Discussion of "Early observations about UAHuntsville"Dear Pr. DaveI totally agree with the name, I have always tried to promote my school (I received M.S. in 1992 and Ph. D. in computer engineering 1996). It typically takes me a while to show what UAH is, as it has not made it to the publicity the way other three letter names did so far. I hope having the rocket city name attached to the school name will help make a difference. I intended to make a comment on the blog to find myself here, so thanks for placing the comment on the blog Dr. Taisir Eldos Department of Computer Engineering Jordan University of Science and Technology Dave: I'm a long-time student of UAH, attending since 1989. Now in my 3rd decade of study, I'm finally able to see the light at the end of the PhD tunnel, as I've been working full-time and schooling part-time since 1993. I, for one, think the UAHuntsville concept is excellent. When I read that you had received a fair amount of resistance to this idea, I was not surprised. In fact I can sympathize to a large extent with those that want to keep the UAH acronym perfectly intact. However, I think the UAHuntsville move is an excellent piece of strategic marketing that will leverage the high-tech visibility that Huntsville has, and make the UAHuntsville "products" of education, research, etc., much more recognizable to a broader base of potential "customers". So, bravo! Keep the fresh ideas coming! Kind Regards, Eric Rives A. FROM DR. DAVE (look, I'm from the south. I can't call the president of UAH by his first name without the Dr. in front.) 1. Dr. Dave is right--UAH is located on a beautiful campus. And I, like others, value beauty in nature and animals (including the ducks, which I also know have to be managed or controlled or they overpopulate). The UAH duck pond brings back memories of when I took my little sister to the duck pond in Shreveport/Bossier (Louisiana). We'd play on the swings and merry-go-round and feed the ducks. We loved it. Now, I take her kids (9-year-old twin boys) to feed the ducks (and fish) at the ponds in our neighborhood. I'd probably take them to UAH's duck pond if it had swings and merry-go-rounds for the kids; maybe ya'll will get them one day. (My sister is a Generation X-er student there working on her second degree...and I think she rocks! She likes a mix of rock-Elvis and primarily '80s and '90s. I'm a boomer and I like a mix of rock--primarily '60s and '70s, but also '80s and '90s.) 2. Dr. Dave said you have to turn east off Sparkman if you want to get a good job west of Sparkman. I love that line! But without a map in front of me, I am as lost as can be. God blessed me with many talents, but not with a sense of direction. I am geographically challenged to the max! Some say it's a woman thing. I think it's genetic. Maybe one of my two brothers has a little more sense of direction than the other-but that ain't sayin' much! Oh, and Dr. Dave is also right about it being difficult to get from point A to point B unless you know your way around. UAH opening website doesn't have a search button so I couldn't search for a map recently when I needed directions to Madison Hall. 3. On exercise and pride. a. Exercise. Wow--Dr. Dave is right for the third time--our bodies need exercise and the fitness center has something for everyone. I know, I've been there several times. It even has a small indoor track. I used to be a runner, but haven't been able to run for 7 years 'cause of a bad knee that will need to be replaced one day. Although I can't run that race anymore, I can use the elliptical trainer to get a good cardio workout (with rock 'n roll music on my IPod, of course). Also did spinning classes in the AF. They were great during VA winters! They brought the outdoors in with video of rolling hills and trees on a wide screen. The accompanying music provided the beat for interval training...and the instructor inspired healthy competition between the two sides of the room. (Not that I'm competitive or anything, but my side won.) And, I've even stair-stepped while reviewing notes for a Professional Military Education test before. My notes didn't inspire me to step any faster, but it was a necessity. As far as running--I will run again one day. My older brother is not yet 50 and is getting a new less-invasive knee replacement (thanks to technology). So when I get new knee, I'll run with the Chargers and the wind again at your outdoor running track cause normally the public can use a school's track. I know you don't have one not yet, but ya'll could-if you want it. There's a lot of runners here. Bad knees is a genetic thing though.) b. Pride. I'd be proud to be part of UAH in some capacity. (I went to LSUS for undergrad, and it too changed its name--to LSU-Shreveport though. Why? So that non-locals would know the S stood for Shreveport. It's a geography thing-and statistics prove that as a whole, the US population doesn't do well in geography. BTW, there is more than one Huntsville, but the UA ties it to Alabama). I'm proud to be a graduate of LSUS even though you may not have heard of it. It had and I think still has an excellent reputation for academics; the intramural sports were fun, too. And I'll tell ya something else...Loosiana folks know how to party and pass a good time (that's Cajun talk; lived in Bayou Country for a short time and still have relatives there). At LSUS, I looked forward to our annual Spring Fling Shrimp Fest complete with live music. The neighboring Med school parties were fun, too (minus the jungle juice with 200 proof grain alcohol. Ya gotta watch those med students! They posted flyers at our school to attract women. Which was okay...we wanted to meet men.) And best of all--being part of the LSU system gives me braggin' rights to the LSU-Baton Rouge football team. "Weee arreee the chaaampions!" SCC champions so far...we'll see if we're national champions; the game's January 7th (today's the 5th, which is why I have time to blog). (I know I don't have to say it; you know it by now, but I'll say it anyway. He's right again.) 