Profiles of Tenacity: Taft Gantt

Fourth-year journalism student Taft Gantt is passionate about sports. He values his relationships with both his professors and his peers.

Why did you choose your major?

I chose to study journalism because I wanted to stay up-to-date with my knowledge and skills in today’s ever-changing media industry. Through classes like video journalism, digital design and Grady Newsource, I have been able to do just that. I’m thankful that the professors at Grady have made the effort to stay informed about what direction the industry is going in and incorporate that into the curriculum.

What does tenacity mean to you?

To be tenacious you must be persistent. Never stopping to reach your goal no matter what may stand in the way. For me, that’s chasing my dream of working in sports. Whatever video story or work-related experience is next, I want to give it my all. That attitude of never settling is the core foundation of tenacity.

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

My best advice is to prioritize relationships with your classmates and professors. Those bonds you create inside the walls of Grady make every class and every day more enjoyable, and you never know where those connections will take you.

What is your most memorable Grady experience?

My favorite Grady memory is bonding with my sportsource class in Spring 2022. We had so much fun throughout the semester that it led to our class hanging out after broadcasts, which coined the term “Waffle House” from our awesome professor, Vicki Michaelis.

What has been your biggest accomplishment in the past year?

I covered the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia for the Associated Press along with some other students in the sports media program. I was based in Brisbane, Australia, and primarily wrote stories on the Republic of Ireland and games at Brisbane Stadium. It was amazing to see my stories posted on the AP, USA Today and more!

Who is your favorite Grady professor and why?

Professor Carlo Finlay brings a fun energy to his classes which creates great discussions each day. This spring, I am in his sports betting and media class which has created an avenue for students in the sports media program to stay at the leading edge of sports entertainment. I’m also thankful for the real-life experiences that professor Finlay has provided me and many other students interested in sports media.

Where’s your favorite place on campus and why?

I’ve always loved the aesthetics of North Campus. Walking by The Arch at the start and end of each day of class always reminds me to be thankful that I attend UGA!

How have the classes at Grady prepared you for your future?

My classes at Grady have best prepared me for the future by giving me real-world experience. Whenever I’ve had to chase down a story, going back to my introduction to reporting days.

Editor: Jin Lee | jin.lee2@uga.edu