Blackburn Institute

Row 1: Mary Ila Heard, Jackson Hataway, Tatiana Richards, Marc Bass, Heather Edwards

Row 2: Rachel Duncan, Torhonda Lee, Adam Traywick, Emily Bishop

Row 3: Creshema Murray, Ava Leone, Lisa Vaughn, Courtney McGowan, Brian Murphy

Row 4: Lori Foster, Clint Light, Dr. Cheree Causey, Case McNeill, Kyle Buchanan, Tanya Kassis Not Pictured: Erin Duncan, Rusty Henry, John Phillips, Nicholas Prillaman

Marc Bass Received his JD from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2004, and his BS from Auburn University in 1997. Marc is currently employed as the General Counsel for the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences. Previously, he served in the Alabama Attorney General's Office as an Assistant Attorney General and, prior to that, as in-house corporate counsel for Dispatch Technologies, a software firm in Pelham, Alabama. Marc also worked for the 2002 Bob Riley for Governor campaign, served as the President of the Law School Intellectual Property Society in 2002, and was a University of Alabama School of Law Presidential Scholar. Marc has been married since 1994 to Mel Hoffman Bass, and they have three wonderful children. Marc and his family currently reside in Auburn, Alabama.

Kyle Buchanan Kyle is the Assistant Vice-President of Business Development and Regional Services for the Colbert County - Northwest Alabama Healthcare Authority, which governs Helen Keller Hospital, Red Bay Hospital, North Alabama Sleep Disorders Center, Keller and Lauderdale EMS, Keller Home Health and Hospice. Before joining The Authority, Kyle served as administrative director responsible for special projects at the UAB Health System in Birmingham, Alabama. Kyle is a graduate of the healthcare management program at Culverhouse College of C&BA and holds a master’s degree in health services administration from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Alabama in Birmingham, Alabama.

Erin Lyn Duncan Erin received her Masters of Accountancy from the University of Alabama in August 2006, and she is currently working with Ernst & Young in Nashville, TN. Erin graduated with her undergraduate degree in Accounting in May 2005. Erin is from Hendersonville, TN. As an undergraduate, she was involved in the following activities: Capstone Men and Women, Alpha Chi Omega, Vice President of Financial Affairs, Anderson Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Blue Key, and The XXXI.

Rachel Anne Duncan Rachel is a graduate of UA with a double major in English and Classics. She counts her work with Volunteer Services and the Office of Disability Services to be some of the most important commitments she has on campus. While at UA, Rachel's honors and activities have included the following:

• Computer Based Honors Program Scholarship Recipient and Service Award
• Arts and Sciences SGA- Student Affairs Committee Chair
• Vice President, Arts and Sciences Ambassadors
• Crimson Calendar Committee Chair of Student Leaders Council
• Arts and Sciences Outstanding Sophomore Award
• Triangle Association
• Cardinal Key

Heather R. Edwards A native of Montgomery, Heather graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama in 2006 with degrees in Political Science and German. During her time on campus, she was honored to be selected as a member of Phi Beta Kappa and the XXXI women's honorary. In 2007, Heather graduated from the University of North Carolina---Chapel Hill's prestigious TRANS-ATLANTIC Master's Program; her master's thesis was on the subject of trans-Atlantic counterterrorism. Currently, Heather resides in Washington, D.C.

Lori Foster Lori is a graduate of UA with a B.S. in corporate finance. While on campus, Lori was involved in the following activities:

• Commerce Associate for School of Business
• University Honors Program
• Recipient of Hugh O'Tomilson Scholarship
• Served in 2002 State Treasurer campaign for brother, Greg Foster
• President's List
• Dean's List

Jackson Hataway Jackson is a graduate of UA with a major in Communication Studies/English, and is from Montgomery, AL. While in college, his activities included:

• Blount Scholar
• University of Alabama Forensics Team
• Gamma Beta Phi
• National Collegiate Scholars
• Dean's List
• Public Relations Committee Chair

Mary Ila Heard Ward Mary graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Management in December 2005. Currently employed by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama in Birmingham as a Corporate Recruiter. While at UA, her activities included:

• Faculty Scholar for Dr. Jim Cashman conducting research on Leader Member Exchange Theory
• Member of: XXXI, Anderson Society, Mortar Board (Secretary), Order of Omega, and Beta Gamma Sigma, University Elections Board, and Honors Program Ambassadors.
• Chi Omega Sorority President and Philanthropy Chairman
• Freshman Forum Community Service Chairman
• Scholarships: Presidential Scholar, Betty Loomis Scholarship, Student Alumni Association Leadership Scholarship

Rusty Henry Rusty received his JD from the University of Alabama School of Law in 2003. He is currently a Captain in the United States Marine Corps stationed at MCAS Cherry Point, NC, where he serves as Trial Counsel. In 2004-2005, he deployed to Baghdad as a member of Joint Task Force 134 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. While in law school, Rusty's activities and honors included:

• President of the Student Bar Association
• Chairman of the Council of Presidents
• Student Leadership Council
• President of the Christian Legal Society
• member of the Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society

Tanya Kassis Shunnara Tanya graduated Summa Cum Laude from UA with a degree in Advertising. A Presidential Scholar at Samford University's Cumberland School of Law, Tanya graduated Cum Laude from Cumberland in 2007. She is now an Associate Attorney in the Trusts and Estates Practice Group of Sirote & Permutt, P.C. in Birmingham, Alabama. She is a member of Curia Honoris Honorary, the Estate Planning Council of Birmingham, and the Alabama Planned Giving Council.

