Accolades

Parker Promoted to UA Vice President for Advancement

UA is pleased to announce that Dr. Pamela H. Parker has been promoted to vice president for advancement.

Parker, who has served as associate vice president for advancement since 1997, is responsible for the University’s $500 million Capital Campaign, which has already raised more than $422 million in cash and pledges. With a year-end total of $107,257,743, the campaign has now secured more than $100 million in gifts and pledges for the third year in a row.

“Dr. Parker has demonstrated tremendous leadership during this campaign and throughout her career at the Capstone,” said UA President Dr. Robert E. Witt. “Since my arrival at the University in spring 2003, it has been clear that Pam Parker’s vision, leadership and dedicated efforts have been the driving force behind the success of our advancement program.”

Parker earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from UA. She joined the University in 1986 as the director of events and scholarships for the National Alumni Association, and she served in a variety of development positions, including major gift officer for the College of Education and director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences.

An active member of the community, she is currently a member of the boards of the Junior League of Tuscaloosa, the University Club and Counseling Ministry Professionals. She also received the 2006 William Roth Fundraising Executive award, given by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

“I truly love The University of Alabama,” said Parker, “and I’m looking forward to additional opportunities to serve our University, our students and our alumni.”

In addition to advancement, Parker will also have responsibility for alumni, marketing communications and public relations. Her appointment is effective immediately.

Zheng Elected President of International Commission

Dr. Chunmiao Zheng was elected president of the International Commission on Groundwater (ICGW) at the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG) 24th General Assembly held in Perugia, Italy in July 2007.

Zheng, a professor of hydrogeology in the Department of Geological Sciences at UA, will serve two years as president-elect and four years as president.

The ICGW is part of the International Association of Hydrologic Sciences. The ICGW is responsible for the advancement of the science of groundwater hydrology, including the scientific basis for groundwater resource assessment and groundwater management. The ICGW currently has membership in 127 countries.

Weddle Wins Welty Prize

Dr. Jeff Weddle, assistant professor in the School of Library and Information Studies, has been awarded the Eudora Welty Prize for his book Bohemian New Orleans: The Story of the Outsider and Loujon Press.

The book was published in June by the University Press of Mississippi. Weddle will receive the award at the Eudora Welty Writers Symposium this month. Held annually at Mississippi University for Women in Columbus, the conference is in honor of Welty and her written works.

Each year writers, educators, and Welty scholars attend the conference, which includes readings, panels, papers, and roundtable discussions.

The annual Eudora Welty Prize is awarded at the symposium to the author of the winning manuscript of interpretive scholarship in the humanities. The winner earns a cash reward and publication of his manuscript with UPMS of Jackson.

Fulbright Awards Available to Professional Staff

People often think that Fulbright awards are semester-length only and/or that Fulbright awards are solely for students and faculty.

However, three Fulbright awards exist that are two to three-week programs for professional staff and are usually composed of 10 to 12 people.

These programs are in Germany, Japan and Korea. Deadlines for these awards are Feb. 1, 2008; Nov. 1, 2007; and again, Nov. 1, 2007, respectively.

Three individuals from UA have received these awards in the past.

These seminars are designed to introduce participants to the society, culture and higher education systems of these countries through campus visits, meetings with foreign colleagues and government officials, attendance at cultural events and briefings on education, according to the Council of International Exchange of Scholars Web site.

“Ideal candidates are professional staff who in their daily campus lives take into consideration the comfort of the various international cultures living and studying on the UA campus,” said Dr. Jane Stanfield, associate provost for international education.

For more information, please visit www.cies.org/IEA.

Jones accepts role of QEP lead

Dr. David P. Jones, interim assistant vice president for student affairs and executive director of housing and residential communities, has been invited and has accepted the role of QEP lead for the reaffirmation committee at the University of Richmond for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The focus of Richmond’s QEP is living-learning communities and they have identified Jones as their expert for this reaffirmation.

New Online Position Description System Available

Human Resources has implemented a new online position description system and is offering training sessions for those who will use it.

This new management tool will allow departments to create, review and update position descriptions electronically thus eliminating the paper process. It is important that all current users of the online employment system attend a training workshop. Supervisors who currently do not use the online system, but who will need access to the position description system are encouraged to attend a workshop targeted to new users.

To view the available training dates and times, please visit the Human Resources Web site at http://hr.ua.edu/. To enroll in a session, e-mail Bridget Busby at bbusby@fa.ua.edu or contact her at 348-9700.