The Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications

By Andy Burness, September 13, 2010

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Frank Karel was a giant in our world—founder of our field of nonprofit communications, inspiration and counselor to many of us at Burness Communications, and my very close, personal friend.  Ann Christiano has been a long-time collaborator with Burness in her various positions at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and now, has assumed the Frank Karel Chair in Public Interest Communications at the University of Florida, the nation’s first professorship with this particular focus.

So, I’m proud to post the University’s announcement earlier this month about Ann’s assuming the Karel Chair—both because of how excited I am about the great things Ann will accomplish in her tenure and because this Chair is perhaps the most significant living memorial to Frank’s outsized  vision and his tireless commitment to mentor the next generation…and the next.  Congratulations, Ann!

You can read the University of Florida’s press release about Ann’s appointment here.