Archive for category: Alumni Spotlight

If you watch HBO’s popular series “True Detective,” odds are you’ve heard Lera Lynn Buettner’s (AB ’08) songs. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter has had four songs featured on the show’s soundtrack. The UGA Alumni Association recently sat down with Lera to learn more about her musical career and time spent studying anthropology at UGA.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up and what led you to UGA? 

I was born in Texas, but my parents left soon after and slowly made their way to Georgia, stopping in Louisiana for about five years first. We moved around a good bit in Georgia, and I finished high school in Woodstock. It was around that time I visited Athens for the first time, to hang out with friends and see live music. I fell in love with the town’s energy and lively music scene. That’s ultimately what led me to UGA. My family stressed the importance of college, though I had my sights dead-set on music. UGA and Athens were my ticket to satisfying both.

As a student, were you involved in any activities or student groups on campus? Did you have a favorite professor or any fond memories from your time in Athens?

I worked my way through college, waiting tables, bartending and saving up as much as I could between semesters so that I could work fewer hours and still survive when school was in session. That said, I didn’t have a lot of extra time for student groups. What time I did have was always devoted to music. Attending UGA still endures as some of my most fond memories. What a luxury it is to go to college and just learn all day! My senior year was definitely my best, as the courses were digging deeper into the things that truly interested me. I loved study groups that were assembled by classmates. I loved sitting in the group and discussing the subject matter in-depth outside of the classroom. It’s easy to take that for granted when you’re so young, but those are some of the most important conversations you can have; just digging in and bouncing ideas off of other people who are dedicating so much energy to the same things as you.

One of my favorite memories was a beautiful and moving lecture by Dr. Peter Brosius. He was recounting time spent researching in the field and the relationships he’d developed there; the focus being love at the center of everything in life. His lecture brought the whole class (100+ students) to tears. I think he was in tears, too. I will never forget the passion he has for what he does. It reminds me to do what I do for the right reasons.

Since graduating, you’ve moved to Nashville. How did you establish yourself as a musician in there?

I’ve yet to establish myself anywhere, really, because I’m trying to establish myself everywhere all the time. As an artist, you’re often trying to establish yourself on a national level. There’s a difference between a studio musician in Nashville and an “artist.”

You’ve had several songs featured on the soundtrack for HBO’s True Detective. Tell me how that project came about and what doors it has opened for you.

I’ve had four songs featured in the series so far. I was lucky to have my manager set up a meeting with legendary producer, T Bone Burnett, after he expressed an interest in using the title track from an EP I released last year called “Lying in the Sun.” We got along well. Burnett asked if I wanted to collaborate on music for the show and the rest is history. I got to appear in the show several times and I’ve learned a lot about the business side of music and show business. The show has exposed my music to many new eager ears – that’s been the best part of the whole thing.

Do you have any other big projects in the pipeline? Where do you envision your career in five years?

I’m currently writing and recording my next LP. I’m really enjoying the process. I feel like there are so many more possibilities to explore. I hope that in the next five years I can buy a sensible new car. That would be success!

Learn more about Lera Lynn.

Book-seller by day at Athens’ Avid Bookshop and published author by night, former English major Will Walton (AB ’13) released his debut novel, Anything Could Happen, earlier this week. The book is being published by PUSH, an imprint of Scholastic. Jamie Lewis (AB ’12, AB ’12), assistant director of communications, recently sat down with Will to discuss the path to becoming a writer and his experiences at UGA.

Tell me a little bit about yourself. Did you always want to attend UGA? When did you decide to be a writer?

Both of my parents are Georgia Tech grads and initially, I always thought I’d follow in their footsteps. Lucky for me, I decided I wanted to be a writer in the eighth grade and chose to attend UGA.

What was your book writing process? Did any experiences at UGA (inside or outside the classroom) help prepare you for the experience?

I wrote a lot in the Jittery Joe’s downtown on my breaks between classes. I also took workshops with poet Sabrina Orah Mark (PHD ’08) and author and UGA professor Reginald McKnight. Reg and Sabrina helped me tremendously. I could not have made the book what it is without their early advice and encouragements. For that reason, they are the first two people to be named in my acknowledgments.

What were some of your most memorable experiences at UGA? Did you have a favorite class or professor?

I’ll never forget how excited I was to get into UGA’s Stillpoint Literary Magazine my freshman year, for a poem I wrote called “Bird’s Grandmother Discovers a Dead Calf.” (Ha!) I wrote it while sitting in the first floor laundry room of Creswell. As far as professors go, Reg McKnight is my hero. I loved basically every English class I took. Richard Menke, Chris Pizzino, and Douglas Anderson are amazing instructors.

