TUARA Talks Webinar
Please join us for a TUARA Talks webinar Thursday, March 23 at 10 a.m. Our speaker will be Dr. Sharlene Newman, executive director of the Alabama Life Research Institute at The University of Alabama (ALRI). ALRI is a university-wide institute that serves as a focal point for interdisciplinary biopsychosocial research that seeks to investigate the human condition at all levels, from the molecular to the environmental, with the goal of improving the lives of the people of Alabama and beyond. Research areas range from rural health and health disparities to neuroscience, biomedical sciences and environmental sciences and health. Dr. Newman’s presentation will describe ALRI’s mission and goals, including research themes and current activities.
Dr. Newman obtained her B.E. in electrical engineering and mathematics from Vanderbilt University and her M.S. and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She trained as a cognitive neuroscientist who uses magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to understand human neurocognition at Carnegie Mellon University before joining the faculty in the department of psychological and brain sciences at Indiana University, where she was promoted to full professor and became the Class of 1948 Herman B. Wells Endowed Professor. She moved to UA in 2019 and is a professor in the department of psychology and adjunct professor in electrical and computer engineering. She was elected as a neuroscience fellow in the American Association for the Advancement of Science in 2022.
In addition, Erica Thomas, assistant director of PEEHIP, will bring us up to speed on United Healthcare’s wellness benefits, including Renew Active and Renew Rewards. Bring your questions and learn how to make the most of all UHC has to offer.
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yrjBEyDFRvyfE8jPAJ6kpw
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
AERA Offers Scholarships to Public Education Employees
The AERA Foundation is offering ten $2,000 scholarships to public education employees who are employed in a state public school system (K-12) or state public postsecondary institution. Among other requirements, an eligible educator must be a current Alabama Education Association (AEA) member. The application deadline has been extended to March 13, 2023. Recipients have two years to use their scholarship. For more information and the application form, visit https://www.aerainc.org/scholarships. Information about joining AEA is available here. Please share this information with current UA employees or others who may be interested in applying.
Nominate a Retiree
It’s time to nominate your fellow retirees for our two TUARA awards.
The Judy Bonner Award is presented annually to an individual who exemplifies the leadership and service characteristics set forth during Dr. Bonner’s tenure at The University of Alabama.
The TUARA Community Service Award recognizes outstanding service to the West Alabama community.
See the nomination forms for more details. The nomination deadline is March 15.
Save the Date: President’s Luncheon and Annual Meeting
Mark your calendar! Our spring President’s Luncheon and Annual Meeting will be held on Monday, April 24. Watch for more information to follow.
Connect with TUARA
TUARA has a new FaceBook page! Follow us at facebook.com/tuara.ua.
Volunteer Hours
Whether you volunteer weekly or just occasionally, please report your volunteer hours to TUARA. We share reported hours with AERA. AERA, in turn, uses retirees’ volunteer hours statewide to demonstrate the value that retirees bring to Alabama’s economy and quality of life. It’s easy! Just email your hours, broken down by the categories in the chart below, to tuara.ua@gmail.com. Please report any previously unreported hours from Jan. 1, 2023 through the present.
Service hours should include activities in Alabama for which you have not received financial reimbursement. Hours should also not include 1) Sunday school and church attendance, 2) Caring for family members, and 3) Participation in AERA activities on state committees or the Board of Directors. You may include hours spent on TUARA activities, except for attending board meetings.
| Categories | Examples | # of Service Hours |
| Arts | Children’s Hands-On Museum, theater, opera, arts | |
| Church | Church related service projects (not attendance for worship services) | |
| Civic | Organizational projects, civic and special interest | |
| Health | Bloodmobile, clinics, nursing home, nutrition, home care | |
| Education | Mentoring, literacy projects | |
| Transportation | Shopping, errands, escort services | |
| RSVP/Volunteer Programs | Shut-Ins, telephone, etc. | |
| Youth Work | Big Brothers Big Sisters, work related to youth programs | |
| TUARA | TUARA volunteer activities, administrative work, communications, etc. | |
| Other (specify) | ||
| Total Hours |