Hsiao and Esemuede named Grady Convocation speakers; Perry named UGA Commencement student speaker

Wendy Hsiao (AB ‘09) will deliver the Charge to Candidates and Eden Esemuede will be the senior speaker during the virtual Fall 2021 Grady College Convocation, available to view starting at 10 a.m. on Dec. 16, 2021.

Meagan Perry, a graduating public relations student and Grady College Ambassador, has been named the University of Georgia student speaker for the undergraduate commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. on Dec. 17 at Sanford Stadium.

Hsiao is an account director at Weber Shandwick in Atlanta. She specializes in media relations and works with clients including McDonald’s and Anytime Fitness. She has been profiled by several publications including The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Atlantan Magazine and VoyageATL. She was recently named an honoree in the Top Women in Communications for the Leader category by Ragan Communications and PR Daily.

Hsiao earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and a certificate from the New Media Institute. She is a member of the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC), the Public Relations Society of America, ColorComm and the UGA Atlanta Alumni Association. She also serves as a mentor for the University of Georgia.

Esemuede will graduate this semester with a degree in Entertainment and Media Studies and a minor in communication studies. During her time in school, she has been involved as a volunteer with Grady Newsource and a variety of student productions. She is a HOPE scholarship recipient and Presidential scholar and is president of the On The Spot Improv group. Her career aspirations include going to law school and becoming an entertainment lawyer.

Perry is a Grady Ambassador and has been involved in the Public Relations Student Society of America Drewry chapter. She serves as an event coordinator for UGA CHAARG, a health empowerment organization, was on the summer staff member if the Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center and moderated Grady College’s 2021 40 Under 40 panel. Perry has studied abroad in Madrid, Paris and Rio. Her capstone project is a year-long public relations initiative for the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame.

The UGA graduate student Commencement will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 at Sanford Stadium.

All Grady College graduates and their families are invited to a Celebration of Graduates on the Grady College Lawn on Thursday, Dec. 16 from 3 to 5 p.m. Students can drop-in and walk across the graduation stage, visit with other graduates and faculty and have a picture taken with Dean Davis. Light refreshments will be served.