NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

2020 Faculty Service Award Nominations Open

Nominations for the 2020 Faculty Service Award are now open. The deadline for nominations is Friday, March 20. The nominating letter and any additional supporting documentation should be sent via email to Faculty Senate President Dr. Tiffany Wang. Nominations stay on file for three years, so if you nominated someone in 2018 or 2019 and would like to update that file, please email your additions/edits by the March 20 deadline. More information on the award can be found at montevallo.edu/faculty-senate.

Special Summer 2020 Tuition Rates

Special summer tuition rates are available for undergraduate courses during May, Summer I and Summer II terms. Learn more at montevallo.edu/summer-classes.

If a student received financial aid for the 2019-2020 academic year, they could also be eligible for summer. Please note, in most cases, the student must take six or more credit hours during the summer term(s) to receive aid, and federal aid is determined based on each individual student’s eligibility.

Students should contact the UM Student Aid Office at 205-665-6050 if they have any questions once they have received their summer financial aid offer notification. The Student Aid Office is located on the first floor of Palmer Hall.

Athletics Seeking Volunteers for National Championship Event

The University of Montevallo is serving as the institutional host for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field National Championships, and the Athletics Department is seeking volunteers to assist with this two-day event March 13-14 at the Birmingham Crossplex. If you are interested in assisting with this event, please sign up. If you are a member of UM staff, please consult with your supervisor or HR regarding employment rules before signing up to volunteer.

English Global Literature and Upper-level Courses

Those who are interested can now find English global literature and upper-level course descriptions for Fall 2020 available on the UM website here.

Applications Open for Enrollment in Child Study Center Pre-K

UM’s Child Study Center Pre-K program is now accepting applications for pre-registration for the 2020-2021 school year. The random drawing for acceptance will be held on March 20.

A copy of the child’s birth certificate and a recent utility bill must be uploaded or provided prior to the lottery drawing. Fees (tuition) for this program will be paid monthly during the school year and are based off a sliding income scale. We do not receive the sliding income scale until mid-summer.

For full details, visit this link. Even more detailed instructions in English or Spanish can be provided by request. If you need assistance or more detailed instructions, please call the FCS Office at 205-665-6385 or email Amanda Grauel.

EVENTS

Financial Literacy Week

Monday, March 9 through Thursday, March 12

Visit this link for a full schedule of events. Come be a part of the fun! For more information, email Bria Hines or call 205-665-6092.

VMA Birthday Party

Monday, March 9, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., UM Veterans Center, GLOCO Building

Happy birthday to the Office of Veteran and Military Affairs! It is the office’s first birthday and it has been an amazing year. Please come by the Veterans Center March 9 between 11 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. to enjoy a birthday cupcake.

Toolbox Talk: Connecting with Students Digitally

Wednesday, March 11, Noon, Wills 200

The Malone Center’s March Toolbox Talk topic is “Connecting with Students Digitally.” As the number of non-traditional students and online courses continue to grow, there is an increasing demand to meet with students digitally. During this workshop, participants will be introduced to a few different platforms for hosting virtual office hours and virtual advising appointments. Lunch is provided for participants who register by prior to 8 a.m. on March 9. Register online now.

Montevallo Obscura 2020

Wednesday, March 11, Noon to 4 p.m., Carmichael Library mobile classroom

UM history majors and minors will gather in the basement of Carmichael Library for a casual come-and-go event that will include free books, maps and other cool stuff. UM’s archivist will also share interesting items. There will be pizza, drinks and merriment in advance of the history program’s Montevallo Obscura competition.

Student Interview Preparation

Wednesday, March 11, 3:30 p.m., UM Veterans Center, GLOCO Building

*This event is for UM military-related students.

The UM Career Development Center will help prepare military-related students for interviews on Wednesday, March 11. An interview is a conversation where questions are asked and answers are given. In common parlance, the word “interview” refers to a one-on-one conversation between an interviewer and an interviewee. Join us for some practical tips, practice and proper interviewing etiquette.

UM’s Veterans Center is located behind Napier Hall and across the street from the Center for the Arts. All UM military-related students are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided and the presentation will last no longer than an hour.

Montevallo Astronomical Society and UM Astronomy Club Meeting

Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 to 9 p.m., James Wylie Shepherd Observatory

All visitors are welcome for an evening of celestial observing and good company. Spring observing dates are scheduled for March 11, 18 and 25, and April 15 and 22.

All dates are 7:30 to 9 p.m., and will be held provided it is not raining or overcast.

For those with GPS navigation systems, the physical address of the JWSO is 1093 Pebble Road, Montevallo 35115. The gates will be open. (Ignore the No Trespassing signs).

Directions to the JWSO: Following 119 South through Montevallo, turn right onto 10 West (Middle Street) for 1 mile, bearing right onto 17 North. After 0.3 miles, turn left onto 206 West, and after 0.4 miles, turn right onto Pebble Road, continuing 0.7 miles to the UM Gentry Springs property.

Annual Juried Foundation Exhibition

Opening reception, March 12, 4 to 6 p.m.
Runs March 12 through 19, weekdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Gallery at Bloch Hall

The Annual Juried Foundation Exhibition recognizes the importance of work produced by current students in the foundation’s studios. The Foundation Program is comprised of a coordinated set of courses for students who are seeking degrees in art. This show enables students to submit artwork for review by professional artists and curators. The exhibition showcases the versatility and skill of Montevallo art students while simultaneously providing the important opportunity of viewing their work in a gallery context.

VALIC/AIG Financial Advisor on Campus

Thursday, March 12, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Carmichael Library Large Group Study Room

Interested in saving for retirement? Al Perry, UM’s VALIC/AIG financial advisor, will be offering individual retirement counseling on campus in the Carmichael Library Group Study Room Thursday, March 12.  Schedule an appointment online.

