Welcome to the May e-newsletter

Convocation speakers named for virtual ceremony

We will celebrate our Spring 2022 graduates with a virtual convocation Friday, May 13.

Eric Baker (ABJ ‘90) will deliver the charge to candidates and Delaney Tarr, a graduating journalism major, will be the distinguished senior speaker.

Eric Baker is senior prop manager with Universal Creative, where he contributed to multiple award-winning projects including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal’s Islands of Adventure theme park and Diagon Alley at Universal Studios Florida. 

Delaney Tarr is a senior from Coral Springs, Florida, studying journalism with a minor in women’s studies. Tarr has interests in broadcast news, political reporting and food writing, and her background in activism led her to pursue stories that uplift unheard voices in the community. 

The online convocation will be available for viewing on the UGAGrady YouTube channel, UGAGrady Facebook page and the Grady College graduation webpage starting at 10 a.m.  Friday, May 13.

Graduates will be celebrated in person at an event later that afternoon. 

NMI students build brand to support local Georgia seafood

A student group in our New Media Institute capstone class recently traveled to Coastal Georgia for their project. Cierra Cordak, Hunter Lanius, Sam Perez, Tallie Pietragallo and Carson Reynolds  created a Georgia Seafood on My Mind campaign for proprietors of unique coastal seafood restaurants to promote culinary adventures in Georgia.

The idea developed from the What’s the Hook? seafood pitch competition led by UGA’s Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant. The competition was designed to generate innovative ideas that support Georgia’s working waterfronts and seafood products. New Media Institute Professor John Weatherford and Terry College’s Director of Entrepreneurship Bob Pinckney's concept won.

Along with Weatherford and the NMI’s Chris Gerlach, the team traveled to six coastal counties to curate content that will be distributed across the brand’s social media platforms. The pictures and videos also will be shared with the featured local restaurant owners for their own marketing and promotional use.

Summer alumni events planned

We are thrilled to return to in-person alumni events in three major cities this summer.  The events will give alumni a chance to meet students and faculty involved with our summer programs in Los Angeles, New York City and Washington. 

• New York City - Wednesday, June 15, 6-8 p.m., Helen Mills Theater and Event Space
• Los Angeles - Thursday, June 23, 7-9 p.m., TBD
• Washington  - Tuesday, July 12, 6-8 p.m., TBD

Event details and invitations will be emailed to alumni in each area. If you have recently moved to a new area, be sure to update your information here to receive communications about regional events. 

Alumna delivers inspiring keynote address at GSPA Awards

Two-hundred fifty high school journalists and teachers from around the state learned about ways they can put purpose at the center of their media programs during the Georgia Scholastic Press Association's Spring Awards ceremony last month. 

Keynote speaker Keysha Lee (ABJ ’97), an award-winning show host and filmmaker, businesswoman and author, delivered the inspiring message. Lee challenged scholastic journalism advisers to create a classroom environment where purpose is at the center of what is produced and created. She also outlined why it is important for student journalists to create a feeling among their staff and peers that student media has a bigger meaning. “You have to get everyone on board for that purpose-driven press,” she said. “Everyone has to buy in.”

Lee leads her own media company, Leeway Productions, and serves on the College's alumni board. 

Save the Date

 NMI Slam

Saturday, May 7

Spring Convocation and Celebration

Friday, May 13

NYC Alumni event

Wednesday, June 15

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