Board of Trust

Board of trust

The Grady Board of Trust is one the college’s most influential boards of alumni and friends lending support and guidance.

A woman stands and speaks to a seated audience in a conference room. Behind her, a presentation slide reads, “What is the Ex-PRIZE $$ Goal?” A chair and podium are visible near large windows.

Grady Board of Trust

“The Board of Trust exists to advance the cause of Grady College and represents an amazing collection of leaders from across the mass communication marketplace,” said Charles Davis, dean of Grady College.  “This brain trust supports the work that we do, offers insight and advice, and most importantly, forms an immensely rewarding social network. Some of my favorite days as dean have been spent with these amazing people.”

In addition to serving as ambassadors and leaders who can attract resources to the college, the BOT is the sponsoring organization of the Grady Fellowship, a recognition of alumni and friends who by virtue of their accomplishments and service are members emeritus of the BOT.

Front row (l. to r.) Kristen Manion Taylor, Crystal Ashbourne, Eric NeSmith, Jennifer M Sloan, Amanda Rosseter, Carolyn Tieger, Melissa Libby and Eugenia Harvey.A group of Board of Trust members pose for a picture outside the side entrance to Grady College.
Members of the Grady College Board of Trust on March 27, 2026. Front row (l. to r.) Kristen Manion Taylor, Crystal Ashbourne, Eric NeSmith, Jennifer M Sloan, Amanda Rosseter, Carolyn Tieger, Melissa Libby and Eugenia Harvey.


Back row (l. to r.) Jody Danneman, Bryan Harris, Jamie Waldron, Henry Grady III, Jason Anthoine, Richard T. Griffiths, Betty Hudson, Steve Horton, Charles Davis.

Members of the Board of Trust

Jason Anthoine

(ABJ ’89)
Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Arketi Group

Crystal Ashbourne

(ABJ ’16)
Dir. of Int. and Executive Communications, Georgia Power Company
Learn More

Craig Camuso

(ABJ ’90)
Regional Vice President – State Government Affairs CSX Transportation Atlanta, GA

Jody Danneman

(ABJ ’88)
Founder, Executive Producer and President Atlanta ImageArts, Inc. Marietta, GA

Henry W. Grady, III

Healthcare Investment Banking Truist Bank, Atlanta, GA
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Perspectives

“By staying involved with Grady, it’s like I never graduated! I enjoy coming back to Athens for Board of Trust meetings, being a mentor to students, and attending events.”

Melissa Libby

ABJ ’85, President, Melissa Libby & Associates

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Perspectives

“Journalism’s next generation will face incredibly tough challenges.  The Grady Board of Trust has a powerful call for me because it helps generate the resources for the skills, experiences, and real-world perspectives those future journalists will desperately need.”

Richard Griffiths

Retired Vice President and Senior Editorial Director at CNN

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Perspectives

“Grady is more than just a great college. It’s a career and connection accelerator. My work on the Board of Trust is simply an investment in our students, faculty and alumni, whose amazing sparks of brilliance and courage are truly what fuels Grady’s enviable momentum.”

Jason Anthoine

ABJ ’89, Managing Founder, Audacity

Additional Information

Explore the UGA Promotion and Tenure documents for UGA and Grady College.

in the news

Carolyn Tieger

Thank you to Board of Trust Chairperson Carolyn Tieger for her vision in creating the Ex-PRIZE, a fund helping Grady College students fulfill their experiential learning goals. Read more about the Ex-PRIZE here.

Jason Anthoine

Jason Anthoine was a featured speaker for an alumni lecture hosted by the Crisis Communication Think Tank. Anthoine spoke about crisis management as it relates to internal corporate communications and connecting with employees and stakeholders.

Jenn Sloan

Congratulations to Jenn Sloan (ABJ ’86) on her promotion to senior vice president, public policy and stakeholder engagement for Mastercard.

Events

A group of students work in a media studio, with some operating computers and video equipment while two people stand in front of a green screen. One student raises their hand, and screens display video editing software.

Broadcast Journalism Summer Academy

In this Summer Media Academy course designed for high school students, participants will learn to find and tell stories that matter with a focus on developing storytelling skills in audio and visual forms. They’ll consider what makes a story important, how to gather credible information, and how to present it in the most effective way.

Participants will practice and hone technical skills in reporting, videography and video editing as the class works together with the instructors to final project.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/broadcast-journalism-6-15-2026/

Read more about Broadcast Journalism Summer Academy
A group of 16 smiling teens and adults pose indoors in front of a colorful screen that reads STEPS OF JOY SUMMER. Most wear matching light blue shirts and name tags.

Advertising and Public Relations Summer Academy

Learn how to become a creative problem solver, writer, decision-maker, and persuasive communicator within traditional and new media in this exciting Advertising and Public Relations course designed for high school students.

Explore ways to reach target audiences and effectively communicate your messages to the public, and even design an integrated campaign for a non-profit organization.

For more details, visit https://www.georgiacenter.uga.edu/youth-program/advertising-and-public-relations-6-15-2026/

Read more about Advertising and Public Relations Summer Academy
A wide angle shot depicting Hugh Hodgson Concert Hall during Grady College's 2025 Convocation, with three figures on stage in front of a crowd of people.

Fall 2026 Grady Convocation Ceremony

Grady College’s Fall 2026 Convocation Celebration will take place on Thursday, December 10.
  • Doors open at 9:15 a.m. and the ceremony will start at 10 a.m.
  • Student check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. Students must be checked in by 9:45 a.m.
  • Graduates will have their names read in front of family, friends, faculty and staff as they cross the stage.
  • Dress is professional; caps and gowns are not worn for Grady Convocation.
  • Guests are asked to remain in their seats and not take pictures at the stage. Photos will be taken of each graduate crossing the stage and will be available free of charge after the event on the UGAGrady Flickr account.
  • The ceremony will be recorded and posted within 24 hours on the UGA Grady YouTube channel.
  • Students must register for convocation.
  • Guest tickets are required for the Fall 2026 Grady College Convocation. Each graduate who submits their RSVP to participate in Convocation will receive up to five guest tickets for family and friends.
  • Ticket pick-up details will be announced closer to the ceremony.
  • The RSVP deadline will be announced closer to the ceremony.
More information can be found at https://grady.uga.edu/graduation/

Read more about Fall 2026 Grady Convocation Ceremony
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Fall 2026 Graduation Celebration

Graduates and their parents are invited to celebrate with other graduates and faculty/staff at this drop-in celebration. Guests will enjoy light refreshments and photo opportunities with faculty and friends. Tickets are not required for the celebration at Grady.

  • Thursday, December 10
  • 2 to 4 p.m.
  • Schnitzer Family Media Lawn at Grady College, 120 Hooper St.

Read more about Fall 2026 Graduation Celebration