Reid-Bullard named Director of Public Relations

As a student, Veronica Reid-Bullard trusted Union College to give her the education she needed to make her way in the world. Now, 11 years later, the college has put its trust in her. Bullard returns to her alma mater this week to serve as director of public relations.

I feel as if I have been training for this position since graduation eleven years ago," Bullard said. "It's hard to believe that it has been that long. It seems as if it were yesterday that I was rushing to class in the morning, playing ping-pong in the student center between classes and spending weekends with other students exploring caves and riding rapids. Now here I am, an integral part of the institution that gave me great hope for the future-It really feels good to be home," she added.

As a Union College student, Bullard served as a writer and editor of the Union Express and Stespean, the school newspaper and yearbook. During her tenure as a writer and editor of these college publications, she received 15 intercollegiate Press Association awards. She also was a four-year member of Gamma Beta Phi, a member of Iota Sigma Nu, and received many other awards and accolades upon graduation. In 1992, Bullard received a Bachelor of Science in English/Journalism.

"Before I begin my second journey at Union, I want to learn about the goals of the college and what steps they have taken to reach those goals. Based on that information I hope to offer some insight into new directions and new marketing strategies that will bring my department team closer to meeting those goals," Bullard said.

Bullard has spent the last year as a writer and graphic designer at Baptist Regional Medical Center in Corbin, Kentucky. As a writer for the hospital, Bullard penned stories about local advances in medicine and about the many community-related projects the hospital is involved with. Bullard's work was featured in Traditions & Visions Magazine, Kentucky Woman Magazine, and Medical News as well as in local and regional newspapers.

Prior to her employment at BRMC, Bullard and her longtime friend and Union graduate, Melissa Frederick, operated a local printing, photography and design business also in Corbin.

The pair opened Paper, Copies and "Cheese!" in 1998 because they felt the area needed a professional marketing and design firm and their hunch was right. Their idea grew from a small home-based business into a bustling small business in just five short years, according to Bullard.

"I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of a successful business, and I wouldn't trade the experience for anything; however, with the growth we experienced, I took on a more managerial role. I was drifting away from the basic things I enjoyed the most--writing, photography and design. I'm looking forward to getting back to those basics at Union," Bullard added.

Before Bullard became a small business owner, she spent a year in the development and publishing of Township magazine.

The idea for the magazine was born out of Bullard's appreciation of Appalachian culture. The magazine explored life in and around the Appalachian Mountains through feature and news stories.

"Township was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to learn about the publishing business," Bullard said. "I spent a year learning about design, pre-press, editing, writing and distribution. It was a wonderful experience, and I plan to put that experience to use at Union," she added.

Bullard also brings professional photography experience, a love of the outdoors and a great belief in community service with her to Union.

"I suppose what I've learned from my past experiences is that marketing is a major ingredient of any successful business and Union College is no different than any other corporate entity. The only exception would be that at Union we are fortunate to be marketing a beautiful college campus with an abundance of learning opportunities that send well-prepared and educated graduates to be productive members of their communities, just as the college has done for me. It seems I have come full circle."

August 4, 2003

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