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Class of 2007 – 2008

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First row: Laura Dover, Daniel Odrezin, Kendra Key, Ambria Lankford, Mary Harmon Rountree, Phillips Thomas, Megan Courington, Joan-Marie Manolakis, Joan Reichwein, Robert McMillan, Danielle Blevins.

Second Row: Justin Zimmerman, Yongxiang “Kenny” Liang, Natalie Latta, Becky Reamey, Kristin Schneider, Martha Griffith, Meri-Glenn Freeman, Dana Lewis, James Dawkins, Marc H. Shook (Director).

Back Row: Robert L. Harris, III, Andrew Vincent, Alex Chandler, Leroy Nix, Barrett Sullivan, Alex Flachsbart, Ryan Robichaux.

Not Pictured: Richard Powers.

"Danielle" Blevins, a second year Law Student at the University of Alabama School of Law

  • Former President—Capstone Association of Black Journalists
  • Member, National Association of Black Journalists
  • Former President, ASSCA (Alabama Student Society of Communication Arts) Ambassadors—
  • Former, Student Executive Council
  • RTNDA (Radio & Television News Directors' Association) Vice-President
  • Former Member, Emma Bowen Foundation Scholar/ Fox 6 News
  • Former Member, Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society-Secretary (2006)
  • Former Member, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society
  • Former Member, Kappa Tau Alpha Mass Communications Honor Society
  • Member, Chi Alpha Student Ministries (Former Vice President)
  • University Honors Program
  • Media Planning Board, 2008-2009
  • Academic Honor Council, 2008-2009
  • Investigative Reporter and Editors (IRE)
  • Secretary, Anderson Society
  • Mortar Board Honor Society
  • Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society

Alex Grady Chandler, from Daphne, graduated from UA in December of 2008 with a degree in Global Supply Chain Management and Chinese. Alex is currently living in Taipei, Taiwan, as a Rotary International Cultural Ambassadorial Scholar where he is studying intermediate and advanced Chinese at the Taipei Language Institute. While a student at UA, his activities included:

  • 2008-09 Rotary Cultural Ambassadorial Scholar
  • University Stewards--Founding Board and Vice President of Training
  • Founder and President of Chinese Culture Club
  • Member--Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Order of Omega, UHP

Megan Courington, a native of Decatur, Alabama, she graduated from UA in December of 2008 with a degree in Telecommunication and Film. She currently works for the University of Alabama as a recruiter. While a student at UA, her activities included:

  • Member, the XXXI, Omicron Delta Kappa, Mortar Board, Blue Key, and Anderson Society
  • President, College of Communication and Information Sciences Student Executive Council (2007-2008)
  • Intern, WVUA-7 Sports
  • Media Planning Board, University Standing Committee
  • Radio-Television News Directors' Association
  • Alabama Student Society for Communication Arts Ambassador for College of Communication and Information Sciences
  • Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key, Alpha Lambda Delta, Gamma Beta Phi, Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Lambda, and Cardinal Key Honor Societies
  • National Honor Roll
  • Member, Kappa Tau Alpha Mass Communication Honors Society
  • Member, Student Leaders Council
  • Member, Alpha Chi Omega sorority

James "Jimbo" Dawkins, a Senior from Birmingham, majoring in English and Pre-Medical Studies

  • Member, The Other Club
  • Member, Alpha Tau Omega fraternity
  • Student Government Association--Academic Affairs Committee
  • University Honors Program
  • Blount Undergraduate Initiative
  • Blackburn Office Worker
  • Moral Forum Scholarship Winner
  • Legislative Council
  • Deputy Attorney General, Opinions and Mediation
  • SGA Senator, College of Arts & Sciences

Laura Dover, Graduated in May 2010 with a double major in Philosophy and Spanish. Laura is a Medical Student at UAB Medical School

  • Member, University Stewards
  • Member, Freshman Forum Professional Development Team
  • Vice President, The XXXI
  • Member, Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Medical Honor Society
  • Volunteer, Good Samaritan Clinic
  • ESL Volunteer, Northridge High School
  • Member, Phi Mu Sorority
  • Member, Honors College Ambassadors
  • Member, Anderson Society, Mortar Board, Blue Key
  • Member, The Other Club

Alex Flachsbart, Graduated in May 2010 with a Masters in Economics. Alex is now serving with Teach for America in Alabama's Blackbelt Region

  • Founder and Chairman, BamaBike Initiative (campus-wide rental bike program)
  • Graduate Council Fellow
  • USA Today All-Academic Team

Meri-Glenn Freeman, a second year law student at the University of Alabama School of Law

  • Miss University of Alabama, 2008
  • Member, Freshman Forum: Government Track, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, NSCS, Elliott Society, The Other Club, HPSA, Order of Alpha, Omicron Delta Kappa
  • Vice-President, Coordinating Council of Honors Societies
  • Deputy Director of Communications, SGA Department of External Affairs
  • SGA, Senate Assistant, Public Relations Committee
  • President, Lambda Sigma
  • Vice Chair for Students for Riley
  • Summer Intern (2008), Office of Governor Riley
  • Summer Intern (2008), Representative Spencer Bachus
  • Secretary, Capstone Mentors
  • Vice-President, Chi Omega Sorority
  • Honors Program, In-House Honors Ambassador
  • Student Leader/Mentor, UHP Program at Cottondale
  • Mentor, Davis Emerson Middle School and Holt Elementary School

Martha Griffith, a second year Law Student at the University of Alabama School of Law

  • Member, Capstone Men and Women
  • Past Director, Alabama Collegiate Summit
  • Member, The Other Club
  • Member, Lambda Sigma, and Cardinal Key Blue Key, Moartar Board, Anderson Society, Omicron Delta Kappa and Order of Omega Honor Societies
  • Member, VOTES Coalition Board of Directors
  • Member, University Honors Program
  • Member, Blount Undergraduate Initiative
  • Member, The XXXI

Robert L. Harris, III, a second year Graduate Student from Alexander City, pursuing a Master's in Communication and Information Sciences at the University of Alabama

  • Former Member, Freshman Forum: Government Track
  • Justice, SGA Student Judicial Board
  • Executive Board and Founding Member, University Stewards
  • Former Vice-President, The Other Club
  • Former Resident Advisor, Housing and Residential Communities, Harris Hall
  • In-House Recruiter and Office Aide, Office of Undergraduate Admissions
  • State Political Advisor and Board Member for Students for Barack Obama
  • Member, National Council of College Democrats of America
  • Former Political Director, Alabama State Federation of College Democrats
  • Member, College Democrats, University of Alabama
  • Independent Contractor, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceutical Company (2006-2007)
  • Member, University Honors Program
  • Member, Calvary Baptist Church (Tuscaloosa, Al)
  • Participant, Collegiate Summit
  • Former Executive Member, Up Til Dawn St. Jude’s Research Fundraiser
  • Russell Foundation Scholar, Scholarship

Kendra N. Key graduated from the University of Alabama in 2010 with a degree in Political Science. She is currently working as a Legislative Officer for the DC Public Schools. While an undergraduate at UA, her activities included:

  • 2009 Truman Scholar
  • 2008-2009 Blackburn Institute Student Chair
  • 2008 Capstone Hero Award Recipient
  • Former Member, SGA Senate, College of Arts and Sciences; First Year Council
  • Founding National State Farm Youth Advisory Board Member
  • Member: Lambda Sigma, Phi Eta Sigma, Alpha Lambda Delta, Gamma Beta Phi, Carl A. Elliott Honor Societies; National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Blue Key, Anderson Society
  • SGA Department of Environmental Concerns
  • University of Alabama Recycling Initiative Founder
  • West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Environmental Task Force
  • Center for Ethics and Social Responsibility Scholar
  • Volunteer: Friendship Baptist Meals on Wheels, Tombigbee Girl Scout Troops, Save First Tax Preparation Initiative, Tuscaloosa Cure SMA
  • President, Mortar Board Senior Honorary
  • Coordinator, City of Tuscaloosa Mayor's Youth Council

Ambria Lankford, graduated from The University of Alabama in 2008 with a degree in Biology and Spanish. She is presently a student at The University of Alabama School of Law. While an undergraduate at UA, her activities included:

  • Member, The 19th Order of The XXXI
  • Volunteer/Big Sister, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tuscaloosa
  • Volunteer Teacher, Junior Achievement (Alberta Elementary School)
  • Leadership Chair, CCSO
  • Vice President, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Theta Sigma Chapter
  • Chair, 2005-2006 SGA High School Leadership Conference Committee
  • National Achievement/Presidential Scholar
  • National Achievement Mentor

Natalie Joy Latta, Graduated in May 2010 with a double major in Political Science and English and is now serving with the Peace Corp

  • Member, University Honors Program
  • Treasurer, Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society
  • Member, 2008-2009 SGA Executive Advisory Board
  • Vice President, UA College Democrats
  • Membership Director, Alabama State Federation of College Democrats
  • Recipient, Buford Boone Scholarship
  • Recipient, Kiwanis Family Scholarship
  • Member, Springville Chamber of Commerce
  • Intern, Senator Richard Shelby
  • Member, Birmingham Museum of Art
  • Ambassador, Office of Parent Programs

Dana Lewis, a Senior from Huntsville, majoring in Public Relations and Political Science and minoring in the Computer-Based Honors Program

