UNIVERSITY NEWS
Bonnin named vice president
New vice president Linda Bonnin
Linda Bonnin has been appointed vice president of the Division of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing at the University of Memphis. The native Memphian has worked at the U of M since 1997, serving as associate vice president of the division since 1999 and as interim vice president since Bob Eoff retired last December. Bonnin’s career as a journalist began at the former Memphis Press-Scimitar. She has also worked in communications and marketing for such companies as First Tennessee Bank, Crye-Leike and ServiceMaster and also for the Shelby County Mayor’s Office. Bonnin has recently worked with Enrollment Services to create the Express Yourself student recruitment campaign and with the Advancement Division on the Empowering the Dream Centennial campaign. She has won numerous awards for her writing and creative work, including a Gold Award from the Tennessee College Public Relations Association for the Express Yourself television commercials. President Shirley Raines noted that Bonnin has been actively engaged in the U of M’s strategic planning process and its enrollment and retention initiatives while also serving as Centennial celebration co-chair. She spearheaded a recent redesign of the University’s magazine. “Creating a positive educational experience for our students is something that gives me tremendous personal satisfaction,” said Bonnin. Her passion for the University began at an early age after her parents met on the steps of the Administration Building, where Bonnin now works, while posing for yearbook photos. “My father (Larry Hilbun) was Mr. Memphis State and my mother (Peggy Duke Hilbun) was May Queen. They married the following year in 1957, and our family has been True Blue ever since,” she said. Bonnin will oversee internal and external communications, including media relations, marketing, advertising, publications and special events.
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