Barkley honored with United Way volunteer award
FOR RELEASE: Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Huntington, Ind.-Heather Barkley, assistant director of public relations at Huntington University, received the Bob Smith Volunteer Award today at a luncheon hosted by the Huntington County United Way. Brooks Fetters, chairman of the 2008 United Way Campaign, presented the award and thanked Barkley for her "outstanding leadership and support." Barkley chaired Huntington University's fund drive for United Way. Under her leadership, campus faculty, staff and students contributed $15,379 to the 2008 United Way Campaign, a 12 percent increase over the previous year.
Heather Barkley
"Despite a turbulent and uncertain economy, Heather's leadership and creative communication regarding the United Way campaign brought about widespread participation and a new record high contribution from the Huntington University community," said Dr. Ann McPherren, who is serving as HU's interim president during the spring sabbatical of Dr. G. Blair Dowden.
"Ever an innovator, this year Heather expanded student engagement with the United Way campaign," McPherren added. "For example, she helped Lambda Pi Eta, the communication honor society, to organize an ice-cream fundraiser. Through this event, students directly contributed $300 to the campus United Way campaign. In addition, the honor society students also followed up with faculty and staff, reminding them to turn in their pledge cards and participate in the campaign. Thanks to Heather's leadership, the entire campus was encouraged to participate."
The Bob Smith Award is presented by the Huntington County United Way each year to individuals who have demonstrated "outstanding support, leadership and commitment to United Way." Bob Smith was an advocate of United Way in Huntington County for more than 30 years.
Involvement in the United Way campaign is just one of many ways Barkley serves the local community. She was instrumental in organizing the 2007 Huntington Mayoral Forum. She has been an active volunteer with Life Church and has served on the board of directors of Huntington Kid's Club and Huntington County Leadership. She also has served on the Pathfinder Services marketing and public relations committee.
On campus, Barkley helped start the university's annual Breast Cancer Awareness Week. She also served on the committee for the recent HU women's basketball Pink Out, which raised more than $2,000 for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer.
Barkley joined the Huntington University staff in 2005. She has earned Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), a distinctive mark of professionalism in the field. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts degree in ministry leadership through the Huntington University Graduate School.
