Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White


Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

Serving the campus of the University of Alabama since 1894

The Crimson White

All content by Ashanka Kumari

Impact of wise decisions; what I learned at the CW

Ashanka Kumari April 23, 2013

Although I’ve written more than 100 news articles and almost that many papers for classes over the last four years, this column has definitely been one of the hardest. Bear with me. I’ve been fortunate...

Construction underway at UA

Construction underway at UA

Ashanka Kumari April 23, 2013

The North Engineering Research Center, ten Hoor renovation and a new digital media center at the north end zone of Bryant-Denny Stadium are among the construction projects currently slated to be complete...

Winter guard places 6th at World Championships

Ashanka Kumari April 18, 2013

Many students have a safe place or person they can talk to when they need to escape. For 21 University of Alabama women, Alta Marea fills that role. Although it may sound like a religious group, Alta...

Sustainability Day pushes ‘going green’

Ashanka Kumari April 17, 2013

Thursday, the Business Honors Program is hosting Sustainability Day at the Capstone. This is a day filled with on-campus events designed to shed light on all of the sustainable practices on campus. “The...

Quidditch at the Capstone commences activities

Ashanka Kumari April 16, 2013

After months of anticipation and a change of name, location and management, Quidditch is returning to The University of Alabama this week. Formerly known as “Quidditch on the Quad,” Quidditch at the...

UA robotics team finishes 4th at IEEE SoutheastCon

Ashanka Kumari April 11, 2013

A team of eight UA electrical engineering seniors placed fourth out of 51 teams at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers SoutheastCon Hardware Competition last week. Kenneth Ricks, associate...

UA awarded research grant to study chronic pain management

Ashanka Kumari April 8, 2013

The University of Alabama is set to receive a $1.27 million research award from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute to study different psychosocial treatments for chronic pain management....

Multitasking musician given top university honor

Ashanka Kumari April 4, 2013

Christine Evans juggles many responsibilities and plays a few instruments on the side. A senior majoring in mechanical engineering, Evans acts as current president of the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor...

Students sound off on Crimson Ride’s services

Ashanka Kumari April 2, 2013

From 2012 to 2013, the Crimson Ride service averaged more than 11,000 daily riders with the highest daily total of 15,646 in February 2013, director of transit Ralph Clayton said. Clayton said it costs...

Engineering students prepare for robotics competition

Engineering students prepare for robotics competition

Ashanka Kumari March 21, 2013

A team of eight UA electrical engineering seniors will compete at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers SoutheastCon April 5-6 in Jacksonville, Fla. The team, known as “The A Team,”...

Crimson Culture event showcases artistic diversity

Ashanka Kumari March 18, 2013

In an almost packed Ferguson Center Theater Sunday night, 13 multicultural student organizations from across campus and the Tuscaloosa community performed songs, dances and poetry as part of the first...

Exchange students eligible for in-state tuition

Ashanka Kumari March 12, 2013

As a student at California State University, Northridge, Haley Holston said she always felt like something in her college life was missing. “I always had an itch to travel and go to new and exciting...

NOAA constructing $23.5 million water center

Ashanka Kumari March 11, 2013

The first federal national water resources facility in the country is currently under construction on The University of Alabama’s campus and is scheduled for occupancy in fall 2013. Construction activities...

Kappa Delta to host 4th annual Shamrock Run

Ashanka Kumari March 7, 2013

The members of The University of Alabama’s Kappa Delta sorority will host their fourth annual 5k Shamrock Run Saturday at the Kappa Delta sorority house on Magnolia Drive. All proceeds will benefit...

Ferg Post Office to undergo new management in July

Ashanka Kumari March 4, 2013

Beginning July 1, the Ferguson Center Post Office will be managed by the UA Campus Mail department, Tony Johnson, executive director of logistics and support services, said. The current post office...

Quidditch games to move away from Quad, to spring

Quidditch games to move away from Quad, to spring

Ashanka Kumari February 28, 2013

The University of Alabama’s “Quidditch on the Quad” tournament made headlines over the last two years. This spring, Quidditch will return to the Capstone, but will no longer be on the Quad. John...

Third annual AMLC comes to Ferguson

Ashanka Kumari February 28, 2013

Graduate students from the department of modern languages and classics will host the Third Annual Alabama Modern Language Conference in the Ferguson Center March 1-2. This year, the AMLC theme is “Redefining...

Liberal professor to speak on rhetoric, gay rights

Ashanka Kumari February 28, 2013

One of the most dangerous 101 professors in the United States will be speaking in Lloyd Hall Room 132 Monday, March 4 at 6 p.m. Dana Cloud, associate professor and director of graduate studies the University...

Mock trial team 2nd in region

Ashanka Kumari February 27, 2013

After four rounds of competition Thursday, Friday and Saturday the UA Mock Trial Association’s A Team won seven of eight ballots and took home a second-place trophy in regional competition in Jackson,...

Midterm grades not always necessary

Ashanka Kumari February 20, 2013

Although all instructors are encouraged to submit midterm grades, they are only required to for all 100 and 200-level coursework, Louis Jimenez, senior associate at the University Registrar, said. “Midterm...

Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers offer lessons, dances

Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers offer lessons, dances

Ashanka Kumari February 6, 2013

The Crimson Tide Ballroom Dancers will host a Valentine’s Dance Friday, Feb. 8 in Smith Hall. A dance lesson will be given at 6 p.m. followed by the dance from 7 to 10 p.m. Founded in 2007 by Jimmy...

Honors initiative offers law school admission without LSAT

Ashanka Kumari January 28, 2013

Undergraduate seniors who are residents of Alabama and excel academically in the Honors College can apply to the UA Law-Honors Admissions Program and receive admittance into the UA School of Law without...

ISA to host open Welcome Party to introduce organization, plans

Ashanka Kumari January 28, 2013

The International Students Association is hosting a Welcome Party open to all students on Tuesday, Jan. 29, at 7 p.m. in Room 241 of B.B. Comer Hall. The purpose of the Welcome Party is to introduce the...

Synesthesia: student reads, writes in color

Ashanka Kumari December 6, 2012

When Bria Mattox reads a book, she sees colors not printed on the pages. She sees different colors in each word, letter and number. Mattox, 20, has a neurological condition known as synesthesia, which...

Spirit Points Initiative offers prizes for attending events

Ashanka Kumari November 27, 2012

Students have the opportunity to win a free semester of in-state tuition or one of 25 other prizes in SGA’s Crimson Spirit Points Initiative. Will Pylant, vice president for Student Affairs, said Crimson...

Jewish students sound off on faith, eating kosher

Jewish students sound off on faith, eating kosher

Ashanka Kumari November 20, 2012

Many Crimson Tide fans have that one thing they do or wear on Gameday for luck. For one Alabama student, this good luck charm stems from his faith. Ben Flax, a sophomore majoring in religious studies,...

The meaning of Diwali

Ashanka Kumari November 14, 2012

For my entire life, Halloween and Thanksgiving have never been the reason why the months of October and November are special. For me, these months signify a time to reflect on the previous year and welcome...

The University of Alabama alma mater a forgotten, yet ‘timeless tradition’

Ashanka Kumari November 5, 2012

As most UA students know, this year’s Homecoming theme was “Timeless Traditions.” From the parade to the thousands of football fans in crimson, white and houndstooth filling Bryant-Denny Stadium,...

UA Muslim community thrives despite small size

UA Muslim community thrives despite small size

Ashanka Kumari November 5, 2012

When Rashmee Sharif wakes up each day, she begins with a prayer. This is something that she will do four more times before the day’s end. Sharif, a second-year master of business administration student...

We spoke, they listened, but to what extent?

Ashanka Kumari October 22, 2012

When visiting a Bama Dining location on campus, many students might have seen a familiar sign that reads “You spoke, we listened” with some new feature or meal option promoted beneath. While waiting...

