Steve Flowers: Jo Bonner inaugurated as president of University of South Alabama
Jo Bonner was officially sworn in as the fourth president of the University of South Alabama on September 23, 2022. The University of South Alabama is the crown jewel and flagship of the Alabama Gulf Coast. It is a sprawling, manicured, beautiful, and functional modern campus. It is currently the third-largest university in the state. Under the leadership of President Jo Bonner, it will grow and prosper to where within the next decade, it will be thought of as one of our premier “Big Three” major flagship universities along with the University of Alabama and Auburn University. Its location as the only major university in the populous metropolitan Mobile/Baldwin growth area of our state, coupled with having the University of South Alabama Medical School and Center on the campus, portends for exponential growth and prosperity for the University of South Alabama. The prosperity of USA is assured by the selection of Josiah R. Bonner, Jr. as President. Over the next decade, he will be thought of in the same terms and same breath as the legendary founding President of USA, Frederick Whiddon, who oversaw the first 35 years of USA. There has never been a more perfect selection to be the leader of a major university in our state than the appointment of Jo Bonner as President of USA. His knowledge of the business, civic, and social community of the Mobile/Baldwin area is unique. Through his decade of service as their congressman, he is an integral part of the Mobile community. He left Congress with the highest regard and admiration. He was so well respected by his congressional colleagues that he was Chairman of the U.S. House Ethics Committee. You can be assured that there is no university president, lobbyist, or board of trustee member who can walk the halls of Congress and bring home the bacon from the limitless federal trough than Josiah Bonner, Jr. You can also rest assured that there is no university president in the state that has the clout and reverence on Goat Hill in Montgomery than Josiah Bonner, Jr. This is a very unique and perfect blend for prosperity and growth for USA. It is well known in political circles that Jo Bonner is Governor Kay Ivey’s closest confidante. He served as her Chief of Staff for four years. Their families go back as friends and relatives in Wilcox County for generations. Jo Bonner’s father, the first Josiah Bonner, was Probate Judge of Wilcox County. Jo is the baby of the family, a good 15 years younger than his brother, Jim, who grew up as friends and in school together with Governor Kay Ivey. Jo’s sister, Judy, and Senator Jeff Sessions were in school together in grades K-12, then Jo came much later. The aforementioned sister, Judy Bonner, was President of the University of Alabama. Never before in Alabama’s history has there been two siblings being presidents of major universities in Alabama. Jo Bonner actually became President of USA in January. The official inaugural event was on September 23. It was a magnificent program. Governor Ivey gave the keynote address. She beamed with pride as she talked about her “little brother” from Wilcox County. Dr. Jack Hawkins, the 30-year Chancellor of the Troy University System, gave a brilliant address. He spoke for all of the university presidents in the state as the Dean of University Presidents. Jo Bonner’s family was recognized, beginning with his sister, President Judy Bonner. His wife, Janee, along with his two outstanding children, son Robin, and daughter Lee, were in attendance. The Inaugural Event was held in the magnificent Mitchell Center. The Mitchell family has been a major benefactor to USA. Mrs. Arlene Mitchell is Chairman of the Board of Trustees. Another Board of Trustees member is Dr. Steve Stokes, a radiology oncologist from Dothan. He and his wife Angela have been generous donors to USA, also. Stokes Hall is the newest dorm on campus. It was truly fitting that Jo Bonner had a throng of political dignitaries attend his Inaugural Event. It was like a political gathering of Who’s Who in Alabama politics visiting on the floor of the Mitchell Center prior to Jo’s inauguration. The list of attendees is too long to enumerate. However, in addition to Governor Ivey was Mac McCutchen, John McMillan, John Merrill, Bobby Singleton, Vivian Figures, Young Boozer, Bill Poole, Twinkle Cavanaugh, Sandy Stimpson, Will and Liz Filmore, Cathy Randall, Gordon and Ellen Stone, Jim Purcell, Victor Gaston, Chip Brown, Margie Wilcox, Alan Baker, and Judge Sarah Stewart, just to name a few. They were all there to honor a man who is revered and respected in Alabama – Josiah “Jo” Bonner. Steve Flowers is Alabama’s leading political columnist. His weekly column is read in over 60 Alabama newspapers. Steve served 16 years in the state legislature. Steve may be reached at www.steveflowers.us.
