Blackburn Institute

Row 1: John Joseph, Meghan Stringer, Anna Ruth Williams, Kim Straub, Kim Goins, Christian Smith, Laura Neergaard, and Maridi Thompson

Row 2: Taylor Nichols, Patrick Keenum, Sarah Kate Sullivan, Abby Smith, Shermeen Memon, Brittney Ingalls, Amanda McMillan, and Amy Bishop

Row 3: Dr. Cheree Causey, Jon David Conolley, Ryan Davis, Reginald Miller, Trey Hayes, Glenn Cummins, Chequetta Moore, and Adam Rankin Not Pictured: Blake Barnes, James Gibson, and Trey Sterling

Blake Barnes Blake graduated from UA in December of 2007 with a major in Philosophy and Environmental Science. He is from Fairhope, AL. While in college, his activities included:

• Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship to study in Rome, Italy
• Member, Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key, Mortar Board, and Anderson Society
• President, Freshman Forum
• Member, Lambda Sigma
• Service Student Leader for Alabama Action community action program
• SGA Senator for Arts and Sciences
• SGA Senate Student Affairs Committee Chair
• SGA Financial Affairs Committee
• Most Outstanding Freshman Award
• Most Outstanding Greek Freshman Award
• Mentor for a Tuscaloosa child

Amy Bishop A 2007 graduate of the University of Alabama, Amy is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration from the University of Pittsburgh in Public and Nonprofit Management. Her recent work experiences have been with the Government Accountability Office in Washington, D.C. and Teach for America in Atlanta.

Jon David Conolley Jon David Conolley (‘04-‘05 Fellow) serves as the lead Direct Channel Marketing Specialist for Infinity Property and Casualty Corporation (NASDAQ: IPCC), a Birmingham-based insurance company. He has more than four years of experience within the banking and insurance sector. Jon David attended the University of Alabama School of Business where he graduated with honors while double majoring in International Finance and Spanish. Upon completion of his undergraduate degree, Jon David studied International Relations at the Masters level while fulfilling his academic and community-based responsibilities as a Rotary Scholar at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Conolley has continued his commitment to community service and currently serves on several boards.

Glenn Cummins Glenn completed his doctorate in Mass Communication. He is teaching Communications in Kennesaw, Georgia. He is from Forest, MS. While on campus, Glenn was involved in the following activities:

• Working with state lawmakers, the Lieutenant Governor's office, local business and community leaders to draft a strategic plan for the development of a statewide broadband network
• Presenting original research regarding the effects of the media on society at several national conferences
• Co-author ing or authoring of numerous book chapters examining topics such as media effects and media entertainment
• Working with the Institute for Communication Research at the University of Alabama on a comprehensive, nation-wide examination of the state of the news media

Ryan P. Davis Ryan, a native of Huntsville, graduated in May 2005 with a degree in Public Relations. He is a specialty neuroscience sales representative with Eli Lilly and Co. in Chattanooga, TN. While on campus, Ryan was involved in the following activities: President, ASSCA Ambassadors; C & IS, Student Executive Council; Member, Golden Key Honors Society; Member, Phi Eta Sigma; Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars; Member, Lambda Pi Eta; Member, Anderson Society; Member, Mortar Board; Member and Praise & Worship Leader, Calvary Baptist Church.

James Gibson James graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law and was admitted to the Alabama State Bar in 2006. He served as law clerk to Judges Robert B. Propst and L. Scott Coogler of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama from August 2006 to August 2007. James now serves as Stff Counsel to the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C. James is married to Jennie Johnson Gibson. He is from Butler, Alabama. While in law school, his honors and activities included:

• 2002 Harry S. Truman Scholar
• Student Member, Governor's Commission on the Black Belt (Families Subcommittee)
• Truman Fellow, Office of U.S. Representative Artur Davis
• Founding President, College Democrats of Samford University
• Volunteer Tutor, Tuscaloosa County Housing Authority
• Volunteer, Habitat for Humanity
• Student Fellow, Blackburn Institute, University of Alabama
• Committee Chair, Samford University Student Government Association Senate
• Secretary, University of Alabama Law Democrats
• Member, Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform
• Member, Omicron Delta Kappa
• Member, Samford University Truman Scholarship Nominee Selection Committee (2004-05)

Kimberly Goins Originally from Mobile, Kim is a 2007 UA graduate with a degree in Political Science and Spanish; while at UA, she was a Presidential Scholar, a William P. Bloom Award Winner, and member of Phi Beta Kappa. Her extracurriculars include a column for The Crimson White. She will graduate from the University of Alabama in May 2011 with a Juris Doctorate and Master of Arts in Political Science, and her activities there include the following:

• Recipient of the Student Farrah Law Society Dean V. Nathaniel Hansford Student Service and Leadership Award
• Travis M.Bedsole Jr. Scholarship/Travis Massey Bedsole Scholarship (full tuition)
• Recipient of the Nikki Murphy National Memorial Scholarship
• 2007-2008 President of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.
• University Programs-Issues and Ideas Director
• Phi Alpha Delta International Legal Fraternity - Marshall
• Farrah Law Society
• American Bar Association - Lt. Governor of Region IV
• Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society
• SGA Law Senator
• Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review
• ICC Moot Court Team
• President of Public Interest Student Board
• Dean's Community Service Award
• Environmental Law Society - Treasurer
• SIFE - Co-Chairperson of Green Consulting Team

Trey Hayes Trey Hayes, from Brilliant, AL, graduated with a B.S. in Industrial Engineering in May 2008. Trey and his wife, Amanda, were married in June 2008. The couple reside in Birmingham, where Trey is working as a distribution engineer for Alabama Power. In college, Trey's activities included the following:

• Director, Alabama Action
• President, College of Engineering Ambassadors
• University Stewards Board
• Academic Honor Council, Engineering Justice
• Member, Anderson Society, Blue Key, Mortar Board, and Omicron Delta Kappa Senior Honoraries
• Member, Cottondale Church of Christ

Brittney Ingalls Brittney is a 2007 graduate of UA with a major in Advertising and Spanish and is from Greenville, AL. She is currently working for Alabama Senator Richard Shelby in Washington, D.C. While at UA, her activities included:

• Member, Alabama Triangle Association
• Member, Student Alumni Association
• Chair, SGA Tuscaloosa Business
• Member, STARS (Higher Education Partner)
• Resident Assistant, Harris Hall
• Member, Adfed
• Tutor, Every Child Deserves a Chance
• Attendant, ALPAC Policy Conference, D.C. ( Israel/U.S. Relations)

John Joseph John graduated from the University of Mississippi and the University of Alabama School of Law; he has since pursued his interests in real estate and entrepreneurship. He recently launched a new venture, Global Grad, to help students excel in college personally, academically and professionally. He and his wife Annah currently live in McCalla, AL.

• Project Developer, AIG Baker Real Estate
• Fellow, The Eagle Rock School and Professional Development Center
• Intern, White House
• Legislative Aide, Senate Majority Leader
• Congressional Liaison, American Youth Policy Forum
• Intern, U.S. Department of Justice
• President, Student Government Association
• Founder, Habitat for Humanity
• Senator, Student Government Association
• Member, Chancellor's Task Force on Race Relations
• Chairman, Diversity Committee
• Senator of the Year
• Bernardin Scholar
• Truman Scholar

Patrick Keenum A 2006 graduate from Sheffield with a B.S. in Biochemistry, Patrick is currently a student at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham. He works as a researcher in the UAB Department of Medicine's Division of Cardiovascular Disease, Vascular Biolgy and Hyptertension Program. As an undergraduate, Patrick participated in the following:

• Vice President, Arts and Science Ambassadors
• Member, Cardinal Key
• Member, Alabama College Republicans
• Prostate Cancer Research and Computational Chemistry
• Treasurer, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Society
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa

Amanda Kaye McCracken A 2006 summa cum laude graduate of UA with a B.S. in Mathematics and German, Amanda is from Monroeville, AL. After graduation, Amanda taught in Ingelheim, Germany on a Fulbright Scholarship before returning to Alabama and marrying Blackburn Fellow Will McCracken. Amanda received her M.S. in Applied Statistics from UA in August 2008 and is currently working on her Ph. D. Amanda and her husband reside in Tuscaloosa, AL. Her honors and activities while on campus have included:

