Grads Are Back Homecoming gathering includes panels on AI, civil discourse, design ethics, and crisis communication, along with milestones for student media.
| By Damali Hill & Kanya Stewart |
The Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) is marking its 20th anniversary in its building with new exterior signage and a weeklong series of events that celebrate connection, legacy and innovation.
The new signage represents more than a visual update; it reflects SJGC’s distinctiveness and commitment to developing future journalists, communicators and creators who lead with truth, creativity and service.
The milestone also honors the visionaries who established SJGC’s foundation, including then-English professor Thelma Thurston Gorham, former FAMU President Walter Smith, and Founding Dean Robert Ruggles, as well as the generations of faculty, staff, alumni, and partners who have advanced the school’s national reputation since its founding in 1982. Previously, the school was housed in the University’s historic Tucker Hall before moving into its current state-of-the-art location on Orr Drive.
“As we mark the 20th anniversary of our move into the current School of Journalism & Graphic Communication building, I am filled with pride for the journey we’ve shared. This long-awaited addition is more than symbolic. It is an affirmation of our identity and our purpose,” said SJGC Dean Mira Lowe, when announcing the signage unveiling. “This milestone is a celebration of the legacy, brilliance, and community that define SJGC.”
Homecoming Week Highlights
Throughout Homecoming Week, SJGC will host its annual Grads Are Back event. It will not only include celebrations of the school’s impact but also discussions that explore timely topics and trends shaping today’s media and communication landscape.
“Our panels, workshops, and seminars will reflect our core values of collaboration, creativity, and innovation, while addressing topics such as civil discourse in a divided nation, AI in public relations, ethical design, building community trust through storytelling, and crisis response,” said Lowe. “In a time when newsrooms are shrinking and news deserts are growing, we’re also proud to host a fireside chat with Dontaira Terrell (Public Relations, 2008), a journalist, editor, and media entrepreneur who, alongside her sister, acquired The Buckeye Review, one of the nation’s longest-running Black-owned newspapers.”
Featured 2025 edition events happening through Oct. 17 include:
- Grads Are Back: A Fireside Chat With Dean Mira Lowe
Wednesday, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Powered by the Garth C. Reeves Eminent Scholar Chair, this conversation features SJGC alumna Dontaira Terrell (Public Relations, ‘08), a journalist, editor and media entrepreneur who, along with her sister, acquired The Buckeye Review, one of the nation’s longest-running Black-owned newspapers.
- SJGC Homecoming Career Fair
Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Students will have the opportunity to connect with more than 20 employers and community partners representing local, regional and national organizations. - Colloquium: Beyond the Echo Chamber — Civil Discourse in Action
Thursday, 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
A conversation with news leaders about the importance of engaging in civil discourse, with tools to navigate tough conversations and respectfully debate differing viewpoints. The signage unveiling will take place immediately after the Colloquium. - Leading the Message — Public Service, Crisis and Community Trust
Thursday, 2 to 3:15 p.m.
An interactive panel featuring local public information officers and regional government representatives discussing how professionals manage crisis response and communicate when public trust is on the line. - Design Frontiers: The Future of UX | Hybrid Session With Googlers
Thursday, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
A discussion on design ethics and innovation in a rapidly changing digital environment, including the responsibilities of those shaping next-generation user experiences. - AI in PR: Why We’re Not Afraid of It
Thursday, 3:30 to 4:45 p.m.
A panel discussion exploring how artificial intelligence is reshaping public relations, with insights on how the technology can enhance — not replace — human creativity and strategy.
Honoring Student Media Milestones
In addition to these events, SJGC is celebrating two significant achievements in student media, and a special event will be held to pay tribute to their collective impact on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- The FAMUAN, the voice of FAMU students since 1919, is returning to print after more than five years as a digital-only publication.
- WANM-FM 90.5, the No. 1 HBCU radio station, is preparing to commemorate 50 years of award-winning programming that has amplified student voices throughout Tallahassee and beyond.
For the full schedule of events and additional details, visit GradsAreBack.com.