J. Pepper Bryars: Alabama moves to protect free speech on campus
Free speech zones, meant to move certain discussions away from where they could offend listeners, or be heard at all. Speech codes, meant to limit acceptable topics to an ever-shrinking list of progressive-leaning beliefs. And heckler’s vetoes, meant to give the power of censorship to a loud minority. These tactics and others are part of a trend on college campuses that is chilling the free speech rights of faculty, students and visiting speakers who dare mention controversial or unorthodox ideas. Thankfully, lawmakers in Alabama have an opportunity to ensure the trend doesn’t take hold here by passing what is being called “one of the most comprehensive and effective campus free-speech laws in the country.” State Rep. Matt Fridy, Republican -Montevallo, has introduced House Bill 498 that would require the state’s public colleges and universities to adopt policies and procedures to protect free speech on campus. The bill was recently approved in committee and now awaits further action. “Freedom of expression is critically important during the education experience of students, and each public institution of higher education should ensure free, robust, and uninhibited debate and deliberation by students,” the bill states. It goes on to declare that it is not the proper role of these schools to “shield individuals from speech that is protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, including ideas and opinions the individuals may find unwelcome, disagreeable, or offensive.” But is campus free speech really a problem in Alabama? Yes, at least according to one expert who has helped draft similar campus free speech laws in other states. “Although it’s sometimes argued that the campus free speech crisis only affects deep-dyed blue states like California and Massachusetts, the problem is national,” wrote Stanley Kurtz, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Kurtz noted how Alabama A&M near Huntsville recently made it on the “10 Worst Colleges for Free Speech” list maintained by the individual-rights advocacy group FIRE for having the most “red light” rated policies that, in their view, restrict free speech. The Washington Examiner published an article last year accusing the University of West Alabama in Livingston of having a “free speech zone” by limiting any demonstrations to a spot near its student union building. And at the University of South Alabama in Mobile, a pro-life student club founded by Katherine Sweet was told in 2013 that they had to set up their display on an arguably low-traffic portion of the campus that’s designated for free speech. “I went to South thinking it would be a place where I could debate freely with other students, engage in discourse, and ultimately learn from not only our professors, but each other,” Sweet wrote in an AL.com guest opinion article. “Aren’t universities supposed to be atmospheres that promote just that?” Yes, and Fridy’s bill seeks to ensure they do through various measures, including: • Ensuring that faculty and students are free to take political positions, to express themselves in outdoor areas of the campus, and to assemble, speak and pass out literature,• Prohibiting the establishment of any “free speech zones,”• Keeping the campus open to anyone invited by student groups to speak,• Forbidding the imposition of excessive security fees that discourage some speakers,• And potentially suspending those who disrupt the free speech of others.Voltaire’s beliefs in freedom of expression were once famously summarized with the phrase, “I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.” But unless our lawmakers act now, what you may hear on your local college campus could someday be, “I disapprove of what yousay, so I will restrict your right to say it.” J. Pepper Bryars is a senior fellow at the Alabama Policy Institute. Follow him on Twitter at @jpepperbryars.
