White House to Recognize UA Professor as ‘Champion of Change’

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Dr. J. Suzanne Horsley, assistant professor of advertising and public relations at  The University of Alabama, will be honored Friday as part of a day-long program at the White House recognizing “Champions of Change.”

Horsley is one of nine volunteers and employees nationally who is being recognized for her work with the American Red Cross. The award not only recognizes her volunteer work with the organization, including work after the April 27 tornado in Tuscaloosa, it also honors her efforts to involve students in volunteerism.

“I am honored that this award also recognizes the service-learning projects that I do in my public relations classes,” Horsley said. “Through these projects, the students find meaningful ways to use their skills to help address a specific need in the community. It empowers our students to see that they can use their own professional expertise to help others.

“I hope that they take this with them after graduation and keep up the spirit of service in their next community. This is what resiliency is all about – bringing diverse talents together to make a community stronger.”

The “Champions of Change” will have the opportunity to share their stories with Obama Administration officials and Red Cross members around the world. The Champions of Change program was created to honor ordinary Americans doing great work in their communities.

“President Obama knows how important the American Red Cross is to not only providing humanitarian relief but also building resilient communities,” said Jon Carson, deputy assistant to the president. “The American Red Cross Champions of Change we are honoring are a reflection of the generosity and compassion deeply rooted in our national identity.”

More information about the award can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/champions, and a livestream of the event can be viewed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/live. Horsley will also be live-tweeting the event at http://twitter.com/profhorsley.

The department of advertising and public relations is part of UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences.