NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Portion of College Drive to be Temporarily Closed

A section of College Drive will be closed from Friday, Sept. 25, to Tuesday, Sept. 29, for road repair. The section of the road is located behind the outdoor basketball court at the back of the SAC. This closure will only block access to the Physical Plant employee parking lot. To access the Student Retreat Center, tennis courts, sand volleyball court or the back of the SAC, traffic must enter the Student Retreat Drive loop across from Peck Hall.

We Want to Hear from You!

University Marketing & Communications is looking to highlight the silver linings that have come about during the difficulties of the past several months in the next issue of Montevallo Today.

While we’ve all experienced some form of hardship as a result of the COVID-19 quarantine, the changes have also brought unexpected positives such as more time spent with family and developing new hobbies. What are some good changes you have experienced despite the challenges of the pandemic?

Please send responses to Neal Wagner, manager of communications and media relations, at nwagner@montevallo.edu.

Calling All UM Employees Who are Veterans

The Office of Veteran and Military Affairs is gathering a list of all UM employees who are veterans to be recognized at a later date. If you are a veteran, or you know of someone on campus who is, please email vetmiloffice@montevallo.edu with their name and department.

124^th Founders’ Day

On Thursday, Oct. 8, the University of Montevallo will celebrate the founding of our beloved institution and honor the success of our students, faculty, staff and alumni and their impact on campus and in the greater community.

This virtual ceremony will be available on the University of Montevallo YouTube channel at 11 a.m.

Seniors, it is time to officially don the robes that mark your entry into the Community of Scholars. Our Provost, Dr. Mary Beth Armstrong, will lead the investiture of the senior class and robe your class president. Then, it will be time to put on your academic armor and finish the journey you began several years ago.

To mark this milestone for our seniors, a photo frame will be installed in front of Palmer Hall. Stop by Oct. 7-9 in your robe and take a snapshot to share on social media using #IBelongAtMontevallo. Please remember to adhere to face-mask and social-distancing guidelines. We encourage all members of the campus community to also pose and post! To order your cap and gown, use the following link: montevallo.shopoakhalli.com/

Although we will not be shoulder-to-shoulder that day, belonging is a feeling that we carry in our heart and head, no matter where we are.

Subscribe to The Alabamian Online 

To subscribe to the monthly newsletter from UM’s student newspaper, The Alabamian, visit this link.

TRIO Upward Bound Hiring Tutors

TRIO Upward Bound is hiring for tutors to provide high school students in grades nine through 12 with individual and group tutoring in math, science, social studies, English and foreign languages (Spanish and French) after school, some nights and optional Saturdays. Tutors must have completed their freshman year of college and have a 3.0 grade point average in the field they will be tutoring. Applicants must be dependable with a genuine interest in helping first-generation, low-income students. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are necessary. Interested students can apply at this link.

QEP Feedback Requested

The QEP Development Committee is soliciting feedback from faculty, staff and administration. Please visit the QEP webpage, review the presentation and send feedback by contacting Dr. Linda Murdock directly or by attending a Zoom Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 1, at 1 p.m. Interested participants should email Murdock for a Zoom invitation.

Professional Development and Group Support Opportunities

This fall, the Malone Center will offer two opportunities for professional development and group support:

1. Pandemic PD will be our professional development series for the semester. These sessions will be hosted Wednesdays at noon through Zoom. The sessions will begin with a brief presentation about the week’s topic, followed by an open discussion among participants. Register at this link to receive login information for the sessions.
2. The Malone Center staff will hold Virtual Office Hours every Thursday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m., also through Zoom. Drop in at your convenience for support with your classes. Whether you need help designing an activity, using Canvas, ensuring your course materials are accessible or adopting a tech tool, we are here to answer your questions! Log in at this link.

EVENTS

Guest Artist Exhibition - Small Bites: Kenny Jensen

Florida native Kenny Jensen maintains a deep connection to the state’s unique natural environment. Jensen actively seeks, collects and re-contextualizes overlooked, organic phenomena and man-made artifacts. Virtual walkthrough and artist talk are published at montevallo.edu/performances-and-events.

Virtual Preview Day

The University of Montevallo invites prospective students and their families to attend a Virtual Preview Day! Preview Day is an interactive, welcoming event for interested high school and community college students. Students and families can sign up at this link to hear from representatives in the following areas: Student Aid, Housing and Residence life, Student Life and the Office of Admissions.

Pandemic PD: Making the Most of Library Resources: Streaming Films and eBooks for Online Instruction

This week’s Pandemic PD session is hosted by the Malone Center for Excellence in Teaching in conjunction with Carmichael Library. Library faculty will discuss different tools available to support digital instruction and learning during this COVID era. Register at this link to receive the login information for the session.

Flu Vaccine Clinic

Student Health Services will host a flu vaccine clinic for UM students, faculty, staff, family members and members of the community in the Farmer Hall meeting room Thursday, Oct. 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Attendees must bring their health insurance card. Masks must be worn and social distancing guidelines must be adhered to at the clinic. The cost of the vaccine with no health insurance is $25 for UM students and employees who present their UM ID card, and $30 for family members and members of the community. The vaccine is available at NO COST to insured individuals.

Flu clinic participants should print and fill out a vaccination form and bring it with them to the clinic. Forms are available here.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, influenza vaccination will be especially important this upcoming flu season to reduce the impact of respiratory illnesses in the population and resulting burdens on the health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic. Because COVID-19 and the flu share many symptoms, individuals who display flu-like symptoms may be required to quarantine until they receive a negative COVID-19 test. Getting a flu vaccine mitigates this by helping to prevent the onset of symptoms due to the flu.

Strategic Plan Town Hall Meetings

Staff Town Halls

Tuesday, Oct. 6, 9:30 to 11 a.m., Zoom
Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2 to 2:30 p.m., Zoom

Thank you in advance for your participation in this important process. We look forward to your questions, input and participation.

Faculty/Staff Highlights

Dr. Tiffany R. Wang, associate professor of communication studies, is this year’s recipient of the National Communication Association Family Communication Division Distinguished Article Award for her article “I’m the only person from where I’m from to go to college: Understanding the memorable messages first-generation college students receive from parents (2014),” published in the Journal of Family Communication (Volume 14, Issue 3, pages 270-290). This award recognizes an outstanding scholarly journal article that contributes significantly to the field of family communication.

Student Highlights

Members of the UM fishing team Grayson Morris and Jacob Pfundt recently won the FLW College Open on Kentucky Lake. This win qualifies the duo for the FLW College National Championship in 2021 and makes the fifth Montevallo team to qualify for the FLW College National Championship.