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Photo courtesy of Lane McLelland
t the height of the Cold War, in a world divided by the Berlin Wall, University of Alabama undergraduate student Lane McLelland became fascinated by conflict and social change. McLelland’s desire to learn more about the morals that drive individuals and community problemsolving defined her career for the next 30 years. Now 52, the New College graduate has moved her focus from international affairs to her alma mater and the Tuscaloosa community. “It was originally a decision to return to the relationships that meant the most to me,” McLelland said. “Now that I’m here, I believe it has made my work more effective to be from this community and to be someone who genuinely loves it, even as I am working to make changes for the better.” Apart from teaching classes in ethics and deliberative democracy at UA, McLelland also leads community service projects and moderated discussions, in which participants learn to work together to develop new ways of addressing shared challenges in their communities. During the summer of 2012, McLelland led Shape Up Walker County, a community service project, in which students and faculty teamed up to address issues related to nutrition and obesity in Walker County, Alabama. The student group advertised for shopping tours and helped residents learn how to cook healthy meals on a budget and how to plant and tend a garden. “It’s inspiring to see students work with local nonprofit professionals,” McLelland said. “The organizations get energy and important research from the students to support their efforts, and the students get the chance to learn how to work with real nonprofits to solve real community problems. It’s just a testament to the power of a community that works together.” Rachel Puckett, a junior at UA majoring in communication studies, worked with McLelland on the
DELIBERATIVE DEMOCRACY Professor returns to alma mater, bringing career-long commitment to community collaboration BY ANNA WATERS EDITOR
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