2025 Munson Intern

UA student wins Munson Foundation scholarship with Black Warrior Riverkeeper

For Immediate Release: June 3, 2025

Contact: Charles Scribner, executive director, Black Warrior Riverkeeper: [email protected], 205-458-0095

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation has awarded Ella Kate Baker, a current student of The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences, a scholarship grant for a summer internship with Black Warrior Riverkeeper in Birmingham, Alabama. The Munson Foundation has supported UA’s Advertising and Public Relations Department with scholarships for water conservation internships since 2008.

“We are grateful to the Curtis & Edith Munson Foundation for renewing their support of our department’s students,” said UA’s Advertising and Public Relations department chair, Dr. Brooke McKeever. “For many years now, bright students like Ella Kate have been able to work with nonprofit organizations like Black Warrior Riverkeeper. Ella Kate will use what she has learned in our courses to benefit local communities through the important work of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. We are proud of her and pleased to work with Black Warrior Riverkeeper again.”

Baker will be returning to UA in the fall as an incoming student at The University of Alabama Accelerated Master’s Program. Working toward both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in advertising and public relations, she has a passion for storytelling and giving organizations a voice, which the opportunity at Black Warrior Riverkeeper has fostered.

“I am thrilled to work with Black Warrior Riverkeeper this summer,” Baker said. “I’ve learned many valuable skills through C&IS, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to put them to use. To serve as an intern for an organization that aims to protect our environment is truly an honor.”

As a member of Waterkeepers Alabama and Waterkeeper Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper patrols waterways, responds to pollution complaints, enforces environmental laws, and educates the public. The organization also engages the public through petitions and litter cleanups.

“UA’s Advertising and Public Relations department ranks among the best nationally each year,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “We appreciate the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation creating this internship for top UA students who have greatly enhanced our work since 2013.”

For a high-resolution picture of Ella Kate Baker by Mary Katherine Gunn, click here.

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Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission is to protect and restore the Black Warrior River and its tributaries. The citizen-based nonprofit organization promotes clean water for the sake of public health, recreation and wildlife habitat throughout the Black Warrior River watershed.

2025 Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation intern Ella Kate Baker. Photo by Mary Katherine Gunn.