JSU Digest
Tuesday February 24, 2004

Story Index
1. Miriam Higginbotham Dies
2. Record-Breaking Preview Day: 299 Registered
3. Bragg Reflects on Life After The New York Times
4. NCAA: Staying Focused on Academics
5. Workshop: 'Dealing With Depression'
6. Programs to Sponsor Career Fair on March 3
7. Music This Week
8. Test Set Wednesday for Severe Weather Awareness Week
9. Employee Benefits Fair is Thursday
10. Lecture Tuesday: 'Parlor to Trenches'
11. Dr. Harding to Lecture Thursday
12. SBDC Offers Free Counseling
12.Hear Dr. Zettili

Miriam Higginbotham Dies

Retired Jacksonville State University employee Miriam Higginbotham died last night. Please watch local newspapers for funeral arrangements. Mrs. Higginbotham joined JSU in August, 1965 as dean of women. At the time of her retirement in 1989 she was serving as acting director of development.

Record-Breaking Preview Day: 299 Registered

President Bill Meehan announced Monday that Saturday's Preview Day attracted record attendance and more than doubled last year's registration rate. "I want to thank the faculty, staff and students who worked so hard to make Preview Day a success, and I look forward to the next one on Saturday, March 13," Dr. Meehan said. Two hundred thirty-six freshmen were registered along with 63 transfer students, bringing the day's total to 299. Registrations a year ago totaled 139. "Thanks for a job well done," said Dr. Meehan.

Bragg Reflects on Life After The New York Times

Author, journalist Rick Bragg has reincarnated himself as a literary contender now that his New York Times career is behind him. His only job now is writing books. Wherever he goes Bragg tells people that he's a freshman at Jacksonville State University. He laughs knowing that even though his academic studies haven't taken him beyond being a freshman, his career success has taken him places that few people go. He spent a year of study at Harvard University. MORE >>>

NCAA: Staying Focused on Academics

The improvement in grade point averages among Jacksonville State University’s student athletes announced in January came at a time when the National Collegiate Athletic Association was making eligibility requirements relating to grades more stringent. Tracy Broom, JSU’s academic advisor for student athletes, hopes the trend continues. It is her job to track and monitor their grades. “No one knows for sure what will happen, but the NCAA rules are only getting stricter.” The requirements mean athletes must stay focused on academics. MORE >>>

Counseling Service Workshop: 'Dealing With Depression'

Counseling and Career Services is sponsoring a workshop today, titled "Dealing With Depression," from 3 until 4 p.m. in Room 303 Theron Montgomery Bldg. Symptoms of depression include persistent sadness or unhappiness, lethargy, loss of interest in previously enjoyable activities, irritability, sudden change in appetite, disruption of normal sleep pattern, physical discomfort, difficulty thinking or concentrating, thoughts of suicide or death. If you or someone you know is dealing with depression, this workshop may provide very helpful information. For more information contact Linda Shelton or call 782-5475.

Programs to Sponsor Career Fair March 3

The Annual Career Fair presented by the departments of criminal justice, sociology/social work, and psychology will be held from 1:30 until 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 3 on the first and third floors of Brewer Hall. The event is for any student interested in these fields. Students will be able to ask questions, gain information, and possibly obtain applications. For more information, contact Dean Buttram.

Music This Week

A concert and a recital are scheduled this week:

• Wednesday, February 25 -- Jazz I Big Band Concert, 7:00 p.m. at Mason Hall Performance Center. Dr. Chip Crotts, directing.
• Thursday, February 26 -- Trombone Studio Recital, 8:00 p.m. at Mason Hall Performance Center.

