Senior Psychology Student Grace Oswald awarded NSF REU Mar 23, 2023 Congratulations to Grace Oswald (Senior Psychology and Biology Major) for being awarded a National Science Foundation Research Experience for Undergraduates (NSF REU). For this research internship, Grace will be able to apply her Human Factors research experience from Dr. Nathan Tenhundfeld’s ATTAC lab to conduct research in the Sociomobility REU at Michigan State University. The National Science Foundation (NSF), one of the largest research funding agencies in the U.S., offers summer research internship opportunities for undergraduates in the STEM fields at universities across the U.S. These internships are highly selective, as they generally consist of 10 undergrads across the country per research project. Students have the opportunity to conduct hands-on research within their area of study under the mentorship of a Principal Investigator (PI); receive a stipend of around $5000 [differs among internships and universities] and housing. Students will also participate in professional development sessions outside of the research and can participate in a regional conference to present their research findings by the end of the summer. In addition to research, Grace is an Honors College Prevost Scholar, the Senior Resident Assistant at Frank Franz Hall, and a CAHS FYE-Peer Instructor.... Visiting Artist Noah Breuer Mar 22, 2023 Noah Breuer's mixed media prints, which include frottage, non-traditional supports, and cast paper, examine the visual legacy of his family's former textile printing business, founded in 1897 in Bohemia. In 1939 the company, along with all other Jewish-owned property in German-occupied areas, was confiscated and sold to Nazi-approved owners. Most of these family members were killed in Auschwitz. In 2016, Bruer discovered records of family designs thought to be lost. The rich digital collection of these patterns and images has been a springboard for creating various printed works on paper and fabric, as well as installations and glass objects. These artworks resurrect the fruits of his ancestor's labor and reinterpret them through the artist's eyes. For more information about the artist, click the link to visit his website: Noah Breuer Photos from the Exhibition: ... UAH’s 2023 Dance and the Humanities series continues with Musical Theatre Mar 08, 2023 Friday’s severe weather subsided just in time for the second event in UAH’s 2023 Dance and the Humanities series. UAH faculty and students gathered in the Student Services Building Friday night to hear Broadway dancer & choreographer Chloe Davis, The University of Alabama Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre Alvon Reed, and St. John Paull II High School Drama Director Mari Adams discuss the iconic dance genre of Musical Theatre. The dialogue opened by tracing the evolution of the genre, from classic musicals like Oklahoma! to contemporary shows like Hamilton, and by discussing how dancing, singing, and acting synergistically combine to tell stories uniquely compared to traditional theatre. Although the St. John Paull II Drama students were unable to attend, Director Mari Adams exemplified the saying that “The show must go on” by bringing a video of two of their past performances. The video clips were a natural segue to discussing approaches to teaching musical theatre, the impact of Covid on teaching, auditions, and performances, and finally, the benefit of musical theatre to participants and audience alike. “Musical Theatre is meant to be live,” said Adams; “It’s a group experience.” Reflecting on the diversity of stories told via live musical theatre on Broadway and at community theaters and high schools across the country, Reed explained that the art form helps us to “see the complexity of the American experience.” On Saturday, two dozen students from UAH, Alabama A&M, St. John Paul II High School, and Dance Theatre of Huntsville gathered for a Musical Theatre master class led by Davis. In addition to teaching choreography and working with students on technique, Davis also educated the dancers and audience on the history of the style of musical theatre dance they were learning. One participant commented that Davis’ “unique way of teaching the dance skills was awesome.” Another appreciated that the master class “Exposed me to something different and unique.” The UAH Humanities Center sponsors the Dance and the Humanities series. The goal is to bring together global and local artists to explore the intersection of dance and the human condition with a particular focus on underrepresented dance forms and artists. The third and final event will spotlight Ballet. On April 13, Phillip Otto, Artistic Director for the Huntsville Ballet, will give a talk and lead a “behind the scenes” walkthrough with the dancers and creators of their upcoming show Cinderella. For more information, please contact the co-organizers Dr. Dylan Baun (dylan.baun@uah.edu) and Dr. Jennifer Sims (jennifer.sims@uah.edu) or go to uah.edu/ahs/events... Photography Exhibit "Here there be…" by Sean Berry Feb 27, 2023 Photography major, Sean Berry, suffered a retinal detachment about three years ago. This was at the time when he would be taking his most important photography classes. Throughout his light therapies to regain vision, he found a new and more contemplative appreciation for "unfocused light, shadow, and color." Berry describes it as the "area in-between." The title here there be, refers to what "was provided on ancient maps as a warning for unexplored territories of potential danger." Sean Berry's exhibit lets the viewer take in the subtle details but also see the photographs from the emotional state of the photographer. For more information on the artist Sean Berry: Snapshots2.godaddysites.com @Seanberry208 Photos of the Exhibit: ... UAH Art, Art History & Design Hosts Faculty Show 2023 Feb 24, 2023 The 2023 Faculty Exhibit featured works from The University of Alabama in Huntsville's Department of Art, Art History & Design. The show included creative pieces incorporating painting, mixed media, photography, and more. For more information on our Department and Galleries, please get in touch with art@uah.edu Sample Online Gallery of Exhibit ... 