USA Baldwin County

BYRNE-LAGER ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED

Working two part-time jobs, raising three children, and taking university classes may be a formidable workload, but Carey Killian, a native of Fairhope, is determined to finish her college degree.  When she recently received a phone call announcing she was a recipient of the Byrne-Lager Endowed Scholarship from the University of South Alabama Baldwin County, she was elated.  “Ever since I graduated high school 22 years ago, I was determined to get a degree sometime in my life.  I will turn 40 years old in June and graduate in July, so you are never too old to return to school.  And, you’re never too old to learn,” she said.

The Byrne-Lager Endowed Scholarship is awarded to a University of South Alabama student who attends USA Baldwin County, and has a minimum GPA of 3.0.  The scholarship was established in 2007 by Rebecca and Bradley Byrne, former Alabama senator, to provide funding of an annual tuition award for the USA Baldwin County campus, and is in honor and memory of Dr. Robert Lager.  Lager was the Director of the School of Continuing Education and Special Programs’ Center for International Trade and Commerce.  Dr. Cindy Wilson, USA Baldwin County Director, Dr. Vaughn Millner, Dean of USA Continuing Education and Special Programs, and Dr. Jenny Manders, Chair, Adult Interdisciplinary Studies, chose Killian as one of the recipients.

“I feel honored I was chosen.  The scholarship will enable me to attend the summer class that I need to finish my degree.” Killian said.  She had to sacrifice other things to go to school this summer, but getting her degree was important.  “The scholarship is such a blessing for any student.  This was good news and much needed,” she said.   Killian said this scholarship may reach individuals who might otherwise not be able to continue their education.

Killian, a senior in the Adult Interdisciplinary Studies program, chose the disciplines of psychology, gerontology, and biology/biomedical sciences.  After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, Applied Sciences, Killian’s goal is to be accepted in an occupational therapy graduate program, and eventually enter the workforce as an occupational therapist.  Occupational therapists help individuals, including those affected by stroke, genetic issues, special needs or psychiatric disorders. Being an occupational therapist appealed to Killian because she loves being around people, and she would like to help individuals return to their activities of daily living.  “You can work with such a range of people – from pediatrics to geriatrics, and I think that would be the best fit for me,” she said.   Killian has had personal experience working with her child, Ellie, with private occupational therapists, she said.

Killian is adept at handling her workload.  To help pay for tuition and support her family, Killian works at Fantasy Island Toys and Two Sister Bakery and Deli.  To help reduce her stress level and increase her energy, she faithfully uses the USA Baldwin County Fitness Center and the Student Center.  And, her husband, David, and children, Anna, Brandon, and Ellie are very supportive and proud of her for finishing her degree, Killian said.

Marcy Reffkin and Raymond Dearmon have tied for first place in the University of South Alabama Baldwin County’s ‘Spring Fling’ Photo Contest held recently.  Photo entries were placed on USA Baldwin County’s Facebook page, and the photos with the most “likes” won.  Thanks to everyone who entered!

Details about the summer photo contest will be available soon.

Photo:  (Back from left to right): Joshua Hembree, Capri Abdo, Rachel Hess, Tiffany Abastoflor, Jimmy Orum, Hannah Broich, Heidi Dunbar, Danielle Williams, Kaitlin Hadder.  (Front from left to right): Abigail Morgan Mallory, Robin Coby, Beth Onderdonk.

Baldwin County communication students raise money for Baldwin County Sheriffs’ Boys Ranch

University of South Alabama Baldwin County Campus communication students saw their public relations skills pay off by helping raise $52,000 for the Baldwin County Sheriffs’ Boys Ranch. The class used their public relations skills to garner media coverage for the Boys Ranch’s 13th Annual Pig Roast and Live Auction March 3, 2012.  The Boys Ranch holds the Pig Roast annually. Along with the fun atmosphere and great food, live and silent auctions are held to raise funds to support the ranch and the 12 children living at the ranch. The $52,000 raised will go to replacing trucks on the ranch.

Students of the Public Relations Campaign (CA 486) course, instructed by Nadia Bush, named themselves the Summit Agency after the street on which the USA Baldwin County Campus is located. The students learned how much effort is involved in developing and organizing a fund raiser, including raising donations, finding donors and putting it all together in a matter of weeks.
Jimmy Harmon, public relations director for the Baldwin County Sheriff ’s Boys Ranch and University of South Alabama graduate (BA, Communication, 2010), supervised the students’ work. “As a USA alumnus, I couldn’t have been prouder of how the students handled themselves throughout this project,” Harmon said. “Students attended all of the meetings and seemed genuinely excited to help out our organization and, more importantly, the children in our care,” he added.

“The diligence in their assignments paid tremendous dividends for the underprivileged children from our area,” Harmon said. “I know for many of them this campaign required that they step out of their comfort zones and try new things. At times even seasoned non-profit workers find themselves in the difficult situation of asking people they don’t know for help in the form of donations or sponsorships. It is a bit intimidating and humbling, however the students did a marvelous job and didn’t get discouraged when turned down,” he added.

Tiffany Abastoflor, a student in the class and a public relations and marketing intern at the Dumas Wesley Community Center, brought her knowledge of non-profits to the event. “Working at a non-profit and partnering with one through our class really gave me an insight into the great people who strive to give back to the community and provide people with better lives,” Abastoflor said. “It was amazing to see the community come together and participate in something fun while supporting a great cause,” she added.

James “Jim” Harmon, director of the Boys Ranch, was impressed by the class’s professionalism and work ethic. “I can’t begin to tell you how much they helped,” he said. “Not only did they go to people within the community and get sponsorships and items donated, but they also pitched in and helped where needed throughout the event itself, all while conducting themselves with the upmost respect for our organization and donors alike.”
The students were happy to combine their learning experience with a magnificent cause.
“I am thrilled to be a part of the wonderful cause and to see a community come together to support the ranch,” said Beth Onderdonk, a public relations student and marketing supervisor at Aaron Oil Company, Inc. in Saraland, Ala.
Onderdonk was not the only one happy with the campaign results. “The class accomplished all of the goals we put before them, and we are very proud to have been associated with the USA Baldwin County CA 486 class,” Jimmy Harmon said.

The CA 486 class in Baldwin County is part of the public relations track in the USA Department of Communication. The course is offered by the department twice a year and is a capstone experience which allows students the opportunity to research, analyze, plan and execute a comprehensive public relations campaign for an actual client. Students get a better understanding of the relevance of what they have learned in school and how it can be useful in the field of public relations.