UA’s Plank Center Names 2015 Mentoring Honorees

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Six communications leaders will receive Milestones in Mentoring awards from the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at The University of Alabama during an induction ceremony at the Union League Club of Chicago Oct. 29.

The awards were established in 2010 to honor those who lead by example, modeling the way through two-way communication and exemplary behaviors.

Honorees at this year’s mentorship gala are:

• Legacy: Tom Hoog, vice chairman, Hill+Knowlton Strategies
• Executive: Heide Gardner, senior vice president, chief diversity and inclusion officer, Interpublic Group
• Corporate: David Samson, general manager, public affairs, Chevron Corp.
• Agency: Barri Rafferty, senior partner and CEO, North America, Ketchum
• Educator: Glen T. Cameron, professor, University of Missouri
• Young Professional: Danny Rubin, vice president, Rubin Communications Group

“We’re pleased to recognize leaders in our industry, from academia to the C-suite, who have displayed a commitment to mentoring the next generation of young professionals,” said Ron Culp, director of the graduate PR and advertising program at DePaul University and chair of the Plank Center. “These six dynamic leaders have inspired, coached and mentored countless others during their extraordinary careers.”

The Honoring Milestones in Mentoring Awards Banquet features a reception, dinner and awards ceremony. The honorees were selected by their peers and the Plank board in six categories:

• Legacy: recognizes those who have touched the lives of countless public relations professionals over the course of their exceptional careers.
• Executive: honors executives who have exemplified the concept of mentorship.
• Corporate: recognizes corporate communication professionals for mentorship. This award is named in honor of John “Jack” Koten, an influential corporate public relations leader.
• Agency: recognizes those who have been outstanding mentors in an agency.
• Educator: honors educators who have been instrumental in mentoring students and future educators. This award is named in honor of Dr. Bruce K. Berger, an exceptional public relations leader and educator.
• Young Professional: honors young professionals who are up-and-coming leaders and are already paying it forward.

For more information on the Milestones in Mentoring Gala, go to the Plank Center website (www.plankcenter.ua.edu).

About the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations

In 2005, The University of Alabama Board of Trustees established The Plank Center, named for public relations leader and UA alumna, the late Betsy Plank, to develop and recognize outstanding diverse public relations leaders, role models and mentors to advance ethical public relations in an evolving, global society through a variety of programs, and in concert with groups and associations.

In addition to national leaders in the practice and education, the Center Board includes an ex officio position for the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America that represents more than 11,000 members in 300-plus colleges and universities.

The Center is housed in UA’s College of Communication and Information Sciences. UA’s public relations program, with nearly 1,000 students, is the largest undergraduate degree program within the College. The program is certified by the Public Relations Society of America and for six years has been ranked among the top five public relations programs in the country by PRWeek magazine.

More information about the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations can be found at www.plankcenter.ua.edu.