UAB Briefs: Weezer, School of Optometry 50th birthday, Coleman lecture
In this weekly online feature, we keep track of interesting people and events on campus.
Weezer will pay the hits in a free campus show in October.
The School of Optometry is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
And State Rep. Merika Coleman will lecture on Sept. 26 on human trafficking in the state.
Know people, places and programs on the UAB campus that deserve a mention? Email jchambers@starnespublishing.com.
50 years to celebrate
The popular rock band Weezer will headline a free concert outdoors on the UAB Campus Green on Friday, Oct. 18, at 7 p.m., as part of a celebration of the university’s 50th anniversary. Rapper Gashi is the opening act.
The event — sponsored by UAB Bookstore — is free and open to the public, but tickets are required for entry.
Formed in Los Angeles in 1992, Grammy Award-winning Weezer has sold more than 9 million records in the United States and more than 17 million records worldwide. Their hits include “Buddy Holly,” “Undone (The Sweater Song)” and “Say It Ain’t So.”
UAB is celebrating its 50th anniversary throughout 2019, including its weeklong Homecoming celebration from Oct. 13-19. The UAB Blazers football squad will play Old Dominion University at Legion Field on Saturday, Oct. 19.
All ticket transactions are limited to two each. To buy tickets, call Ticketmaster.
UABSO also marks 50 years
The School of Optometry (UABSO) — the only optometry program in the state of Alabama — is celebrating its 50th anniversary this fall.
The first class of optometry students at UABSO began classes in 1969 in the former Life of Georgia Insurance Building.
Founded by Dr. Henry D. Peters, the school’s first dean, the UABSO later became the first optometry school in the United States to be fully integrated into an academic health center, and the school awarded its first Doctor of Optometry degree in 1973.
UABSO was the first O.D. program affiliated with a VA Hospital; the first school or college of optometry in the United States to have an intramural faculty practice, which began operating in 1971; and UAB was the first in the country to establish a Vision Science Research Center to foster multidisciplinary and collaborative campus research.
“We train the next generation of leaders who provide comprehensive, evidence-based eye care, and have faculty and researchers who are committed to discovering new principles of vision science, treatment options, and managing ocular diseases and disorders,” said Dr. Kelly Nichols, UABSO dean.
The fight against trafficking
State Representative Merika Coleman will present a lecture on human trafficking in Alabama at the UAB Hill Student Center, 1400 University Blvd., on Thursday, Sept. 26, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Coleman will discuss human trafficking issues in Alabama and possible legislation for the 2020 legislative session.
The UAB Department of Political Science and Public Administration and Institute for Human Rights will host the event as part of a lecture series.
Attendance is free and open to the public, and lunch will be provided.