Alumni Profiles

Four University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications alumni were honored as part of the UF Alumni Association 2019 “40 Gators Under 40” awards. The awards honor young alumni whose achievements positively reflect UF. The CJC alumni honorees include Journalism major Karen Persis, Telecommunication majors Ashley Boxer and Laura…

By Max Chesnes, Journalism Senior At 71-years-old, Larry Lancit, B.S. Telecommunication 1970 and Hall of Fame 1992, is still hard at work. Why retire when every day brings a new adventure? Why stop now, when your work means something so deeply to you that it gets you out of bed…

By Lenore Devore, B.S. Journalism 1984 Many people say age doesn’t matter. But when you’ve accomplished a lifetime of work in your first 30 years, age matters. Think of how much time Caitlin Healy, B.S. Journalism 2010, has to continue contributing her talents to make the world better. Her accomplishments…

By Lenore Devore, B.S. Journalism 1984 As a young girl, Roberta Oluwaseun Roberts, B.S. Public Relations 2012, loved writing and speaking. She started writing a book, then put that on hold — but fully plans to return to it one day. She had more pressing matters ahead of her. As…

Ron Sachs, B.S. Journalism 1972, as the editor of the Alligator from 1971-72, was charged with a felony for publishing a list of abortion clinics and counseling services, in violation of an 1868 Florida abortion law.  His court case led to a ruling that the 1868 law, and Florida’s companion…

Jacqueline Olive, M.A.M.C. 2007, has won the 2019 Sundance Film Festival U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Moral Urgency for her film “Always in Season.” The documentary centers on the case of Lennon Lacy, an African American teen who was found hanging from a swing set in Bladenboro, North Carolina,…

Erin Andrews, B.S. Telecommunication 2000 and 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, is the author of “I’m a Cervical Cancer Survivor. I Don’t Want Other Women to Become a Statistic” published in The Lily on Jan. 30. Andrews reflects on a life-changing phone call she received from her obstetrician-gynecologist about her…

Cynthia Barnett, University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and Bob Graham Center for Public Service Environmental Journalist-in-Residence is the author of “The Environmental Issue Republicans Can’t Ignore” published in The Atlantic  on Jan. 30. Barnett writes on the rising concern about climate change, the effects of pollution and…

Cynthia Barnett Is the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications and Bob Graham Center for Public Service Environmental Journalist-in-Residence. The National Book Award nominee’s writing wraps environmental insight in appealing packages from rain showers to seashells, while her teaching spans civics and storytelling. What will you explore in…

By Alexa Asendorf, B.S. Public Relations 2013 Most collegiate paths are circuitous: The average college student changes their major at least three times over the course of their higher education journey. Not Adrienne Chance, B.S. Public Relations 2007. In high school, Chance (née Browne) decided she would pursue a career…

Jamie Dupree, B.S. Broadcasting 1985, received the Career Achievement Award for Distinguished Reporting on Congress from the Radio Television Correspondent’s Association (RTCA) at their 74th annual dinner on Nov. 14. Dupree is the senior Washington correspondent for  Cox Media Group’s Washington Bureau. Dupree’s 32-year career was derailed during the middle…

Darrell Clayton Hammond used to perform impressions at home because it made his mother happy. He’d perform for students at a bar in Gainesville, often making them laugh. But the biggest gig of his life was a 14-year stint as a regular cast member on “Saturday Night Live,” where he…