What advice would you give to someone who wants to write a book?

I think the best advice is simply, “just write it.” I know that sounds a little annoying, but it’s sort of how you trick yourself. First you tell yourself, “just write it,” then, heroically, you do. Most likely, the result is terrible. But you just keep tricking yourself by saying, “just write it,” draft after draft, and eventually the result is okay!

Will and Jamie at his book launch party at Avid Bookshop

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Libba Bray, Anne Carson, Amber Dermont, Miranda July, David Levithan, Sabrina Orah Mark, Reginald McKnight, Annie Proulx, Jane Smiley, Andrew Smith, and Laurel Snyder.

Many grads only return to Athens once every few years. Where are 3 places you think someone should check out when they return to Athens? 

AVID BOOKSHOP (in all caps because it is my favorite place), Senor Sol on Oglethorpe Avenue for Micheladas and empanadas and Vision Video for the five-for-$5 movie rental deal.

The UGA Alumni Associations wishes Will the best of luck in all his future endeavors!

The Georgia Trail Summit is excited to announce the schedule for its second annual event, which will take place in Athens, Georgia, June 4-6 at The Graduate. Continue reading to learn more about Georgia Trail Summit’s founder, Double Dawg Tracie Sanchez (AB ’88, MPA ’11), and the inspiration behind this organization. 

I’ve been riding bikes, hiking mountains and paddling rivers all my life. Being on a trail makes for wonderful escapes, new adventures and challenges, new friends, staying healthy and connecting with nature. And great photo memories.

Earning my Masters of Public Administration at UGA late in life allowed me to focus on which public policy I wanted to champion. Being part of the effort to build a world-class network of connected trails in every corner of Georgia is a cause I believe in deeply.

The first thing I did as an undergrad in 1985 was sell my car and become a bicycle commuter to campus. I still had that bike 24 years later when I returned to UGA for my masters’ in public administration. I caught trail fever in Athens biking the greenway, helping the Firefly Trail incorporate as a non-profit, and collaborating on a graduate project in Hartwell that led to inventorying regional greenspaces with UGA landscape architecture students.

Clearly, alternative transportation solutions involving active living are my passion. Eight years at UGA as a program coordinator for the Leonard Leadership Scholars and one-on-one chats with mentor Earl Leonard taught me a thing or two about leading an effort. So with a background in graphic design, leadership development, a public policy degree, and spare time during the job search, I reached out to all the trail hounds I knew in Georgia, and began to build a network.

Research in 2011 revealed there are 82 trail and greenway projects proposed or underway in Georgia. I was familiar with many of them from my own explorations and serving as a mobility manager for a regional commission. I learned of others while attending Smart Growth conferences, Transportation Camp, the Georgia Bike Summit and transit and mobility workshops. But something was missing. No one knew about anyone else’s project; no one seemed to be sharing lessons learned. Why wasn’t there an easy opportunity to convene Georgia’s entire community of trail experts in one place?

The Department of Natural Resources admitted they didn’t have staff capacity to update a 15-year-old comprehensive trail plan. With so much to learn from each other, I felt compelled to connect the dots…and the people.

The solution came when attending the National Bike Summit in DC. While visiting Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s development director, Kelly Pack, she inspired me with great advice, “Round everyone up and hold a Georgia Trail Summit.”  I pitched the idea that spring and have been recruiting and collaborating with trail, greenway and blueway partners ever since. The time was right and I visualized myself as the champion for the effort. UGA taught me how and now I’m on a roll.

Today, I lead a dedicated team of volunteer trailblazers planning the second annual Georgia Trail Summit. So far, we’ve raised $20,000 with 35 sponsors, including UGA College of Public Health, UGA Office of Sustainability, UGA Warnell School of Forestry, Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department, Athens-Clarke County Mayor’s Office and Athens Convention & Visitors Bureau. More importantly, we’re connecting people.

The Georgia Trail Summit has seen a drastic increase in presenters since its creation. You all know Athens is an ideal, walkable city with hotels right on the Greenway and other nearby trails for biking, hiking and paddling, which will be featured during 10 mobile workshops.

I remain committed to my vision for Georgia’s trail movement to grow into an established and influential organization helping non-profits, governments and communities focus on connectivity, conservation and comprehensive planning.

UGA alumni are personally invited to attend this timely conversation on the future of Georgia’s trails June 4, 5 and 6 in Athens at the Graduate Hotel. For a closer look, stroll on over to georgiatrailsummit.com.