Home About Social Media Work Articles Gallery Contact

My Work

Vallo Vision News •

UM pausing planned merge of Theatre and Music Departments 

By Elise Kidd & Cypris Wilkinson  


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The University of Montevallo has paused previously announced plans to merge the existing Department of Theatre and the Department of Music for the Fall 2025 semester, according to a university official. 


This news comes nearly a month after majors in both departments were notified of the merger via email by the Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Dr. Sean Atkinson. Though an updated email has not yet been sent, Dean Atkinson intends to ma...
Vallo Vision News •

Education and Preservation: How Alabama Wildlife Center Impacts Birds and Humans Alike

By: Elise Kidd


PELHAM, Ala. — Tucked away inside Oak Mountain State Park is a place where avian wildlife can recover from injuries, educate the state and discover a way to still spread their wings after life changing events. 


The Alabama Wildlife Center serves as an educational facility and avian clinic. Inside the center is a self-guided tour: showing migration patterns, different types of feathers, eggs and additional information about birds in Alabama. However, the educational aspect d...
Vallo Vision News •

UM legacy Madison Smith takes on her own ‘jazzy journey’

Story By: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The University of Montevallo’s jazz ensemble doesn’t always have a lead vocalist but for the past two years, they have. 


Dr. Joe Ardovino is the director of the UM jazz ensemble. Ardovino explained that in his 34 years here, he’s held auditions for the vocalist position. However, these past couple of years have been a bit different. Since fall 2022, the position has instead been filled by one vocalist who, according to Ardovino, was put on his radar...
Vallo Vision News •

Alpha Delta Pi’s chapter at the University of Montevallo to close after more than 50 years

Story by: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — Alpha Delta Pi’s Zeta Delta chapter at the University of Montevallo announced its upcoming closure. 


News about the impending shutdown was shared at the chapter’s philanthropy event, ADPi’s Got Talent on Wednesday, March 12.


Following the announcement, many members, both from ADPi and other Greek life organizations on campus, shared their love for Zeta Delta on social media platforms. 


In the post made by UM ADPi’s official Instagram, it was s...
Vallo Vision News •

University of Montevallo celebrates Divine Nine with homecoming meet-up

Story by: Elise Kidd

MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The National Pan-Hellenic Council hosted a meet-up during the University of Montevallo homecoming festivities on Saturday, Feb. 15. The event was to celebrate the new “Divine Nine” plaza. The flyer for the meet-up described the new plaza as a place to “meet, stroll, hangout and vibe with fellow NPHC organizations.”

The Divine Nine refers to the nine historically Black sororities and fraternities, which were created in response to Black students being...
Vallo Vision News •

University of Montevallo increasing tuition starting Fall 2025

Story By: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — University of Montevallo students will be spending more when it comes time to pay their Fall 2025 bill. 


After freezing tuition for seven years, UM is raising tuition 3.5% starting next semester.


SGA members and other students met with UM President Dr. John Stewart in early February to express their concerns about the rise in cost of attendance. The input was then taken to the board of trustees meeting on Feb. 14. 


The board of trustees origina...
Vallo Vision News •

Election time at UM: Vote for 2025-2026 SGA positions and College Night Leaders

Story By: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — It’s election time at the University of Montevallo. Voting for Student Government Association positions and College Night Leaders open Monday, March 17 at 8 a.m. on Falcon Link. Polls close Wednesday, March 13 at 3 p.m. 


College Night Leader voting is only open to members who have been placed on eligibility for their respective side, meaning they played for the 2024-2025 season. 


There is one voting form for both. SGA nominees are listed first and...
Vallo Vision News •

University of Montevallo Men’s Basketball advances to GSC semifinals

Story By: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — University of Montevallo Men’s Basketball team is advancing to the Gulf South Conference semifinals after a 67-60 win against University of West Alabama on Tuesday, March 4.


The women’s team also competed in the quarterfinals this Tuesday. However, did not come out with a win. They lost to Union University 38-87.


The men’s win on Tuesday upped their season record to 20-9. This win also marks the first time the team has advanced to GSC since 20...
Vallo Vision News •

University of Montevallo’s Acrobatics and Tumbling team to host first ever home meet.

Story By: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The new Acrobatics and Tumbling team at University of Montevallo is hosting their first home meet Friday, March 7. 


The meet will begin at 5:30 p.m. in the Central State Bank Arena inside the Robert M. McChesney Student Activity Center.  The team will compete against Mars Hill University. 


The first 100 students will get a free t-shirt and the first 250 fans will receive a free souvenir cup. Admission is free. 


A pre-game cookout will also be h...
Vallo Vision News •

University of Montevallo men and women’s basketball teams advance to Gulf South Conference quarterfinals

Story By: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — University of Montevallo’s basketball season continues for both the men and women’s teams on Tuesday, March 4. UM has advanced to the Gulf South Conference quarterfinals.


The women’s team is currently the No. 8 seed and will be traveling to Jackson, Tennessee. There they will face the No. 1 seed, Union University, at 5:30 p.m.


The men as the No. 3 seed will take on the No. 6 seed, West Alabama, at home in Central State Bank Arena inside the McChe...
Vallo Vision News •

University of Montevallo’s Student Government Association partners with LifeSouth for blood drive

Story By: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The Student Government Association at the University of Montevallo is partnering with LifeSouth for their biannual blood drive on campus. 


The Bloodmobile will be parked outside Anna Irvin Dining Hall from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 4-5. 


According to the announcement in Vallo Voice, each donation through LifeSouth can save up to three lives. SGA hopes to meet their goal of saving 150 lives this semester. 


All donors will be given a free t-shirt....
Vallo Vision News •

UM Theatre Department to debut ‘POTUS’

Story by: Elise Kidd


MONTEVALLO, Ala. — The University of Montevallo’s Theatre Department opens their spring play “POTUS” by Selena Fillinger on Thursday, Feb. 27. The show will run until Sunday, March 2 on the Rebecca J. Luker Stage, in the DiscoverShelby Theatre located in the Alan and Lindsay Song Center for the Arts. 


“POTUS” is described by UM Theatre Department’s socials as an “amazing comedy about the seven women who really run the White House.” 


“POTUS” first premiered on Broad...
Vallo Vision News •

Junior United Nations of Alabama to host 32nd annual conference in January

Story by Elise Kidd


Junior United Nations Assembly of Alabama, otherwise known as JUNA, is gearing up to host its 32nd annual conference at Birmingham-Southern College in January 2023.


Similar to model U.N., JUNA allows students to participate in a conference that helps them build their public speaking, writing, researching and critical thinking skills. JUNA also promotes appreciation for diversity, encouraging students to learn more about international issues.

Unlike Model U.N., JUNA i...
The Alabamian •

UM’s students rally in Montgomery for Higher Ed Day 

By Elise Kidd 


A group of students from The University of Montevallo, primarily students involved in the Student Government Association, met in Alabama’s state capitol on Feb. 24, to communicate with state legislators about the importance of funding for higher education.  


Montevallo was one of Alabama’s 14 public universities represented at Higher Education Day, an annual event where students from these universities can show their desire and support for funding in higher education by havi...
The Alabamian •

Strand Coffeehouse opens for business

By Elise Kidd


Strand Coffeehouse is the newest business to open in Montevallo. Strand officially opened its doors Monday, Feb. 7, but the grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Saturday, Feb. 12 with over 200 people in attendance according to owner Sean Eichelberger.  


“We exceeded my expectations by a lot,” said Eichelberger. “Since we’ve been open a week, we’ve been overwhelmed in the best way possible at the response.” 


Strand’s menu has an array of drinks such as latte...