Pat Mitchell, president and chief executive officer of the Paley Center for Media and a magna cum laude UGA graduate, will be the speaker for the university’s combined undergraduate and graduate summer Commencement ceremony on Aug. 4 at 9:30 a.m. in Stegeman Coliseum.
“Pat Mitchell has made her alma mater very proud,” said UGA President Michael F. Adams. “She has used her UGA degrees as the foundation for a career dedicated to improving access to information for people around the world. She has been particularly insightful as to the use and impact of new media, and the Paley Center is a global leader in harnessing the power of new media. We are honored that she will return to campus to speak at summer Commencement.”
Mitchell earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in 1965 and 1967, respectively.
Heading the Paley Center since March 2006, Mitchell has guided the 34-year old institution through a rebranding effort and strengthened its public and industry programs by analyzing and interpreting changes in the media landscape. The Paley Center, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative and social significance of television, radio and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Previously known as the Museum of Television and Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1975 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry.
Mitchell has received numerous awards during the course of her career, including the 2008 Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame Honoree; the CINE Golden Eagle for Lifetime Achievement; the PROMAX Century Award for contributions to the television industry; Hollywood’s Most Powerful Women in Entertainment; and recently was recognized by the Center for the Advancement of Women for her accomplishments and contributions in the world of communications to create a more equitable society for women. She was named to Newsweek’s 2011 list of 150 Women Who Shake the World.
UGA’s Commencement ceremony will be for students who complete degree requirements at the end of the summer 2012 semester. The ceremony will be broadcast live on channel 15 of the university and Charter cable systems. It also will be streamed live at www.uga.edu.
