YMLP/YWLP Community Service Project

I had the greatest opportunity to help The Ferg host a day full of fun and cheer for the students of Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary on March 28. Students of the Young Men's Leadership Program and the Young Women's Leadership Program received first hand experience giving back to the community by assisting with the Community Service Day, and I gained a new appreciation for both groups and the children.

As part of the event, the mentors, volunteers, and students refurbished the basketball court near McKenzie Court Housing Authority and the elementary school, which has been used everyday since the event. The Women's Resource Center of The University of Alabama, in partnership with The Ferg, celebrated the hard work of the students with a festival of fun. The celebration included lunch, popcorn and ice cream sundaes for everyone to enjoy. After eating, the MLK Jr. students took part in various acitivies to win give-aways and prizes, and the best part was that everyone was a winner!

I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to reach out to such a grateful group of children. Be on the lookout for more events hosted by The Ferg that you can take part in!

Movie Series: TRON: Legacy

The 1982 original version of TRON: Legacy has been recreated and revamped! The Ferguson Center was happy to introduce the new movie at this month's Movie Series event in The Ferg Theater. The popcorn and refreshments were, as always, overflowing and so were the students! We are happy to say we had over 70 come out and enjoy the movie.

TRON: Legacy is about "the son of a virtual world designer who goes looking for his father and ends up inside the digital world that his father designed. He meets his father's creation turned bad and a unique ally who was born inside the digital domain of The Grid."

The next Movie Series event will be held on Sunday, April 17 in The Ferg theater. We will be showing The Green Hornet with FREE poprcorn and refreshments for everyone to enjoy. Come make Sunday night a movie night!

Druid City Arts Festival 2011

I spent my Saturday afternoon downtown at the Governor's Plaza at the Druid City Arts Festival! The festival was great. There was a main stage line up with different bands, several vendors, and stations for kids to play. While I was there, I was introduced to a new band, Alice and Thunderland. I also stopped by some of the booths to buy little trinkets. I even ran into some old high school friends! Overall, the festival was wonderful. The weather started off rainy but ended with sunshine. UA students, families, and community members seemed to enjoy this event. This is an annual event that will definitely attend next year!

Hot Topics: Sexism and Gender Discrimination

The latest Hot Topic discussion took place on March 8, and addressed the issues of sexism and gender discrimination . The hot topic discussion was very interesting and insightful. Markus Harris, the moderator, for the discussion brought up interesting questions and thoughts that fed your mind. Some of the more interesting questions included, "What determines who you are? Sex or Gender?" and "When you hear gender discrimination, what is the first thing that comes to mind?" After leaving the Hot Topics discussion, I felt like I had a different view on how I identify myself as a woman. As a student at The University of Alabama, I enjoy the Hot Topic discussions. The discussions bring up issues that you do not think of on a daily basis. The next Hot Topic discussion is April 12 and will address Cultural Awareness. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!

Due Date: Leave Your Comfort Zone

If you've jumped on the Zach Galifianakis bandwagon too, then you should have joined the rest of his fans and attended our Movie Series. The Ferg hosted a free showing of "Due Date" to all students this past Sunday, Feb. 27. With more than 150 in attendance, the movie choice was a hit! Since Galifianakis' hilarious performance in "The Hangover" he's been on the up and up, and we're behind him as long as he keeps our theater packed.

"Due Date" is about a high-strung father-to-be, Peter Highman, who is forced to hitch a ride with aspiring actor, Ethan Tremblay, on a road trip in order to make it to his child's birth on time. If you think you've had a bad road trip experience, wait until you see this one.

The Ferg hosts a movie for all students, faculty, staff, and community members once a month, and we're always looking for student input on what movie to play. The next movie will be "TRON: Legacy" on March 20. The movie will start at 8:00 p.m. Come make Sunday night a movie night!

Alternative Fitness

On March 2nd, I danced the night away! Alternative Fitness was coordinated to give people another way to exercise rather than going to the gym. The Wii Sports and Xbox 360 new game "Dance Central" were used last night. This event was catered by Subway and lasted for three hours downstairs in The Ferg Game Room. I enjoyed the Alternative Fitness night, and I think that it should be held again. I give this event two thumbs up!!

Dancing Away:

International Expression: Game Night

On March 1st, I was introduced to a new game, which is now a favorite of mine, Manchula. Manchula is an African Marble game that takes a lot of thought and time. The International Expression: Game Night was a great way to meet new people and interact with people from different cultures. Subway catered the event and the games were supplied by The Ferg. What's a better way to meet new people and learn new things then over good food and great cultural games.

