Grady Newsource

Laura Beaghan, owner of University Spirit, continues her family’s tradition of serving UGA for 50 years despite the rise of online customization. Q: As a well-known, family-owned business here in Athens, what inspired your family to start the business, and how has it evolved since the ’70s? A: This is…

Melinda Lord, director of housing and community development in Athens-Clarke County, discusses how the local government plans to address the current housing crisis.  Q: Can you provide an overview of the current housing crisis in Athens-Clarke County, and how does it compare to trends at the state and national level?…

Will Slater is a county music singer and University of Georgia student who released his single “Slip Away” on Feb. 7.  Q: Your latest song “Slip Away” has been well received. What was the inspiration behind it, and how did you approach the songwriting process? A: Well, the inspiration behind…

Catherine Jones is a third-year environmental health science major at the University of Georgia and the intern for the EcoRep program, which is currently hosting an energy conservation competition in Black-Diallo-Miller Hall entitled “Watt Wars.”  Q: Could you briefly describe your role as intern and what exactly the EcoRep program…

Lori Garrett-Hatfield is the chair of the K-12 committee at Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition, a nonprofit that supports and advocates for immigrant families. Q: The Trump administration is allowing Immigration and Customs Enforcement to target schools, churches and hospitals, a practice that hasn’t been allowed since 2011. What has been…

Camila Varela is the political action chair of the Hispanic Student Association at the University of Georgia, which represents the Hispanic undergraduate students on campus. Q: What are the goals of HSA here at UGA? A: We basically just represent the interests of Latinos at UGA. We serve to give…

Randy Groomes is the director of inclusive excellence and engagement at the Terry College of Business, a diversity, equity and inclusion-related role that faces a period of uncertainty due to executive orders from the Trump administration. Q: What led you to the position of the director of inclusive excellence and…

Genna Ringler co-founded SCLPT studio, a Pilates studio that opened in Athens on March 14 and offers both reformer and heated mat Pilates.  Q: What inspired you to start SCLPT? A: I have been a Pilates enthusiast for years, even back when I was still in college, and then post…

Anthony Schaaf, the vice president of sales for the Athens Pro Hockey LLC, doing business as Athens Rock Lobsters, is helping the company grow and develop during its inaugural season.  Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in hockey? A: So when I was younger, I played, went to…

Bill Ruthhart interacts with the next generation of journalists on a daily basis. As a writing coach and editor for Career Programs at The New York Times, Ruthhart guides 30 newsroom fellows into their development as impactful reporters and writers. Growing up in a family of journalists, he previously spent…