Mobile refuses money for University of South Alabama football stadium
The city of Mobile is refusing to put $10 million into an on-campus stadium for the University of South Alabama. News outlets report City Council members voted against the proposal by a 4-3 margin on Tuesday. University officials had sought the money over a 20-year span to help pay for a 25,000-seat football stadium proposed for the campus. Mayor Sandy Stimpson supported the plan, saying it would save the city money over the long run as opposed to maintaining the municipally owned Ladd Stadium. But council members turned down the plan, with some questioning what would happen to Ladd Stadium, where the Senior Bowl game is played each year. The mayor says in a statement that the city will accumulate $225 million in maintenance for Ladd, which opened in 1948. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Candidate Profile: Brandy Hambright for Mobile County Circuit Court Judge
Before the June 5 primary, four Republican candidates vied for a seat on the Mobile County Circuit Court in the 13th Judicial Circuit, Place No. 6. Two candidates garnered enough support to throw the race into a runoff election: Brandy Hambright and Harry Satterwhite. Hambright won the runoff with over just over 50 percent of the votes, and now faces Democratic challenger Karlos Finley in the November 6 general election. But who are these candidates, and what do they hope to accomplish? Republican candidate Brandy Hambright: Hambright is a well-rounded attorney with an extensive legal career. Liscenced to practice in both Alabama and Mississippi, she’s practiced in municipal, state and federal courts, she is “strong on Republican values at home and in the courtroom,” according to her campaign website. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of South Alabama, obtained an M.B.A. from Samford University and graduated from the Cumberland School of Law at Samford in 1999. For the past eighteen years she’s held several positions at multiple law firms, practicing as a public defender, civil and criminal defense attorney, a municipal prosecutor, and many other areas. She’s also been a partner at the Hicks, Matranga & Hambright firm since 2006. On top of her impressive legal career Hambright has also served on several boards and Associations including the Mobile Bar Foundation, serving as a committee member, secretary, and treasurer; the Mobile Volunteer Lawyers program; and the Junior League of Mobile. “My experience in criminal court was ensuring that the justice system works for everybody, and that’s critical,” Hambright told the Lagniappe. “When people’s lives and liberty can be impacted, there needs to be a competent, qualified prosecutor, defense attorney and judge to make sure the jury gets all the information they need to make the right decision. It’s about the Constitution.” You can follow her on Facebook and Instagram.
Mobile City Council to vote on University of South Alabama stadium
After a “task force” meeting on Monday, the Mobile City Council still seems poised to vote Aug. 14 on a proposal to help fund a USA Stadium. But in a fresh twist, that vote now seems to be linked to a companion measure that hasn’t seen daylight yet. Going in, the task force — essentially an ad hoc committee chaired by Councilman Fred Richardson — was portrayed as a chance for council members to air out any concerns, complaints or possible changes in the terms of a letter of intent proposed in late June by Mayor Sandy Stimpson. Under the terms of that agreement, the city pledges to commit $10 million to the University of South Alabama over the course of 20 years, to help pay off the debt it plans to incur in building an on-campus stadium. It also calls for USA to give the city a $2.5 million lump payment, once the new stadium is operational, to help redevelop Ladd-Peebles Stadium, the city facility it has been using. That arrangement has been seen by some as evidence of a city plan to tear down Ladd-Peebles, depriving the Maysville community of a landmark and the major events it hosts. As Richardson led the task force through a clause-by-clause review of the letter of intent, members did ask for some changes. For the most part, USA representatives were amenable. For example, the council wanted a reference to the “renovation and repurposing” of Ladd-Peebles changed to delete the “repurposing” and leave it to “renovation.” USA representatives did not seem opposed. More of a sticking point was another suggestion from Councilman Levon Manzie. The letter of intent specifies that three bowl games — the Senior Bowl, the Dollar General Bowl and the Gulf Coast Challenge — can be held rent-free at the new stadium but will have to pay operating expenses. The letter says the same arrangement will apply to any other “city events” that USA and the city agree to hold at the stadium. However, Manzie suggested that if the city is chipping in to help pay for the stadium, it should get a better deal than the bowl games. He asked if USA would be willing to waive operating expenses for such city events. “We can take that under consideration. Quite frankly I’m not sure that we’re willing to go there,” said USA President Tony Waldrop. “That’s good to know,” said Manzie. As the general discussion progressed, this much was clear: When the letter of intent comes up for a vote on Aug. 14 — a vote that’s already been postponed more than a month — it’ll feature some changes. They may or may not include some compromise on the arrangements for any hypothetical future city events to be held at USA’s hypothetical future stadium. The real revelation on Monday