Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication has unveiled a new responsive Web app aimed at bringing together its many audiences in an easy-to-use mobile, tablet or desktop format.
The GoGrady app was unveiled at the annual Grady Fellowship Tribute Evening Nov. 21. The GoGrady app can be accessed on mobile phones, electronic tablets and home computers by visiting http://gogrady.uga.edu/.
The GoGrady app features seven distinct areas:
• Alumni—showcasing up to three alumni profiles, which will be changed periodically.
• Students—profiling three undergraduate and graduate students who excel in scholarship, service and work.
• Peabody—includes information and video clips of previous winners of the Peabody Awards, an internationally recognized awards program administered by Grady College.
• Connect—invites users to link with other Grady College students and alumni through a database. Users will be asked to fill out a form that will directly connect alumni and students.
• History—allows viewers to travel through an interactive timeline of Grady College history since its 1915 inception.
• Social—invites alumni and students to connect to Grady through their social networks including Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Give—provides an easy way for donors to continue the legacy via a direct link to the Grady College Fund Web page.
“The launch of the GoGrady app-a student-designed Web application from the incredible teaching laboratory that is the New Media Institute-plants Grady College’s flag firmly in the digital present,” said Grady College Dean Charles Davis. “We’re so proud of this app and what it represents to the college: collaboration, experiential learning and a digital-first attitude. These are all core attributes of Grady programs and the fact that we will use the app to link us to our alumni base just ties it all together.”
The website app was created by a team studying in Grady College’s New Media Institute, an interdisciplinary certificate program dedicated to exploring the critical, commercial and creative dimensions of innovative digital media technology, including personal media like mobile, social and gaming.
“Before students receive the New Media Certificate, they have to show they can use technology effectively to address an important need,” said Scott Shamp, director of the New Media Institute. “This semester we challenged a group of students to explore ways to grow and connect the Grady family. They came up with the GoGrady app. I think it is pretty cool.”
The design team includes Andrea Morris, a management information systems major from Terry College who was the project manager; Jamie Gottlieb, a public relations major who created the content for the site; Michael Crosby, a computer science major through Franklin College of Arts and Sciences who was the programmer for the app; and Will Looney, an advertising major who was the visual designer.
“The look of the GoGrady app focused on presenting a professional, yet modern appearance,” said Looney. “Even the logo with the subtle arrow in the G and the circular O showcases the unity and motion that represents Grady College.”
“We know this app is a humble beginning,” said Morris, “but, we think it is a great launching point as activities start focusing on the centennial celebration the year after next.”
UGA Grady College
Established in 1915, the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication 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 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.