Biographies for Fall 2010 – Volume V, Issue I
Caroline Beard – Franklin, Tenn.
Major/Minor: Public Relations and Spanish/Double Major
Academic Achievements: Presidential Scholarship Recipient, Munson Foundation Scholarship Recipient, John W. Felton Public Relations Endowed Scholarship Recipient, President’s List (Fall 2007—Fall 2009), Public Relations Academic Award for Sophomores, Public Relations Academic Award for Juniors, Alpha Chi Omega Outstanding Sophomore, Kappa Tau Alpha, University Honors Program, Brentwood United Methodist Foundation Scholarship Recipient
Jobs & Internships: Nashville Ballet, Public Relations Intern (Summer 2009); United Methodist Communications, Intern (Summer 2009); College of Commerce & Business Administration’s Commerce Executive Magazine, Contributing Writer (Summer 2009); Cahaba River Society, Public Relations Intern (Summer 2010)
Community Service: Turning Point Volunteer, First Connection, Relay for Life Team Fundraising Co—Chair, Title III ESL Tutor
Organization Membership: Capstone Men & Women, The XXXI, PRSSA, Capstone Agency, Blue Key Honorary, Mortar Board, Anderson Society, Student Executive Council, Student Government Association Assistant to the Executive Secretary (2009), Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Freshman Forum Creative Campus Initiative Co—Chair (2007), Creative Campus Marketing Committee, Phi Eta Sigma Honorary, Alpha Lambda Delta Honorary
Katie Breaseale – Oneonta, Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Political Science
Academic Achievements: University Honors Program, President’s List, Phi Eta Sigma, Cardinal Key, ODK Honor Society
Jobs & Internships: Children’s Hospital of Alabama, Corporate Communications Intern (Summer 2010); The Lollar Group, Public Relations Intern (January–May 2010) ; College of Commerce & Business Administration’s Commerce Executive Magazine, Contributing Writer (Summer 2010); Student Government Association, Press Secretary (April 2010–present)
Community Service: Turning Point Volunteer, Coordinator for 2009 Scholarship Date Auction, Coordinator for 2009 Long Drive Competition for First Tee Charity
Organization Membership: SGA Press Secretary; Alpha Chi Omega– Executive Vice President of Communications; SGA Executive Secretary (April 2009–April 2010); Student Executive Council; Ideas to Action– Public Relations Coordinator; Freshman Forum: Public Policy Team (2007); PRSSA
John Paul Bruno – Vestavia Hills, Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations and Theater/Double Major
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List (2007—2010), National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Jobs & Internships: Everything IZ, Summer Intern (2009); Red Mountain Theatre Company, Facilitator (Summer 2007 & 2008); Iz Too Bakery and Market; LessThanUThink Campaign, Events Coordinator (May 2010–present)
Community Service: West Alabama AIDS Outreach
Organization Membership: Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Gamma Beta Phi, Golden Key, Alpha Psi Omega, Student Government Association (2007), University of Alabama Theatre and Dance
Karissa Bursch – Plano, Texas
Major/Minor: Public Relations and Spanish/Double Major
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List, National Hispanic Scholar, University Honors, International Honors, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Kappa Tau Alpha
Jobs & Internships: Grupo BPMO Intern, Edelman Dallas Trainee, Collin County Children’s Advocacy Center Developmental Intern, Crimson White Lifestyles Senior Staff Reporter, Community Service Center Environmental Advocate, UA Environmental Council Student and Faculty Development Earth Day Chair, Spanish to English language tutor
Community Service:
Organization Membership: Huxford Symphony Orchestra (cellist), Capstone Chamber Orchestra (cellist), UA Environmental Council, PRSSA (secretary), Student Executive Council
Allison Cook – Windermere/Valley, Fla./Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations and Political Science /Double Major
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List, Sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Society, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
Jobs & Internships: Margaritaville Orlando, sales associate (Seasonal 2008—2009); Healthwise Now, social media consultant (May 2008—August 2008); Randall Reilly Publishing Company, editorial intern (June 2009—July 2010); LessThanUThink Campaign, student coordinator (May 2010—present)
Community Service: Campfire USA, Fairfax Junior Variety Club
Organization Membership: The Capstone Agency: Director (May 2010—present) Account Executive (August 2009—May 2010), Assistant Account Executive (August 2008—May 2010); Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA): Board Member (May 2010—present), Member (2008– present); Gamma Phi Beta Sorority: Education Vice President (2008), New Member Educator (2007), Parent’s Weekend Event Coordinator (2007)
Megan Cotton – Alexandria/Huntsville, Va.; Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations and General Business/Political Science
Academic Achievements: Public Relations Academic Award for Sophomores and Seniors, President’s List, Dean’s List, University Honors Program, Golden Key
Jobs & Internships: Summer Hire for two years, Office of Public and Congressional Affairs, Aviation and Missile Command, United States Army; Media Relations team member for the LessThanUThink Campaign
Community Service: cUltivAte Peer Mentors
Organization Membership: ASSCA (President), Alabama Women’s Lacrosse (Vice President), Alpha Phi fraternity
Miah Evans – Phenix City, Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Communications Studies
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List, Black Faculty & Staff Student Scholar
Jobs & Internships: UA Office of Information Technology PR Student Assistant, University Relations Student News Editor, Columbus Lions Arena Football Public Relations Assistant
Community Service: Davis Emerson Middle School Tutor; West Alabama Boys & Girls Club, Holt Community–School Partnership, American Red Cross
Organization Membership: The XXXI Women’s Honorary Society; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority; Ambassador for College of Communication & Information Sciences; Public Relations Student Society of America; University Stewards; Resident Advisor
Kassandra Hannay – Shelton, Conn.