was Manzie’s announcement that the council’s vote on the letter of intent is now linked to some sort of companion measure addressing the future of Ladd-Peebles and the surrounding community. Richardson said there were some council members who “believe that some sort of resolution should be reached on Ladd before they vote. And it is our understanding that there is an effort toward reeling that in and giving us something definitive regarding the future of Ladd.” “We are working on an initiative that hopefully will provide some firm and definitive answers as it relates to not only Ladd but to the impacted communities,” said Manzie. “We’re still working toward that end and as soon as we can make some substantive process I’m going to make certain everybody is updated.” “It’s certainly not anything I’m at liberty to discuss now,” said Manzie, steering the discussion back to the letter of intent. Speaking after the meeting, Manzie said the purpose of the new measure was to spell out the city’s commitment to Ladd-Peebles Stadium and the neighborhoods around it. He said his goal was to present the measure to the council on Aug. 14, if not sooner. He said that in his mind, a vote on the letter of intent couldn’t happen without concurrent consideration of the new initiative. “They are of mutual interest to me,” he said. “If one doesn’t work, the other doesn’t work.” “As quickly as we can get a draft out, we’ll get a draft out,” he said. Manzie said that discussions on the new proposal had involved himself, the mayor’s office, and council members C.J. Small, Gina Gregory and Joel Daves. “I think we’re going to get there,” he said. “We’re working as a team.” Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Bike-sharing service to launch August 15 in Mobile
Mobile will launch its downtown bicycle-sharing service on Aug. 15. The launch date means that rental bikes should be readily available during the Aug. 25 Dauphin Street Beer Festival, which serves as an informal kickoff for the downtown entertainment district’s busy fall season, and the Ten Sixty Five music festival on Oct. 5-6, Al.com reported. Back in March, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson announced a partnership with the company LimeBike, now known as Lime. Stimpson and company representatives said the service would launch in the summer, after local staff and other resources such as warehouse space were worked out. The plan calls for the first 500 bikes to be distributed downtown and on the University of South Alabama campus. In a statement, Stimpson called for Mobilians to help make the bike share program a success. He asked motorists to give cyclists plenty of room, and asked cyclists not to park their bikes in places that block vehicular or pedestrian traffic. Lime is one of several in the rapidly expanding field of shared transportation providers. It takes a dockless approach, meaning its bikes can be left anywhere. Riders use a smartphone app to find and unlock a bike and pay an hourly rental charge. The bikes themselves have built-in locks and GPS locators. One job of local staff is to move bikes around so they don’t just pile up at destination spots. Company officials said the name change reflects what it describes as its “exciting growth into multimodal transportation.” Lime rents electric scooters as well as bikes. In early July, Lime announced $335 million in funding in a deal heavily supported by Uber and Google Ventures. According to a CNet report, plans call for Uber to include Lime scooter rentals in its app. “Our investment and partnership in Lime is another step towards our vision of becoming a one stop shop for all your transportation needs,” Rachel Holt, Uber’s head of new modalities, said in a statement quoted by CNet. “Lime already has an expansive footprint, and we’re excited to incorporate their scooters into the Uber app so consumers have another fast, affordable option to get around their city, especially to and from public transit.” Lime announced in July that its machines had been used for more than six million rides since the company was founded in Greensboro, North Carolina, in June 2017. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
South Alabama students turn toy vehicle into learning tool for children with disabilities
It started out as a senior project, and it ended up helping change lives. Every fall semester, senior engineering students at the University of South Alabama receive a list of group projects to consider for their Senior Design Capstone Project. “Students by this time have learned theory and ‘how-to,’” said Dr. David Nelson, professor and chair of mechanical engineering. “Now, they have to design it. In doing so, they can make a difference in someone’s life. It’s a great teaching tool.” For the 2016-2017 academic year, one of the chosen projects was undertaken with input from Hargrove Engineers and Constructors in Mobile. A Hargrove employee had learned of a handicapped child who needed a powered wheelchair and, through the Hargrove Adaptive Toy – or HAT – Project, contacted USA. The HAT Project, which was launched in 2016, takes off-the-shelf toy vehicles and modifies them for children with disabilities to practice with as they prepare to possibly use a powered wheelchair. “There are a number of children with disabilities who could benefit from a powered wheelchair, but a client must show they have the dexterity to operate it,” Nelson said. “Kids who’ve never used one are unlikely to pass the test to get one, so we wanted to provide a platform for them to practice.” “Reaching out to the USA College of Engineering was a natural fit,” said Michelle