4. (For the fifth time, but who's counting? Me.) The new Saturn V exhibition hall is phenomenal-and will attract students (ya gotta go see it!). And there's so many other great things about this area that will attract students as well. Tell your friends, your parents, your nieces and nephews about 'em. This is a rockin' area! And you've got a phenomenal resource right here in River City. What's that, you ask? Why UA-Huntsville, of course. 5. And last but not least of Dr. Dave's points, diversity is a good thing. It expands our horizons. I loved living in other states and countries and learning from the people there. I still love visiting other states, countries, and continents and learning about their cultures. But I'll pass on visiting other planets (even though one author thinks men and women are from different ones). B. FROM RHONDA GAEDE. Thanks for the tip about UAH gear at CVS at University and Providence for just ~ $20. Kind of wish Wal-Mart had UAH stuff. C. FROM JIM CHALOUPKA. Am just being direct so please do not be offended. Name recognition is important and I would bet the name thing is only part of the marketing plan. It's UAH to the locals, and UAHuntsville to non-locals, which really is not a name change-it's a minor modification. (Remember, a rose by any other name is still a rose; can't remember who said that though). I do not agree that a name modification emphasizes UAH is "just" a satellite school (at the same time I heard your view since I'm responding to it. And you do not have to agree with me.) I think the slight name modification helps identify what the H means for non-locals (remember the geography point above). UAH has its own identity and at the same time is part of a bigger system-University of Alabama's. Kind of like a marriage (in my most humble view 'cause I'm no marriage expert or psychologist). D: To Mr. Chaloupka and UAH: Thank you for the opportunity to respond and blog. E. Last thoughts. I'm also thankful: - That we live in a culture that encourages freedom of thought and expression and allows us to disagree. - For veterans who have sacrificed to keep America free. - The greater Huntsville area is one of diversity. - From my perception and people I've met, a significant portion of the population accepts differences without trying to force others to be like them. (I think both same-minded ones and opposites attract.) Let us continue to respect each other's differences, listen to one another for understanding and learning, and then build on our shared values on all levels. Cathy B. Scott (Tiger, Crimson Tide, and Charger Fan) Analyst, Strategic Planner & Change Agent I recently saw a hat and Tshirt and combo with UAH on it at CVS on University and Providence for $19.99. Rhonda Gaede Electrical and Computer Engineering President Williams: In a blog entry, you wrote: "...how come I'm the only one in the Blue and White? We need a bit of Charger Pride round here, too many Blue Devils and UATide T-shirts on display." Well, I mean, of course, this is Alabama, after all. But, on a second note, having been here for what seems like forever -- first a bachelor's degree, and now working to complete a masters program, there's some things that haven't changed. I was a former employee of the bookstore, so by all means, I am not here to slam them; however, I think UAH needs to reconsider its licensing scheme. Of course more people wear UA and Auburn materials. You can buy them anywhere. But, if I want an official UAH piece of apparel, well, then I have to go to the bookstore. (think about where you last picked up a UAH shirt. Probably from someone or someplace on campus) I can't run to the bookstore on a weekend as they are closed for most of it. And with what appears to be an exclusive licensing deal, there's not any room for price cuts. There might be more UAH shirts, hats, and so on if students and even local residents could run to the mall and find a shirt -- and find that it's not $25. Or, it might even be something to just see that there's official UAH stuff with the rest of the college apparel at my favorite local store. I might be more inclined to buy something UAH if it's there next to other college apparel. It seems like some others are more interested in avoiding the marketing problem at hand and are relying on a name change -- one that incorrectly emphasizes this idea that we are just a satellite school (thankfully, we're not..and judging by some of the historical facts, I'm not sure why we'd really ever want to show a substantial affiliation; that statement may not be completely fair) -- rather than looking at some alternate opportunities for getting the name "UAH" out there. Anyhow, I just wanted to comment back on that; and I apologize for any time of yours I've wasted. Jim Chaloupka B.S., Computer Science 2004 M.S., Computer Science (in progress) 2009 |
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