Classes begin Monday, Jan. 6, 2014. Check the UAB academic calendar for more important dates. 

This past week, 52-year-old Tim French, safety director for the U.S. Army’s Second Infantry Division, journeyed from South Korea to walk across the stage during Saturday's commencement. French earned his degree through UAB’s totally online Advanced Safety and Engineering master’s program.

The 2013 edition of the Best Doctors in America list recognizes 323 UAB physicians in 65 specialties among the nation’s top 5 percent of clinicians, as voted by their peers. Find one online at uabmedicine.org.

Campus Ride and Campus Escort services will be discontinued beginning Jan. 3, 2014. Those that have used these services in the past will now be encouraged to start using Blazer Express, the university's new campus wide shuttle system, which will launch Jan. 6, 2014.

David Briles, Ph.D., professor of microbiology, and Lawrence DeLucas, O.D., Ph.D., professor of optometry, have been named National Academy of Inventors Fellows. 

A new dining option located behind Snoozy's bookstore has caught the attention of local media. In an AL.com restaurant review posted Tuesday, Wow Café was given three out of five stars. 

Throughout the year and during the holiday season, UAB employees should be mindful that Alabama law restricts items they may receive from vendors. 

Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame member Eric Essix has been named artist-in-residence at UAB. The Birmingham-native was awarded the honor in recognition of his work in the arts on behalf of the university.

Sergio Stagno, M.D., chair of the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine, will be awarded the UAB President’s Medal during UAB's fall commencement ceremony Dec. 14.

UAB will hold its fall commencement ceremonies at 9:15 a.m. and 2 p.m. Dec. 14 in Bartow Arena, and its doctoral hooding convocation be be held at noon in UAB’s Alys Stephens Center. More than 800 of the 2,354 students expected to graduate will walk.