2023 Dance and the Humanities series kicked off with West African Dance Feb 21, 2023 The 2023 Dance and the Humanities series kicked off last weekend with two events focused on the art and culture of West African Drumming and Dance. Friday night the international artists of Africa Nashville joined Huntsville’s own Dance Theatre of Huntsville for a panel discussion and dialogue. Saturday morning there was a community Masterclass. About 125 people were in attendance Friday and the event was interactive from the start. Agathe Moubembé, Sory Diabeté, Mohamed “Dho” Cisse, and Ibrahima Dioubate, the four members of Africa Nashville, began with a drumming and dance demonstration during which they invited children in the audience to come forward to try some of the dance moves. The bilingual (English & French) panel dialogue that followed included the artists plus Windship Boyd, who is an artist, choreographer, and instructor of dance at Middle Tennessee State University. Among the topics discussed was the mutually constitutive and synergistic relationship between drummers and dancers in West African traditions. The panelists also talked about the important place of dance and drumming in their respective cultures and explained how these art forms are passed down as a tradition from parent to child. Dance Theatre of Huntsville’s Performing Company demonstrated how this tradition continues to be a part of the culture of members of the African diaspora. The youth dancers showcased two dances, one that was more traditional and a second that blended elements of West African dance with US contemporary dance. During the dialogue, Monique Ryan, the founder and artistic director of Dance All Productions and Dance Theatre of Huntsville, explained the importance of passing on these traditions to African American youth in Huntsville. During the Q&A, audience members asked questions that spanned the topics of dance, music, history, and sociology. One audience member said they “enjoyed the cultural discussion behind the dancing.” A reception followed, and children and grandparents alike took the opportunity to try drumming and dancing or to simply chat with the artists. On Saturday morning, the CTC Exhibition Hall was filled with sounds of drumming and clapping as Africa Nashville led an instructional masterclass. While the others drummed, Dho Cisse demonstrated a number of choreographed steps which the attendees learned and practiced. One attendee said that, “It's so neat how even though there was a language barrier, dance was the only language we needed.” About 40 people attended the Masterclass, including several members of the Alima Dance Company, the premier dance company at Alabama A&M University. They said they came to the Dance and the Humanities event because “We pride ourselves in being a diverse dance group. Ballet, African, tap, jazz. So any opportunity that is available we take it.” Dance and the Humanities is sponsored by the UAH Humanities Center. The goal of the series is to bring together global and local artists to explore the intersection of dance and the human condition with a particular focus on underrepresented dance forms and artists. The next opportunity to learn about the history, culture, and practice of a genre of dance will be March 3 - 4 when UAH hosts a dialogue and masterclass on Musical Theatre dance. The final event in the series will spotlight Ballet and will be on April 13. For more information, please contact the co-organizers Dr. Dylan Baun (dylan.baun@uah.edu) and Dr. Jennifer Sims (jennifer.sims@uah.edu), or go to uah.edu/ahs/events. ... Animation Professor Vincent Argentina named RCEU Faculty Director Feb 17, 2023 Academic Affairs and the Faculty Senate are pleased to announce that Vincent Argentina, Associate Professor of Art, Art History, and Design, has been named Faculty Director of the Research/Creative Experience for Undergraduates Program (RCEU). Professor Argentina teaches courses in computer animation, hard surface modeling, and game scripting and design, among other subjects. Professor Argentina runs the Commercial Arts and Technology Lab (CAT) in the Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Research Center (RSESC) and has worked with colleagues across campus--including faculty in Education, Engineering, and Nursing--on collaborative projects concerning technology-assisted cognitive training in aging adults and VR training for defense projects. He has also served as a production designer for UAH Theatre. Professor Argentina previously worked in the video game industry and brought that experience to our campus, coordinating the annual ChargerCon gaming and technology expo and helping to pioneer the Game Design and Development Minor. In his time at UAH, Professor Argentina has participated in numerous RCEU projects with students and we look forward to his leadership of this important program. For questions about The Department of Art, Art History, & Design, please contact art@uah.edu ... New Podcast Envisions Huntsville as a Twenty-Third Century City Jan 04, 2023 The University of Alabama in Huntsville students are envisioning Huntsville as a twenty-third-century city, and have released a new podcastto explore the Rocket City’s potential. The Huntsville is Liminal Space podcast presents the concept of liminality, an in-between space where dynamic transformation occurs, as a vector for innovation and visionary problem-solving among industry, government, humanities, and human capital. Produced by students in the UAH College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, each episode examines public problems and opportunities in four liminal spaces--- environment, education, civil rights and liberties, and the cosmos. Provocative episodes such as Spaced Out: Fixing Urban Sprawl and Transforming Huntsville into a Green City, and Expedition Education, thoughtfully confront problems that the city must jettison as it leads the way to space. Guests include Madison County Commissioner Violet Edwards; Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) President Matt Massey; Ankur Shah, a geospatial data analyst and environmental educator, and; Brenda Hampton, founder of Concerned Citizens of