Jones, instrument engineer at Hargrove and executive director and project manager for HarGIVES, the company’s volunteer organization that sponsors the HAT Project. A College of Engineering graduate, Jones noted that Hargrove employs more than 100 South Alabama graduates. One of its more recent hires is Kent Bailey, a mechanical/piping engineer who graduated from USA last year after working on the HAT Project. The capstone project team included USA students from both mechanical and electrical engineering. “There were two challenges that really stood out,” Bailey said. “First, we, as mechanicals, had to have a basic knowledge of how the controls on the car worked, and that was a completely different language for us, so following what the electrical team was doing was difficult at times. “We also had challenges with scheduling,” Bailey continued. “With the electrical team having a different class schedule than us, we ran into an issue with when we could all get together. Building the car after we got the design finalized caused scheduling challenges as well, since the design was and still is evolving to adapt to different children. There were several instances when the mechanicals would have something in place and it would have to be modified to accommodate an update from the electricals.” Dr. Samuel Russ, associate professor of electrical engineering, underscored how valuable this type of collaborative effort is for future engineers. “The most important lesson the electrical engineers had to learn was that the work they did, such as selecting connectors and designing wiring, directly affected the mechanical engineers. So they had to learn to stop and ask, and they had to learn to respect the work of other engineering disciplines well enough to ask for their input. That sounds easy, but it is surprisingly hard to get engineers to do that.” Overcoming the challenges, the USA team successfully delivered its modified toy vehicle to Hargrove. “USA’s student team improved upon our original design and we used their changes to build eight cars last year,” said Hargrove’s Jones. “What sets many graduating seniors apart is experience – experience and passion,” Jones continued. “The HAT Project partnership gives real-world project exposure to these students that can make their resume stand out as well as give them a project to showcase in the interview process. That experience is invaluable. Retrofitting these toy cars for children with special needs is no easy task – it takes hard work, and hard work and the student’s dedication builds character. Many times, it is your character that helps students land good jobs – not just your skills.” For former students such as Bailey, it goes even deeper than practical experience and an edge in a competitive job market. “The personal satisfaction of having a finished deliverable was something the team always talked about and was motivation to make sure we provided the best product possible,” Bailey said. “It didn’t really sink in until I walked into the courtyard here at Hargrove one afternoon and saw a young lady driving the car that we built. There are not words to describe the excitement, not only on her face, but on her parents’ faces, too. Seeing that made every early morning and long night that we put into that car worth it, many times over.” According to Jones, through the volunteerism of South Alabama students, the HAT Project has been able to give eight specially designed cars to local children and physical therapy offices in the community. USA students who worked on the HAT Project are: in mechanical engineering, Kent Bailey, Kayla Bray, Ben Breland, Julius Pugh and Heather Turner; and, in electrical engineering, Victoria Antell, Emaleigh Sargent, Heath Skelton and Joe Wachob. Republished with permission from the Alabama NewsCenter.
New survey finds Alabama parents want comprehensive sex education in schools
When it comes to having “the talk,” it’s hard to say whether parents or kids are more uncomfortable tackling the topic. That talk, of course, being about sex. Across the country, the availability of comprehensive formal sex education in public schools has been on the decline, leaving students to turn to internet sites like Google for health information. But according to the results of a new phone survey conducted by the University of South Alabama and commissioned by the Alabama Campaign to Prevent Teen Pregnancy, 83 percent of Alabama parents surveyed want them their children to be properly educated on sexual health and support comprehensive sex education in school. “For parents, talking to their children about sexual health and relationships can be a very difficult and complicated conversation,” says ACPTP executive director Jamie Keith. “One of the Campaign’s priorities is to ensure young people receive medically-accurate, age-appropriate and evidence informed sexual health education. In our public schools qualified professionals can answer questions parents may not feel comfortable with answering or for which they may not have the answers.” Respondents were asked 36 topical questions along with five demographic questions. The results found: 98% said it was very important that children learn about HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infections (STI) 91% said it was very important that children learn how to talk to their girlfriend, boyfriend or partner about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases 86% said it was very important that the effectiveness of birth control is addressed 98% said it’s very important that children learn about what to do if they’re raped or sexually assaulted.
