UA’s Parsons Serves as Rotary President

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Pam Parsons, assistant vice president for development at The University of Alabama, is serving as president of the Rotary Club of Tuscaloosa for 2002-2003.

Parsons was elected vice president/president-elect of the Rotary Club for 2001-2002, and assumed the presidency this month. She has been a member of Rotary since 1995.

“It is a special honor and privilege to serve as president of this important community organization,” Parsons said. “We have a great team of officers and members, and I look forward to an exciting and productive year.”

Other officers include Wayne Childress, vice president/president-elect; Frank Deaver, executive assistant to the president and treasurer; Riley Lumpkin, secretary; and Fred Klicker, sergeant-at-arms.

Just before taking over as president, Parsons attended the Rotary International Convention in Barcelona, Spain. More than 20,000 Rotarians attended the convention, representing 3,118 clubs in 147 countries.

“Rotary is truly an international organization,” Parsons said. She noted that Rotary is growing worldwide at a time when many other service clubs are declining. Almost 75,000 new Rotarians were inducted during 2001-2002, including 36 new members who joined the Tuscaloosa club.

As incoming president, Parsons challenged the Tuscaloosa membership to continue expanding its service in local projects. “Service is not a community project; it is a challenge to each one of us individually,” she said.

Parsons joined UA’s development staff in 1991 as a major gifts officer for the College of Education. She was named director of development for the College of Arts and Sciences in 1993, and assistant vice president for development in 1997. She also served as acting vice president for University advancement from 1999-2000.

Before joining UA, Parsons served as events and facilities coordinator for the UA System, as director of events and scholarships for the UA National Alumni Association and as sales manager for Compass Bank.

Parsons earned a bachelor’s degree in human resource management and a master’s degree in higher education, both from UA. In addition to Rotary, she is involved with the Junior League and United Way of West Alabama.