Test Set Wednesday for Severe Weather Awareness Week

A statewide tornado drill is set for Wednesday afternoon as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week. Weather radio, the Emergency Alert System, sirens, and other dissemination systems may be tested during the day. If "real" severe weather or another emergency is expected or takes place on Wednesday, the test will be held Friday, February 27. "There is no such thing as being Storm or Flood proof, but with education and planning, we can all be more aware about methods to prevent loss of life," said Jason Wright, warning coordination meteorologist at the National Weather Service forecast office in Birmingham. While Alabama is ranked 13th in the nation for the number of tornadoes, it is third in the number of deaths. Alabama is also one of the few places on earth with two severe weather seasons. Severe weather can occur any time of day and any month during the year. There were 42 tornadoes in Alabama in 2003, compared to an average of 23. Flooding and large hail also took a toll on the state in 2003. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the 1974 "super outbreak." One hundred forty-eight tornadoes struck that year on April 3 and 4 in 13 states, including Alabama, killing 335 and injuring 6,000. Alabama was one of the hardest hit states, with 86 killed. The storm brought the strongest tornadoes to ever hit Alabama.

Employee Benefits Fair is Thursday
The third annual Employee Benefits Fair, sponsored by Human Resources, is Thursday, February 26, 2004. Mark your calendars and visit Leone Cole Auditorium between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Vendors will have product information and samples, items for sale, free samples and even door prizes. The vendors scheduled to display are: AmSouth Bank, SouthTrust Bank, R & R Travel, Cable One, Teddy Bear Stuffers, Creative Memories, Kay's Kreations, Cingular Wireless, Anniston Museum League, Nationwide Insurance and Financial, Gold's Gym, Big Brothers and Big Sisters of NE Alabama, Robert Trent Jones Golf Course at Silver Lakes, TIAA/CREF, Mary Kay Cosmetics, My Two Girls Gift Shoppe, The Tanner Co., Regions Morgan Keegan Trust, Simply Sandra's, AFLAC, Alabama Telco Credit Union, Communications Inc/Nextel, Quintard Mall, Compass Bank, State Farm Insurance, Totally Pamper Me, The Jacksonville News, Sam's Club, Colonial Life, Bama Cellular, Tri-Co Supply Company, McCord Communications, Calhoun County Insurance Center, Fort McClellan Credit Union, American United Life/Insurance Planning, Pre-Paid Legal Services, Inc.

Lecture: 'Parlor to Trenches to Silver Screen'

Patricia Neal of the Alabama Humanities Foundation Speakers Bureau will discuss Jane Austen's novels and their adaptation to film at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 24 on the 11th floor of the Houston Cole Library. Dr. Neal, professor of English at Spring Hill College, will use film clips to explore the popularity of Jane Austen and her six completed novels. The title of her presentation, which is sponsored by the Friends of Houston Cole Library, is "Jane Austen:Parlor to Trenches to Silver Screen." Dr. Neal concentrates on British literature of the 18th and 19th centuries. A fascination with the relationship between the verbal and visual forms an important part of her studies, which range from the romantic authors to the importance of place, the figure in the landscape, and the development of art criticism. The public is invited. Refreshments will be served. For more information contact Mr. William Hubbard.

Dr. Harding to Deliver Sigma Tau Lecture

Dr. Pitt Harding of the JSU English faculty will give the annual Sigma Tau Delta Faculty Scholar Lecture at 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, in Room 233 Stone Center. Entitled "Milton's Serpent and the Birth of Pagan Error in Book IX of PARADISE LOST," the lecture will examine Satan's temptation of Eve, showing how Milton's allusions to classical and Christian sources suggest that the fate of epic poetry hangs in the balance when Satan approaches Eve in serpent form. Sigma Tau Delta is an international English honor society. The public is invited to the lecture.

SBDC Offers Free Counseling

The Jacksonville State University Small Business Development Center, the SBA, and the Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce will offer one-on-one counseling for prospective and existing small business owners at no charge on Thursday, March 04, 2004, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Chamber office. It is necessary that you make an appointment. For more information, or your appointment, please call (256) 237-3536.

President Meehan's Radio Show

Physics Professor Nouredine Zettili compares world higher education systems. Tune in here or go to president.jsu.edu.

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Compiled and edited by Al Harris, JSU News Bureau

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