  • Event Chair, Tuscaloosa's First Step Out: walk to Fight Diabetes
  • Chair, Honors College Student Advisory Board
  • Carl A. Elliott Society, Alpha Lambda Delta, Lambda Sigma, Golden Key, NSCS, ODK, Mortar Board, Blue Key, The XXXI, Anderson Society, Phi Beta Kappa, University Honors Program, Computer-Based Honors Program
  • 2006 National Youth Advocate, American Diabetes Association
  • ADA National Youth Strategies Committee
  • Diabetes Attitudes, Wishes and Needs (DAWN) Youth Advisory Board
  • 2007 Most Outstanding Freshman, University of Alabama
  • 2007 Outstanding Undergraduate Student, UA Community Service Center
  • 2008 All-USA College Academic Team
  • Created and taught Freshman Seminar in Fall 2008
  • 2009 Truman Finalist
  • 2009 Ramsey Award
  • 2009 Society for New Communications Research Excellence Award
  • Co-founder and Organizer, Social Health 2010 (International Health Unconference)

Yongxiang “Kenny” Liang, a Senior from Birmingham, majoring in Economics and Finance and minoring in the Computer-Based Honors Program

  • President and Co-founder, Sustained Dialogue
  • Member, ODK and Cardinal Key
  • Chairman, SGA Voter Participation Committee
  • Member, CCSO Outreach Team and Intercultural Student Council
  • Chairman, Freshman Forum Government Track Service Committee

Joan-Marie Manolakis, graduated from The University of Alabama in 2008 with a degree in Chemistry and Spanish. She is presently studying dentistry at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. While a student at UA, her activities included:

  • Phi Beta Kappa
  • President, The XXXI
  • Vice-President, Gamma Sigma Epsilon Chemistry Honor Society
  • Member, Anderson Society, Mortar Board, Omicron Delta Kappa, Blue Key, Order of Omega, Cardinal Key, Sigma Alpha Lambda
  • Member, Capstone Men and Women
  • Member, The Other Club
  • SGA Senator, College of Arts and Sciences
  • Chairman, UA-AU Better Relations Day
  • Member, University of Alabama Triathletes
  • Chaplain, Phi Mu sorority
  • Chairman, Alabama Collegiate Summit
  • Member, VOTES Coalition
  • Co-chairman, Freshman Forum Youth Summit Committee
  • University Honors Program
  • Assistant, Shelton State Community College ESL Program
  • Tutor, Spanish Outreach

Robert McMillan, a Senior from Monroeville, majoring in History and minoring in Sociology

  • Member, Freshman Forum, Ethics and Social Responsibility track
  • Alabama Action Student Leader
  • Resident Advisor, Rose Towers Community

Leroy Nix, a Third Year Law Student from Maplesville

  • Senator, Student Bar Association
  • Former President, Black Law Students Association
  • Tuscaloosa Soup Kitchen Volunteer
  • Cum Laude graduate, University of Montevallo
  • Legislative Aide to Senator Sessions

Daniel Keith Odrezin, a second year Law Student at the University of Alabama School of Law

  • Member, Zeta Beta Tau fraternity
  • Member, Student Government Association- 2006 Deputy Chief of Staff, 2007 Executive Advisor to the President, 2008 Executive Advisor for Student Safety
  • Member, Order of Alpha
  • Member, Cardinal Key
  • Memeber, Order of Omega
  • President, Jasons Mens' Honorary
  • Member, Hillel Jewish Foundation

Richard “Dick” Powers, Trial Attorney, Department of Justice Antitrust Division in Atlanta, GA

  • RECON Platoon Leader and Executive Officer, Baghdad, Iraq
  • Operation Iraqi Freedom, March 2004-March 2005
  • Infantry Officer, United States Army 2001-2006
  • Graduate, United States Military Academy at West Point, 2001
  • Junior/Senior Editor, Alabama Law Review
  • Juris Doctorate, University of Alabama School of Law 2009, Cum Laude
  • Truman National Security Fellow

Rebecca “Becky” Reamey, a Doctoral student in Higher Education Administration from Tuscaloosa, AL

  • Current Graduate Student Association Research and Travel Chair
  • Adjunct Professor at UAB and Samford University for Speech and Writing Communication
  • Completed Master's Degree in Communication management from UAB
  • Former Scheduler for Bob Riley's Gubernatorial Campaign
  • Attended UA for undergrad and served in various leadership roles across campus including CCSO Leadership Chair.
  • Member of various honor societies as an undergrad including The XXXI

Ryan Patrick Robichaux, a Third Year Law Student from Pelham

  • Governor, The Catholic University of America Board of Governors
  • President, University of Alabama School of Law Federalist Society
  • Symposium Chairman, Journal of the Legal Profession
  • Campbell Moot Court Board, Intellectual Property Team
  • Legislative Aide Senate for U.S. Senator Sessions 2004-2006
  • Undergraduate Student Government President 2003-2004, The Catholic University of America
  • Legislative Aide Senate for U.S. Senator Sessions 2004-2006
  • Undergraduate Student Government President 2003-2004, The Catholic University of America

Mary Harmon Rountree, a fifth-year student from Tuscaloosa, majoring in Communication Studies and Political Science. Mary recently became an officially licensed Real Estate Agent and currently works with Hamner Real Estate.

