Charles Cronin and Dr. Jacquelyn Shaia. The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at the University of Alabama hosted their first-ever Challenge for Emerging Leaders, a two-day leadership conference for seniors majoring in public relations.

Four students from the Department of Communication Studies: Charles Cronin, Marika Gray, Brad Jennings, and Alexandra Kral, participated in the conference and were accompanied by Dr. Jacquelyn Shaia, director of the UAB public relations program. The 18 students in attendance were divided into teams to work through a diversity case study, and Charles Cronin’s team, which also included students from Mississippi State University and the University of Alabama, won the Betsy Plank Diversity Case Study Award.

The Plank Center, named for Alabama public relations pioneer Betsy Plank, develops and honors outstanding leaders, role models, and mentors in the public relations field. The Challenge for Emerging Leaders event was sponsored by the Dover Foundation, General Motors, and Heyman Associates.

Charles Cronin, Marika Gray, Dr. Shaia, Brad Jennings, and Alexandra Kral.