Major/Minor: Public Relations and Musical Theatre/Double Major
Academic Achievements: President’s List, Dean’s List, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Alpha Lambda Delta, Phi Eta Sigma
Jobs & Internships: Bradley Byrne for Alabama Campaign, Intern; Canoga Perkins, Technical Writer; The University of Alabama, Recruitment Speaker; Phi Mu Fraternity, Public Relations Chairperson; Game Day Tents, Hostess; LessThanUThink Campaign, social media coordinator
Community Service: Children’s Miracle Network, Birmingham Children’s Hospital
Organization Membership: The University of Alabama Theatre and Dance, Phi Mu Fraternity, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Student Government AssociationComments
Meredith Julian – Fairhope, Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Spanish, Political Science
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List, University Honors Program, Omicron Delta Kappa
Jobs & Internships: Intern, Congressman Jo Bonner, United States House of Representatives; Public Relations Intern, Young’s Suncoast Realty and Vacation Rentals; Public Relations Intern, Eastern Shore Art Center; Studied abroad in Madrid, Spain, Summer 2009; Sigma Rho Chi (sorority recruitment counselor)
Community Service:
Organization Membership: Alpha Gamma Delta sorority (Personal Development Chair), SGA Judicial Board Associate Justice, University Stewards, ASSCA, PRSSA, Pre–Law Student Association
Paige Niewerth – Plano, Texas
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Business Administration, Communication Studies
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List, Lambda Pi Eta Society, Gamma Beta Phi Society
Jobs & Internships: WVUA 7 News Internship, Golf Channel Job Shadowing, Texas Golf Association Internship, Crimson White Sports Section Writer, Golf Camp Instructor, WFAA News Job Shadowing
Community Service:
Organization Membership: Phi Mu Sorority, Public Relations Chair and Chaplain
Libby Page – Roswell, Ga.
Major/Minor: Public Relations and Political Science/Double Major
Academic Achievements: President’s List, Dean’s List, University Honors Program
Jobs & Internships: Internship at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) District Atlanta Office, Intern for United States Senator Johnny Isakson, Staff Assistant at Page Real Estate & Company, Counselor at YMCA Camp High Harbour, Writer for the Agorean
Community Service:
Organization Membership: Alpha Gamma Delta Sorority, Cardinal Key, Lambda Sigma, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Laura Rabushka – Madison, Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations/General Business
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List, Awarded Dedicated Service to UA Peer Mentors
Jobs & Internships: UA Advising/Teaching Assistant, Organization Newsletter Editor, Staff Assistant for Columbia Elementary School, UA Parent Programs Ambassador
Community Service: Tuscaloosa Metro Animal Shelter,Adopt–a–mile, Holy Spirit Annual Spring Festival, Capstone Village, Focus First, Up ’Til Dawn
Organization Membership: Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority: Vice President of Education, Philanthropy/Service Chairman, Development Committee Member; University Steward; UA Peer Mentor; UA Parent Programs Ambassador/Freshman Orientation; Freshman Forum: Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility Team; PRSSA
Hillary Stroud – Huntsville, Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Italian
Academic Achievements: Dean’s List (2007–2008), National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Phi Eta Sigma National Collegiate Honor Society
Jobs & Internships: Teledyne Brown Engineering Summer 2009; Studied Abroad to Florence, Italy Summer 2010
Community Service: Distributed Thanksgiving dinner at Downtown Rescue Mission;Support (monetary and interpersonal) a child in Honduras through Compassion International Christian Child Society; Helped build a home in Thibodaux, La., for Habitat for Humanity
Organization Membership: PRSSA
Jessica West – Andalusia, Ala.
Major/Minor: Public Relations/Computer Science
Academic Achievements: President’s List, Dean’s List, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society, Gamma Beta Phi Honor Society, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
Jobs & Internships: The Crimson White Advertising Department, Account Executive
Community Service: Turning Point domestic violence shelter; Lower Alabama Arts Council Summer Camp Advisor
Organization Membership: Alpha Chi Omega Sorority, Public Relations Committee; St. Jude’s Up ’til Dawn Program, VP of Public Relations; Leadership UA; PRSSA
