Monthly Newsletter October 2020

South Wins Artificial Intelligence Forecasting Grant

The University of South Alabama is one of five institutions to receive a four-year, National Science Foundation grant totaling five million dollars for a project called: Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Weather Forecasting. South’s portion of the grant is more than $780,000. This is also a collaboration between the USA School of Computing and USA College of Arts and Sciences Department of Earth Sciences. “We have collaborated on smaller projects in the past, but this really solidifies a good fit between two programs at the University,” said Dr. Sytske Kimball, chair in the Department of Earth Sciences. “Artificial Intelligence in meteorological forecasting is a new emerging field with a lot of potential. It is fantastic to see South at the forefront of this new emerging technology.”

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Dean Wierzbicki's Note Each month, I truly look forward to sharing good news about our outstanding alumni, students, and faculty. Last week, the USA National Alumni Association hosted a Virtual Alumni Reunion with a variety of events throughout the day. I had a chance to meet with a group of College of Arts and Sciences alumni via Zoom and enjoyed seeing students that I taught during their time at South. This month's Newsletter features a link for you to watch videos from the Alumni Reunion in case you missed the events.  We also are proud to announce our College’s involvement in a National Science Foundation Grant for “Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Weather Forecasting." Living on the Gulf Coast we all know about the importance of weather forecasting, and we are very excited about this award.  Through its #FreshmanFocus series, the University is featuring articles on new freshman. In this Newsletter, we are happy to introduce Jhalana Jones. She has performed in local theater and is now studying music education at South. We also have an article about Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese, the newest faculty member in the USA Department of Marine Sciences. She was recently featured in the American Museum of Natural History’s “Scientists at Home" online discussion series. Also in this issue, we recognize Dr. Lesley Gregoricka, Associate Professor of Anthropology, and Michael Odair, who graduated in 2004 with a B.A. in Communication. The USA National Alumni Association recently honored both Gregoricka and Odair for their hard work and success. Again, we hope you enjoy reading this month's College news, and please stay in touch. Best regards, Dr. Andrzej Wierzbicki Dean USA College of Arts and Sciences

Upcoming Events October 8 Hamner Lecture: "#PublishingPaidWho? Black Women's Poetry, Ethics, and Citizen(ship) in Minneapolis, 2020" October 13 Career Chats with an Employer October 14 Coffee with an Archaeologist: Mortuary Archaeology Poetry Reading with Dr. Charlotte Pence October 15 USA Wind Ensemble and Symphony Outdoor Concert at Moulton Tower (Open to the Public) "Who Will Write Our History" A Conversation with Documentary Filmmaker Roberta Grossman October 26 College Preview Days - Social & Behavioral Sciences College Preview Days - Humanities College Preview Days - Physical Science & Mathematics College Preview Days - Fine & Performing Arts October 29 Roger Grunwald to Perform His One-Man Show, The Mitzvah

Mobile Actress Takes Stage at South #FreshmanFocus: Jhalana Jones, who has performed in local theater and moonlights as a princess, is studying music education. "We have this teacher, Dr. Thomas Rowell, who is a hoot-and-a-half. He lets us know we're not just his students, we're his people." READ MORE

USA National Alumni Association Awards Arts and Sciences is pleased to have two winners in this year's batch of USA National Alumni Award recipients. The Semoon and Youngshin Chang Endowed Award for Humanitarian Services was presented to Dr. Lesley A. Gregoricka, associate professor of sociology and anthropology. The Lisa Bethea Kavanagh Young Alumni Award was presented to Michael T. Odair, who graduated in 2004 with a B.A. in communication. Odair is currently senior vice president of creative at Superjacket Productions in Los Angeles.  READ MORE

Beneath the Deep Blue Sea Dr. Brandi Kiel Reese is the newest faculty member in the USA Department of Marine Sciences. In addition to serving as an associate professor, Reese is the senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab. She was recently featured on the American Museum of Natural History’s “Scientists at Home” online series, where she talked about her involvement with the International Ocean Discovery Program. READ MORE

USA Virtual Alumni Reunion The USA National Alumni Association recently hosted a one-day virtual Alumni Reunion. Although we are not able to gather in person this fall, this was the perfect time to reconnect with fellow Jaguar alumni, and find out everything that is happening at the University of South Alabama. Click the link below to watch video recordings from events held throughout the day. READ MORE

Be sure to follow USA College of Arts and Sciences on Facebook and Instagram!

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