My First Grady Alumni Board Meeting: A Day of Learning, Celebration, and Connection
My First Grady Alumni Board Meeting: Reflections From Athens
It’s always a great day when I have the opportunity to travel to Athens, but this trip felt especially meaningful. It was my first visit as a member of the Grady Alumni Board and my first time attending Grady Salutes in this new role. Walking back onto campus with this added sense of purpose was both energizing and grounding.
A Morning of Learning and Perspective
During our spring board meeting, we had the chance to learn more about Grady’s News Literacy Certificate program. The conversation was a timely reminder of how important it is to stay aware of our own biases and assumptions when consuming media — whether political, social, or simply part of our daily scroll. It’s easy to forget how much our perspectives shape what we absorb, and I appreciated the intentionality behind the program’s design.
Celebrating Excellence at Grady Salutes
For lunch, I joined fellow alumni and friends for this year’s Grady Salutes — a celebration of achievement, leadership, and commitment across the Grady community. Meeting Tracy Brown, the John Holliman Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, was a highlight. Her career and impact embody the spirit of Grady at its best.
A little more about the event:
Each year, Grady Salutes honors new members of the Grady Fellowship and recipients of Alumni Awards. The 2026 celebration will take place on Friday, March 27, 2026, with a luncheon on the Schnitzer Family Media Lawn.
Pictured left to right: Amelia Dortch and Tracy Brown
2026 Alumni Award Honorees
Sarah Karges (ABJ ’15)
Eric NeSmith (ABJ ’02)
Tracy Brown (ABJ ’88)
Wilson Lowrey (MA ’90, PhD ’00)
2026 Grady Fellowship Inductees
Tracy Brown (ABJ ’88)
Maureen Clayton (ABJ ’80, MA ’84)
Alan Griggs (ABJ ’72)
Being in the room with so many accomplished alumni reminded me how strong and far‑reaching the Grady network truly is.
A Conversation With Tomorrow’s Storytellers
We wrapped up the day with a dynamic discussion featuring Grady’s Ex-Prize Scholarship recipients. These students will use the scholarship to support travel for Study Away programs in places like New York, Japan, and Hawaii.
Grady’s Study Away opportunities give students hands‑on experiences — from travel writing to advertising and entertainment strategy — that simply can’t be replicated in a traditional classroom. I love that these programs are open not only to Grady majors but also to students across the university. It’s a powerful way to broaden perspectives and spark creativity.
Looking Ahead
As I look forward to the next three years on the board, I’m excited to contribute to and support the development of activities for alumni and friends of the college. Being part of this community again — in a new capacity — feels both nostalgic and inspiring.
Last week, Grady College shared a welcome message on Instagram for the seven new Alumni Board members, and I’m honored to be among them:
Brian Carr (ABJ ’96)
Bo Cordle (ABJ ’05)
Amelia Dortch (ABJ ’06)
Stephanie Earley (ABJ ’06)
Kera Felton (AB ’18)
Jason Heslep (ABJ ’00)
Tucker Berta Sarkisian (ABJ ’00)
I’m grateful for the warm welcome and even more grateful for the opportunity to serve. Here’s to the work ahead — and to many more great days in Athens.