Blackburn Institute

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

• Publicity Editor for the Alabama Civil Rights and Civil Liberties Law Review
• Member, Trial Ad Team
• Member, BLSA
• Member, Federalist 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, is a lead engineer for the Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) on Redstone Arsenal. At AMRDEC, Joan manages several science and technology efforts that help advance current and future missile systems. A 2008 graduate of The University of Alabama in Materials Engineering, Joan spent much of her college career working within student government and in community service. Her time within Blackburn both as a Student Fellow and an Alumni is what she credits as the foremost driver in her community involvement and desire to engage. A native of North Alabama, Joan is currently involved in CONNECT - a division of Leadership Huntsville where she chairs and advises their community service project teams. Joan serves on The Huntsville Hospital Foundation Philanthropist Board and UA’s Capstone Engineering Society Board of Directors. Joan and her husband Will live in Southeast Huntsville with their two-year old daughter Kayleigh. In her spare time, Joan enjoys entertaining as well as cooking from her garden.

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