Music program open to all students

Ashanka Kumari September 20, 2012

The Community Music School offers an alternative to students interested in taking instrumental or vocal lessons without pursuing a music degree. A branch of the College of Arts and Sciences, the Community...

Students reflect on study abroad experiences following 2011 tornado

Ashanka Kumari September 17, 2012

At The University of Alabama, April 27, 2011 marked more than the date of a natural disaster. It became the last day of school, the end of the spring semester and for two UA students, the start of a year-long...

UA Recycling promotes sustainability on Gamedays

Ashanka Kumari September 12, 2012

While recycling may not be at the top of most Bama fans’ lists on game days, it is for one University group. On home game days, UA Recycling promotes environmental sustainability by passing out blue...

With new members, church plans to rebuild

With new members, church plans to rebuild

Ashanka Kumari April 27, 2012

For Teresa Croom, College Hill Baptist Church was the one thing she had left of her grandfather. When the UA senior first stepped into the church after the storm, everything was in disarray. The roof...

Year of recovery brings family closer together

Year of recovery brings family closer together

Ashanka Kumari April 27, 2012

Kevin Bannister biked two and a half miles from Alberta City to his sister’s home several hours after the tornado on April 27, 2011. The only thing he had was a small flashlight between his teeth to...

Couple creates photography business

Ashanka Kumari April 25, 2012

When University of Alabama sophomore Natalee Briscoe’s mother first bought her a Digital SLR camera three years ago, Briscoe said she thought of it as a new way to take pictures. As she and John Pounders,...

Amid anniversary plans, students learn to cope

Ashanka Kumari April 19, 2012

For two University of Alabama students who lost their homes and friends to the April 27, 2011 tornado, the anniversary memorials are a chance to continue to move forward. Chelsea Thrash, a junior majoring...

Day to promote sustainability

Ashanka Kumari April 18, 2012

The Business Honors Program hosts the third Annual Sustainability Day today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to inform students about better environmental choices at UA. Members of the program will be on the quad...

Marketing group to hold fundraiser at Red Shed

Ashanka Kumari April 17, 2012

The University of Alabama Sales and Marketing Association will hold a fundraiser to send a child with muscular dystrophy to a Muscular Dystrophy Association summer camp, said Kelsey Kurth, chief operating...

Good Samaritan Clinic holds Spring into Good Health

Good Samaritan Clinic holds ‘Spring into Good Health’

Ashanka Kumari April 16, 2012

The Good Samaritan Clinic in Northport is looking for volunteers to help with and set up their own entertainment booths at the clinic’s next community fundraiser. “Spring into Good Health,” the...

Many students prefer print format to get their news

Ashanka Kumari April 10, 2012

The Collegiate Readership Program, sponsored by the office of the provost, provides about 800 copies daily of USA Today and The New York Times to students and faculty as an academic resource, said Jennifer...

Students sound off on Trayvon Martin case

Ashanka Kumari April 9, 2012

The death of Trayvon Martin has been a subject of national news stories for several weeks and some UA students feel that a lack of evidence will keep the case from having any impact on the nation's guns...

Rush at food bank prompts food drive

Ashanka Kumari April 5, 2012

The University of Alabama’s Leadership UA organization is sponsoring an on-campus food drive in partnership with the West Alabama Food Bank from now until April 20. All nonperishable foods will be accepted...

Students go without a roof for a night

Students go without a roof for a night

Ashanka Kumari March 29, 2012

From 8 p.m. last night to 6 a.m. this morning, students took part in Sleep Out on the Quad, an event that was intended to promote awareness of homelessness in both Alabama and across the nation. Hosted...

Tuscaloosa Regional Air Show takes off Saturday

Ashanka Kumari March 28, 2012

For the third time in four years, Tuscaloosa, Northport and Tuscaloosa County will host the Tuscaloosa Regional Air Show Saturday and Sunday at the Tuscaloosa Regional Airport. Kelsey Colglazier, the...

