J-School grad named distinguished alum

James Grady

The University of Montana will recognize three of its graduates as distinguished alumni during Homecoming 2005, and a School of Journalism alum is one of them.

James Grady, who received a B.A. in journalism in 1972, will receive a Distinguished Alumni Award during a 6 p.m. “Singing on the Steps” celebration in the University Center Ballroom on Friday, Sept. 30. Homecoming festivities, including the homecoming parade and the football game against Weber State, are scheduled for the next day, Oct. 1.

Grady's career includes both politics and writing. In 1972, he was a staff aide for the Montana Constitutional Convention, where he was a researcher and consultant. After the convention, he published his first novel, “Six Days of the Condor,” which was later made into the movie “Three Days of the Condor.”  Although he is best known for that book and movie, Grady has 12 other books and numerous short stories published in the United States, and several of those works have been translated and widely read in Europe.  He’s also written feature movie scripts, episodes for a dramatic series, and original screen plays.

In addition to his work at the convention and as a writer, Grady worked as an aide to Montana Sen. Lee Metcalf and as an investigative reporter for the nationally-syndicated columnist Jack Anderson. 

Grady, a native of Shelby, lives in Silver Spring, Md., with his wife Bonnie Goldstein.  They have two children, Rachel and Nathan.

-Anne E. Pettinger

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