Elon University
Rochelle L. Ford, Ph.D., APR, became the dean of Elon University’s School of Communications in June 2018, overseeing more than 80 full-time faculty and staff, six undergraduate majors and one master’s degree program. From 2014-2018,she served as a tenured professor and chair of the Public Relations Department in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, responsible for all public relations programs at PRWeek’s top-ranked institution. Additionally, Ford served as a Provost Faculty Fellow, co-chairing its Middle States Accreditation process. Before joining Syracuse, Ford was a faculty member and associate dean at Howard University for 16 years, mentoring African-American public relations professionals and championing the diversity agenda within the PR industry. Ford has led hundreds of presentations on multicultural communications and diversity, and her scholarly works have been published in Public Relations Tactics, The New York T
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Meredith Smith, Kari Apter and Samantha Hornback
Congratulations to the 118 members of the 2021 class of OSA Fellow Members, who will be recognized at OSA conferences throughout the year for scientific, engineering and technological contributions, as well as industry leadership and service to OSA and the global optics community.
The 2021 class of Fellows reflects the diverse and inclusive community that OSA serves. A record 261 nominations were received, making this program very competitive as no more than 10% of OSA’s total membership may be elected as Fellows. For more information, contact the OSA Awards Office (awards@osa.org; +1 202.416.1960) or go to www.osa.org/fellows.. Nominations for 2022 Fellows are due by 15 June 2022.
The words of Martin Luther King Jr.’s famous “I have a dream” speech echoed throughout Citizens Field Monday as people gathered in the stands for the King Celebration 2021 National Holiday Kickoff.
The event, held by the MLK Commission of Florida Inc., recognized the life and activism of King, as well as local leaders and activists and a musical performance by the Florida Fellowship Gospel Super Choir.
Community leaders took the stage to honor the late minister and activist, including District 20 state Rep. Yvonne Hayes Hinson, Gainesville Mayor Lauren Poe, Alachua County Sheriff Clovis Watson Jr., County Commissioner Ken Cornell, interim schools Superintendent Carlee Simon, Alachua County School Board member Dionne McGraw and Property Appraiser Ayesha Solomon, among others.
A free, masks-required event begins at noon at Citizens Field, 1400 NE Eighth Ave. in Gainesville.
There will be speakers and later in the afternoon, gospel performances by Canton Jones and the Florida Fellowship Super Choir.
Community activist Aeriel Lane will be celebrated for her work. She is the winner of the 2021 Hall of Fame Award from the Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Florida Inc., a local nonprofit organization.
And Taylor Hill-Miles, an Eastside High School senior and the recipient of the 2021 Edna M. Hart Keeper of the Dream Scholarship Award, will also be celebrated.
Rodney Long, the commission s founder, said Lane is committed to racial, economic empowerment and social justice.