Thursday, August 16, 2018

100 Years of Grand Highlights History of Grand Canyon National Park


Experienced attorney Edgar (Ed) Gentle serves as a special master and settlement administrator on behalf of the Alabama courts. Outside of his professional responsibilities, Ed Gentle enjoys visiting Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona multiple times per year. 

Although scientists estimate that the Grand Canyon was carved out over roughly six million years and inhabited by humans as early as the last Ice Age, the mile-deep gorge in northern Arizona wasn't named a national park until February 1919. With the 100-year anniversary of that milestone approaching, the Grand Canyon National Park has partnered with Arizona State University and Northern Arizona University to present "100 Years of Grand," which seeks to enhance public understanding of the history of the natural wonder. 

As part of the project, thousands of archival materials such as photographs and documents dating back to 1890 have been made available on a trio of online repositories hosted at lib.asu.edu/Grand100. Documents include a 1925 map of the park, a 1916 press release detailing the bill to confirm the Grand Canyon as a national park, and a 1933 public invitation to the blessing of the Hopi Watchtower.

Monday, August 6, 2018

Auburn Alumnus Kerryon Johnson Poised for Promising NFL Rookie Season


An attorney who has disbursed more than $2.5 billion in settlements as a special master and settlement administrator, Edgar (Ed) Gentle earned his law degree from the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Before that, Ed Gentle received a bachelor's degree in biology from the University of Auburn. He continues his support of Auburn by backing the school's football team.

Auburn had four players from its 2017 team selected in the 2018 NFL Draft. One player, in particular, is hoping to make an immediate impact with his new team. 

Picked in the second round by the Detroit Lions, running back Kerryon Johnson has the talent to succeed at the next level and is in the perfect situation. The Lions have primarily used a passing attack in recent years due to a lack of capable running backs, but many analysts think Johnson will emerge as the lead back in a field that includes LeGarrette Blount, Theo Riddick, and Ameer Abdullah. 

Because of Johnson's experience as a receiver in the backfield at Auburn, he could be a valuable target in the passing game for quarterback Matt Stafford. In three seasons at Auburn, Johnson compiled 2,494 rushing yards and 574 receiving yards while scoring 34 touchdowns. He was named Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year in 2017.