University of Georgia Graduate and Former Journalist Changes Career to Public Relations

            University of Georgia alumna Merritt Melancon began a job in public relations two years ago at the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, ending her 10-year career as a journalist.

Melancon speaks to UGA students Monday.

            “I was getting too old to be at work until 10 p.m.,” Melancon said, explaining her choice to make the switch from journalism to public relations. The 33-year-old former magazine journalism student is married and expecting a baby this summer.

            She left her post at the Athens-Banner Herald in 2012, and immediately started work at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences as a public relations coordinator.

            Melancon does not intend to return to journalism, saying that she enjoys the direct relationships with the public that her new job offers.

            “I like being able to share that excitement with people,” the self-described science dork said while speaking to journalism and public relations students at UGA Monday morning.

Former Oconee County Commissioner Contemplating Another Run for Local Office

            Chuck Horton, former member of the Oconee County Board of Commissioners and University of Georgia police chief, stated that he would focus on local government if he were to run for office again.

            “I’m more suited for local issues,” Chuck said while visiting a UGA journalism class Monday morning.

            As a former Oconee County Board of Education member, he said he understands the need for good schools, as well as the less glamorous parts of the job such as the placement and maintenance of sewer lines.

            When asked about a possible role in state government, Chuck expressed his disappointment in the current Georgia legislators and communicated his desire to stay away from Atlanta. “I would probably get in trouble,” he laughed.

            Horton was elected to serve as a member of the Board of Commissioners in 2005, and was re-elected to Post 4 in 2009. Melvin Davis, the incumbent chairman of the Board of Commissioners, defeated Horton in the 2012 election.

State Government Expert Anticipates Overreaction to Snow in Atlanta

            Harry Hayes from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government said that state and local government in the Atlanta area will overreact and be forced to coordinate in future winter weather emergencies.

            Speaking to journalism and public relations students at the University of Georgia, Hayes answered questions concerning the January shutdown of Atlanta in 2 inches of snow and its effect on the possible winter storm this week.

Hayes speaks to students at UGA.

            “Nobody wants to be blamed,” he said, stating that the Department of Transportation and local government need to work together to prevent and react to crises such as the interstate congestion that left Hayes’s stepson and many others stranded in their cars for up to 20 hours.

            He predicted that organizations in the Atlanta area would close and over prepare if snow is forecasted in the next few days to avoid another emergency situation.

University of Georgia Students Enjoy the Super Bowl Together

            The Seattle Seahawks overpowered the Denver Broncos to win Super Bowl XLVIII last night, and students at the University of Georgia were watching. Motivated by her love of football, sophomore public relations student Sarah Spencer attended a party at a friend’s apartment and cheered the Seahawks to victory.

Sarah Spencer, left, enjoys the game with friends.

            Spencer watched the Super Bowl from start to finish, enjoying the commercials and the halftime show as well as the game. She completed her homework in the Tate Student Center this morning, allowing herself to spend Sunday night socializing. “I’m a lifetime football fan, and my Dad’s a huge Seahawks fan so I definitely watched the whole game,” she said as she flipped through a textbook, “Bruno Mars is really talented, so it was nice to see him at halftime.”

            Each of her friends brought food and drinks to the party, and they took pictures of the event and shared them on social media. When asked about her favorite commercial, Spencer didn’t hesitate to respond. “Definitely the Budweiser puppy,” she nodded, “Like everyone else.”