Athens, Ga. – “In My Place: An Intimate Discussion with Charlayne Hunter-Gault,” originally set for Jan. 11 and canceled due to inclement weather, has been rescheduled. Award-winning journalist, author and University of Georgia alumna Charlayne Hunter-Gault will return to campus on March 22. The public event will be held from 9-11 a.m. in the WNEG/WUGA-TV first floor broadcast studio. Space is limited.
The Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication is sponsoring a community-wide read of Hunter-Gault’s memoir, In My Place, as a part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the University of Georgia’s desegregation.
The book recalls the UGA alumna’s early years growing up black and female in the Deep South and the turmoil surrounding her entrance into the university. One of two students to integrate the Athens campus, Hunter-Gault graduated from Grady College in 1963 and has enjoyed a distinguished career in newspapers, magazines, radio and television.
“Given the opportunity to meet with the author to commemorate a moment in history and to be able to talk with the author about what that moment was like personally is such an incredible gift,” said Leara Rhodes, associate professor of journalism and a member of the 50th anniversary committee. “We have to read this book.”
The college’s diversity committee is encouraging everyone to read In My Place prior to the event. The UGA Bookstore is currently offeringthe memoirat a discounted price.
Fifteen Grady College students were provided copies of the book and have been selected to anchor the two-hour discussion, which will be moderated by Grady College Dean Cully Clark.
Established in 1915, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication offers undergraduate majors in advertising, digital and broadcast journalism, magazines, newspapers, public relations, publication management 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.