UA researchers to study stigma of AIDS in black churches

Ashanka Kumari March 27, 2012

A recently funded multi-year grant will examine the role that African-American congregations can play in reducing HIV and AIDS-related stigma in rural Alabama, according to a press release. Pamela Payne...

Roff leaves retirement for interim dean position

Roff leaves retirement for interim dean position

Ashanka Kumari March 22, 2012

When Lucinda Lee Roff, interim dean of the School of Social Work, first came to the University in 1974, she did not expect to stay in Alabama for more than a year or two. However, in 1987, the University...

UA students contribute to discovery of new frog species

UA students contribute to discovery of new frog species

Ashanka Kumari March 21, 2012

Biologists recently discovered a new leopard frog species in the ponds and marshes of Staten Island, mainland New York and New Jersey, according to a press release. Scientists from UCLA, Rutgers University,...

Atheist group offers to send members to church for charity

Ashanka Kumari March 21, 2012

A small donation at the Ferguson Center could help fight leukemia and lymphoma – and send an atheist to church. The Alabama Atheists and Agnostics is wrapping up their “Send an Atheist to Church”...

Students studying abroad sooner

Ashanka Kumari March 20, 2012

A growing number of students are beginning to travel abroad following their freshman year, shifting traditional trends that showed students were waiting until their junior or senior years to head overseas,...

Dean Francko oversees growth in grad school

Dean Francko oversees growth in grad school

Ashanka Kumari March 8, 2012

David A. Francko, associate provost and dean of the graduate school, said that having the power to make a positive difference to the lives of many graduate students and faculty is immensely gratifying....

Big Brothers Big Sisters seek new volunteers

Ashanka Kumari March 7, 2012

The Big Brothers Big Sisters of West Alabama, an organization that works to change the way susceptible children see and interact with the world, is looking for volunteers. “We have an especially big...

City Council holds community meeting for Tuscaloosa Forward

Ashanka Kumari March 7, 2012

To gather citizen input regarding the Tuscaloosa Forward Generational Master Plan and the new mixed residential districts for areas impacted by the April 27 tornado, an open house was held at City Hall...

Professor tardiness not a valid excuse to leave class early

Ashanka Kumari February 29, 2012

Many University of Alabama students believe that if their professor is 15 or more minutes late to class, it is an understood rule that they can leave the class without penalty. However, Cathy Andreen,...

Dean drives progress

Dean drives progress

Ashanka Kumari February 20, 2012

As dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Robert F. Olin oversees the administrative and academic management of the University’s largest and oldest academic division with 418 faculty members and 9,000...

Tips for preparing for graduate school

Ashanka Kumari February 15, 2012

For students preparing for the graduate school admissions process, research should extend beyond preparation for their undergraduate courses. Natalie Adams, assistant dean of the University of Alabama...

Director of School of Music Snead gets job done

Director of School of Music Snead gets job done

Ashanka Kumari February 9, 2012

When Charles G. Snead is asked what his job entails, his response is simple and sincere. “Whatever needs to be done,” said Snead, director of the University of Alabama School of Music. “A typical...

UA ad experts speak on Super Bowl commercials

Ashanka Kumari February 6, 2012

Each year, some of the biggest parts of the Super Bowl are the creative advertisements shown in between game plays. Various beer, snack and electronic companies, to name a few, spend millions of dollars...

Medical student assumes regional leadership role

Medical student assumes regional leadership role

Ashanka Kumari February 2, 2012

Tate Hinkle, a second-year student at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham, was recently named a regional coordinator for the American Academy of Family Physicians National Family...

New engineering complex leads campus renovations

New engineering complex leads campus renovations

Ashanka Kumari January 31, 2012

A new science and engineering building was completed and ready for engineering students when they returned to campus after winter break, Assistant Vice President for Construction Tim Leopard said. “The...

Real books outpace eBooks

Ashanka Kumari January 26, 2012

Price, distributors and efficiency are just three things students generally consider when purchasing their textbooks. Today, because of the rise in digital education, along with the use of tablets and...

