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UMNAA Honors Three Alumni at Homecoming

During the Homecoming Luncheon on Feb. 9, the University of Montevallo National Alumni Association honored three alumni for their achievement and dedication.

First, the 2019 Nathalie Molton Gibbons Young Achiever’s Award was presented to Dr. Jefferson Walker ’08, director of the Research Communication Certificate Program and the lead instructor for Academic Writing and Communication for the Graduate School at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Love for his alma mater has led him to share his talents as a volunteer, serving on the UMNAA Junior Board of Directors, the Centennial College Night Committee and the Alumni Advisory Board for Alpha Kappa Lambda fraternity. His most recent endeavor was authoring the commemorative College Night book, “College Night: A Centennial Celebration.”

Then, Joe Howard ’89 received the 2019 Nathalie Molton Gibbons Alumni Achievement Award for his success owning a local CPA firm for more than twenty years, mentoring young accountants and serving on the UM Foundation Board.

And finally, the UMNAA bestowed its most prestigious award, the Distinguished Alumnus Award, to Dr. Richard D. Cummings ’74, world renowned researcher. Cummings currently works as the S. Daniel Abraham Professor of Surgery at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) and Harvard Medical School in Boston. He is also the director of the Harvard Medical School Center for Glycoscience.

Homecoming festivities also included class reunions for Alabama College, 1959, 1969, 1979, 1989 and 1999. Other reunions included Young Alumni, Vintage Purples, Old Golds, Minority Alumni Club and departmental reunions.

Honoring the Centennial Celebration of College Night, the theme for Homecoming was “Crest of the Wave” taken from a quote by a 1931 student. Distinct events to commemorate this milestone included the Centennial Parade, Centennial Time Capsule presentation and former College Night leaders and SGA presidents reception. Homecoming activities culminated in the College Night Productions with special Centennial performances and presentations, where Gold Side claimed victory.

forUM to Shut Down on Friday

IS&T will permanently shut down the forUM portal on Friday, Feb. 15. Faculty and staff will still have access to Canvas, Banner and email through Faculty and Staff Resources on the UM website. Student access can be found through Student Resources.

College of Education Recognizes Alumni, Faculty and Staff

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the College of Education hosted its annual recognition dinner.

Award Recipients Included:

Counseling: Dr. Jim Purcell
Instructional Leadership: Courtney Madison
Instructional Technology, Education Specialist: Andrea Essman
Teacher Leadership, Education Specialist: Janicya Feggins
Elementary Collaborative: Matthew Holsomback
Traditional Education: Dr. Leah Wood
Elementary Education: Louise Carey & Savannah Diaz
Elementary Clinical Supervisor: Joy Wright
Secondary Education: Cory Goble
Family and Consumer Sciences: Melinda Gargiulo
Exercise and Nutrition Science: Carissa Bell
Nutrition and Wellness: Mallory Burrow
Ernest Outstanding Commitment to Teaching Award: Dr. Tammy Cook
Bill Fancher Staff Excellence Award: Dr. Jody Brewer
Lifetime Commitment to Teaching Award: Dr. Terry Roberson

Professional Clothing Donations Needed for Dress to Impress Event

On Wednesday, March 20, UM will host Dress to Impress from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Anna Irvin Dining Hall. Dress to Impress is an annual event where UM students have an opportunity to shop for business clothes and accessories in preparation for job interviews and other professional opportunities. The clothing and accessories are donated by local individuals, making this event entirely free for UM students. In addition, this year’s event will feature stations for mock interviews, résumé review and tips on career readiness.

Donations of professional clothing, shoes and accessories are being collected until Friday, March 15. All sizes are welcome! Items in demand include men’s ties, shirts, jackets, slacks, belts and shoes and women’s shirts, jackets, slacks, skirts, dresses and shoes. Donations may be dropped off at the following locations:

UM Career Development Center: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. (M-F)
Comer Hall, Office 301: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (M-F)
Montevallo City Hall: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (M-F)

Updated Policy Webpage

The University Policies webpage has been updated to provide a single location to access University wide policies and procedures. In addition to Board Policies previously accessible on this page, you will find new Operational Policies including the following:

PA:001 - Operational Policy on Policies and Procedures
PA:002 - Strategic Planning Policy
PA 003 - Activities During School Closing Policy

Business Affairs is also working to include links to procedures that are administered by various departments on campus. Several of these procedures have been listed. Please email businessaffairs@montevallo.edu with details and links for procedures handled by your area.

Lunch & Learn: Time Management, Deadlines, Prioritization & Delegation

Please join the Staff Senate Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. in Wills 200, for the monthly Lunch & Learn series. This month’s topic is “Time Management, Deadlines, Prioritization & Delegation” presented by Randi Tubbs. RSVP to staffsenate@montevallo.edu.

Self-Defense Training

Please join Counseling Services and UMPD Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 3 to 4:45 p.m. for free self-defense training in Bibb Graves Dance Studio. Contact Counseling Services at 205-665-6245 for more information.

Montevallo Main Street Survey

The City of Montevallo would like to hear from you! Montevallo Main Street is directed by a board of volunteers who work to make the downtown area thrive. If you live and/or shop in Montevallo, please complete this short survey by Feb. 22, so the Main St. Board will know where to concentrate their efforts.

Faculty/Staff Highlights

Dr. Bruce Finklea’s topic talk session, co-proposed with Dr. Janet McMullen from UNA has been accepted to the Broadcast Education Association Convention in Las Vegas this April. The two will be presenting about Star Trek along with its fandom and cultural influences.

Kelli Holmes, director of development, has been named to Birmingham Business Journal’s Top 40 Under 40. This listing recognizes individuals who have contributed to company growth and success, are key leaders in their organizations, play a critical role in the community and will play a key role in the Birmingham business community moving forward.

Dr. Gheni Platenburg’s paper “Thinking Black; an Analysis of the Impact of Black Racial Identity on the Discourse and Work Routines of Cable Media Practitioners,” has been accepted for presentation at the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s (AEJMC) 44th annual Southeast Colloquium to be held March 7-9, at the University of South Carolina.

Feb. 13
February Lunch & Learn
Wills 200
11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Self-Defense Training
Bibb Graves Dance Studio
3 to 4:45 p.m.

University Faculty Meeting
Comer Auditorium
3:30 p.m.

Softball
Softball Field
4 p.m.

Feb. 14-March 7
Median: Michael Lorsung
The Gallery at Bloch Hall

Feb. 15
Women’s Lacrosse
Lacrosse Field
7 p.m.

Feb. 15-16
Middle School Honor Band Festival
Davis Hall

Feb. 16
Softball
Softball Field
1 p.m.

Baseball
Kermit A. Johnson Field
1 p.m.

Feb. 17
Softball
Softball Field
11 a.m.

Baseball
Kermit A. Johnson Field
1 p.m.

Feb. 20
Media Day
SAC & Strong Hall
10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Feb. 21
Chamber Recital: Dr. Eun-Hee Park & Cholong Park, piano; Dr. Benjamin Fraley & Dr. Tracy Wiggins, percussion
Thompson High School Performing Arts Center
7:30 p.m.

Feb. 21-24
BFA Senior Project Production: “Seminar”
Reynolds Theatre
Feb. 21-23: 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24: 2 p.m.

Feb. 23
Women’s Basketball
Breast Cancer Awareness Event
Trustmark Arena
2 p.m.

Men’s Basketball
Trustmark Arena
4 p.m.

Feb. 24
Men’s Lacrosse
Lacrosse Field
12 p.m.

Individuals needing disability-related accommodations during UM events should contact the host department or Disability Support Services (205-665-6250, DSS@montevallo.edu) as early as possible. Efforts will be made to accommodate all access requests regardless of timing, but the University cannot guarantee that requests made with less than one week’s notice can be met.

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