Exploring Communication Studies Day

Thursday, March 12, 1 to 3 p.m., Main Quad

*In the event of inclement weather, this event will be held in the Palmer Hall lobby.

This event is for General Studies students who are exploring options for an academic major to learn how Communication Studies might fit their personal and career aspirations. Current COMS majors and faculty will lead brief workshops and walk participants through simulations that illustrate what’s possible with a degree in COMS.

ACT Prep Course

Saturday, March 14, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wills Hall

The University of Montevallo will host a single-day ACT prep course for local high school sophomores, juniors and seniors. The $110 single-day course covers all ACT test subjects with in-class practice testing and includes lunch and a snack. Each participant will also receive a copy of the official ACT prep book, a math review card and other resources. Children of UM employees and students receiving free and reduced lunch get a 20 percent discount. Register online now or contact Sarah Hendren, director of partnerships and outreach, at 205-665-6077.

Love Montevallo Day

Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Village on Valley

Join the City of Montevallo for Love Montevallo Day where we’ll celebrate the public and private investment in our community. You’ll enjoy local artists and goods, informational booths, live music and Montevallo Murals Tours. This is a rain or shine event.

Be Well Shelby — Family Fun Day

Saturday, March 14, Noon to 4 p.m., Orr Park

Be Well Shelby is a mental illness awareness campaign to provide resources and reduce stigma related to mental illness in Shelby County. Join us for a day of family fun in Orr Park on March 14. We’ll have a variety of vendors, activities and giveaways for the family including Zumba classes, carnival games and prizes, a live DJ, food trucks and stage performances.

National Association of Composers, USA

Sunday, March 15, 2 p.m., LeBaron Recital Hall

The Department of Music hosts a concert by the Mid-South Chapter of the National Association of Composers, USA. This concert promotes the music of regional composers, including works by UM music faculty.

Junior Recital: Quinton Mims, Clarinet

Sunday, March 15, 7:30 p.m., LeBaron Recital Hall

This recital is presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Bachelor of Music in instrumental performance degree. Mims is from the studio of Dr. Lori Ardovino.

AAUW Montevallo Women of Distinction Luncheon

Monday, March 16, Noon (doors open at 11:30 a.m.), Stewart Student Retreat

• Woman of Distinction in Education: Dr. Julia (Judy) Rogers
• Woman of Distinction in Advocacy: Dr. Meredith Tetloff
• Woman of Distinction in Research: Dr. Kathy King
• Pathfinder Award: Dr. Anna Lott
• Student of Distinction: Madison Hollon

Tickets are $20 and lunch will be provided by Southern Sweets. Proceeds benefit AAUW educational initiatives. Contact Tonja Battle to purchase tickets. For questions, please contact Amanda Melcher.
 

The Grainger Center Lecture Series

Thursday, March 19, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m., Comer Auditorium

*This event is open to all business majors and minors.

Join us for a networking event and panel discussion featuring Stephens College of Business alumni.

• Brigette Beaton ’90, management, Attorney, United States Department of the Interior
• Brian Ethridge ’92, marketing, Executive Vice President Corporate Banking, Bryant Bank
• Laura Fleming ’01, management, Financial Analyst, Noland Health Services
• Andrew Heaton ’04, marketing, Business Development Manager, Fisher Phillips, LLP

Faculty/Staff Highlights

Dr. Scott Meyer, professor of art, recently had his article “Implied Dynamics: The Ceramic Sculpture of Kenneth Baskin” accepted for publication by Ceramics Monthly magazine. Ceramics Monthly is the world’s leading journal for ceramic arts.

Dr. Tiffany Wang, associate professor of communication studies, had a co-authored paper entitled “Individual and Community Practices for Constructing Communicative Resilience: Exploring the Communicative Processes of Coping with Parental Alienation” published in the Journal of Applied Communication Research.

The Student Aid Office is pleased to announce recent internal transitions:

Meagan Jackson, who has recently served as grants and FWS administrator, is now loan administrator. Kayleigh Funderburk, who has recently served as student aid assistant, is now grants and FWS administrator. Please note that Funderburk will be the new student employee supervisor contact for all FWS inquiries.

Student Highlights

Junior, Da’Shaun Morgan has been selected for the NCAA Division II Indoor Track & Field National Championship. Morgan will represent Montevallo in the Long Jump event. Morgan is the first Falcon to advance to the National Championship in Indoor Track & Field. He finished 4th at the NCAA Division II Outdoor Track & Field National Championship last May. Morgan will jump on Friday, March 13 at 4 p.m. at the Birmingham CrossPlex.

History students Lily Cooper, Mallory Currie, Meredith Funderburk and Jessica Thrasher presented papers at the Phi Alpha Theta 2020 Alabama Regional Meeting hosted by Birmingham-Southern College on Feb. 29. Dr. Robert Barone, faculty advisor for UM’s local chapter, attended along with Dr. Wilson Fallin and Dr. Clark Hultquist. Phi Alpha Theta is an academic honor society whose mission is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians.

Three UM history majors presented their research at the annual meeting of the Alabama Association of Historians in Florence on Feb. 29: Aidan Teague McKay (Dec 2019), “From Empire to Republic: MacArthur’s Construction of a Democratic Japan;” Thomas Reid (May 2020), “A Brief History of the Spiritual;” Sara Walley (May 2020), “Folk History Surrounding Alabama Waters.”

The UM fishing team had a strong finish at the second Bassmaster College Series tournament of 2020 held at Smith Lake in Alabama. Griffin Phillips and Ethan King finished in 11th place and are currently leading the Bassmaster Team of the Year. The Montevallo fishing team is currently ranked second by Bass Pro Shops Collegiate Bass Fishing Series and by FLW.