The department of communication in the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Alabama has announced Timothy Borland of Birmingham, Al. and Jimmy Orum of Mobile, Al. as the 2012 recipients of the Dr. Michael S. Hanna Endowed Communication Scholarship, which will be formally given at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept 18, in the department of communication lobby.

The $1,250 award is named in memory of Hanna who was a respected professor, mentor and communication practitioner who served USA and the Mobile community for more than 25 years. Hanna also served as chair of the department for five years and co-authored six books. He received numerous awards, such as �Best Faculty Member� for Outstanding Service to International Students at USA.

Borland and Orum received the award based on faculty and professional recommendations, overall academic success of a minimum grade-point average of 3.0, along with displaying leadership, financial need, community, and campus involvement. Borland is seeking a double degree in communication and music education, as well as a double minor in geology and gender studies. He has also successfully completed an internship with Mobile Bay magazine.

He has contributed to The Vanguard, USA�s student newspaper and the new student magazine Due South, under the recommendation from Dr. James Aucoin, department chair of communication at USA. Borland also serves as historian for the Communications Association and is a member of JagRadio.

Orum is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations, graduating in December, 2012. He joined USA�s Department of Communication as a public relations student assistant in Spring 2012, writing and editing articles for the department�s annual report. He returns to the position for the Fall 2012 semester and plans to work with the student organization, foster relationships via social media and assist with various design and event projects within the department.

Orum is currently completing an internship at the Alabama State Port Authority as a public affairs intern. With the guidance of his mentor Nadia Bush, instructor of communication at USA, he is also taking an advertising research course in addition to public relations courses to create and implement integrated communication campaigns following graduation.

The Michael S. Hanna Endowed Communication Scholarship is open to full-time students enrolled at USA. For more information, call the department of communication at (251) 380-2800.