Atlanta (August 10, 2011) – The University of Georgia and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) announced today that Cynthia Tucker, one of the media outlet’s premier journalists and a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist, will leave the AJC to serve as a visiting professor in the university’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, effective Aug. 12.
Tucker’s new role is part of a multi-year partnership between the AJC and UGA to invest in the media industry and enrich future journalists. Most recently, Tucker served as the AJC’s political columnist based in Washington, D.C.
“I’m thrilled to embark on the next chapter in my career,” said Tucker. “During the past two years, I’ve had the chance to observe fascinating debates, interview top elected officials and comment on the dynamic political forces which are re-shaping public policy. Now, I’m going to share my experiences and teach tomorrow’s journalists.”
“The AJC is committed to the future of journalism, and what better way to demonstrate this than to invest in tomorrow’s journalists,” said AJC Editor Kevin Riley. “Cynthia is an amazing journalist, and we know she will have a lasting impact on these students. Her column will not be replaced because quite simply, there is no replacing Cynthia Tucker.”
Tucker’s new role represents a continuation of Cox Enterprises and the AJC’s long-standing relationship with UGA, including:
• Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication being named after legendary Atlanta Constitution Editor Henry Grady.
• The James M. Cox Jr. Center for International Mass Communication Training and Research and the James M. Cox Jr. Institute for Newspaper Management Studies named for Cox Enterprises’ late chairman.
• A $2 million gift from current Cox Enterprises’ Chairman Jim Kennedy in 2010 to establish four professorships in the Grady College and help fund construction of new facilities for the Terry College of Business.
“Cynthia Tucker is a highly acclaimed opinion writer, whose connections in the wider field of journalism, both print and electronic, will serve our faculty and students well,” said Grady College Dean Cully Clark. “I should also note that she is a recipient of the Elijah Lovejoy Award and has presented the college’s own Ralph McGill Lecture, both of which salute journalistic courage. Her joining the Grady faculty is further evidence of the outstanding partnership the college enjoys with Cox and the AJC.”
“The arrival of Cynthia Tucker on campus brings yet another nationally recognized figure into the UGA classroom, greatly enriching the educational experience of students in the Grady College,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams. “I am grateful to Cox and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution for their partnership in adding a Pulitzer-Prize winning columnist to the UGA faculty.”
About The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is the leading source-both in print and online-of news, information and advertising for metropolitan Atlanta, reaching a total print and online audience of 2 million people each week. Every month, nearly 2.3 million unique visitors access the newspaper’s websites, including ajc.com and accessAtlanta.com. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is part of Cox Media Group, a publishing, digital media and broadcasting subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises.
About Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication
Established in 1915, the Grady College is one of the oldest and most distinguished communication programs in the country. Its three departments-journalism, advertising and public relations, and telecommunications-are consistently ranked among the very best in the nation. The Grady College offers undergraduate majors in journalism, advertising, public relations, digital and broadcast journalism, and mass media arts. The college offers two graduate degrees, and is home to the Knight Chair in Health and Medical Journalism and the Peabody Awards, internationally recognized as one of the most prestigious prizes for excellence in electronic media. For more information, see www.grady.uga.edu or follow @UGAGrady on Twitter.
Media Contacts:
Andy McDill
Cox Media Group
andy.mcdill@coxinc.com
(678) 645-0439
Tom Jackson
The University of Georgia
tjackson@uga.edu
(706) 542-8090
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