Alabama

Philip D. Beidler, longtime Alabama professor whose experience in Vietnam influenced his writing, dies at 77

Published

2 years ago

April 21, 2022

Philip D. Beidler, longtime Alabama professor whose experience in Vietnam influenced his writing, dies at 77

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — Philip D. Beidler, a longtime English professor on the College of Alabama whose personal expertise within the Vietnam Struggle served as the main focus of a number of books about literature and artwork from the time, died Wednesday. He was 77.

Beidler, referred to as “Phil” to these near him, had taught on the college for over 40 years, arriving in 1974 after receiving his doctorate diploma from the College of Virginia and staying till his retirement in 2019, though he remained as professor emeritus within the division.

“I do know that Phil was an excellent good friend and colleague to everybody on this division who knew him. Actually, he was an excellent good friend to me,” mentioned Steven Trout, professor and chairman of UA’s English division. “I admired his towering work on American battle literature and tradition for many years earlier than I ever dreamed that I might be part of the school on the College of Alabama.”

Brian Oliu, senior teacher at UA’s English Division, mentioned he had recognized Beidler since graduate college and that he was one of many first folks on the college to encourage his writing.

“We’d have lengthy conversations about depictions of battle in video video games,” Oliu wrote in a web-based tribute to Beidler Wednesday. “He’d inform me outdated Egan’s tales—of Barry Hannah capturing holes in his convertible. You’ve learn ‘Ray’? Phil is Dr. Beidler.”

Whereas an undergraduate pupil at Davidson Faculty in North Carolina, Beidler was drafted to the Military and despatched to Vietnam in 1969, the place he was a lieutenant within the seventeenth Armored Cavalry Regiment, Troop D, which was a part of the 199th Mild Infantry Brigade.

“He didn’t have a simple battle,” mentioned Don Noble, a retired professor who taught alongside Beidler at UA for years. “The person who was Phil’s mentor was killed. Plenty of the lads Phil served with have been killed.”

Beidler’s experiences in Vietnam served as a focus in lots of books he would write through the years. Trout mentioned Beidler’s first e book, “American Literature and the Expertise of Vietnam,” was necessary in opening up the sector of Vietnam-era literature research. Revealed in 1982, Beidler analyzed the sort of literature that got here throughout and after Vietnam and the way the battle affected writing throughout that point.

“What the most effective writing about Vietnam does appear to have in frequent is a dedication on one hand to an unstinting concreteness–a really feel for the way in which an expertise really seizes upon us, seizes unexpectedly as a factor of the senses, of the feelings, of the mind, of the spirit–and on the opposite a definite consciousness of engagement in a major means of sense-making, of discovering the peculiar methods through which the expertise of the battle can now be made to indicate inside the bigger evolution of tradition as a complete,” Beidler wrote.

Over time, Beidler’s work on literature research by means of the lens of the Vietnam Struggle was extensively reviewed.

“Philip Beidler, like John Hellmann and others, explores the American literature of the Viet Nam battle by way of American fantasy and fantasy making,” wrote California State College at Stanislaus professor Renny Christopher whereas reviewing Beidler’s “Rewriting America: Vietnam Authors in Their Era.”

In a dialogue for a Vietnam oral historical past mission that was carried out by UA, Beidler talked about what he felt the battle revealed to the American public.

“On the time, most of us felt, and that’s whether or not we have been troopers, veterans, or whether or not we have been individuals who had stayed at dwelling and demonstrated in opposition to the battle, that we lastly bought our comeuppance,” Beidler mentioned. “This concept that we have been the redeemer nation. This concept that we have been at all times the great guys. We thought that we had put that to relaxation. You realize, we misplaced that battle. We bought out asses kicked.”

Nonetheless, Beidler didn’t restrict his pursuits or writing to simply Vietnam, overlaying about topics as different as Mark Twain, essays on Cuba, and Alabama’s early literary historical past. One among his final books, “Nice Past: Artwork within the Age of Annihilation,” will quickly be launched by means of the College of Alabama Press.

“He had this highly effective curiosity,” Noble mentioned.

Noble, who does e book critiques for Alabama Public Radio and hosts “Bookmark with Don Noble” on Alabama Public Tv, mentioned Beidler at all times wrote in an accessible approach and was simply as riveting within the classroom as he was on paper.

“I feel his power, his good nature, and his humorousness confirmed up within the writing voice and within the classroom voice,” Noble mentioned.

Oliu mentioned he loved each Beidler’s firm and friendship.

“Once I graduated and began instructing, he handled me instantly like a colleague,” he mentioned. “At all times stopping me within the hallway to speak, to crack a joke, to drag Washington Irving quotes out of midair.”

Noble mentioned that extra than simply being an excellent author or trainer, he was an excellent good friend.

“He was a extremely good man,” he mentioned. “He was an excellent natured particular person, he had an excellent humorousness, and he was actually good firm. I loved my time with him.”

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Alabama

LSU Football Trending for Coveted Alabama Linebacker Following Unofficial Visit

Published

3 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

LSU Football Trending for Coveted Alabama Linebacker Following Unofficial Visit

Brian Kelly and the LSU football staff hosted one of the biggest recruiting events of the summer on Friday for the program’s annual Bayou Splash in Baton Rouge.

For Kelly and the Tigers, they brought in a myriad of commitments in both the 2025 and 2026 classes along with targets at the top of their Big Board.

The invite-only event was once again a huge success for the program with LSU now trending for numerous targets.

One name to keep tabs on is Gulf Shores (Ala.) native JaMichael Garrett.

The four-star 2026 linebacker has seen his status as a recruit skyrocket over the last few months after cracking the Top 150 in the recent update.

A Top 10 linebacker in America, Garrett has the Who’s Who of college football pursuing his services, but after trimming his list, it’s LSU and Auburn who are his finalists.

