Dialog, UA Faculty and Staff News

UA Disabilities Services Director Named
UA Names New Alabama Heritage Editor

UA Disabilities Services Director Named

Judith K. Thorpe

UA’s Office for Academic Affairs recently named Judith K. Thorpe director of the Office of Disability Services. Thorpe comes to UA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign where she served as special needs counselor within the Division of Rehabilitation-Education Services since 1996.

The director and administrative leader is responsible for determining eligibility for disability services and for coordinating access to accommodations and services for UA students with disabilities. "I am delighted that Judy Thorpe is our new director for the Office of Disability Services," said Dr. Hank Lazer, assistant vice president for undergraduate programs and services in the Office for Academic Affairs. "She brings a wealth of experience, and I am confident that she will work to enhance the services we provide through that office."

"Almost 700 students are registered with and receive assistance from the Office of Disability Services," said Dr. Kay Staub, recently retired director and compliance officer in the office for Equal Opportunity Programs. "As outgoing acting director, I am pleased about Judy’s appointment and excellent experience in this important area."

Thorpe received her B.A. cum laude in mass communications from Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, and her Master of Education, Rehabilitation Counseling, from the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville. She is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (C.R.C.) by the Commission of Rehabilitation Counselor Certification. She is the author of numerous articles and is affiliated with several professional organizations in the area of disabilities.

UA Names New Alabama Heritage Editor

T.J. Beitelman

T. J. Beitelman was recently appointed editor-in-chief of Alabama Heritage, an award-winning quarterly historical magazine that seeks to bring the history and culture of Alabama to a general audience. The magazine, founded in 1986 and published by The University of Alabama and The University of Alabama at Birmingham, has recently come under the auspices of The University of Alabama Press. "It’s a marriage with a lot of potential synergies," says Beitelman. "We’re in the same basic business, which can be enormously helpful. We’re really looking forward to finding ways to help each other grow and prosper."

Beitelman holds a graduate degree in English from Virginia Tech and a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from UA. Prior to taking his new position, he worked at Alabama Heritage as associate editor under the magazine’s founder, Suzanne Wolfe, who retired in August. "I am gratified to hand over the reins to someone who not only cherishes the state’s history," says Wolfe, "but who also has a special talent for finding and telling Alabama’s great stories. T. J. is the right person to help the magazine grow into the future."

Beitelman says he is excited about the opportunity to pick up where Wolfe left off. "Suzanne has built a strong foundation for this magazine, both editorially and financially," he says. "And the work we do here is so important in promoting the state’s culture."

To subscribe or submit to Alabama Heritage, call 348-7467, or visit www.AlabamaHeritage.com.