We are proud to announce our  2024 Alumni Award recipients, recognizing alumni who have established a tradition of service and achievement in their careers.

Meredith Dean (ABJ '14), CEO and founder of The Dean’s List, will receive the John E. Drewry Young Alumni Award. Dean is a digital branding and career consultant, community builder, travel and lifestyle content creator, educator, former journalist and an entrepreneur focused on DEI initiatives. 

Lianne Sinclair (ABJ '01), who currently runs consumer advertising and social at AT&T, will receive the Mid-Career Award. Sinclair previously served as the executive vice president and managing director at Energy BBDO, a Chicago-based agency. 

Ed Grisamore (ABJ '78) who teaches journalism at Stratford Academy in Macon and writes a weekly column for The Monroe County Reporter, will receive the John Holliman, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award for sustained contributions to the profession throughout a career. Grisamore was a longtime columnist for The Macon Telegraph.

Yongjun Sung (MA '03, PhD '06), a researcher and professor in the School of Psychology at Korea University, will receive the Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award. Dr. Sung, who is also the current editor of the Korean Journal of Advertising, has authored or co-authored over 125 articles in leading refereed journals, and his work has been cited over 10,400 times.

Alumni Award recipients will be recognized at the College’s annual recognition event, Grady Salutes: A Celebration of Achievement, Leadership and Commitment, on Friday, April 26. 

Five alumni will be inducted into the Grady Fellowship on Friday, April 26. The Grady Fellowship honors friends of the college whose accomplishments, friendship and service to the industries they serve have made a positive impact on Grady College.

Rick Dunn (ABJ '93) is the founder of the Athens-Clarke County High School Completion Initiative (HSCI). The 501 c-3 organization empowers youth to overcome their circumstances and grow into positive, productive and prosperous adults. As a hook into the program, youth between the ages of 8 and 18 train in the field of broadcast media. 

Cynthia Graubart (ABJ '82) is a James Beard Foundation Award-winning cookbook author, cooking teacher and culinary television producer. Graubart has enjoyed a long career in media, producing live multi-camera television specials and in-studio culinary television series.

Mark Schlabach (ABJ '96) is a senior writer and reporter for ESPN, covering college football and golf. He has worked at the Worldwide Leader in Sports for nearly 18 years, after having previously written for the Washington Post, Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Athens Banner-Herald. 

Gy Waldron (ABJ '55) is a writer and producer, best known for the original and remake of “The Dukes of Hazzard,” the TV show “Enos” and several made-for-TV movies. His movie “Moonrunners” was the inspiration for “The Dukes of Hazzard,” which was a top Neilson-rated show in the early 1980s. 

The 2024 recipient of the John Holliman Lifetime Achievement Alumni Award, Ed Grisamore (ABJ '78), will also be inducted into the Fellowship.

Dawg Day of Giving is March 26

Dawg Day of Giving is a 24-hour, worldwide event to improve the lives of our students and build tomorrow’s UGA.

Your gift strengthens the student experience by empowering our students, removing financial barriers, supporting experiential learning opportunities and providing accessible and current technology and equipment needs.

Help us turn one day of giving into a lifetime of opportunities for our students by donating any amount to the Dean's Excellence Fund.