Big check with a little problem comes out of Kay Ivey’s office this week
The Alabama governor’s office gave away a great big check on Wednesday. But you won’t see a photo of it on their social media, anymore, because there was a little bit of a problem on said great big check. In large print, an oversized $4 million check was presented to the University of South Alabama and it contained not just one, but two misspelled words. It was made out to the “Univeristy of South Aalabama Medical Center.” The check presentation followed a tour Gov. Kay Ivey took of the University of South Alabama Medical Center on Wednesday. There, Ivey announced that $4 million from an economic development bond issue will be directed to the cost of renovating and expanding the hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center. Ivey’s team had originally tweeted a photo of the check, misspellings and all, only to take it down upon realizing the error Press Secretary Daniel Sparkman confirmed to Alabama Today. According to Sparkman, the office in the process of having a new check issued to the medical center. Don’t get us wrong, we’re not letting this little print faux pas take away from Team Ivey’s many successes in cleaning up the mess Gov. Robert Bentley‘s left behind. If this is the worst problem coming out of the Ivey administration it’s safe to say she’s brought the office quite a long way in just four short months. After all, what’s a typo here and there when you’re saving saving the state? But come on staff, Ivey trusts you to be her eyes and ears. Maybe someone on the team needs their annual eye exam, cause we’re talking about two pretty obvious oversights here.
Alabama Small Business Development Center has big impact
The Alabama Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network was recognized recently for its role in helping thousands of small businesses in Alabama, as part of national “SBDC Day” to share the impact SBDCs have in communities across the country. The Alabama program is an accredited member of America’s SBDC, the largest and most comprehensive business assistance network in the U.S. “Alabama fosters an environment that allows small business enterprises to put down roots and thrive,” said Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce. “The Alabama SBDC Network leverages resources from Alabama’s higher education institutions and is a vital part of the state of Alabama’s support system to help small firms succeed. “Their programs for capital access, government contracting and international trade are important for small business growth and help sustain the state’s entrepreneurial culture.” Small business is a vital component of the Alabama economy. Approximately 97 percent of the state’s businesses are considered small, with fewer than 500 employees. More than 300,000 small businesses provide more than 765,000 jobs, representing almost half of the state’s workforce. Fostering growth Growing and sustaining the small business sector is a key component of the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Accelerate Alabama 2.0 strategic plan. Working in partnership with Commerce, the Alabama SBDC Network plays an important role in accomplishing the plan’s goal for fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. The Alabama SBDC provides confidential, no-cost technical assistance and is a proven resource for aspiring and emerging small business owners. Over the last five years, the SBDC assisted 10,710 small firms in Alabama and helped 987 new business startups. It facilitated access to $379.6 million in capital for small business expansion projects. Among the Alabama companies the SBDC has assisted are Creative Concepts, a candy maker; Motus Motorcycles, whose handcrafted bikes have smashed speed records; and Sun Charge Systems, which produces solar-powered benches that act as charging stations. In addition, clients of the SBDC’s Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) program reported winning $1.45 billion in government contracts during the five-year period. These efforts created and retained 4,359 jobs. Figures are supported by client attribution and are not projections or estimates. SBDC customers have experienced 12.9 percent sales growth vs. the national average of 3.4 percent and employment growth of 8.5 percent vs. the national average of 1.9 percent. The program also helps new business spinoffs from university and industry research. A majority of the participants in Alabama Launchpad and other pitch competitions receive help from the SBDC. As economic developers look at ways to help local existing industry, the Alabama SBDC Network is a viable resource with 10 offices and 25 professional business advisers. Many advisers are co-located with incubators and local economic development organizations and travel to meet business owners in all 67 counties. The program is hosted by the University of Alabama and participating institutions include Alabama State University, Auburn University, Jacksonville State University, Troy University, University of Alabama in Huntsville, University of North Alabama, University of South Alabama and the University of West Alabama. The SBDC is a partnership program with the Small Business Administration, the state of Alabama and higher education institutions. For more information on small business assistance, please contact Eddie Postell in the Small Business Division of the Alabama Department of Commerce and visit the SBDC website. This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with permission of Alabama NewsCenter.
