Three AdPR Fellows inducted into Grady Fellowship

On Thursday, Nov. 21, 2013, seven alumni and friends of Grady College were inducted into the 2013 Grady Fellowship in recognition of their influence, achievements and service to the media professions.

Three inductees were from the advertising and public relations field: Ron Lane, Athens, Ga.; Melissa Libby, Atlanta; and Jennifer Sloan, Toronto.

From L to R: New Grady Fellows Steve Oney, Ron Lane,
 Jennifer Sloan, Melissa Libby, Cathy Cox, Glenn Vaughn

Ron Lane (ABJ '63, MA '65) retired as a professor of advertising in the Grady College in 2005. Prior to his 39 years in the classroom, Lane worked in many aspects of advertising, including creative and account services for clients including Coca-Cola, National Broiler Council, Minute Maid and Callaway Gardens Country Store. He is currently senior partner at Lane Bevil + partners.

Melissa Libby (ABJ '85) founded Melissa Libby and Associates in 1992. Since starting MLA, Libby has opened more than 150 restaurants and served hospitality and retail clients through publicity, event planning and implementation, marketing, strategic planning, social media marketing and crisis communications. She has produced two cookbooks featuring Atlanta chefs, Atlanta Cooks (2001) and Atlanta Cooks at Home (2006).

Jennifer Sloan (ABJ '86) is the director of government affairs for Target (Canada). She leads a national team responsible for the strategic management of all government affairs activities at the federal, provincial and local levels of government. Before Target, Sloan was the inaugural vice president of university relations at York University. Previously she served as the executive vice president of corporate affairs for nickel mining giant Vale (Inco) Ltd. For more than 20 years, Jennifer worked with some of Canada's leading government and political figures including as Consul, Head of Political/Economic Relations and Public Affairs at the Consulate General of Canada in New York.

The tribute began with a reception, followed by dinner and Fellowship inductions. This year’s theme was “Grady’s Engaged, reminding people of ways we connect with one another. The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the Go Grady app, which aims to connect alumni and friends on all of their mobile devices.

Congratulations to all those honorees who were inducted!