UA’s Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations Names New Board Members

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Board of Advisors for The University of Alabama’s Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations has added two new members to an existing group of 17.

The new advisers are:

• Mark Harris, vice president of communications, IBM Global Business Services, IBM

• Kevin Saghy, public relations and marketing specialist, Chicago Cubs.

“We are delighted that these outstanding public relations experts and leaders have agreed to serve,” said Dr. Karla Gower, director of the Plank Center. “Their addition complements the leading academics and professionals in public relations already on the board.”

The Center, established in 2005 and named for UA alumna and nationally acclaimed public relations pioneer Betsy Plank, seeks to help develop and recognize outstanding leaders in public relations in the profession and the classroom. Through a variety of programs, and in concert with groups and associations, the Center works to nurture the ethical and effective practice of public relations and help develop outstanding leaders.

The Center is housed in the UA College of Communication and Information Sciences. UA’s public relations program, with nearly 600 students, is the largest undergraduate degree program within the College. The program is the 12^th in the nation to be reviewed and certified by the Public Relations Student Society of America.

CIS is among the most prestigious communication and information colleges in the nation. The College consistently is ranked among the top 10 in number of doctoral degrees awarded and in many of its research programs.