Websites go dark to protest proposed laws

Websites go dark to protest proposed laws

Ashanka Kumari January 19, 2012

As a form of protest against the Stop Online Piracy Act in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Protect IP Act in the U.S. Senate, Wikipedia, along with other websites, including Google, Reddit and...

Be The Match foundation hosts bone marrow drive

Ashanka Kumari January 18, 2012

Each year, thousands of people of all ages are diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and other life-threatening diseases, and for many of these patients a life-saving marrow transplant from a matching donor...

UA Press plans holiday book sale on campus

UA Press plans holiday book sale on campus

Ashanka Kumari December 1, 2011

The University of Alabama Press is holding a holiday book sale of some of its more popular titles Dec. 2 and 3 in the Ferguson Center near the information desk across from Starbucks, according to a press...

Professors talk foreign economies

Ashanka Kumari November 29, 2011

In a global economy, David and Goliath are no longer enemies, but sail wearily in the same boat facing the uncertainty of their future, said Tatiana Tsakiropoulou-Summers, associate professor of Classics...

Mississippi State game buses benefit Toys for T-Town

Ashanka Kumari November 10, 2011

Toys for T-Town, a partnership between the Student Government Association, Hilton Garden Inn and University Programs, is carrying out SGA’s mission of community service in response to the April 27 tornado,...

UA on watch for vandals

UA on watch for vandals

Ashanka Kumari November 3, 2011

In the past year, rival fans have vandalized the Alabama National Champion coaches’ statues on the Walk of Champions. In November, a Cam Newton No. 2 Auburn jersey was duct taped to the Paul “Bear”...

LessThanUThink sheds light on binge-drinking

Ashanka Kumari November 1, 2011

You might say it takes less than you think to create a campaign and receive 32 awards to prove its success, but the University of Alabama advertising and public relations students may beg to differ, according...

Loryn Brown

Loryn Brown

Ashanka Kumari October 26, 2011

Loryn Brown never got a chance to take a class at Alabama. Brown, 21, was found dead in her Tuscaloosa home with roommate Danielle Downs after their apartment was leveled by the April 27 tornado. The...

Women’s center to host vigil for domestic violence

Ashanka Kumari October 11, 2011

On average, four people die every day in the U.S. as a result of dating and domestic violence. Over 30 deaths were reported in Alabama last year alone, according to a press release. One in three college...

Storytellers of Steppenwolf

Storytellers of Steppenwolf

Ashanka Kumari October 11, 2011

John Kay, lead singer for the band Steppenwolf, said music could be a lot more than just a form of entertainment on Monday during the band’s concert and lecture at Moody Music Hall. “It's about what...

NOAA to build water center

NOAA to build water center

Ashanka Kumari September 28, 2011

The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration will build a new national water center on the campus of the University of Alabama, according to a press release. The NOAA awarded a contract to Triune-Beck,...

Swinson speaks at Special Session

Ashanka Kumari September 27, 2011

Stephen Swinson, newly appointed President of the Student Government Association, said the SGA must be focused on moving forward and working together to serve the student body in his address to the SGA...

Bama cycling offers an escape

Bama cycling offers an escape

Ashanka Kumari September 22, 2011

The University of Alabama’s Cycling Club, Bama Cycling, offers members a chance to prepare for and participate in regional and national collegiate cycling competitions while supporting bicycling as a...

Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business gains new dean

Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business gains new dean

Ashanka Kumari September 19, 2011

The Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration welcomes a new leader for the first time in over 20 years. After serving for 10 years as a faculty member in statistics, Associate Dean...

New Culverhouse dean named

Ashanka Kumari September 15, 2011

The Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration welcomes a new leader for the first time in over 20 years. After serving for 10 years as a faculty member in statistics, Associate Dean...

Celebrate Constitution Day with federal judge

Ashanka Kumari September 15, 2011

In honor of Constitution Day, Federal District Court Judge Lynn Hughes will give a lecture on the Constitution and the role it has played on our nation Friday at 3 p.m. in the Ferguson Center Theater....