  • Former President, UA College Democrats
  • Public Relations Committee, FirstConnection
  • Former Member, Freshman Forum: Public Policy Team
  • Former Member, First Year Council
  • Former Member, Student Alumni Association
  • Former Member, Phi Eta Sigma
  • Former Member, Alpha Lambda Delta
  • Former Member, Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority
  • Real Estate Agent
  • Vice President for Tuscaloosa County Democratic Party for Youth Affairs
  • Spanish Teacher, The Capitol School
  • SES Coordinator, Tuscaloosa City Schools and Capitol School

Kristin Marie Schneider-Muñoz, a Senior from Dallas, TX, majoring in Marketing and Interdisciplinary Multicultural Communication

  • Member, Phi Eta Sigma
  • University Honors and International Honors
  • Presidential/Hispanic Scholar
  • Outstanding Performance Award, New College
  • Published Freelance Journalist, Latino Leaders Magazine (nationally published magazine)
  • Editorial Intern, Latino Leaders
  • Recipient of Hispanic Heritage Silver Medal in Journalism
  • New College Council Officer
  • C&BA Senior Lab Assistant

Joan Reichwein Smith, graduated from The University of Alabama in 2008 with a degree in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering; she is now employed with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center. She lives in Huntsville with her husband Will. While a student at UA, her activities included:

  • Materials Advantage Student of the Year, 2007
  • Theta Tau Professional Engineering Fraternity: Former Housing Chair and Treasurer; Current Philanthropy Chair
  • Foundry Education Foundation: former Intern and current College Industry College Delegate
  • Metallurgical Engineering Student Chapter: Engineering Coordinating Council Representative and Interdepartmental Liaison
  • Co-op Program for U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center
  • Intern, National Science Foundation (Summer 2006)
  • Member: Golden Key; Phi Eta Sigma; Minerals, Metals and Materials Society; American Foundry Society
  • President's Cabinet, Linly Heflin, and Citation Corporation Scholar

Wayne "Barrett" Sullivan, a Senior from Huntsville, majoring in Finance and minoring in Economics and Computing Technology and Applications

  • University Programs, President
  • Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, Junior Advisor
  • Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated
  • Member, NAACP
  • Member, Alpha Lamba Delta Honor Society
  • Member, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
  • Member, University Honors Program
  • Volunteer, Salvation Army of West Alabama
  • Volunteer, Oakdale Primary School
  • Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., President
  • Student Leaders Council
  • Media Advisory Board

Phillips Newbern Thomas, second year Law Student at the Universtiy of Alabama School of Law

  • Member: Phi Eta Sigma; Alpha Lambda Delta; Lambda Sigma; National Society of Collegiate Scholars
  • Student Co-director, Alabama Action
  • Member, A-Team
  • Member, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
  • Member, National Pan-Hellenic Council
  • Student representative, Honors College Visitors Board
  • Teacher, Children's Church at First Missionary Baptist Church
  • Choir member, First Missionary Baptist Church
  • Horseback riding (English)
  • Mentor, Holt Elementary

Andrew Vincent, graduated from The University of Alabama in 2008 with a degree in Biochemistry. He is presently a student in the M.D./Ph.D. program at the University of South Alabama. While a student at UA, his activities included:

  • Recipient, Goldwater Scholarship
  • Recipient, Randall Outstanding Undergraduate Research Award
  • Secretary, Lambda Sigma Phi Fraternity
  • Historian, Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honorary
  • Recipient, National Merit Scholar
  • Volunteer, MPower Medical Clinic
  • Recipient, Eagle Scout Rank
  • Member, Computer Based Honors Program / University Honors Program
  • Member, Omicron Delta Kappa and Gamma Sigma Epsilon Honors Societies
  • Former member, Freshman Forum
  • Member, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church
  • Technology Coordinator, Leigh Covington Tax Collector Campaign (Tuscaloosa County)
  • Researcher, Computational Chemistry (Dr. David Dixon, mentor)
  • Justice, Academic Honor Council

Justin Zimmerman, currently pursuing a master's in Public Administration at the University of Alabama. Justin will be working as an intern at the United States Department of State in Washington, D.C. this fall

  • Scholarship Chair and Community Service chair for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
  • Member, Sigma Alpha Lambda
  • Member, Phi Eta Sigma
  • National Collegiate Scholar
  • University Honors Program
  • Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honorary
  • Teach 4 America Campus Campaign Coordinator
  • Graduate Assistant Crossroads Community Center

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