Munson Intern 2023

UA student wins second Munson Foundation scholarship with Black Warrior Riverkeeper

For Immediate Release: June 8, 2023

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

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation has awarded Seth Self, a recent graduate of The University of Alabama’s College of Communication and Information Sciences, a scholarship grant to return for a second consecutive 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, most recently with Self in 2022.

“Thanks to monetary support from the Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation, students like Seth are able to do important work for Alabama environmental nonprofits like Black Warrior Riverkeeper and demonstrate the positive impact that public relations can have on society,” said Dr. Matthew VanDyke, interim chair for the Department of Advertising and Public Relations.

Self was chosen by the department to receive the scholarship in 2023, as he will be returning to UA in the fall as an incoming J.D. candidate at The University of Alabama School of Law. With an interest in practicing environmental law, Self was eager to intern once more. The clean water advocacy organization’s work is particularly relevant to Self as his family lives in Cullman County, part of the Black Warrior River watershed.

“I cannot wait to get back to Black Warrior Riverkeeper and intern again this summer,” Self said. “Working with the organization last year is what made me really decide to go to law school, and it was such a rewarding experience to have been able to see the real impact this group has on the Black Warrior River watershed and surrounding communities. I am so excited to get started with furthering their mission again this summer, all with the skills I received at C&IS and UA.”

As a member of Waterkeepers Alabama and Waterkeeper Alliance, Black Warrior Riverkeeper patrols waterways, responds to citizen complaints, enforces environmental laws, and educates the public. The organization also engages partner groups and volunteers in its efforts.

“Seth Self will be our first two-time Munson intern,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper. “He has developed tremendous skills through The University of Alabama’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations and we are excited to have him back before embarks on new studies at The University of Alabama School of Law.”

For a high resolution photo by Anna Butts of Seth Self from his May 5, 2023 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.

Seth Self at his May 5, 2023 graduation at The University of Alabama. Photo by Anna Butts.