Hodge incorporates art into work, everyday life
By Joey Blackwell
As many college students do, The University of Alabama senior Clay Hodge has dreams.
“My main goal is to design an Olympic logo for the city and the Olympic torch, particularly L.A. in 2028,” Hodge said.
Achieving such a specific goal requires a long road of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. To Hodge, that road is a road well-traveled.
The Career Center’s Champion
by Jessie Patterson Jones
More than 30 years had passed since Melinda King called The University of Alabama home. She’d built a successful career in human resources that propelled her from Florida to Texas and on to Minnesota.
A self-proclaimed big city aficionado, King hadn’t lived in her home state since college, but says she always knew she’d come back one day. She just didn’t imagine it would be quite so soon, even though she regularly cheered on the Crimson Tide.
Student Life staff members take to airwaves to connect with students
by Jessie Patterson Jones
In the age of social media and on-demand everything, it’s no secret that you have to do things a little differently to garner attention today.
Student-run radio station WVUA 90.7 The Capstone has worked hard to stay on the cutting edge to best reach UA students and the Tuscaloosa community over the airwaves – and digitally.
Some Student Life staff members have begun using the radio station as yet another platform to reach the students they serve. Three shows on the air this fall feature Student Life programs or staff members.
Thornton steps out of her comfort zone, into the Capstone
by Tory Martinez
Rachel Thornton has proven the old adage true. It really is never too late to learn something new. At age 27, Thornton traded her Air Force uniform for Alabama gear and embarked on a new adventure.
After graduating high school in 2008, Thornton enlisted in the United States Air Force in 2009. She initially began her duties as an Arabic linguist and then cross-trained into an emergency management specialist.
“Our job essentially is to hope we never have to do our job,” Thornton said. “For instance, if our base is being attacked or if there is a hostile shooter, we respond. I’m the liaison between the general populist and the leadership on base.”
Stasia Foster always dreamed of going to college to dance. A dancer since the age of 3, it was always just a given. When it came time to look at colleges, the Austin, Texas, native knew she wanted to leave her home state.
Office Hours provides an opportunity to introduce UA students, family and friends to the outstanding men and women who work at The University of Alabama and work tirelessly to provide each student with a great experience at the Capstone.
A quick stroll around campus often highlights changes to the Capstone. From new buildings to a larger student body, things have changed for students, faculty, staff, and alumni alike.
Office Hours provides an opportunity to introduce UA students, family, and friends to the outstanding men and women who work at The University of Alabama and work tirelessly to provide each student with a great experience at the Capstone.
This edition of Office Hours introduces Shayla Smith, a field coordinator in the School of Social Work. As a field coordinator, Smith’s major responsibilities include coordinating field placements, orienting students, and providing support to students in field. In addition, she is also an instructor.
For UA senior Justin Lomax, college has been a time for new challenges, building connections, and personal growth.