• Fulbright Scholar, 2006-2007
• Rotary Scholar to Vienna, Austria, 2009-2010
• U.S. Department of Education Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar, 2005
• College of Arts and Sciences Distinguished Undergraduate Award, 2006
• Thomas Waverly Palmer Mathematics Award, 2006
• Statistical Analysis Competition, 1st Place, Phi Beta Lambda National Leadership Conference 2006
• President, Golden Key International Honour Society, 2005
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa, Anderson Society, Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Blue Key, Pi Mu Epsilon (Mathematics Honorary), Delta Phi Alpha (German Honorary), and Beta Gamma Sigma
• Justice, Student Justice Board, 2003-2006
• Member, Honors College Ambassadors, 2005-2006
• Junior Girl Scout Leader for Martin Luther King Elementary School
• Advisor, Monroe County High School Model United Nations Team
• Member, Carl Elliot Society
• Computer Based Honors Program
• University Honors Program
• Excellence in First-Year German Award, 2003
• Student Support Services Tutor of the Year, 2005
• Graduate Council Fellowship Recipient, 2007-2008
• Representative-At-Large, Caucus for Women in Statistics, 2010-2011

Shermeen Memon Shermeen is a UA Graduate with a major in Biology. While at UA, her activities included:

• Vice President, Arts and Sciences Ambassadors
• Anderson Society, Outstanding Sophomore Award
• Research in the Caldwell Lab
• Member, Anderson Society
• Member, Golden Key
• Member, The Other Club
• Computer Board Honors
• Jane Nix, Outstanding Service Award
• Member, Gamma Beta Phi

Reginald Miller Reginald M. Miller, a native of Anniston, graduated from The University of Alabama with a degree in Finance. He is currently a partner in Liberty Empire Capital, a real estate lending and investment firm. Reginald also operates as the Finance Director for the Impact Nation Ministries. He is a graduate of the 2nd annual class of "Focus on Leadership", an organization designed to develop minority leaders in local government.

Chequetta Moore A graduate of UA with a major in Accounting, Chequetta is from Tuskegee, AL. While at UA, her activities included:

• Volunteer, Salvation Army, YMCA, Bryce Hospital
• Service activities of Delta Sigma Theta
• Treasurer, XXXI
• Treasurer, Delta Sigma Theta
• Member, NAACP
• President, National Council of Negro Women

Laura L. Neergaard Laura graduated in May 2005 with a degree in Public Relations and Political Science and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Educational Philosophy from Vanderbilt University. She was recently awarded a fellowship through the Institute of Educational Statistics (IES).

Taylor Nichols A 2006 UA graduate with a B.S. in Economics, Taylor is a former policy advisor for Governor Bob Riley. He is currently pursuing a JD/MBA at the University of Alabama. While on campus, his activities have included the following:

• Blackburn Institute Student Chairman 2005-2006
• VOTES Coalition Executive Director 2004-2006
• 2005 William P. Bloom Award
• Mortar Board Vice President 2005-2006
• Anderson Society 2005-2006
• Omicron Delta Kappa 2005-2006
• Blue Key 2005-2006
• Cardinal Key 2004-2005
• Freshman Forum, Youth Summit Chair 2002-2003
• CapstonePAC Board of Directors
• Alabama Students for Constitutional Reform
• College Republicans
• Federalist Society, Treasurer
• Dean's Community Service Award, 2009

Adam Rankin A senior from Tennesee, Adam is majoring in Accounting.

• President, Alabama Association of Professional Latin Americans
• Student Government Association Senator
• Member, Lambda Sigma
• Member, Multicultural Task Force
• Mentor, Matthews Elementary student
• ESL Tutor, County School System
• Volunteer, HIPPY Hispanic Outreach Division
• Member, West Alabama Hispanic Providers Group
• Volunteer Award for work with Tuscaloosa Family Resource Center
• Member, Homecoming Committee

Abby Smith Abby graduated from UA in 2007 with a B.S. in Psychology and Spanish and a minor in the Blount Undergraduate Initiative. After graduation she attended the Anderson University School of Theology in Anderson, IN, where she graduated in 2009 with a Master of Arts in Intercultural Service. She currently lives in Bogotá, Colombia, where she serves as a pastor and a missionary, working with churches to develop discipleship programs and strengthen ministries to children and families who have been impacted by the cycle of urban poverty and/or displaced by violent conflict.