On Friday, Garrett made the drive to Baton Rouge for LSU’s Bayou Splash recruiting event where he was accompanied by several of the top targets on LSU’s radar.

@CoachBrianKelly 🐯🐯?! pic.twitter.com/eAZMP8PhUI
— Jamichael “Jmike” Garrett (@jamichael97) June 6, 2024

Following the trip to check in with LSU, he hopped back in the car to make the trip up to Auburn where he will visit with the [Auburn] Tigers on Saturday.

With his finalists set in stone, Garrett confirmed a commitment is “coming soon” with a decision likely coming within the next week.

Right now, LSU is trending for his services following a beneficial visit to Baton Rouge for the Bayou Splash event.

Garrett is an elite-level linebacker who could thrive under defensive coordinator Blake Baker’s system. There is a need for linebackers in the 2026 cycle with the Tigers turning up the heat for Garrett.

LSU currently holds a pair of 2026 commitments, but after a huge weekend on the recruiting trail, we could see more pop sooner than later.

All signs point to Garrett joining the class.

Late Friday night, we saw the first prediction come in from On3 Sports’ Shea Dixon with more buzz trending LSU’s way.

announcement coming soon … @Hayesfawcett3
— Jamichael “Jmike” Garrett (@jamichael97) July 27, 2024

For the Tigers, it would be a tremendous get for a program that is eyeing improvement for the long haul on the defensive side of the ball.

A Top 10 linebacker in America, Garrett is at the top of LSU’s 2026 Big Board with the program looking to get him on board sooner rather than later.

On Friday, he was alongside several top 2026 prospects with the No. 1 prospect in the country in town, Jahkeem Stewart.

Stewart, the the top recruit in the 2026 cycle, is just down the road from Baton Rouge and Brian Kelly’s coaching staff has kept tabs on the prospect many are preparing to call “generational”.

The prized defensive lineman plays his high school ball at St. Augustine High School in New Orleans (La.) where the Bayou Bengals have certainly dipped their toes in over the years.

From Leonard Fournette to Tyrann Mathieu, there have been several LSU greats that have come from the impressive Catholic League high school.

Now, LSU has their sights set on the next great recruit out of St. Augustine in coveted prospect Jahkeem Stewart.

The No. 1 overall player in the country, Stewart is a physical specimen of a defensive lineman who has programs across America salivating at his ceiling.

With a myriad of programs in his ear, Bo Davis and the Tigers have made sure to get in on the action as well.

LSU Football Lands Commitment From Five-Star Cornerback DJ Pickett, America’s No. 1 CB

LSU Baseball Flips Prized Pitcher, Texas A&M Commit Cooper Williams

SEC Media Days Notebook: Brian Kelly, LSU Eyeing Growth in 2024

Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU program.

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Alabama

Check out these five scenic parks in Alabama – Yellowhammer News

Published

10 hours ago

July 27, 2024

Press Room

Check out these five scenic parks in Alabama – Yellowhammer News

Alabama State Parks offer lots of opportunities for fun, adventure, and family escapes, especially in summer.

Monte Santo State Park

Madison County

The overlook at Monte Santo State Park is a perfect place for couples. (Alabama State Parks)

Known for its rich history and stunning landscapes, Monte Santo offers diverse outdoor activities and miles of scenic hiking and biking trails. It’s a perfect destination for nature lovers and families looking for a peaceful retreat.

Langan Park

Mobile

Langan Park in Mobile is the perfect place to take in the outdoors in Alabama’s Port City. (George Dodd / Getty Images)

An urban oasis featuring lakes, walking trails, and large green spaces, Langan Park is a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors enjoy amenities such as playgrounds, picnic areas, and the Mobile Museum of Art.

Blount Cultural Park

Montgomery

The Renaissance Bridge is a landmark at Blount Cultural Park in Montgomery. (Daniela Duncan / Getty Images)

A blend of art and nature, this park is home to the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts and the Alabama Shakespeare Festival. Blount Cultural Park is beautifully landscaped with gardens, ponds, and scenic walking trails for the perfect day for nature lovers or anyone looking for outdoor respite.

Black Creek Park

Fultondale

Waterways and rocks add to the natural beauty of Fultondale’s Black Creek Park. (Beth Bachelor / Getty Images)

A spot featuring scenic walking trails, lush greenery and a family-friendly atmosphere, Black Creek Park is a natural getaway. Enjoy outdoor movie night under the stars, adding a touch of cinematic magic to this beautiful park.

Oak Mountain State Park

Pelham

Peavine Falls is one of the most photogenic locations at Oak Mountain State Park in Pelham. (Serge Yatunin / Getty Images)

A haven for outdoor enthusiasts, Oak Mountain State Park offers a range of activities from hiking and mountain biking to fishing and horseback riding. With beautiful lakes and scenic views, it’s the perfect destination for adventure and relaxation.

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Alabama

These Alabama airports are sharing $22 million in federal grants

Published

17 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Press Room

These Alabama airports are sharing million in federal grants

Alabama airports are splitting $22 million in the latest round of federal grants to improve infrastructure like runways, lighting and taxiways.

Huntsville International Airport and Birmingham- Shuttlesworth International Airport are in line for the largest slices of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Airport Improvement Grants, which are based both on passenger volume and capital improvement needs.

HSV will be getting $12.8 million to help shift a taxiway 200 feet and rehabilitate pavement and lighting on Runway 18/36, according to the FAA. In Birmingham, $6.9 million is earmarked for rehabilitation and construction of additional taxiways.

“The funding we’re announcing today will allow hundreds of airports to make critical improvements that will benefit passengers for years to come,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a news release announcing the grants.

The remaining funds are going to 10 other airports in the state, including: