New Marketing & Communications Director joins LaGrange College

Posted on Friday, March 06, 2026

Lauren Clark has been named the Director of Marketing & Communications at LaGrange College, effective March 9. An established leader in brand messaging, she comes into this new role with 18 years of experience helping mission-driven organizations tell their story.

“I am honored to join the LaGrange College family,” Clark said. “From my first conversations, I felt the genuine sense of purpose and connection that makes LaGrange so special.

“Its commitment to academic excellence, character development and student-centered growth deeply reflect my own values. I look forward to helping tell the stories that define this historical institution and to contribute in preparing students to thrive and lead in an ever-changing world.”

After holding a series of marketing roles for global and national companies in New York and Atlanta, Clark served from 2016-2018 as the director of marketing and communications for Hills and Dales Estate in LaGrange, Georgia. There, she developed and executed a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy resulting in a 30% increase in membership and 20% growth in site visitation.

In 2021, Clark became the founder of lc, creative, which provided strategic marketing and communications consulting to nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations. Most recently, she worked for Atomic Brand Energy in downtown LaGrange, where she led brand strategy integrated communications and account teams.

“Lauren has the combination of experience, enthusiasm and energy to oversee marketing and communications at the college,” said Scott Rivinius, Vice President for Advancement. “As a LaGrange resident for more than a decade, she understands the college's role in the community.

“During her time at Atomic Brand Energy, she worked on social media projects for the Downtown LaGrange Development Authority, a close partner organization as we bring the college and community together, through new initiatives like the student-led LaGrange Bridge Advisory Council.”

Clark earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing from Auburn University. She and her husband, Dustin, have lived in LaGrange for 15 years, and they have two children, Emma and Henry.

 

Campus Notes

• Senior Kirstin Vaughn recently rang the Chapel Bell in celebration of being accepted to graduate school. She will pursue a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications at the University of Mississippi: Ole Miss. Graduating seniors who are celebrating their first full-time, post-graduation job offer or admission to one or more graduate schools can participate in this time-honored tradition. Before ringing the Chapel Bell, seniors are asked to complete an online form. They are encouraged to invite classmates, faculty or staff members to celebrate their accomplishments.
• Spring Break will begin on Monday, March 9. Classes will resume on Monday, March 16.
• Nominations are being taken for alumni awards to be presented during Homecoming 2026, Oct. 23-25. Deadline for submissions is March 20. The Shackelford Distinguished Achievement Alumni Award is given to alumni who have distinguished themselves professionally and brought honor to the college. The award is named for Walter Malcolm Shackelford, a former professor of education (1958-1972) and academic dean of the college (1972-1982). The Outstanding Young Alumni Award goes to someone who graduated from LaGrange College within the past 10 years and who has been distinguished in his or her career and community and has brought honor to the college. For more information or to make a recommendation, contact Martha Pirkle, Director of Alumni and Community Relations, at mpirkle@lagrange.edu or 706-880-8245.

 

Sports

Women's Basketball

LC continues to enjoy its best season in school history after winning the Collegiate Conference of the South (CCS) Championship this past weekend to clinch a spot in the NCAA Championship Tournament. On Monday, the team learned that they will be travelling to Carroll University in Waukesha, Wisconsin for their first-round matchup against the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (La Crosse, Wisconsin) on Friday, March 6 (today), at 6:15 p.m.

Men’s Basketball

The Panthers’ postseason ended in a loss against second-seeded Belhaven University (Jackson, Mississippi) in the CCS Tournament final on Saturday, Feb. 28, in Maryville, Tennessee. Senior Micah McAllister led LC with 23 points, in addition to eight rebounds and a pair of steals. Senior Devin Dowell enjoyed an 18-point performance, going 3-4 from behind the arc. We congratulate the team and senior players on all they accomplished this season.

Baseball

The Panthers went 3-0 last weekend in a sweep at N.C. Wesleyan University (Rocky Mount, North Carolina). The highlight for the Panthers was certainly senior pitcher Trystin Merson throwing 17 strikeouts to set a school record, tying for the most K’s by a pitcher this season in all of Division III. The team travels to Oglethorpe University (Atlanta, Georgia) on Friday, March 6, for a 3 p.m. game, then they turn around and play host to the Petrels in a 2 p.m. doubleheader.

Merson recently made the D3baseball.com Team of the Week. 

Softball

LC will compete in the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic March 6-8 in Columbus, Georgia, where the Panthers will play six games in three days against teams from all over the nation. Senior Claire Chamberlain is leading the team with a .367 batting average and 11 hits.

Lacrosse

The Panthers will travel to Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, March 7, to compete in a noon game against Oglethorpe University.

Men’s & Women’s Tennis

Hot off its wins against Coastal Alabama Community College – North (Monroeville, Alabama) on Sunday, March 1, LC plays host to a pair of CCS opponents this weekend, facing Asbury University (Wilmore, Kentucky) on Saturday, March 7, and Maryville College (Maryville, Tennessee) on Sunday, March 8.

Men’s Golf

The Panthers earned a top 10 finish at the Port City Classic March 2-3 in Savannah, Georgia. Senior Eli Rogers led the Panthers with a +7 over three rounds, with scores of +6, +2 and -1, tying for 10th place on the leaderboard.

Track & Field

The Panthers open their inaugural outdoor season when they travel to the Savannah State (Savannah, Georgia) Eyeopener on Saturday, March 7, for an 11 a.m. meet.

Beach Volleyball

LC will participate in the Berry College (Rome, Georgia) Tournament on Saturday, March 7. The Panthers will compete against Richard Bland College (Petersburg, Virginia), Tennessee Tech University (Cookeville, Tennessee) and the host Vikings of Berry.

Flag Football

The Panthers will travel on Saturday, March 7, to Milligan University (Elizabethton, Tennessee), where they will play the host Buffs and the Lions of Emmanuel University (Franklin Springs, Georgia).

 

Panther Calendar

(Please note that schedules may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Please check www.lagrangepanthers.com to confirm.)

Friday, March 6 – Softball vs. University of Mount Union (Alliance, Ohio) @NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, 10 a.m., Columbus, Georgia

Friday, March 6 – Softball vs. Pfeiffer University (Misenheimer, North Carolina) @NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, 12:30 p.m., Columbus, Georgia

Friday, March 6 – Women’s Basketball (NCAA Tournament-First Round) vs. University of Wisconsin-La Crosse (La Crosse, Wisconsin) @Carroll University (Waukesha, Wisconsin), 6:15 p.m., Waukesha, Wisconsin

Saturday, March 7 – Track at Savannah State Eyeopener, Savannah, Georgia

Saturday, March 7 – Women’s Flag Football at Milligan University, TBD, Elizabethton, Tennessee

Saturday, March 7 – Women’s Flag Football vs. Emmanuel University (Franklin Springs, Georgia) @Milligan University, TBD, Elizabethton, Tennessee

Saturday, March 7 – Beach Volleyball vs. Richard Bland College (Petersburg, Virginia) @Berry College, 11 a.m., Mount Berry, Georgia

Saturday, March 7 – Beach Volleyball vs. Tennessee Tech University (Cookeville, Tennessee) @Berry College, 1 p.m., Mount Berry, Georgia

Saturday, March 7 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Asbury University (Wilmore, Kentucky), 11 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Saturday, March 7 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Asbury University, 11 a.m., Greer Tennis Courts

Saturday, March 7 – Lacrosse at Oglethorpe University, noon, Atlanta, Georgia

Saturday, March 7 – Baseball (Home) vs. Oglethorpe University, 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., Cleaveland Field in Williamson Stadium

Saturday, March 7 – Beach Volleyball at Berry College, 3 p.m., Mount Berry, Georgia

Saturday, March 7 – Softball vs. SUNY Cortland (Cortland, New York) @NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, 3 p.m., Columbus, Georgia

Saturday, March 7 – Softball vs. Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland, Washington) @NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, 5:30 p.m., Columbus, Georgia

Sunday, March 8 – Men’s Tennis (Home) vs. Maryville College (Maryville, Tennessee), noon, Greer Tennis Courts

Sunday, March 8 – Women’s Tennis (Home) vs. Maryville College, noon, Greer Tennis Courts

Sunday, March 8 – Baseball at Oglethorpe, 1 p.m., Atlanta, Georgia

Sunday, March 8 – Softball vs. Stevens Institute of Technology (Hoboken, New Jersey) @NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, 1:30 p.m., Columbus, Georgia

Sunday, March 8 – Softball vs. DePauw University (Greencastle, Indiana) @NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, 3:30 p.m., Columbus, Georgia

Monday, March 9 – Women’s Golf at South Georgia Invitational, Savannah, Georgia

Tuesday, March 10 – Women’s Golf at South Georgia Invitational, Savannah, Georgia

Tuesday, March 10 – Softball (Home) vs. Spalding University (Louisville, Kentucky), noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex

Tuesday, March 10 – Baseball at Berry College, 6 p.m., Mount Berry, Georgia

Wednesday, March 11 – Lacrosse at Piedmont University, 6 p.m., Demorest, Georgia

Thursday, March 12 – Softball (Home) vs. Gettysburg College (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania), noon and 2 p.m., LC Softball Complex

 

In the Headlines

9 Troup County inmates graduate from collaborative program with LaGrange College, WRBL, March 5

LaGrange College, jail celebrate first Inside-Out cohort, LaGrange Daily News, March 5

LaGrange College women's basketball team wins first conference tournament, LaGrange Daily News, Feb. 28

Category: College, Community

Keywords: Communications, Advancement