Bridgett Johnson is amazed by the number of opportunities for involvement at UGA and has been involved in everything from co-chairing the Homecoming parade, studying Shakespeare at Oxford, to tutoring students at Fowler Drive Elementary. She has been interested in all aspects of media for years and is putting that passion to work as a public relations major, a member of the Bateman Case Study Competition Team and as a communications intern in the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach. After graduation, she plans to work for a non-profit agency such as the American Red Cross or the American Cancer Society – that is if she is not directing her own movies by then.
Hometown:
Brunswick, Georgia
High School:
Brunswick High School
Degree objective:
A.B.J. in Public Relations and the New Media Certificate
Expected graduation:
Spring 2010
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
In high school, students are grouped according to intellect or abilities, but in college the range of cultures and opportunities are so amazing that I wanted to be a part of as many things as I could. As a senior I was selected to be apart of UGA’s Bateman team. The Bateman Case Study Competition is a national Public Relations Student Society of America program where teams from all over the USA compete. UGA won the competition in 2007 and have also been honorable mentions in 2008 and 2009. The summer before my senior year I participated in the Oxford Study Abroad Program where I studied Shakespeare and Stuart and Tudor History. I’ve helped with Homecoming activities since my sophomore year, serving as the assistant chairperson this past year and as parade co-chairperson in previous years. I started tutoring at Fowler Drive Elementary School because a friend invited me to join. I didn’t realize that these kids would help me grow from a shy college student to a responsible adult. It’s been an honor working with the kids in the Athens community. In helping them learn to improve their reading skills I learned how to become a more patient person. Through Alpha Omega, a campus ministry, I’ve built relationships that I consider true and meaningful. I also enjoy volunteering at the State Botanical Garden. Some days it’s just fun to work in the gift shop and greet people, and other days it is great to get into the dirt and plant beautiful flowers.
Current Employment:
I work as in intern for the Office of the Vice President for Public Service and Outreach where I write stories about the eight units within OVPPSO. I also help create print and online publications such as the office newsletter and biographies for the Scholarship of Engagement and Annual Report. When I am home on breaks, I work at the St. Simons Lighthouse. I love working in such a beautiful location and I enjoy meeting and greeting guests. I mainly help out in the gift shop and with tours.
I chose to attend UGA because…
…for the majority of my life, I have followed a road that involved media, public relations and journalism. Throughout high school, I served as project designer and promotions chairperson. I favored leadership positions that were artistic and challenging. I loved the pressure of meeting timelines and choosing which visual images communicated the best message. The University of Georgia was always on my list of schools to choose from because the campus is beautiful and the people are so inviting. It was an added bonus that UGA also had a great Journalism program. Grady has one of the best journalism programs in the country.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
… to walk around North Campus and admire all the details of the buildings. Every week I find something interesting about one of the buildings that I never noticed before. My friends and I periodically have scavenger hunts around campus because there are so many wonderful things to see and learn. We have become good at creating a unique list of items to find.
When I have free time, I like…
…to go to the movies or rent movies when I have free time (and money). As a child, I found myself wrapped up in movies and books. I would always put myself in books or films not as the main actor, but as the writer or director. That love of movies has stayed with me my entire life. I am very fortunate that Athens as so many wonderful libraries. I can go check out books/movies and keep them for more than just two weeks.
My favorite place to study is…
…in the Drewry Room in the Journalism Building. The room is always so quiet but I can still catch up on current events because of the television, which is usually turned to a news channel like CNN. I love the floor to ceiling windows that give a picturesque view of North Campus.
My favorite professor is…
…Betty Jones and Kaye Sweester. These professors have amazing knowledge and are readily available when I need their help or advice. Dr. Jones is my go to when I need advice about jobs or just when I want to talk about life. Dr. Sweester knows so much about PR research and how to be an overall good student. These ladies have shared their lives with me and for that I am truly grateful.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
…my grandmother Lula (my mom’s mother) because I never got to meet her. From the stories my relatives tell, my grandmother seemed like a kind, gentle and strong person. I would love to talk with her and ask her about life. She lived during World War I and II and the Civil Rights Movement and I know she would have great wisdom and knowledge to pass on to me. Also, my mom tells me that many of my mannerisms and habits are exactly like my grandmother’s. I would love to see if this is true.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
…become a movie director. Movies have the ability to make people think about life and see the world through someone else’s eyes. People love to watch, think about and debate movies with other each other. When I see a great film, I want to tell everybody about it and get them to see it. As the director of a film I would have control over what is seen on screen at a certain time, what music is played, what parts are edited. The job of a director is very hard and sometimes even good directors can make bad films. But when a director combines all the right elements and makes a movie of a lifetime, it can possibly change someone’s life. Although people take away different messages from movies, I would love to create a film that is entertaining yet sends a powerful message. I think Yahoo Serious really explains movies through his quote, “Movies are a complicated collision of literature, theatre, music and all the visual arts.”
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
…getting to walk on the field during the 2008 Homecoming game. I got to take pictures of UGA VII and with all the court members. Looking around and seeing the 92,000 + crowd is an amazing and breath-taking experience. I was even standing near the end zone when a touchdown was made right before half time!
