One of Hollywood’s major studio heads will visit Grambling State University next week.
Ron Meyer, president and chief operating officer of Universal Studios, will talk with students on March 21 about the media industry.
“It’s rare that a major Hollywood studio executive visits any HBCU campus to talk with students, so we’re thrilled that Ron Meyer has chosen to visit Grambling State University,” said Frank G. Pogue, the university’s president. “In the short amount of time our students will have with him, we know they will get information and gain knowledge that they can’t get anywhere else.”
Meyer and his teams have produced and distributed blockbuster and award-winning movies including the, The Fast Five series, Anna Karenina, Les Miserables, Despicable Me, Identity Thief and Ted. In addition, Meyer is responsible for Universal Studios Hollywood and Universal Orlando Theme Parks, as well as Universal Studio locations in Singapore and Japan.
Meyer’s former colleague at NBCUniversal, Paula Madison, former NBCUniversal executive vice president who with Meyer discussed this fantastic opportunity to meet with Grambling’s students. Madison’s family owns the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks and is a major investor in The African Channel, a cable network in the top 20 U.S. markets and the Caribbean.
The visit includes a student question-and-answer session with Meyer at 11:30 a.m. The program will be divided into two segments: Madison interviewing Meyer, then Madison moderating questions from students.
“After visiting the campus for the first time last year, I knew I would return and I knew who I wanted to have along for the trip,” said Madison, who is the Sparks’ chief executive officer. “There was no question that I wanted Grambling students to hear and see Ron. I know they will enjoy him, be challenged by him and learn a great deal about the film industry.”
Madison, an active member of the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ), visited the mass communication department last year as a part of a Reynolds National Center for Business Journalism visiting professional program.
Because space will be limited, the university’s Office of Public Relations and Communications asks that interested students email mediarelations@gram.edu including “#UniversalStudios” in the subject line and providing (a) their name, (b) classification (sophomore, senior, etc.), (c) home town, (d) major as well as (e) an email address and (e) telephone number. Email requests without “#UniversalStudios” in the subject line may not be honored. Location specifics will be shared with the first students to submit their information, until capacity is reached.
No audio or video recording will be allowed, and no external media will be permitted.