Blackburn Institute

Gulf Coast Travel Experience: A Fellow’s Perspective

March 11, 2010

By Anna Foley

The travel experience to Gulf Shores coupled with the trip to Bayou La Batre allowed me to better understand how two adjacent communities that are similar in landscape and natural resources can face completely dissimilar political and social issues. After visiting Bayou La Batre on the first part of the trip and seeing the struggles of an impoverished small town, Gulf Shores was a stark contrast. The population of this vacation community alternates throughout the year. During the summer, it is frequented by short term vacationers, and during the winter, the “snow birds” come to spend half the year in their second homes. We had breakfast with the mayor and discussed how the city accommodates its wealthy citizens as well as its working class. There are few permanent residents in comparison to the amount of visitors, and as a result, the local government has a unique and fluctuating population to serve.

The economy is primarily founded on revenue from tourism, and the decline in the overall economy has taken a toll on Gulf Shores. Representatives from the two major real estate companies spoke with us about the challenges they face in their market during the tough economic times. We had dinner with local business leaders and learned that the money generated in Gulf Shores contributes greatly to Alabama’s economy. It is important for the state that efforts continue to further develop the economic potential there, and measures are being taken to bring in a more continuous flow of guest from throughout the state and country. Our time in Gulf Shores exposed me to the political and economic logistics of a tourist town and allowed me to understand how it plays a role in the overall well being of the state.

Karis Browder Receives First Annual Don and Barbara (Bobbie) Siegal Endowed Scholarship

March 9, 2010

At the Blackburn Institute’s annual D. Ray Pate Dinner in September 2009, Advisory Board Members Don and Bobbie Siegal presented Karis Browder with the inaugural Don and Barbara Siegal Endowed Scholarship.  The scholarship is designed to recognize Blackburn Institute Student Fellows with a demonstrated interest in and a concern for the promotion of cultural understanding.

On receiving this prestigious scholarship, Karis, the president of Sigma Lambda Gamma intercultural sorority, said, “Winning the scholarship was very important for me because it showed me the support that I have from the Blackburn family.  It is encouraging to know that the Siegals and others are as passionate about the promotion of cultural understanding as I am.”  In her application, Karis shared her desires for affecting positive change in her community by including disparate voices and by valuing opinions other than her own. 

Becky Reamey, Assistant Director of the Blackburn Institute, said of Karis: “Karis is a wonderful inspiration to us all as she promotes cultural understanding around campus.  She is consistently searching for ways to improve the world around her.  As a testament to her character, Karis planned to reinvest a portion of the scholarship money in activities to help her multicultural sorority grow.  She embodies the characteristics that are described in the scholarship application.”

The Siegals said the idea for the scholarship came from the inspiration Dr. John L. Blackburn provided during the peaceful integration of the University in 1963.  “We hope John L. Blackburn’s vision of a campus of caring individuals will last into perpetuity,” the Siegals said about the legacy they would like the scholarship to leave.  They hope this scholarship will encourage Blackburn Student Fellows to continue to make the campus a place where all students feel welcomed so they can pursue their education in an atmosphere of equality.  Karis echoed that sentiment by saying, “I hope that others will see the Siegal scholarship as an opportunity to invest towards projects and other experiences that actively promote multiculturalism, especially in the UA community.  I wish that Dr. Blackburn was here to see the strides the campus has taken towards diversity and more cultural understanding.”