Munson Intern 2024

UA student wins Munson Foundation scholarship with Black Warrior Riverkeeper

For Immediate Release: July 9, 2024

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

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation has awarded Grace Brindley, a recent graduate 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 and Edith Munson Foundation for providing funding so that students like Grace can help environmental nonprofit organizations like Black Warrior Riverkeeper. By leveraging skills learned here at UA, Grace is showing how public relations can benefit society through the important work Black Warrior Riverkeeper does in local communities,” said UA’s Advertising and Public Relations department chair, Dr. Brooke McKeever.

Grace will be returning to UA in the fall as an incoming J.D. candidate at The University of Alabama School of Law. Graduating with both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in advertising and public relations, Grace has a passion for telling organizations’ stories, which the opportunity at Black Warrior Riverkeeper has fostered. Through her prior work as an intern for The Bama Buzz, Grace recently featured Nelson Brooke for his 20 year anniversary serving as Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

“I am thrilled to serve as an intern for the Black Warrior Riverkeeper,” Grace said. “The experience relates to many of the skills C&IS cultivates. From strategic communication to brand development, Black Warrior Riverkeeper interns gain valuable exposure to real-life advertising and PR responsibilities.”

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 elicits public support through petitions and volunteer litter cleanups.

“We are grateful to have Grace Brindley work with us before she begins her studies next semester at The University of Alabama School of Law,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “Grace has learned so much through her undergraduate and graduate programs at The University of Alabama’s College of Communication & Information Sciences, and as an intern at The Bama Buzz.”

For a high resolution photo by Olivia B. Photography of Grace Brindley from her May 3, 2024 graduation at The University of Alabama, 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.