Alumni

Alumni Newsletter

• February 2026 e-newsletter
• January 2026 e-newsletter
• December 2025 e-newsletter
• November 2025 e-newsletter
• October 2025 e-newsletter
• September 2025 e-newsletter
• August 2025 e-newsletter
• June 2025 e-newsletter
• May 2025 e-newsletter
• April 2025 e-newsletter
• March 2025 e-newsletter

More alumni in recent news:

• Congratulations to Allison Entrekin (MA ’04), who was just named editor-in-chief of Atlanta Magazine.
• We send our condolences to family and friends of Ernest Anderson, Jr. (ABJ ’66) on his death Oct. 27, 2025. A Celebration of Life will take place Jan. 10, 2026. Anderson served on the Grady College Journalism Advisory Board. (Jan. 6, 2026)
• We send our condolences to the family of Craig Miller (ABJ ’77) on his death on Oct. 12. (Oct. 27, 2025)
• Congratulations to Aungelique Proctor (ABJ ’87) of FOX 5 on receiving the Monica Kaufman Pearson Excellence in Journalism Award during the Rice Awards. Pearson is also an alumna, graduating from Grady College with her master’s degree. (Oct. 27, 2025)
• Congratulations to Jack Breslin (MA ’79) for  retiring as emeritus professor from Iona University after 23 years. Before his teaching career, he enjoyed two decades in local and national journalism and public relations, including Fox and NBC.
• Congratulations to Nicolle S. Praino (AB ’18) for being named editor of the Nashville Post. (June 4, 2025)
• Congratulations to Emily Alexander (AB ’23), who has been appointed associate account executive at Parthenon Public Relations in Nashville. (May 27, 2025)
• We send our condolences to the family of Dr. Pamela G. Bourland-Davis (PhD ’95) on her death. Bourland-Davis was a faculty member and former Chair of the Department of Communication Arts at Georgia Southern University. Carolina Acosta-Alzuru called her supportive, kind and a real role model. (May 10, 2025)
• Congratulations to Brynn Grant (ABJ ’91), Liberty County Development Authority’s CEO, on being named the USA Today Georgia Woman of the Year. (March 4, 2025)
• Congratulations to Marie Hardin (PhD ’98), on being named the president of Quinnipiac University. (Jan. 31, 2025)
• Congratulations to Michael Giarrusso (ABJ ’92), on his new role as vice president of news strategy for the Associated Press. (Jan. 29, 2025)
• Congratulations to The Bitter Southerner and publisher Eric NeSmith (ABJ ’02) on receiving first place in the Canadian Printing Awards. The Bitter Southerner is printed in Canada.
• Congratulations to Blake Bridges (ABJ ’97), on his promotion to president and general manager of WYFF-TV. (Oct. 21, 2024)
• Congratulations to Jim Wallace (ABJ ’76) on his retirement from WALB News 10 after 47 years at the station! (July 2, 2024)
• Congratulations to Andrew Huff (ABJ ’22), Stakeholder Engagement Communication Manager at Georgia Power Company, on graduating from Leadership DeKalb. (June 24, 2024)
• We send our condolences to the family of Martha Ezzard (ABJ ’60), on her recent death. Ezzard was a former state senator in Colorado and served on the editorial Board of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Her obituary can be read here. (Nov. 6, 2023)
• We send our condolences to the family of Jim Wooten (ABJ ’68) on his recent death. Wooten was a Grady Fellow from the 2008 class and served as an editor and political columnist for the Atlanta Journal Constitution. A remembrance from the AJC can be read here. (Nov. 1, 2023)
• Congratulations to Gordon Green (ABJ ’78) on his induction into the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Golden Circle, representing 50 years in the Video business tonight. Green is a corporate marketing video lead at NetApp.
• We send our condolences to the family of Jonathan Gallo (ABJ ’99) on his recent death. Gallo received our Young Alumni Award in 2007. His obituary can be read here.
• We send our condolences to the family of Joshua Jones (ABJ ’08) regarding his recent death. Jones graduated from Grady College with a degree in Public Relations and was an award-winning public relations and public affairs practitioner. His obituary can be read here.
• Congratulations to Edward DeMarco (MA ’88) on wining a Nautilus Book Award for his memoir about Ethiopia, “Last Days in Naked Valley.” (June 1, 2023)
• Congratulations to Sam Dick (ABJ ’78), a longtime anchor for WKYT, on being named to the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame.
• Congratulations to Jenn Sloan (ABJ ’86) on her promotion to senior vice president, public policy and stakeholder engagement for Mastercard.
• Congratulations to Rebecca Hannan (ABJ ’11), senior manager of creative strategy and content at Coca-Cola, on being named by Insider Business as one of the 26 Rising Stars in Marketing for 2023.
• It is with sadness that we recognize the death of William ‘Ort’ Carlton (ABJ ’79), a DJ, record collector, raconteur and beloved Athens local.
• Congratulations to Casey Bruce-White (ABJ ’11), who has been named to a list of Top Women Leaders in Miami.
• Congratulations to Ryan Reece (MFA ’16), whose film “Illation” has won more than 20 recognitions from film festivals including “Best Short Screenplay” from the Hollywood Script Awards. Reece teaches Intro to Screenwriting @DaltonState. Watch the film: vimeo.com/735107273
• Congratulations to Pastor Nawanna Miller (ABJ ’73), founder of Pamoja arts group on campus, on the 52nd anniversary of the start of the group. Read her interview with the Red & Black. (Dec. 5, 2022)
• Congratulations to Ashlea Harris (MA ’03) on being named the global head of client services, SMB, at Tik Tok. (Oct. 27, 2022)
• Congratulations to Adam Fouche (ABJ ’02) on being named director of the University of Georgia’s Office of Emergency Preparedness and Insurance and Claims Management.
• Congratulations to Ed Nichols (ABJ ’62) on publishing his new book, “The Boy In The Book,” a collection of new prose poems and flash fiction.
• Congratulations to David Kramer (ABJ ’90) on being named president of United Talent Agency.
• We send our heart-felt condolences to the family of Patrick Lee (ABJ ’13) on his recent death. Lee graduated from Grady College with a degree in public relations and was a cloud security specialist with Barracuda Networks. His obituary can be read here.
• Congratulations Charles Hicks (ABJ ’13) on winning the Wells-Graham Award for Outstanding Service. The honor goes to one Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP, attorney or staff member who goes above and beyond in their dedication to serving the community.
• A big shout-out to TJ Adeshola (MA ’08), named an inductee of the Advertising Hall of Achievement by the American Advertising Federation. Adeshola is the head of global partnerships at Twitter. (Aug. 12, 2022)
• Congratulations to Nancy Elder (ABJ ’88) on being named the New York Mets’ chief communications officer. (July 14, 2022)
• Condolences go to the family of Creg Smith (ABJ ’70) on his recent death. His obituary can be read here. (July 5, 2022)
• Congratulations to Brent Hyams (ABJ ’94 ) on his new position as general manager of Cannery Row, a performing arts space in Nashville. (May 27, 2022)
• Congratulations to Stacy Willingham (ABJ ’13), whose first novel, A Flicker in the Dark, landed on the New York Times Bestseller list. Read here for a profile by the UGA Alumni Association. (May 19, 2022)
• Congratulations to Pam Avery (ABJ ’72) on the release of her new book, The Tanner Side of Town. (May 10, 2022)
• Congratulations Alex Urban (MA ’12) on being named executive director of the TOUR Championship.
• It is with sadness that we recognize the death of Connie Ward. Ward served in a variety of communications roles, including Jimmy Carter’s gubernatorial campaign teams and later on the nation’s first State Film Commission.
• Congratulations Cal Massey (ABJ ’78) on the publication of his first novel, “Own Little Words.” The book won an award from the Journal of Experimental Fiction in Chicago. Massey said: “I wanted to let you know that my love of writing and respect for journalism as necessary, important work was discovered and nurtured at UGA. A 65-year-old first time novelist remains in love with words.” (April 15, 2022)
• Our condolences to the family of former Grady professor James Aldridge (ABJ ’60, MA ’62) who passed away March 26, 2022.
• Congratulations, Katie Barlow (ABJ ’11), who was named chief legal correspondent for WTTG Washington.

