Outstanding Communication Alumni, Professor Honored by UA College

Note to editors in Birmingham, Gainesville and Tuscaloosa: residents in your area received an award.

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Seven University of Alabama alumni were presented with Outstanding Alumni Awards from the University’s College of Communication and Information Sciences during Honors Week activities.

Recipients include Marilyn Mancini, UA professor emerita; William Alan Dennis, UA professor emeritus; Dr. Mark Nelson, vice president for student affairs and vice provost for academic affairs at UA; Dr. Bernell Tripp, associate professor of journalism at the University of Florida; Cynthia Kay Jones, CNN senior editorial producer; Camille Elebash, UA professor emerita; and Bill Bolen, retired news anchor, WBRC-TV in Birmingham.

Dr. Jennings Bryant, Reagan Endowed Chair of Broadcasting and associate dean for graduate studies and research, received the College’s Board of Visitors Teaching Excellence Award.

The C&IS award recipients are as follows:

Outstanding Alumna in Advertising – Marilyn Mancini

Marilyn E. Mancini began her career in advertising as a broadcast copywriter in Illinois. She started teaching advertising copywriting upon completion of an advanced degree in 1985, moving into the second phase of her career. In 1992 she received the Kappa Tau Alpha Commitment to Teaching Award from the College and in 2004 received the Hileman Award for teaching and outstanding service from the seventh district of the American Advertising Federation.

Outstanding Alumnus in Public Relations – William Alan Dennis

William Alan Dennis was one of the first students to enroll in the newly created College of Communication in 1973. Two years later he completed degrees in both advertising and public relations; and in 1977, a master’s in communication. He began his career as a multi-media specialist at Bryce Hospital where he served in various capacities for the hospital and for the department; including director of publications and printing services, media liaison, public information director, and chief spokesperson. In 1988, he returned to the College as a full time instructor in the department of advertising and public relations, where he stayed for 20 years until his retirement.

Outstanding Alumnus in Communication Studies – Dr. Mark Nelson

Dr. Mark D. Nelson joined the faculty in the department of communication studies in the College in 1991, after serving as a faculty member and the director of forensics at Murray State University in Kentucky. In 1996, Nelson was appointed to the position of assistant dean for undergraduate studies for the College and later promoted to associate dean. Along with his duties as associate dean, Nelson served as the basic course director in communication studies, training new graduate students in the art of teaching public speaking. In 2006, he was named assistant provost for academic affairs, and in 2008 he was named vice president for student affairs and vice provost for academic affairs.

Outstanding Alumna in Journalism – Dr. Bernell Tripp

Dr. Bernell E. Tripp received her bachelor’s degree in journalism from UA in 1982. She was an award-winning sportswriter in Pensacola, Fla., before returning to UA to enter the graduate program for a master’s degree in journalism in 1989 and a doctoral degree in mass communication in 1993. She joined the faculty at the University of Florida journalism department, where she has taught classes in reporting, magazine and feature writing, sports writing and mass media history.

Outstanding Alumna in Telecommunication and Film – Cynthia Kay Jones

Cynthia Kay Jones is responsible for coordinating the network’s breaking news coverage as well as various special projects. Previously, Jones was an associate producer at CNN as well as a media coordinator, joining the network in 1999. She got her start at WREG-TV in Memphis as a production assistant, and in 1998, moved to WHBQ-TV in Memphis as an associate producer, producing Good Morning Memphis as well as the midday news program. Jones graduated with honors from Northwest Mississippi Community College in 1995 with an associate of arts in broadcasting, and from The University of Alabama in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in telecommunication and film.

Betsy Plank Outstanding Achievement – Camille Elebash

Camille Elebash earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from The University of Alabama in 1946 and 1958, respectively.  Her career in communication includes writing radio commercials for WTBC and being a reporter for The Tuscaloosa News, assistant food editor of The New York Times, editor of UA Alumni News, co-founder and publisher of The Graphic and advertising faculty at The University of Alabama.

Bert Bank Distinguished Service – Bill Bolen

Bill Bolen’s career in communications started after his high school graduation in 1947 when he joined the staff of the Selma radio station WHBB as a disc jockey and announcer. With the exception of two years in the U.S. Air Force, he has been in radio and television for 61 years. Bolen has spent most of his adult life in all phases of radio and television from disc jockey to salesman, photographer, program director and news director. The past 40 years he has served as news anchor and host on WBRC-TV. He graduated from UA in 1952 with a major in radio arts.

Board of Visitors Teaching Excellence Award – Dr. Jennings Bryant

Dr. Jennings Bryant came to UA in 1987 to teach in the telecommunication and film department. In 1989 he founded the Institute for Communication Research and served as director for more than 15 years. He has received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the Broadcast Education Association, the leading national scholarly association for broadcasting and telecommunications. Bryant has served as president and been elected a Fellow of the preeminent international scholarly society in his field, the International Communication Association.