January 23, 2006

McKinley Award Arthur L. Hinton September 2005

Arthur L. Hinton shakes hands with president Robert Witt

Arthur L. Hinton
September 2005 Winner

Arthur L. Hinton, supervisor of logistical support, was named the McKinley Employee Award winner for September 2005. Tony Johnson, assistant director of logistics/property and inventory management, nominated Hinton for the award.

“Arthur is a wonderful person to work with,” said Johnson. “I have only been at the University for a short time, but every time I am with him or when people ask what department I am with they just start informing me about all the things Arthur and his team does for the University.”

In August, Hinton and his team completed 126 work orders, Johnson said. “They do whatever it takes to make the events for football games to be a success. Just the ownership they display on putting up the large tents is exceptional.

“Integrity, clear vision, high expectations, joint effort, and care for people are all traits of a successful leader,” said Johnson. “It also represents Arthur Hinton. He finds a way to have fun with his people; it does not matter if it is cold and raining or hot and sweating. He finds ways to be serious, to get the job completed and he finds ways to put smiles on his teammates’ faces. Arthur gets out and works alongside his people and they respect him for that. “What I enjoy the most about Arthur, is he will change direction at a spur of the moment and does not complain or make excuses. He makes things happen. He walks the walk of majoring in the majors and does not get involved in majoring in the minors. He puts his efforts where they count the most that is benefiting the University and taking care of his people,” Johnson said.

The McKinley Award was established by Helen H. and John K. McKinley of Darien, Conn., and Tuscaloosa in honor of John McKinley’s father, Vergil Parks McKinley. The award recognizes enterprising employees who, by action or idea, contributed to the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The monthly award carries a cash prize. Vergil Parks McKinley came to UA in 1918 and retired as head of the College of Education’s trade and industrial development department in 1945. If you would like to nominate an employee for future awards, contact Human Resources at 348-6690.

New Director Named for Commerce Society

Lindsey M. Blumenthal

Lindsey M. Blumenthal, a former student intern in the Culverhouse College of Commerce Office of Alumni and Corporate Relations, has returned to UA as director of the business school’s Commerce Executive Society.

“Lindsey brings the skills and the experience we were looking for,” said Charlie Adair, Culverhouse director of development. “Her academic credentials in hospitality management, combined with her marketing, supervisory and budgetary experience in the private sector, will serve her well in taking the Commerce Executive Society to a new level.”

The Commerce Executive Society is the Culverhouse College of Commerce alumni association and has nearly 30,000 members. CES members are invited to a number of events during the year to receive updates on the business school and receive the school’s alumni magazine, The Executive, twice a year.

“The members of the Commerce Executive Society are an extremely important part of the college development foundation,” Blumenthal said, “and I look forward to interacting with them and finding ways to increase CES membership, as well as adding value to their membership.”

Blumenthal earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and a minor in general business from UA in 2002. She completed her Master of Science in general human environmental sciences with an emphasis in hospitality management in 2003. For the past two years she was been employed as a national account executive with American Exhibition Services in Birmingham.

She was named Outstanding Senior in the College of Human Environmental Sciences and was named to a number of honor societies as a student at UA.

Roy Named Chairholder in Engineering

Dr. Samit Roy

The UA College of Engineering recently named Dr. Samit Roy as the William D. Jordan Endowed Chairholder in Engineering.

Roy received his bachelor’s degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology in Kharagpur, India, in 1981. He then obtained his master’s degree and doctorate at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1986 and 1988, respectively.

Most recently, Roy served as associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at Oklahoma State University. His previous experience also includes serving as a senior research investigator at the Rock Mechanics and Explosives Research Center at the University of Missouri-Rolla.

Roy primarily works in computational solid mechanics with an emphasis in composite materials. He has been working in the development of analytical and numerical models of various solid structural systems for almost 20 years. As the Jordan Chairholder, Roy will provide leadership in the solid mechanics group and expand the research areas, particularly in composite materials.

The donors who established the endowed chair are Thomas L. and Carolyn L. Patterson of Birmingham. The endowment, which honors Dr. William D. Jordan, professor emeritus, supports excellence in teaching, research and service.

Geography Professor Receives Distinguished Teaching Award

Dr. Roberta “Bobbi” Webster

Dr. Roberta “Bobbi” Webster, an instructor and director of undergraduate studies in the geography department in UA’s College of Arts & Sciences, recently received the Distinguished Teaching Achievement Award from the National Council for Geographic Education.

NCGE was chartered in 1915 to promote geographic education. The award is given annually to four college professors to recognize outstanding contributions to geographic education.

“While I have always admired her professionalism and commitment to teaching, it was when I saw her through the eyes of a student in her classes that I realized what a uniquely gifted educator she is,” wrote Linda Watson, placenames researcher at UA, in a nomination letter. Watson has been both Webster’s colleague and student. “The ability to inspire others is what makes an outstanding teacher, and Dr. Webster is unquestionably an outstanding educator.”

Webster has taught at the college level for almost 25 years, nine at UA. “I believe students can be empowered by their own knowledge,” she wrote in a confirmation letter for the award. Many students feel a “disconnect” between what they learn in class and its potential application to their lives. I try to correct that perceived disconnection.” As director of undergraduate studies, she serves as the principal adviser to the geography department chairman regarding undergraduate matters and advises 60 students.

Jerrod Bowman, a UA geography graduate student, wrote in his nomination letter: “Dr. Webster makes the driest subjects intriguing. If Dr. Webster can keep the attention of a freshman at 8 o’clock on a Thursday night, she can keep anyone’s attention.”

Webster received a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Lake Superior State University, and both her master’s and doctorate in geography from the University of Kentucky.

Clouse Named Executive Director of UA Museums

Dr. Robert Clouse

Dr. Robert Clouse, a veteran educator and researcher, has been named executive director of UA Museums.

“Bob has done an excellent job as interim executive director, and I know that will carry through to his official appointment,” said Dr. Judy Bonner, UA provost and vice president for academic affairs, who announced the appointment.

The UA Museum system includes Moundville Archaeological Park, the Alabama Museum of Natural History, the Office of Archaeological Research, the Gorgas House and the “Discovering Alabama” Public Television program.

“I look forward to working with everyone involved with UA Museums to create an era of positive development and upward mobility for the entirety of the system,” Clouse said. Clouse also is director of UA’s Office of Archaeological Research and an adjunct professor in the department of anthropology. He has taught for almost 20 years and has been at UA since 2001. He has been principal investigator on more than 60 major projects, authored numerous articles, and has presented papers at nearly 30 professional conferences.

He received his bachelor’s degree in anthropology from Indiana State University in 1970 and his master’s and doctorate in anthropology from the University of Illinois - Urbana in 1974 and 1996, respectively.

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