A&S In the News – July 8-July 14

To Live and Die on Facebook
The Atlantic – July 11
The present remains quite grim. “It’s an extremely tragic moment in American life,” according to Utz McKnight, a professor of political science at the University of Alabama. For the Philando Castiles of the world, if there’s any solace to be found in these moments of live-streamed shootings and video bleed-outs, McKnight says it is merely, “At least you’re not dying alone.”

University of Alabama associate professor’s book earns award
Tuscaloosa News – July 13
Eric Weisbard, associate professor of American studies at the University of Alabama, has won the 2015 Woody Guthrie Award, given to an outstanding work on popular music, for his book “Top 40 Democracy: The Rival Mainstreams of American Music.” The award is given annually by the U.S. branch of the International Association for the Study of Popular Music. A dozen books were considered, and committee members chose “Top 40 Democracy” for its comprehensive history of commercial radio formats, one the association said would be a valuable reference for years.

AGI honors Dr. Ernest ‘Ernie’ A. Mancini at AAPG Annual Meeting
EurekaAlert – July 15
It is with great pleasure that the American Geosciences Institute announces its 2016 recipient of the Marcus Milling Legendary Geoscientist Medal. Dr. Ernest “Ernie” A. Mancini, Professor Emeritus in Geological Sciences at the University of Alabama has been recognized for his distinguished career in the geosciences spanning research, teaching and service at: the University of Alabama; Texas A&M University; Distinguished Research Professor in the areas of stratigraphy and petroleum geology at the University of Alabama; State Geologist of Alabama and Director of the Geological Survey of Alabama; Oil and Gas Supervisor for Alabama; Director and founder of the Center for Sedimentary Basin Studies at the University of Alabama; First Director of the Berg-Hughes Center for Petroleum and Sedimentary Systems at Texas A&M University; Serving as President at multiple geoscience organizations; Regional Director for the Eastern Gulf Region of the Petroleum Technology Transfer Council; and acting as a science and natural resources advisor to several Alabama governors and the state legislature.

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PORT RAIL: Is human nature truly changeable? – July 9 – Larry Clayton
Study shows stark differences in how conservatives, liberals see data – July 11 – Alexa Tullett