Christian Smith Christian, a native of Trussville, graduated from the University of Alabama in 2006 with a Bachelor Degree in Communications and in 2008 with a Master of Public Administration. She currently works at the University of Alabama at Birmingham in the Office of Student Involvement as the Coordinator of Student Leadership Programming. As an undergraduate, she participated in the following:

• President, Coordinating Council for Student Organizations
• Student Government Financial Affiars Committee
• Member, Student Leaders Council
• Member, Leadership, Education & Development Team
• Member, Parent Orientation Team
• Leadership Chair, Coordinating Council for Student Organizations

Trey Sterling Trey graduated from UA in 2006 with a major in English and is from Tuscaloosa. While in college, his activities included:

• Member, Freshman Forum
• Member, Lambda Sigma
• Volunteer, The Stalling Center
• Graduate, Fore Runners of Tuscaloosa
• Resident Assistant, Blount Living and Learning Center
• Member, Residence Hall Association
• Computer Based Honors Program

Kim Straub Kim graduated from UA in 2006 with a major in History and is from Madison, AL. While at UA, her activities included:

• Fundraising Co-Chair for College of Arts and Sciences Student Ambassadors
• Toastmaster of The Other Club
• WVUA DJ (2003-2004)
• Blount Undergraduate Initiative
• University Honors Program

Meghan Stringer Meghan is currently living in Montgomery, AL serving as Communications Director for the Martha Roby for Congress campaign. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from UA in 2007 with a B.A. in Political Science. As an undergraduate, she was involved in the following activities:

• Chairman, The VOTES Coalition
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa
• Member, Anderson Society, Mortar Board, Blue Key, and Omicron Delta Kappa Senior Honoraries
• Vice President, The 18th Order of The XXXI
• Chairwoman (2005-06), College Republicans
• Alumna, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority

Sarah Kate Sullivan Sarah Kate graduated cum laude in 2007 from the University of Alabama with a double major in Journalism and Spanish, and a minor in Political Science. While on campus, Sarah Kate was involved in a variety of leadership and service activities. She spent the first two years of her undergraduate career covering the political beat for the Crimson White. Afterwards, she served as the 2006-2007 Chairman of the Blackburn Institute, Vice President of Alabama Students for Constitutional Reform, and was a member of Capstone Men and Women, The Other Club, and of Kappa Delta sorority. During her senior year, she was inducted into Blue Key, ODK, Anderson Society, Mortar Board and XXXI. Sarah Kate was also active in the Tuscaloosa community and with Alabama interests as a whole. She founded and served as the Director of Hang TYMERS: Teaching Youth Math Enrichment and Reading after School, a tutoring program for at-risk middle school students at Davis-Emerson Middle School. The program effectively raised the GPA of the students by 7%, exposed them to cultural activities, languages, sports, computer sciences and art. Sarah Kate also served as a member of the statewide Foundation Board of Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform. During her summers, Sarah Kate interned for Sen. Richard Shelby in Washington, D.C. and Congressman Artur Davis in Birmingham Sarah Kate is also a fluent in Spanish and active in Hispanic issues in the community. She volunteered as a tutor and translator for the Tuscaloosa County School System and also filmed, edited, and produced “Spanglish,” a documentary about a Mexican family’s experience working to assimilate in Tuscaloosa. Currently, Sarah Kate lives in Washington, D.C. and works for Congressman Artur Davis. Her future plans include entering graduate school for international business at La Universidad del Belgrano in Buenos Aires, Argentina as a 2008-2009 Rotary Ambassadorial Scholar sponsored by the Tuscaloosa Rotary Club. She plans to attend law school after completing her year as a Rotary Scholar.

Maridi Thompson Maridi, a native of Tuscaloosa, is a UA graduate with a degree in Marketing. In May 2008, she graduated from The University of Alabama School of Law; in September 2008, she will join Haskell, Slaughter, Young, and Rediker, LLC. While a law student, Maridi was a member of the University of Alabama School of Law Jessup International Law moot court team, the University of Alabama School of Law's Moot Court Board, The Bench and Bar Legal Honor Society, and the Law and Psychology Journal.

Anna Ruth Williams Anna Ruth is a 2006 UA graduate from Denver, with a degree in Public Relations and Political Science. Since graduating, she has led communications efforts for the Democratic National Committee, Congressman Artur Davis, Governor Roy Barnes and other elected officials throughout the Southeast. Currently, she serves as Senior Account Manager for communications 21, a full-service integrated marketing, public relations and interactive firm in Atlanta. The agency assists clients in a variety of industries with e-marketing, media relations, event planning, product launches and marketing campaigns.