Alumni Board

The Grady Alumni Board is an advisory group responsible for contributing to, and supporting the development of activities for alumni and friends of the college. The board serves as the conduit between the college and its alumni. It is comprised of members from a variety of Grady majors, professions, geographical areas and graduation years.

AWARDS

Each year, Grady College graduates are selected as Alumni Award recipients for demonstrated excellence throughout their distinguished careers.

The four Alumni Awards are the following:

Named after the late John Holliman, Grady alumnus and former CNN reporter, the John Holliman Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award honors sustained contributions to the profession throughout a career.

The Mid-Career Alumni Award is presented to a graduate for their professional achievements, influence, and success in his or her field.

The John E. Drewry Young Alumni Award recognizes a graduate of the last decade who has experienced a successful early career.

The Distinguished Scholar Award honors a graduate for excellence and sustained contributions to scholarship in journalism and mass communication education.

Grady Salutes

Each year members of the Grady College community gather for Grady Salutes, a celebration and awards ceremony honoring new members of the Grady Fellowship and recipients of Alumni Awards, among others.

The 2026 Grady Salutes events takes place on Friday, March 27, 2026, with a luncheon on the Schnitzer Family Media Lawn.

Our 2026 Alumni Award honorees include:

• Sarah Karges (ABJ ’15)
•  Eric NeSmith (ABJ ’02)
• Tracy Brown (ABJ ’88)
• Wilson Lowrey (MA ’90, PhD ’00)

We also honored our 2026 Grady Fellowship Inductees:

• Tracy Brown (ABJ ’88)
• Maureen Clayton (ABJ ’80, MA ’84)
• Alan Griggs (ABJ ’72)

Register for our Speaker’s Bureau

Join our Speaker’s Bureau of professionals willing to share their expertise with student organizations and classes, virtually or in-person. This is a great opportunity to share the story about how you got started, give advice or provide moral support. Alumni, parents and friends are encouraged to submit this interest form to help us determine the right audience(s) for your expertise.

Mentor a Grady student

Alumni and friends of Grady College are encouraged to participate in the UGA Mentor Program. The UGA Mentor program is a structured opportunity for current undergraduate and graduate students to connect with alumni and friends of Grady College. Getting started is easy. Simply create a profile on the UGA Mentor digital platform, attend a quick orientation, then instantly begin searching for a mentor using a variety of search criteria including: industry, major, location and more.  Mentors and mentees are encouraged to talk one to two hours per month during a four-month period. These conversations will center around topics such as professional skills needed in today’s world of work and other topics based upon students interests. Mentors do not have to be based within the Athens area.

Write Newly-admitted UGA Students

The Give that Dawg A Bone card-writing campaign utilizes alumni volunteers to write notes to admitted high school students to encourage them to choose UGA.

Grady Funds & Giving Opportunities

Grady College depends on the generosity of our alumni and friends to help students and faculty succeed. With your support, we will strengthen our commitment to inspiring students and preparing them to illuminate the world upon graduation. We are grateful for your kindness. Thank you for your gift!

PAST ALUMNI BOARDS

We are grateful for the service and continued support of previous members of the Grady Society Alumni Board.