UA professor Dr. Pamela Payne-Foster discusses her research on HIV/AIDS, community outreach and ways to work together to combat this public health crisis. In addition to serving as a professor in community medicine and population health in the UA School of Medicine, Dr. Foster also is deputy director of the Institute for Rural Health Research and principal investigator of Faith-based Intervention to Heal HIV/AIDS, also known as Project FAITHH.
Passcode: pa600.Jj
December 2022
World AIDS Day Exhibit
Available for viewing through Thursday, Dec. 8| Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Educational Engagement)
*Open to UA Students, Faculty & Staff, UA System
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host a special exhibition of the National AIDS Memorial Quilt as part of the division’s observance of World AIDS Day, recognized internationally on Dec. 1. The National AIDS Memorial, through a partnership with AIDS Quilt Touch, brings all 50,000 panels of the AIDS Memorial Quilt to people all around the world to experience each panel’s story, beauty and love that represents one of the largest acts of activism and social justice. The Quilt celebrates the lives of people who have died of AIDS-related causes. For more information, contact the Intercultural Diversity Center at ua_idc@ua.edu.
Diversity, Coffee & Conversations: Winter Celebrations
Tuesday, Dec. 6 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Intercultural Diversity Center, 2100 Student Center
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement/Social Enrichment)
*Open to UA Students, Faculty, Staff, & UA Systems
The Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s monthly Diversity, Coffee and Conversations program will highlight upcoming cultural holidays. Participants will learn about different cultures, traditions and customs through insight and knowledge from different representatives. For more information, contact the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at diversity@ua.edu. Register to attend.
2022 Senior BFA Thesis Exhibition
Dec. 6-9 | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to noon Friday | Sella-Granata Art Gallery, 109 Woods Hall
Reception: Thursday, Dec. 8 | 6 p.m. | Sella-Granata Gallery
The UA Department of Art and Art History presents the 2022 Senior BFA Thesis Exhibition, where seniors Courtney Simmons and Zim Major present their final thesis work in fulfillment of the requirements of their Bachelor of Fine Arts degree paths.
Mobile, Alabama, native Zim Major is pursuing a BFA in graphic design. The title of her exhibition is “AfriCOBRA vs. The Black Community.” Major said that her work, which riffs off of the basic ideas and images of the historic art movement founded in the 1960s, also challenges its assumptions, especially in gender and race. While working toward her degree, Major served as graphic designer for UA’s Student Health Center. She won a silver ADDY at the 2021 AAF Tuscaloosa ADDY Awards for editorial design. Besides her work in design, especially branding and packaging, Major enjoys studying French and working in ceramics.
Talladega, Alabama, native Courtney Simmons is pursuing a BFA in studio art with a concentration in digital media and photography. The title of her exhibition is “Happiness is the Secret Sauce,” and Simmons said that she is “creating a brand for happiness.” She said, “I want to spread happiness and impact communities by showing that happiness is essential to life.” Simmons made the Dean’s List for four semesters and is a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. While working toward her degree, she has freelanced as a graphic designer and worked in retail sales.
The Bachelor of Fine Arts is the professional degree for the artist and prepares students to go directly into a career, such as professional photography, digital media, graphic design, printmaking or any number of careers in the arts. The department offers the BFA in studio art degree and the BFA in graphic design degree. The BFA is also the foundation for the master’s program in studio art at UA and lays the groundwork for more advanced studies toward the Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees.
The Sella-Granata Art Gallery, located in 109 Woods Hall on 7th Avenue, UA campus, features student exhibitions as well as visiting artists and is an essential part of the education and development of UA students and the local community.
Nyansapo Kente Robing Ceremony
Thursday, Dec. 8 | 5 p.m. | Sellers Auditorium, Bryant Conference Center
The UA Black Faculty and Staff Association will host the Fall 2022 Nyansapo Kente Robing Ceremony to recognize graduating students. Nyansapo is a Ghanaian symbol that means intelligence, ingenuity, and patience. Kente is a ceremonial cloth used for occasions such as this one. The BFSA Nyansapo Kente robing ceremony was started in the summer of 2016 to promote retention amongst undergraduate and graduate students of color and celebrate their academic accomplishments. In addition, the Kente robing ceremony provides the BSFA community an opportunity to highlight the significance of those students graduating from The University of Alabama. The event will be streamed live on the BFSA Facebook page at UABFSA.
Ally Training Program
Wednesday, Dec. 14 | 9-11 a.m. | Zoom
(Cultural Exploration/Educational Engagement)
*Open to UA Students, Faculty & Staff, UA System
The UA Safe Zone Ally Training Program provides a visible network of allies for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and asexual individuals. Safe Zone Allies distribute information regarding sexuality, gender identity, campus and community resources, and methods for reporting harassment and/or discrimination. The Safe Zone Ally Training Program is a two-hour training session that allows participants to develop a working knowledge of appropriate and respectful LGBTQIA+ terminology; recognize the impact that campus climate has on individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+; and identify areas of personal growth as a member of the UA community. Following the training program, participants are invited to sign up to serve as UA Safe Zone Allies. Registration is required. For more information, contact the Safe Zone Resource Center at 205-348-7297 or safezone@ua.edu.