2022 in Review: College Headlines

Editor’s Note: This is part of our six-part series highlighting stories produced by Grady College in 2022. The features include stories in each of the following subjects:

  • Student Successes
  • Faculty Honors
  • College Headlines
  • Research & Expertise
  • Service & Partnerships
  • Alumni Spotlight

This is not intended to be a comprehensive list, but instead highlight a sample of just a few of the hundreds of stories about accomplishments by our students, faculty/staff and alumni. We invite you to visit our Grady College News page for a full list of features posted in 2022.


  • Cox Institute launched a new Certificate in News Literacy
 

Grady College is constantly growing and improving to better serve our students and greater Grady College community. Here are a few college headlines of note from 2022: 

Cox Institute launched a new Certificate in News Literacy: In fall of 2022, the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership at Grady College started a new academic certificate program in news literacy. The four-course certificate program, which is open to all majors at the University of Georgia, is designed to teach students the functions of the news media, journalistic responsibility and ethics and prepare them with insights and tools for identifying misinformation and falsehoods increasingly found in our media marketplace. Grady College also published a podcast episode that further explains the Certificate in News Literacy. 

Grady lawn was renovated and renamed Schnitzer Family Media Lawn: Over the summer, Grady College’s lawn was improved, expanded upon and renamed, thanks to a generous donation from the Schnitzer family, celebrating Lauren Schnitzer (AB ’21), who graduated last year with a bachelor’s degree in public relations. The new lawn, which features an ADA accessible pathway, an outdoor classroom and much more, was celebrated on Friday, September 23.  

UGA MFA Film program enriches its story: Over the summer, the first cohort of MFA Film students graduated. Just a few months later, the program partnered with the new Athena Studios and gained a 14,600-square-foot, state-of-the-art student studio and production space less than five miles from the UGA campus.

Grady lawn to be renovated, renamed ‘Schnitzer Family Media Lawn’

At the start of fall semester, all incoming and returning Grady College students will be welcomed to campus with an improved and expanded lawn upon which to study, socialize and relax. The transformation will take place thanks to a generous donation from the Schnitzer family, celebrating Lauren Schnitzer (AB ’21), who graduated last year with a bachelor’s degree in public relations.

The redesign will feature rolling grass hills, a new ADA accessible pathway and an outdoor classroom with seating, which will be accessible by way of a new staircase where the gray wall currently sits.

“We are so excited to transform the exterior of the college in a project designed to improve space for our students and open our college up to the rest of campus,” said Charles Davis, dean of Grady College. “The big gray wall in front is coming down and will be replaced by a landscaped outdoor amphitheater, with increased seating on the Sanford Drive corner of the building.  We’re also thrilled to include hardscape pathways that will ease access to the college for everyone.  It will be an incredible enhancement to our environment.”

Construction is scheduled to start May 16 and finish by the time students return in August.

“We want every student to feel that they can go check out Grady,” said Sara Cook, senior director of development at Grady.  “The Schnitzer Family Media Lawn will serve as a red carpet entrance to all the incredible educational opportunities available at Grady College.”

Even with the renovation, some notable features of the existing lawn will remain the same, including the granite slabs for lounging, engraved granite tiles and bamboo shoots protruding through the table seating area.

“Lauren had a great experience at Grady,” said Ken Schnitzer, the proud father. “Our family is honored to support the College and improve functionality and access to one of the most special places on campus.”