Speakers

Dr. Melvin L. Sharpe

Dr. Melvin L. Sharpe, an educator in BSU’s Department of Journalism since 1981, has influenced hundreds of students who have gone on to become prominent public relations practitioners. He is widely published in the area of public relations and is a founding member of the International Public Relations Research Conference, the first independent conference for public relations research. His commitment to Public Relations Society of America at the state, local and national levels are reflected in the many offices he has held. Dr. Sharpe was inducted into the prestigious College of Fellows and now serves as chairperson.

Dr. Becky A. McDonald

A professor in the Department of Journalism at Ball State University, Dr. McDonald specializes in ethics, public relations, building customer relations, and publication evaluation.

Susan G. Akers

Marketing Communications Manager, Ball State University Libraries. Susan has a decade of experience in both the public and academic library communications and marketing. She specializes in writing, brand management and special event planning. Susan received her M.A. in Public Relations from Ball State.

Jon Barnes

Communications Specialist, Indianapolis Marion County Public Library. His duties include media relations, event promotion, and layout and design of publications, such as the monthly newsletter and annual report. Prior to this position, Jon served as news director at a National Public Radio affiliate in Florida. Jon received his B.A. in Telecommunications from Indiana University.

Maria Blake

Maria Blake, Director of Communications and Community Relations for the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, is a strong believer in the necessity to tell the library story in as many ways as possible, to as many audiences as possible. Maria has extensive experience in the not-for-profit and public arenas and has been with the library for 14 years.

Becky Brewer

Becky Brewer, M.L.S., has worked in the medical field, in real estate sales and in website design and advertising. She was co-winner of the ALA 2006 Best-in-Show newsletter and is responsible for Information Services and Adult Programming at Jackson County Public Library in southern Indiana. Becky works with the library's Graphics Specialist to design marketing and information pieces.

Emily Hankley

Adult Program and Product Development Specialist at IMCPL. Emily recently began a position as Adult Program and Product Development Specialist where she organizes events and programming for the Library’s 22 neighborhood branches and the newly transformed Central Library, scheduled to open at the end of 2007. Emily has had the opportunity to develop programs and manage events for a wide variety of organizations, including the Indiana Youth Institute, St. Francis Hospital & Health Centers and most recently, the Greater Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. She graduated from Hanover College with a BA in Communications and is currently pursuing an MLS from Indiana University - Indianapolis.