The Center will celebrate its 3,652 days of leadership, 120 months of mentorship, 10 years of the late Plank’s vision and one decade of success with a monthly series to highlight its programs and mission.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations, the leading international PR leadership resource, in 2015 celebrates 10 years since its establishment by the UA Board of Trustees.
The Center is named for Betsy Plank, a public relations leader and UA alumna.
“The array of programs the Center has developed—Milestones in Mentoring Gala, Fellowship for Educators program, webinars, Living Legends Panel at the Public Relations Student Society of America’s National Conference, supported grants, research—point to a decade of incredible contributions,” said Keith Burton, principal of Grayson Emmett Partners and vice chair of the Center.
As part of the commemoration initiative, the Center will celebrate its 3,652 days of leadership, 120 months of mentorship, 10 years of the late Plank’s vision and one decade of success with a monthly series to highlight its programs and mission.
“The Center has reached out to professionals, educators and students who have supported our success over the past 10 years for their thoughts about aspects of public relations leadership. That information will be shared over the next 12 months on our website and via social media channels,” said Dr. Karla Gower, director of the Plank Center and Behringer Distinguished Professor in the department of advertising and public relations at UA.
Click here for more information on the 10th Anniversary.
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 performance in the profession and classroom. Through a variety of programs, and in concert with groups and associations, the Center works to nurture and help develop outstanding leaders.
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 600 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 PRWeekmagazine.
The University of Alabama, a student-centered research university, is experiencing significant growth in both enrollment and academic quality. This growth, which is positively impacting the campus and the state’s economy, is in keeping with UA’s vision to be the university of choice for the best and brightest students. UA, the state’s flagship university, is an academic community united in its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all Alabamians.
- SOURCE: Jessika White, communications specialist, Plank Center, 205/348-7250, jnwhite@apr.ua.edu