Munson Interns 2021

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UA Students Win Munson Foundation Grant for Black Warrior Riverkeeper Internship

Bliss Carroll and Emily Gantt receive largest scholarship offered by UA’s APR department

For Immediate Release: May 28, 2021

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

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Curtis and Edith Munson Foundation has awarded Bliss Carroll and Emily Gantt, rising seniors studying public relations at The University of Alabama, a scholarship grant to intern at Black Warrior Riverkeeper in Birmingham, Alabama, for the summer.

The Munson Foundation has supplied UA’s Advertising and Public Relations department with scholarship grants in support of water conservation internships since 2008, most recently in 2019.

“We are incredibly grateful for their support and what it means for both our students gaining professional experience and also our students being educated on the environmental concerns the Munson Foundation works to improve,” said Jenny Pyle, director of development for the college of C&IS.

Carroll and Gantt were chosen by the department to receive the honor in 2021. Both students serve on the executive board for UA’s chapter of the Public Relations Council of Alabama, Gantt as president and Carroll as vice president of communications.

“It is an honor to be chosen among my peers for this opportunity. Alabama has become a second home to me and it is a privilege to use my learned skills to advocate Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s mission as well as give back to the community in a way that benefits all,” Carroll said.

Carroll also serves on the board for the Capstone Advertising Federation and as a strategist for Capstone Agency, the nation’s top student-run communications firm. Additionally, Gantt serves as the president of the Student Initiative Board for the APR department.

“I’m honored to have been selected to represent the University of Alabama’s Advertising and Public Relations department along with Bliss this summer,” said Gantt. “I have already learned so much about the importance of protecting Alabama’s resources through Black Warrior Riverkeeper, and I’m ready for the opportunity to support its efforts while applying the knowledge I’ve gained from 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 individuals in its efforts. Last year, 167 volunteers donated 3,950 hours of community service through Black Warrior Riverkeeper’s projects. The majority of those volunteers were students from The University of Alabama.

“We are so fortunate to have two top students from UA’s renowned APR department helping us promote clean water this summer,” said Charles Scribner, executive director of Black Warrior Riverkeeper.

For a picture of Bliss Carroll at The University of Alabama, click here

For a picture of Emily Gantt 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.

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