Torhonda C. Lee A doctoral student from Brundidge majoring in Health Education and Health Promotion.

• Alpha Epsilon Lambda, President
• Eta Sigma Gamma, President
• 2003 College of Human Environmental Sciences Outstanding Teaching and Research Award
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Undergraduate Campus Advisor

Ava Leone From Birmingham, Ava received her BA in both Political Science and Economics in 2006. She has worked and researched throughout the Middle East, focusing her efforts on civil society and economic development. She is currently a candidate for a Masters of Arts in Arab Studies at Georgetown University. While in college, her activities included:

• 2007 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar, Jordan
• 2006 NSEP David L. Boren Scholar, Israel/Palestine
• Chapter Founder, Americans for Informed Democracy
• The XXXI
• Anderson Society
• 2004 Gilman Scholar in Cairo, Egypt
• UA Chapter of IMPACT, President
• SGA Voter Registration and Education Committee, Co-Chair
• Big Brothers/Big Sisters, volunteer
• Tuscaloosa VA Hospital, volunteer
• Member, Cardinal Key
• 2003 Senator for College of Arts and Sciences
• 2004 A&S Outstanding Sophomore
• Alabama Model UN

Clint Light A 2006 graduate from Arab with a B.A. in Classics, Clint is currently working as a legal assistant in Washington, D.C. As an undergraduate, he participated in the following:

• SGA Judicial Board Chief Justice (2004-2006)
• CCSO Organizations Chair
• Blount Student Association, President
• A&S Ambassador, VP - Croquet Bowl
• Avanti Orientation Team, 2003
• Resident Assistant - Rose Towers/Blount Living-Learning Center
• Phi Eta Sigma President
• President's List
• CCHS Chairperson
• President, Anderson Society
• Member, Omicron Delta Kappa and Blue Key Senior Honoraries
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa

Lisa Vaughn Martin A native of Vestavia Hills, AL, Lisa graduated magna cum laude from the University of Alabama in 2005 with degrees in Mechanical Engineering. During her time on campus, she was honored to receive the Penny Allen Service Award and the Capstone Society Engineer of the Year Award. She was also selected as a member Tau Beta Pi (President), Omicron Delta Kappa, Anderson Society, Mortar Board, and Pi Tau Sigma. Currently, Lisa works for BE&K in Birmingham and is pursuing her MBA.

Courtney B. McGowan Courtney is currently a senior in Mechanical Engineering from Birmingham. His college activities have included:

• Pre-College Initiative Chair of UA chapter of National Society of Black Engineers
• Chair of UA SGA Diverity Committee
• Presidential Scholarship Recipient
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers
• Membership Chair for National Society of Black Engineers
• Student Association Chair for Honors Program
• SGA Senator

Jeffrey Case McNeill Jeffrey is UA graduate with a major in Management, and is from Tuscaloosa. While in college, his activities included:

• Kappa Alpha Order
• KA Philanthropy Chair
• Capstone Scholar
• SGA, Tuscaloosa Relations Committee

Brian Murphy Brian is a graduate of UA with a major in Marketing, and is from Hoover, AL. While in college, his activities included:

• President of Alabama Yell Crew
• Phi Eta Sigma, National Executive Committee
• Computer Based Honors Program
• Gamma Beta Sigma
• Cardinal Key
• Wesley Foundation
• Dean's List

Creshema Murray Originally from Montgomery, AL, Creshema received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and her Master's of Arts in Political Communication from UA. She is currently teaching courses at UA while pursuing a Ph.D. in Organizational Communication and Management. While in college, Creshema's activities included:

• The XXXI
• Vice-Chairwoman of the Blackburn Institute
• Membership Chair, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Justice, Student Judicial Board
• Arts & Sciences Ambassador
• Cardinal Key
• University Honors Program
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars
• Lambda Sigma Honor Society
• Co-Chair of SGA Public Relations Committee

John Phillips John graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2006 with a degree in Chemistry and minors in Computer Based Honors and Business. He is currently a medical student at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, where he is a Canby Robinson Scholar and a member of the Admissions Committee. While at UA, John's activities and honors included:

2005 Harry S. Truman Scholar

2005 Rhodes and Marshall Scholarship Finalist

Capstone Men and Women President

Phi Beta Kappa

Caldwell Lab Researcher

Freshman Forum VP/Acting President

Nicholas Prillaman A UA graduate from Franklin, TN with a degree in Finance, Nicholas is currently a bond analyst for the Retirement Systems of Alabama. While at the University, he was involved in the following activities:

• Capstone Men and Women
• President of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity
• Vice President of Honors Program Ambassadors
• The Other Club
• Selection Chair for Cardinal Key
• Business Honors Program

Tatiana Richards Tatiana is a graduate of UA with a major in Journalism, and is from Greenville, AL. She is currently working as an editorial assistant in Los Angeles, CA. While in college, her activities included:

• President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
• Vice-President, the XXXI
• Vice Chair, the Blackburn Institute
• Editorial Assistant, Alabama Alumni Magazine
• Editor-in-Chief, College Dayz Newsmagazine
• Computer-Based Honors Program
• Co-Chair of SGA Diversity Committee
• Capstone Association of Black Journalists
• Cardinal Key

Adam Traywick Adam is a graduate of UA with a major in Accounting, and is from Clanton, AL. He is currently pursuing a Master's of accountancy degree at UA. While in college, his activities included:

• Tutor for the UA Athletic Department
• Beta Alpha Psi member
• Gladys M. Poe Award winner
• Hurricane Creek Cleanup Volunteer
• Royal Ambassador State Tournament book-keeper
• CCSO Leadership Committee