Joe Namath to graduate from UA – Alumni news
42 years after dropping out, Joe Namath to graduate from University of Alabama
Birmingham News -- Dec. 12
University of Alabama officials believe Joe Namath's graduation on Saturday - 42 years after he dropped out to pursue a professional football career - may help convince others it's never too late to pursue a degree. "I'm proud for the university and proud for Joe Namath," said Robert F. Olin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. "This was a goal he aspired to and he accomplished it."
Tuscaloosa News
ABC-National, Good Morning America -- Dec. 12
KTLA-WB, Los Angeles -- Dec. 11 and 12
WBRC-Fox 6, Birmingham -- Dec. 11 and 12
WCFT-ABC 33/40, Birmingham -- Dec. 11 and 12
WVTM-NBC 13, Birmingham -- Dec. 11 and 12
WHNT-CBS, Huntsville -- Dec. 11 and 12
WSFA-NBC, Montgomery -- Dec. 12
WTXT-Fox, Columbus, Ga. -- Dec. 12
KBMT-ABC, Beaumont, Texas -- Dec. 12
KRON, San Francisco -- Dec. 11
KTVU-Fox, San Francisco -- Dec. 11
CSN MidAtlantic, Richmond, Va. -- Dec. 11
KPSP-CBS, Palm Springs, Calif. -- Dec. 11
and more

Think tank turning coal back into an energy source
Chicago Sun-Times -- Dec. 11
It'll be good news if America finds a lump of coal in its stocking this Christmas. Coal, the very lowest grade, plus its waste slag, are key to the world's desperate quest for an alternative energy source. That's the credo of Vann Bush, who is rapidly making Chicago the center of advanced research on programs that are already providing practical solutions. . . . . Bush, with an M.S. degree from the University of Alabama, has been a pioneer in emission control concepts for the coal-fired utility industry as a program director of Southern Research Institute, before taking the helm of GTI.

Elementary Teacher of Year is at Columbia
AL.com, Dec. 11
Amanda Evans says all worth it if she helps just one Amanda H. Evans' enthusiastic approach to education is an attribute that led to her honor as Elementary Teacher of the Year for Madison City Schools. . . . Evans earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Alabama in 1993 and a master's degree from the University of North Alabama in 1997.

Merrill Lynch Names Tutwiler Head of Communications & Public Affairs
Merrill Lynch -- Dec. 11
Merrill Lynch & Co. today announced that Margaret D. Tutwiler has been appointed senior vice president and head of Global Communications & Public Affairs of the company, effective Dec, 17 . . . . Ms. Tutwiler graduated from the University of Alabama. She has received several awards for public service and is the youngest person ever to be inducted into the Alabama Hall of Honor.