Warhawk Weekly 4-8: AI initiatives’ grant; Creative writing author
AUM secures Innovate Alabama Network grant to advance AI initiatives
New artificial Intelligence initiatives for students and faculty at Auburn University at Montgomery will be supported by a $200,000 grant from the Innovate Alabama Network.
AUM’s College of Business recently secured the “Talent Development” grant after AUM was selected as a new designee in the Innovate Alabama Network in February. AUM was one of 58 organizations to receive a share of $15 million in grants from Innovate Alabama, a program designed to drive innovation across the state.
“Innovation is a major pillar of academic transformation at AUM,” said AUM College of Business Dean Daewoo Park, who sought the grant on AUM’s behalf. “Our strategic plan places a strong emphasis on innovation and differentiation, and this grant allows us to bring innovation to our business programs in a unique way.”
The grant will fund the multi-year, university-wide “Alabama Talent Development Project” which will enhance AUM’s pioneering Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence (MSAI) program — the first of its kind in Alabama housed within a business college. It will also facilitate the establishment of new strategic partnerships with local industry leaders to further workforce development.
“We are also focusing on AI curriculum, student recruitment and business executive training for local business leaders as part of this project,” Park said. “Each of these areas is critical for Alabama’s economic growth and long-term prosperity. This project also aligns directly with AUM’s mission to prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving global economy.”
Innovate Alabama is the first statewide public-private partnership focused on entrepreneurship, technology and innovation with a mission to help innovators grow roots in Alabama while creating an economy for the future. Aimed at strengthening Alabama’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, Innovate Alabama invests in organizations — including higher education institutions, nonprofits, and businesses – with programs that drive community and regional innovation.
Tankersley to share craft of creative writing
Award-winning fiction writer Caleb Tankersley will discuss the craft of creative writing, his writing process, and the publishing industry during a visit with AUM’s Department of English & Philosophy on Thursday, April 10, at 5:30 p.m. in Taylor Center 221.
The event is free and open to the public.
Tankersley earned the 2021 Permafrost Book Prize for his story collection “Sin Eaters.” He is also the author of a poetry chapbook, “Jesus Works the Night Shift.” His work has been featured in “Carve,” “The Cimarron Review,” “Hayden’s Ferry Review,” “Puerto del Sol,” “Sycamore Review” and other magazines. Tankersley is an assistant professor at the University of St. Thomas and serves as managing director of Split/Lip Press.
Experience Theatre AUM’s adaptation of ‘Blood at the Root’
The cast and crew of Theatre AUM invite you to experience this week’s performances of “Blood at the Root,” a thought-provoking play that delves into race, justice, and prejudice.
Directed by award-winning theatre student Tiara Staples, “Blood at the Root,” is a powerful play written by playwright, activist, and actress Dominique Morisseau. Theatre AUM’s adaptation of the play explores the lives of six high school students navigating prejudice, homophobia, and institutional racism in rural Louisiana. Each character grapples with a different form of discrimination while witnessing a historic injustice unfold in their community.
In 2024, Staples was honored with first place in the National Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC) Directing Initiative at the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) for her direction of “The Language Archive” by Julia Cho. This prestigious award led to an invitation for Staples to participate in KCACTF’s national festival and a scholarship to attend a five-day course at the Kennedy Center Directing Intensive. Additionally, she was invited to the 2024 National Playwrights Conference at the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut, where she assisted on a play with theater artist and director Miranda Haymon.
The AUM community will have the opportunity to experience Staples’ directing work during “Blood at the Root,” with performances scheduled at the Taylor Center Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on April 10-12. The final performance will be held at 2 p.m. on April 13.
“Blood at the Root” contains mature themes and language. Admission is free for students, alumni, faculty, staff, and OLLI members with a valid ID. Ticket prices for military, seniors, and the general public are as follows:
- $5: Military & Senior Citizens
- $10: General Public
Cash or check payments are accepted.
Tennis, softball teams earn GSC tournament berths
Three AUM athletics teams clinched berths in upcoming Gulf South Conference tournaments.
The men’s and women’s tennis teams will each compete in the conference tournament, but still have business to attend to in regular season play. The Warhawks will visit Montevallo on Saturday. AUM’s women are 9-5 overall, while the men enter the week 6-6.
AUM’s No. 5-ranked softball team (26-9, 17-7 in conference) also earned a berth in the GSC tournament and stands atop the league standings. AUM will visit Union for a three-game series that starts on Friday.
AUM’s baseball team (11-26, 8-16 GSC) visits Georgia Southwestern today at 5 p.m. before visiting Union for a three-game series that opens Friday.
Keep up with campus activities
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.
