#ProfilesOfTenacity: Spencer Donovan

#ProfilesOfTenacity: Spencer Donovan

October 26, 2020
What or who has had the biggest impact on your life during your time at UGA?

My experience at The Red & Black has taught me how to be a journalist and why it’s important to write about issues impacting the community I live in. I have covered the university’s history of slavery, affordable housing issues in Athens and Black Lives Matter protests in Atlanta. R&B has shown me how to show care for the people I talk with in the community.

Favorite or unique hobby?

I like to run because it gives me time to get away from my phone and my computer. Sometimes it helps me forget about everything, but other times it helps me think. So I can use it however I want.

What are you passionate about?

I like talking with people. Sometimes it takes a second to build up the courage to walk up to them, but once we’re talking, I don’t want to do anything else. Interviews are the best part of being a journalist.

Favorite Athens restaurant?

It’s a tie between Kelly’s Jamaican Foods and Maepole!

Donovan serves as a managing editor for The Red & Black and oversees various aspects of the publication. He plays both guitar and piano in his free time outside of work. (Photo: Lili Amirhosseini)
What has been the hardest part about adjusting to COVID-19 in your life as a student and future professional?

Video calls for The Red & Black have been the hardest adjustment due to COVID-19. We already communicated a lot with Slack, wrote on Google Docs and conducted phone interviews before the pandemic started. But I miss the in-person interactions with my peers and friends at The Red & Black.

Favorite place on campus?

The Main Library!

What are you planning to do after graduating?

I want to report on issues the public needs to know more about, whether that’s writing about government wrongdoing or how people need to get food on the table. As a journalist, I want to shine a light on issues the government and institutions have swept under the rug.

What is the last show you binge-watched?

The Legend of Korra. It builds upon the world created in Avatar: The Last Airbender, and it’s fun to watch.

Knowing what you know now, what would you tell yourself before you began taking classes?

You’re on the right path. Just remember to take a break occasionally.

Favorite Quote?

‘Don’t let yesterday use up too much of today.’

Editor’s Note: Some of the above answers have been edited for length and/or clarity. 

The #ProfilesOfTenacity series–formerly the #GradyGrit–is a set of student features highlighting the strength, determination and leadership of students in Grady College. Stay tuned to see how #ProfilesofTenacity evolve in the future.