Grady Salutes 2026 recognizes alumni excellence

Nearly 150 friends, faculty, alumni and students gathered for Grady Salutes: A Celebration of Achievement, Leadership and Commitment on March 27 under a tent on the Schnitzer Family Media Lawn at Grady College.

The event recognized the College’s Alumni Award recipients and Fellowship inductees including:

• Tracy Brown (ABJ ’88), John Holliman Jr. Lifetime Achievement recipient and Fellowship inductee
• Maureen Clayton (ABJ ’80, MA ’84), Fellowship inductee
• Alan Griggs (ABJ ’72), Fellowship inductee
• Sarah Karges (ABJ ’15), John E. Drewry Young Alumni Award recipient
• Wilson Lowrey (MA ’90, PhD ’00), Distinguished Scholar Award
• Eric NeSmith (’02), Professional Excellence Award recipient

Griggs was overseas directing a study abroad trip for students and was unable to attend the ceremony.

“Today’s honorees demonstrate this excellence that has become the hallmark of our alumni and friends dedicated to our mission,” said Charles Davis, dean of Grady College in his opening remarks.

Each award recipient was invited to share his or her thoughts on being recognized with these honors.

Lowrey, who is a professor in the Department of Journalism and Creative Media at the University of Alabama, spoke of the impact of Grady College.

“In 1998, I found my academic career working with my mentor Lee Becker, to whom I’m forever grateful. And, I also found a fellow master’s student who would become my wife and best friend,” Lowrey said about his wife, Mary Loyd.

Karges, the senior vice president of performance investment at the Havas Media Group, was accompanied to the event by her husband and young son, and spoke about Grady College professors who are connected with her more than 10 years after graduation.

“My Grady professors invested time in helping me think through career opportunities, prepare for interviews and navigate the early stages of my professional journey,” Karges said. “Many of them have stayed in touch through every phase of life, even through milestones like the birth of my son. Their guidance has lasted long after graduation.”

NeSmith, the publisher and co-owner of The Bitter Southerner, spoke of the influence his parents had on him.

“I am the product of a loving mother and father who raised me to respect the rights and work with others and to do what I can to make sure that every voice is heard,” NeSmith said.

Brown, the chief partnership officer at Chicago Public Media, spoke about the influence Charlayne Hunter-Gault (ABJ ’63) had on her.

“One of my proudest moments during my time at the University of Georgia was on my graduation day when Charlayne Hunter-Gault stepped onto the stage at Sanford stadium to deliver the commencement address,” Brown said. “The encouragement and momentum she gave me that day is indescribable.”

Honoree Maureen Clayton, president and founder of Insight Strategic Communications, spoke of her service on the AdPR Executive Advisory Board and her involvement with the faculty and staff.

“Your work inspires the next generation of communication leaders to be confident and dream big,” Clayton said at the conclusion of her remarks.

Finally, Steve Horton (ABJ ’71, MED ’85, MA ’24), a fraternity brother and roommate of Alan Griggs, delivered remarks of appreciation to the professors and the leadership of the college on Griggs’ behalf.

Nominations for the 2027 Alumni Awards can be made on this webpage.

Grady is grateful for the platinum and silver corporate engagement partners of the College through student innovation projects and events like Grady Saltues. Platinum and silver sponsors include: Ammunition, Audacity, BBDO, Georgia Power, The Home Depot and Nebo.

Visit the UGA Grady College YouTube page or click the video below to view the 2026 Grady Salutes video.

Visit the UGAGrady Flickr account to view more 2026 Grady Salutes photos.

Author: Sarah Freeman, freemans@uga.edu