Interfaith Comedy Show

The Ferguson Center Theater was packed on Feb. 28. Community members, students and faculty all came together to attend the Interfaith Comedy Show.Stand up comedians Azhar Usman, an American-Muslim, and Rev. Susan Sparks, a Baptist minister, filled the crowd with laughter! I never thought that faith or religion could be funny. The way Rev. Susan Sparks made the crowd laugh at Southern Baptist was just hilarious. Also, Azhar Usman, at the end of the show, had me questioning where I was in the world!! According to him and "Google", there are 10 galaxies. Which one are we in? NO ONE KNOWS!!! So we don't know where we are. If there is to be another comedy show held by The Ferg, I would suggest that you go and check it out. I reassure you that it will have you laughing.


How "us" Southerners greet one another:

On the Town: Westervelt Warner Museum

Originally posted on February 20, 2011 by Joycelyn Kennedy

Leaving for On the Town>>>

On the Town landed me at the Westervelt Warner Museum on February 12. About 15 students attended the event. Some people arrived with friends, and some people made new friends. The museum displayed art celebrating significant American historical events and figures. I enjoyed the trip, and learned about American history and art.

STUDENTS OPINION:

The Avett who? Featuring Band of what?

Originally posted on February 13, 2011 by Megan Barnes

"Violent is the motion in my heart and in my body and mind. And silent is the feeling that I lost but I'm determined to find. And love is but an ocean, unrealistic notion, but I cling to her devotion, and let it pull me down to the floor."

These are the lyrics that 3,000 UA students, faculty, and staff will be listening to on April 1st in the new amphitheater. By who? At least that's what I asked. I was quickly informed by the swarms of people that overflowed the third floor of The Ferg. Fans of The Avett Brothers and Band of Horses were lined up more than two hours before tickets went on sale. I hadn't even heard of the bands until a week before. Obviously, I'm missing out, and 2,500 students let me know when I sold them their ticket. And who would pass up an opportunity to go to a concert on the opening day of the amphitheater for only $10? We sold out of general admission seating within a couple of hours on the first day, but reserved seating continued to sell through the weekend.

I continued to ask questions about the band to numerous fans, and I learned The Avett Brothers are a folk rock band out of North Carolina. The band, made up of two brothers and a friend, combine bluegrass, country, punk and pop melodies with folk, rock and roll, honky tonk, and ragtime to produce a sound all its own that has captured the likeness of many.

As I write about this mystery band, The Avett Brothers are performing on The Grammys with Bob Dylan and Mumford and Sons. I guess I am missing out. Not for long, though. I bought tickets of my own.

Hot Topics: Social Media vs. Real Life

Originally posted on February 11, 2011 by Joycelyn Kennedy

On February 8th I attended Hot Topics: Social Media vs Real Life. I really enjoyed this event! I loved the open discussion. Everyone had a chance to express their opinions. I learned a lot from other people's opinions. This event was significant because it really showed what is going on in the world via Twitter, Facebook, and other social media sites. The setting was in the Ferguson Center Game Room. Free food was also provided by Chick-fil-A.

Student Leadership Program: Event Planning and Project Management

Originally posted on February 11, 2011 by Joycelyn Kennedy

     On February 8th I attended Student Leadership: Event Planning and Project Management. 13 students attended this event. This event gave very helpful information for planning events within the community and at The University of Alabama. I really did not enjoy this event. This is probably something that I would not want to attend in the future. The event time should have been extended so that it could allow the speaker more time to elaborate on the topics, instead of rushing through the event. This seems like an event that should be mandatory for all students in leadership positions at the UA.


STUDENTS OPINION: 

Al's Pals Mentoring

Originally posted on February 3, 2011 by Joycelyn Kennedy

I attended Al’s Pals on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. I walked through each set-up during the mentoring session. The children seem to enjoy the experience given to them. I enjoyed seeing the children engage in learning. I also enjoyed how the mentors gave their undivided attention to the children. This is definitely a great program! I see the intervention taking place in this community. One day, it will make a difference in a child's life.

These children are encouraged to read, do homework, engage in another language, and critically think in groups. They are also given different techniques to help them learn.The sessions take place in a personal setting in which the mentors work one-on-one with children. The mentors meet with the children every Wednesday and Thursday from 3pm-5pm for the rest of the Spring semester.

"Most of all this children have someone who believes in them." -Star Bloom

Capstone Expo: A Senior Art & Design Show

Originally posted on December 10, 2010 by Joycelyn Kennedy I visited the art gallery in The Ferg for the first time yesterday. I was intrigued by what I saw, and I liked how the exhibit was set up. Tonight, the Senior Reception was open to the Capstone community. At the reception, the artists were available to discuss their works of art and designs. Some of their family members and friends also attended. The artists were very informative about their works of art and ideas. I definitely believe we have a lot of talent on campus at The University of Alabama. I feel this event could possibly expand even more! Maybe inviting more artists and hosting it in a new location will draw a bigger crowd. On another note, I enjoyed tonight's event.