through this scholarship, Seth and his family may help another first-generation college student invest in their love for history and fulfill their dreams. The College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of History deeply appreciate this new scholarship and offer condolences to the Dyess family.

More information about the Fred Dyess Endowed Student Award in History is available here.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s (UAB) College of Arts and Science is offering two new minors for undergraduate students.

The Department of Political Science and Public Administration recently launched the Public Management and Policy Minor. According to Rob Blanton, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Political Science and Public Administration (PSPA), “The department’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) program has a long history of providing graduate and professional students some of the necessary skills to succeed in the management of public and nonprofit organizations, two large and vibrant sectors within our economy.” PSPA faculty reflected on the MPA program’s successes and established a clear goal for the new minor: to build some of the same key skills and competencies for undergraduate students. The minor can thus provide a strong foundation for future graduate work in public management or give students valuable skills to help them in their career journeys.

The College is also excited to announce the new Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies Minor. This minor is focused on material, intellectual, sociopolitical, literary, and linguistic approaches to the Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance periods. According to Walter Ward, Ph.D., professor in the Department of History, “Students will learn current theories and methods for working with a range of source materials and objects, from archaeological finds and architecture to historical documents and poetry.” The interdisciplinary program combines the fields of history, literature, archaeology, anthropology, art history, philosophy, cultural studies, economics, and more to understand the premodern world. All courses are taught by faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences.

You can learn more about both programs by visiting the Undergraduate Course Catalog Addenda. Also, for more information about the Public Management and Policy Minor, you can email Dr. Blanton at rgblanton@uab.edu. For more information about the Ancient, Medieval, and Renaissance Studies Minor, you can contact Dr. Ward (wdward@uab.edu) or Dr. Clements (jclements@uab.edu).

Roger T. Lewis, Ph.D.Roger T. Lewis, Ph.D., served as a thoughtful and forward-looking leader in the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Mathematics for over four decades. He joined the department in 1975 and, through his tireless efforts, advocated for research programs that led to numerous grants from the National Science Foundation. Dr. Lewis also served as chair of the department and helped establish a strong foundation for its future growth and prosperity.

Sadly, Dr. Lewis passed away in 2021. His commitment to and passion for the Department of Mathematics will carry on, though. Through a generous gift, Dr. Barbara A. Lewis, Dr. John C. Mayer, and Dr. Jeanne Hutchison have established the Roger T. Lewis Endowed Lectureship and the Roger T. Lewis Endowed Scholarship.

The Roger T. Lewis Endowed Lectureship in Mathematics will fund and create opportunities for lectures and events within the Department of Mathematics that will spur collaboration between faculty, students, and staff.

The Roger T. Lewis Endowed Scholarship in Mathematics will provide financial support to undergraduate or graduate students based on their academic achievement.

“Roger, along with three other faculty members, was instrumental in putting UAB Mathematics on the international map by initiating a series of International Conferences on Differential Equations and Mathematical Physics in 1981, his own research area,” said Dr. John C. Mayer, professor in the Department of Mathematics. “He was also eager to support and encourage the research of the faculty in other areas as well, culminating in establishing the Ph.D. degree program in Applied Mathematics at UAB.”

The College of Arts and Sciences deeply appreciates the extraordinary contributions Dr. Lewis made to the department over the years. Also, the College offers its appreciation to Dr. Barbara A. Lewis, Dr. Mayer, and Dr. Hutchison for honoring his life and work with a heartfelt gift that focuses on the future of the department and its people.

The University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Department of Art and Art History (DAAH) is honored to announce a generous donation to the department’s Diversity and Inclusion Scholars Program.

The Windgate Foundation—a private, family foundation based in Little Rock, Arkansas that advances contemporary craft and strengthens visual arts education in the United States—donated the funds to remove financial barriers for underrepresented students studying art and art history at UAB. Specifically, through the donation to the Diversity and Inclusion Scholars Program, four in-state students will receive scholarships that will cover the full cost of their tuition and fees.

Rich Gere, MFA, chair of the department, views the donation as a gamechanger for the students in his department. “As we look to the future with innovation and vision, students are still held back by one of our biggest challenges, funding in higher education. The ability for a student to successfully study in the arts often depends on their ability to secure scholarships and additional aid,” said Gere. “Windgate Foundation funding for scholarships to underrepresented groups will be a cornerstone of student retention and success.”

The DAAH offers two undergraduate degrees: a Bachelor of Arts (with concentrations in Art Studio and Art History) and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. The department, along with the Department of Anthropology, also offers an interdisciplinary Master of Arts in Cultural Heritage Studies. Lastly, DAAH offers a Master of Arts in Art History in conjunction with the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa.

The new scholarships will be offered to students in the 2022-2023 academic year. CAS looks forward to highlighting stories of the future scholarship recipients and continuing to elevate Inclusive Excellence across the College.