UAB Briefs: Pat Metheny gigs, students recover, online programs gets kudos
Welcome to another installment of UAB Briefs, in which we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention? Email Iron City Ink at sydney@starnespublishing.com or jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
The best in his business
Guitarist Pat Metheny is one of the most celebrated jazz artists in history, winning 20 Grammy awards in a variety of categories.
In 2015, he became youngest member – and only the fourth guitarist – of the Downbeat Hall of Fame.
The versatile Metheny has gigged with a wide variety of artists, including Steve Reich, Ornette Coleman, Herbie Hancock and David Bowie.
As a composer, he’s written for guitar, small ensembles, orchestras, ballet pieces and even robotic instruments.
And if you haven’t seen Metheny play live, don’t despair, because he’s coming to UAB soon.
Metheny will perform in the Jemison Concert Hall at Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center on Sun., Jan. 29, at 7 p.m.
“An Evening with Pat Metheny” will feature drummer/composer Antonio Sanchez, bassist Linda Oh and pianist Gwilym Simcock.
Tickets are $48-68. To order – including discounted or specially priced tickets for UAB students, faculty and staff – call 975-2787 or go to alysstephens.org.
Learning and recovering
College students who seek long-term recovery from drug and alcohol use need support from each other and from their university communities in order to do well academically and stay healthy, according to Luciana C. Silva, Ph.D., a counselor and therapist at UAB.
That’s why the university has established the Collegiate Recovery Community, which promotes personal, academic and professional achievement in pursuit of long-term recovery, health and well-being, according to a UAB news release.
“College can be an environment focused on alcohol and drugs, so it is important to have a support network intact when students in recovery start school,” said Silva, who serves as CRC project manager.
The CRC offers students in recovery a safe space for peer-to-peer support and accountability, social support and mentoring, guidance toward academic self-efficacy and community service and leadership opportunities.
The CRC offers such services as Tuesday night recovery group meetings, meditation and spiritual support, sober options for socializing, academic tutoring, open study hours and professional development.
Student Ben Rodden, 27, had a problem with drugs, including heroin. However, sobriety has given him goals and helped him repair family relationships, and CRC support has been a part of his success
“This is the best time I’ve had in school since I’ve ever been in school,” Rodden said in the news release. “It’s a lot easier now I have a clear mind and I am motivated.”
“One of the harder parts about recovery is being able to do fun stuff without alcohol and drugs’ being a part of it,” Silva said.
To provide some of that fun stuff, the CRC has offered such activities as kayaking, whitewater rafting, adventure day trips, a climbing wall workshop and a Birmingham Barons game.
In its first year, the CRC has 12 members, but nearly 60 UAB students taken part in various events and programs.
The CRC will present a recovery conference in the Hill Student Center Alumni Theatre on Feb. 11 from noon-10 p.m.
For registration, or for more information about the group, go to uab.edu/studenthealth/recovery-community.
UAB online programs get kudos
UAB’s online programs saw their rankings go up significantly in the 2017 U.S. News & World Report Best Online Programs.
Every program submitted this year saw gains in the annual rankings, according to a UAB news release.
UAB was rated No. 63 overall for its offerings of online bachelor’s degree programs, up from No. 86 in 2016.
In addition, UAB has five online graduate programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report — business, education, engineering, information technology and nursing — each of which improved since last year.
For example, The Collat School of Business’ online graduate program (non-MBA) was ranked No. 22 in 2017, up from No. 51 in 2016.