Bradley Byrne to host second annual Women’s Forum in Mobile
With the first female presidential nominee at the top of the Democratic ticket, Americans across the country are talking about female empowerment. The topic will be front and center in Alabama this month as well, as 1st District U.S. Congressman Bradley Bryne, along with the University of South Alabama and The Community Foundation of South Alabama, will host the second annual Women’s Forum in Mobile. Themed, “Charting Your Own Course,” the event will be held from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Aug. 26 at the Battle House Hotel in downtown Mobile. “It is an honor to once again host a forum for women throughout Southwest Alabama,” said Byrne of the forum. “It is our hope this forum will help women chart a course that works for them and builds upon their own individual strengths.” The event will feature Washington-state 5th District U.S. Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference. “I am especially excited the attendees will hear from my colleague and friend, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, a devoted wife and mom — and the highest ranking woman in Congress,” Byrne continued. “Cathy is a true inspiration not just because she has been so successful but also because she knows firsthand that balancing all the things in her life is hard, but important, work.” McMorris-Rodgers will be the forum’s keynote speaker. “I’m thrilled to be part of this forum and support Rep. Byrne’s leadership in making the event possible,” said McMorris-Rodgers. “Women offer a unique perspective in all areas of business and public policy, and their input should be encouraged. I look forward to having a robust conversation about how we can empower women of all walks of life to pursue their version of the American Dream.” Throughout the morning, the forum will seek to empower women to think with a different perspective for incredible personal and professional results. It also will feature a panel discussion of local women leaders who will address securing the healthiest possible future through methods of community, finance, cyber security and personal protection. “The most powerful defense a woman has is to be the best version of herself — real security lies in knowing your own strength,” said Rebecca Byrne, president and CEO of The Community Foundation of South Alabama. The Women’s Forum is free and open to the public. Registration for the event can be found online at Byrne.House.Gov/WomensForum.
University of South Alabama student cited for wearing empty holster on campus during protest
According to college and university watchdog group Campus Reform, two University of South Alabama students were confronted by school police officers Wednesday for their participation in a Students for Concealed Carry in Alabama demonstration on school property. One student was reportedly cited for wearing an empty holster, which campus police say “caused alarm.” “This week is the empty holster protest for Students for Concealed Carry in Alabama to demonstrate that students are defenseless on campus,” said D.J. Parten, president of Students for Concealed Carry. The encounter, shown above in a video captured by Parten shows university of officers threatening to write up the participants in the protest for violating the school’s no-weapons policy, but later conceded an empty holster cannot be considered a weapon. “What you’re doing is not against the rules or the law,” one of the officers explains in the video, “but when we get a call thinking somebody might have a gun, you have to be polite and cooperative, because if you start being difficult, [it looks like] you’re carrying something.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHsYdJ9RXRU Despite this concession, the officers returned later, citing Parten for violating two sections of the Student Code of Conduct, which state students may not “intentionally or recklessly misusing or damaging fire or other safety equipment; use or possession of fireworks or incendiary, dangerous, or noxious devices or materials which have not been authorized by University officials; or intentionally initiating or causing any false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion, or other emergency.” But Parten rejects the University’s actions, saying “The right to self-defense shouldn’t end because someone chooses to get an education.” “I was disappointed to see that the officers wanted me to stop my protest,” he told Alabama Today. “I will definitely fight the citation.”
