UA freshmen pitch in with Hurricane Creek cleanup for service-learning program (photos)
Al.com – Aug. 16
Incoming University of Alabama Honors College freshmen got a crash course in local ecology this week in UA’s Outdoor Action service-learning project. On Wednesday and Thursday, they volunteered in a clean-up project at the Friends of Hurricane Creek campground at Watson’s Bend in Holt, which felt the direct impact of the April 27, 2011, tornado. Under the direction of Hurricane Creekkeeper John Wathen, 80 freshmen and 18 student leaders cleared debris, cut fire breaks, chipped up limbs, rebuilt a shed with salvaged wood and completed other projects at the site. “I think we’ve actually been able to make a surprising difference,” said Brittany Picuri, a freshman from Fairless Hills, Penn. “Yesterday, all the trails were covered with invasive species and all kinds of trees, and we’ve been really working hard to move everything out. It looks like we’ve made a really big impact so far, I think.” Amy Williams, a freshman from Towson, Md., said she was encouraged by Wathen and the work she and her classmates were able to do over the week. “I wanted to get more involved in the Honors College and meet other kids who were also passionate about the environment and definitely start off at Alabama by helping the community,” said Williams. “I think it’s a great start.” Fran O’Neal, associate director of the Honors College, said the program gives students a bonding experience as well as the gratification that comes from service. “They really came in with the idea that they wanted to meet other students who shared their interest in the environment and provide some community service, but they didn’t perhaps expect to have quite so much fun,” O’Neal said. “They’re really getting to make good friendships over the week.”
Tuscaloosa News – Aug. 15
NBC 13 (Birmingham) – Aug. 15
Ron Culp Elected Chair of Plank Center
O’Dwyers – Aug. 15
Ron Culp, former partner of Ketchum and managing director of its Midwest operations and North American corporate practice, has been elected chair of the board of the University of Alabama’s Plank Center for Leadership in PR. The Center is named after alumna Betsy Plank, former AT&T executive who was president of the PR Society in 1973. She had spent many years working with the Student wing of the Society and in building ties between academicians and PR people. Culp succeeds John Koten, retired senior VP of corporate communications for Ameritech who is chairman emeritus of the Center. Named advisors emeriti for their service to the Center were Jack Felton, president and CEO emeritus, Institute for PR; Linda Hon, Ph.D., senior associate dean, College of Journalism & Communications, University of Florida, and Andre Taylor, retired VP of communications, Alagasco. Karla Gower, Ph.D., director of the Center, says the board has helped the Center to “grow dramatically” since its founding seven years ago. The Center was founded to develop and recognize outstanding performance in the PR industry and the classroom. Its goal is to nurture outstanding leaders. An ex-officio member of its board is the president of the Student Society of PRS. UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences has nearly 600 students in its PR program and is the largest undergraduate degree program in the college.