Warhawk Weekly 5-7: Adams challenges grads; NCAA regionals
Adams challenges graduates to make world ‘a better place’
Having once sat where AUM’s Spring graduates found themselves last Saturday, U.S. Air Force Brigadier General and 1994 alum Terrence A. Adams understands how most 20- and 30-somethings view the power of a college degree.
While it frequently serves as the conduit to a career and higher earning potential, Adams challenged the Class of 2024 to consider the deeper meaning during his commencement address.
“What do you see as your responsibility for the nation and the great state of Alabama?” asked Adams, an AUM computer science graduate who now serves as the Deputy Principal Cyber Advisor to the U.S. Secretary of Defense and Senior Military Advisor for Cyber Policy. “Think deeper. How can you use this degree for good? Our nation and society need you.
“Your job is to make this world a better place.”
Adams said AUM helped him build the knowledge and leadership skills necessary to lead and succeed. He initially entered the Army after high school as a cook before pursuing his bachelor’s degree at AUM. While at AUM, he served as a resident hall assistant, president of Alpha Phi Alpha and SGA president and eventually entered the Air Force through ROTC.
“AUM gave me a strong foundation that enabled me to change the trajectory of my life,” Adams said. “AUM was a great laboratory for leadership for me. … Many of you are wondering if you are prepared for the future. You are well-prepared for the next step.
“If you’re a historian, I need you to document that truth a little bit better. If you’re a teacher, I need you to teach that truth a little bit better. … We need all of you.”
AUM celebrated its largest graduating class to date, with 618 students earning degrees.
View photo galleries from the morning and afternoon sessions.
AUM softball hosting NCAA regional after winning GSC title
AUM’s softball team earned the No. 1 seed in the NCAA Division II South Regional after sweeping its way through the Gulf South Conference Tournament and capturing its third GSC championship.
The Warhawks (40-11) will host the double-elimination NCAA South Regional Thursday-Saturday at the AUM Softball Complex. AUM will face eighth-seeded Spring Hill (29-19) on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. Fourth-seeded Nova Southeastern (37-12) and fifth-seeded Saint Leo (37-17) will play at 1 p.m.
With the regional being an NCAA-hosted event, students, faculty and staff will have to purchase single-game tickets or tournament passes. Tournament passes are $25 for adults, $12 for students with ID and $12 for children ages 3-12. Daily tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students with ID and $5 for children 3-12. Admission is free for children 3-and-under.
The winner’s bracket game will be Friday at 1 p.m., while loser’s bracket gams are scheduled for 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. The championship pairing will take place on Saturday at 1 p.m., with an elimination game at 3:30 p.m., if necessary.
The winner will advance to NCAA Super Regional play.
The Warhawks have been balanced throughout the season, with Chloe Baynes batting .458, scoring 66 runs and stealing 30 bases. Haley Ann Frank (.440 batting average, 53 runs), Kat Fallen (13 home runs, 68 RBI) and Gia Martin (19 homers, 53 RBI) lead a dynamic offense. GSC Pitcher of the Year Alanna Goble enters the postseason with a 17-3 record and 2.40 ERA.
AUM women’s tennis earns NCAA regional berth
After capturing its first Gulf South Conference Tournament championship, the AUM women’s tennis team will enter NCAA postseason play as the No. 7 seed in the South Regional.
AUM, 12th nationally in the ITA rankings, will travel to Boca Raton, Florida. The Warhawks will open play on Friday against No. 2 seed Lynn University at Perper Tennis Complex.
No. 1 singles player Estefania Garcia, a first-team all-GSC selection, enters NCAA play with a 19-5 record and has teamed up with Ane Ibarra for a 19-5 record in doubles play. Ana Villalvazo has gone 16-4 in singles play and combined with Nahia Izco for an 18-4 record in doubles. Regina Urbiola ended the regular season with a 9-1 singles record.
AUM baseball awaits NCAA selection show
After falling to Montevallo in extra innings during a Sunday elimination game at the Gulf South Conference Tournament, the AUM baseball team will learn whether its remarkable turnaround season results in an NCAA Division II postseason berth.
The Warhawks (31-22) entered the GSC Tournament as the No. 2 seed and finished with a 1-2 mark in tournament play. The NCAA Division II selection show will be streamed live on NCAA.com on Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m. (CT).
The Warhawks went 19-31 last season. First-year head coach Franklin Bush recently earned GSC Coach of the Year honors, while third baseman Zach Dew earned first-team all-conference honors. Pitcher Ryan Slaten and catcher Cooper Doughman earned second-team recognition.
College of Sciences offers summer camp for technology enthusiasts
AUM will offer a week-long summer camp for middle and high school students who are interested in technology and computing.
Led by AUM College of Sciences faculty, the immersive “Coding and 3D Modeling Week,” will be held June 10-14, with sessions from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Students will learn the fundamentals of embedded programming, a skill used in creating interactive devices and robots, as well as the basics of 3D modeling software that will enable them to design and build virtual creations.
The cost of the camp is $200, and registration can be completed online.
On the final day of the camp, participants will have the opportunity to present their creations to family and friends.
For more information, contact Xiaoke “Alice” Jia in AUM’s Office of Collaborative Partnerships ([email protected], 334-244-3121).
Summer workshops allow high school students to exercise creativity
A grant from the Alabama State Council on the Arts has enabled AUM’s Department of Fine Arts and Department of Communication & Theatre to run three free summer workshops for high school students. Each camp is limited to 20 high school students.
The schedule includes:
- Digital Illustration: June 3-7
- Audio/Visual Storytelling: June 10-14
- Photography & Botany: July 22-26
Exploring poetry and empathy
Alabama’s Poet Laureate and UAB Honors Program Associate Director Ashley Jones will discuss creativity and empathy during an open public session hosted by AUM’s Civil Rights & Civic Virtue Society as part of the May 8-9 “Out of the Box: Workshop on Teaching and Learning.”
Members of the campus community are invited to attend Jones’ presentation, “Imagine Us In Love With The World: How Poetry and Empathy Can Save Us All,” on Wednesday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m. in Goodwyn Hall 109.
Green Zone training available for faculty, staff
AUM’s Veteran & Military Resource Center will offer Green Zone training for faculty and staff on Friday, May 17, from 9-11 a.m. in Goodwyn 116.
The training focuses on increasing awareness of the backgrounds and needs of military-affiliated students. Participants will receive a certificate and a Green Zone sticker for their office.
Keep up with campus events
There’s an easy way to keep up with all of the fun events offered on our campus. Enroll in AUM365 and get the 4-1-1 from Curtiss The Warhawk himself. Text curti$$ to 334-398-6025 to receive reminders about upcoming happening.
