Profiles of Tenacity: Carter Lemelin

Carter Lemelin is a fourth year advertising major with minors in both studio art and design and media from Stockbridge, Georgia. Lemelin serves as one of the co-directors of Talking Dog and is a Grady ambassador. Alongside his Grady commitments, Lemelin is a member of the UGA Redcoat Band and Kappa Kappa Psi.

Read his Q/A below.

Why did you choose your major?

As a kid, I remember watching the infomercial channel and developing a passion for the marketing of products such as the Topsy Turvy Tomato planter. My interest in this area became an academic option in middle school, where I took my first marketing class. As I progressed into high school, I looked outside of marketing to better my understanding of graphic arts, and graduated with two certificates in graphic design and output processing. To align these passions, I had to find a major that embodied a sense of creative thinking with concepts that compared to my previous studies, and lo and behold, advertising was the obvious choice.

What does tenacity mean to you?

Tenacity to me means grit. Someone willing to take charge of the task, project and even their own circumstance and make a change. We are not all dealt the same cards, but we must make do with what we have. I firmly believe that if you are tenacious and don’t give up on your goals, you will be successful.

What is one piece of advice that you would give to other Grady students?

You get one shot, so take advantage. Grady has opportunities for students from various majors and interests. The amount of student organizations and professional opportunities given to Grady students is what makes us successful and real-world ready, but you have to seize the opportunity. Life moves pretty fast, and so does college, so don’t miss out.

What motivates you?

I can say without a doubt that my faith is monumental to my success and the motivation behind it. It is a fundamental way I make decisions and plan out my future. Faith has been integral in my personal growth through college, and I find myself often challenged by scripture to grow in new ways I’d never suspect.

What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

My network has had the biggest impact. It’s hard to tell you just one thing or person had an impact on my time at UGA. Moreover, it was the compounded impact of my professors within Grady, semester by semester. It was the relationships I was able to cultivate over the course of my time at UGA that have had an impact on who I am today.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the past year?

Over the past year, I challenged myself to read more. Growing up, I was never a reader, but in the last couple of years, my Dad has picked up more books than I can count; it was his newfound skill that inspired me to challenge myself, and this past year, I read six books. It may not seem like a lot, but it’s the most I’ve read for pleasure in years, and this year I am aiming to double it.

The reason this is my biggest accomplishment is that it has not only allowed me to enjoy a couple of books but also changed my perspective on learning. In the last year, I have really focused on ideation and concepting through my art classes, and encouraged more active learning events within Talking Dog. Reading has increased my overall creativity and ambition, and I am excited about how far it can take me.

Where’s your favorite place on campus and why?

Grady is most certainly my favorite place on campus, and I am very sad I only have one class there this semester. One of the reasons it’s my favorite is the comfort provided by the presence of friends and staff I’ve grown to know over the years. Grady is a place of action; while I’m there, I am more productive. Whether it’s catching up with friends or catching up on school work, things are getting done.

What advice would you give to your freshman self?

It’s okay to say no. This may sound a little odd, but often I’d sign myself up for more than I could chew. As I have progressed through college, I have learned to prioritize my time on the things I find most important. This has helped me protect my peace and find balance in the chaotic life of a college student.

Editor: Sarah Kate Maher, skm01341@uga.edu