West Morgan and East Limestone (WMEL). The Huntsville is Liminal Space podcast is the culminating project of students in an experimental federalism and intergovernmental relations course. Students assembled in micro think tanks, or quad pods, to assess Huntsville’s liminal capacity for transformative change. Their fascinating findings provide rich context for each episode. Sponsored by the UAH Humanities Center, the podcast is at artemisgen.org. For more information, contact Dr. Noelle Hunter, nh0046@uah.edu. ... Adventures in Communication Studies Kicks off College Wide Career Development Series in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Dec 02, 2022 The Communication Arts Department in collaboration with CAHS Career and Internships kicked off a new career development series on November 4th, 2022. Held in Morton Hall, the event featured four panelists of industry professionals including Michele Armstrong, Joshua Ewell, Jalyn Ignont, and Michael Allen. Students and faculty attended the panel discussion which focused on not only the professional world of communication but also networking and resume building tips. Communication Arts Department lecturer, Anthony Greer, stated, “[students] having the opportunity to hear from people who are [working in the professional setting] on a regular basis is an incredible opportunity.” In response to a question about the communication skills used within the workplace, the panelists spoke about the importance of collaboration, listening, and understanding the organizational structure. Panelist Joshua Ewell stated, “For me it’s how to best deliver the message in order to get the end result that I’m trying to get.” The panelists ended their discussion by providing valuable feedback to students on navigating work after the pandemic. They discussed the role of remote work in each of their jobs and how it is changing the landscape of organizations. The Communication Arts major provides students with practical, critical, historical, and theoretical perspectives on human communication that prepares them for work, social life, and further academic studies. Interested in learning more? Be sure to check out UAH's Communication Arts website. Hosted jointly by Departments and CAHS Career & Internships, the Adventures In series invites professionals within our community to come speak to students about how their connected major in Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences impacts their career today. Want to join in on the fun? Contact us at cahs-careers@uah.edu to request a speaking opportunity in 2023!... SFM Club Organizes UAH International Day of University Sport Nov 10, 2022 On September 20, UAH joined other colleges and universities across the globe in celebrating the International Federation of University Sport (FISU) International Day of University Sport. The on-campus activities were organized by the Sport and Fitness Management (SFM) Club in the hopes of highlighting opportunities for students of all backgrounds to be more involved in physical activity. SFM Club member, Kailey O’Hanlon, said, “It was really exciting to see students who aren’t normally involved in sports bridge the gap between students and student-athletes by getting involved.” The scheduled events took place throughout the day all across the UAH campus. The sponsor of the SFM Club, Dr. Noemi Zaharia, was excited for the opportunity to introduce the event to the UAH community. “We are very excited to be the first university in the US to join this global celebration. The International Day of University Sport has been celebrated globally since its inception in 2016 and the opportunity to bring the UAH community together through sports and promoting healthy living for everyone was an opportunity we felt strongly about.” Dr. Zaharia hopes this is just the beginning of a more international presence in the UAH Department of Kinesiology and the campus, as a whole. “It is my hope that this is just the beginning of a strong partnership with FISU and that UAH has an opportunity to show the world what an amazing place this is.” The UAH Athletics program was happy to join the cause as many of the practices of sport teams, including men’s and women’s lacrosse, softball, volleyball, men’s and women’s soccer, and men’s and women’s basketball, were open for students to observe.“Student-athletes inspire us, motivate us, and give us all something to celebrate. I am honored that we got to host a day that celebrates them,” said SFM Club President, Jessica Culver. Also featured were group fitness classes available for the students at the University Fitness Center and the UAH Ability Sport Network (ASN), which offered students across campus the opportunity to participate in and learn the game of Boccia Ball. ASN Director, Dr. David Kyle was thrilled with the chance for adapted sport to be included in the cause. “It was a great opportunity for our Adapted PE students to have a chance to teach an adapted sport to their peers in an inclusive environment.” Members of the SFM Club hope this is the beginning of an annual tradition at UAH and the celebration of University Sport grows next year. “I think it was a great experinceand I loved the attention it brings to university sports. I hope we can do it again and that other universities can do it and bring some other sports into the spotlight,” said Lauren Gafford of the SFM Club. It is an annual event and the club has already started to brainstorm ideas on what to include next year. “This was a great opportunity to interact with our campus community, and promote athletics and activity through sports!” touted UAH senior Jacob McCluskey, SFM Club founding member. For the remainder of this year, there are ample opportunities to get involved with the UAH athletics teams as a volunteer or fan, take a class or participate in a rec team at the UFC, or get out and enjoy some disc golf on the UAH course. Also, if you’re interested in helping design more activities like this through the SFM Club, it’s open to all students to participate. Follow them on Instagram @sfmclub_uah or you can contact Jessica Culver via email at jlc0089@uah.edu for more information. ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10