Spotlight: Moving Up In the Ranks
UA doctoral student, Kenon Brown, knows what it’s like to cross enemy lines. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from a rival Southeastern Conference school.
Moving to the town of champions is a pleasant change for The University of Alabama doctorial student, Kenon Brown.
He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree at the University of Tennessee where he was a member of the “Pride of the Southland” marching band for five years, and drum major in 2004.
Brown is currently working toward his doctorate in mass communications with a concentration in public relations.
Before joining the UA family, Brown worked as the marketing and promotions manager at Buffalo Wild Wings in Knoxville, Tenn.
“The best thing about joining the UA family would have to be coming here during a national championship year. I never witnessed one at Tennessee in the nine years I was there,” says Brown.
Brown chose The University of Alabama because of its hospitality and prestige.
“The head of the graduate department, Dr. Jennings Bryant, was extremely helpful and informative during the process, and he genuinely showed interest in me joining the program. I was also intrigued by the prestige of the college. At the time, Alabama’s doctoral program was one of the top 10 in the nation, and the undergraduate public relations program was second in the nation. I was very excited for the opportunity to join a great program and have the chance to work with and teach some of the best and brightest minds in public relations.”
Brown’s accomplishments while attending UA include being chosen as a McNair Scholar and co-writing an article that was chosen to be published in Journal of Public Relations Research. In addition to his first publication, four of his conference papers have been accepted.
Brown anticipates graduating from the Capstone in May 2012. After receiving his doctoral degree he hopes to become an assistant professor at a Research I or Research II institution.
“I believe I have found my calling in academia,” says Brown.
He sums his college career up thus far saying this: “‘It is never too late to find your passion.’ I am a living testament that good things come to those who wait. It took me nine years, two degrees and a marketing job in between degrees to finally realize my calling, and I am thankful for the time spent.