Hands on Tuscaloosa experiences high turnout

Hands on Tuscaloosa experiences high turnout

Ashanka Kumari September 6, 2011

The UA Community Service Center held the second phase of their Hands on Tuscaloosa volunteer program on Friday. Students volunteered at locations including the Salvation Army, Project Blessings, the Humane...

DKE earns best chapter award

Ashanka Kumari August 31, 2011

Members of the Psi chapter of Delta Kappa Epsilon at the University earned the honor of “Best DKE Chapter” for the 2010-2011 academic year and have been awarded the Lion Trophy for their efforts, according...

Black Student Union recruits freshmen

Ashanka Kumari August 24, 2011

The Black Student Union, known for being the first African-American student organization on campus, will be accepting applications for their new freshman segment called the Future Black Leaders of UA starting...

Employers look to recruit at final career fair

Ashanka Kumari April 21, 2011

  The University of Alabama Career Center will host the final career fair of the school year today in the Ferguson Center Ballroom from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Various employers representing local and national...

New assembly seeks to unite grad students

Ashanka Kumari March 30, 2011

A new graduate student assembly looks to build an effective government for graduate students. Robert Harris III, the president of the Graduate Student Association, said the formal inauguration of the...

McNair president to speak at scholars’ convocation

Ashanka Kumari March 30, 2011

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Challenger space shuttle tragedy, president of McNair Achievement Programs Carl McNair will be a guest speaker at the annual convocation and reception honoring...

New group focuses on LGBTQA support

Ashanka Kumari March 27, 2011

A new group organized by UA students and faculty aims to support the parents, family and friends of gay and lesbian people. Spectrum, the UA student LGBTQA group, with the support of Capstone Alliance,...

HR department helps employees get organized

Ashanka Kumari February 9, 2011

Human Resource Development is offering a training seminar on the GO System, Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. According to an event flier, “GO” stands for “Getting Organized” which is the main...

Blood drive suffers due to snow

Ashanka Kumari January 19, 2011

LifeSouth, a community blood supplier, held a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday on Capstone Drive by Gorgas House. According to Cortis Pearson, a LifeSouth worker, last week’s ice storm...

Alabama Libraries help co-sponsor Writing Contest

Ashanka Kumari November 17, 2010

The Alabama Center for the Book, housed at the University of Alabama’s libraries, is co-sponsoring “Letters About Literature,” a state and national reading and writing contest for schoolchildren...

Students learn, grow together in living learning communites

Ashanka Kumari October 7, 2010

When freshmen first enter the Capstone they, are given an opportunity to join a Freshman Learning Community or a Living-Learning Community As a member of one of these communities, freshmen are given the...

Learning communities help students grow, learn together

Ashanka Kumari October 6, 2010

When freshmen first enter the capstone they are given an opportunity to join a Freshman Learning Community (FLC) or a Living-Learning Community (LLC). As a member of one of these communities, freshmen...

Driving simulation eye-opening for students

Driving simulation eye-opening for students

Ashanka Kumari October 6, 2010

The Student Government Association and UA Transportation Services sponsored a distracted driving simulation in the Ferguson Center Plaza Monday. According to SGA Vice President for Student Affairs Stephen...

Students learn hazards of distracted driving through simulation

Ashanka Kumari October 3, 2010

The Student Government Association, along with UA Transportation Services, will sponsor a Professionals Encouraging Educational Reform Statewide Texting and Driving Awareness Simulation in the Ferguson...

Think you have what it takes to be an Avanti?

Think you have what it takes to be an Avanti?

Ashanka Kumari September 29, 2010

With every new group of freshmen, there must be an older and more experienced group of students to prepare them for the year ahead. At the Capstone, these students are known as the Avanti Team, and it...

Natter speaks about Foreign Service

Ashanka Kumari September 1, 2010

For about 20 students, Room 300 of the Ferguson Center was a gateway to international opportunities Tuesday afternoon. Foreign Service Officer John Natter delivered a speech about how a student can enter...

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