Faulkner University alumna Annie B. Jones was recognized by her alma mater for her accomplishments as an author, podcaster and independent bookstore owner. She was the Distinguished Alumna for the College of Arts and Sciences’ English, Humanities, Music and Great Books Honors Department during the 2026 Marketplace Faith Friday Forums.
Jones graduated from Faulkner University in December 2007 with a liberal arts degree and an emphasis in journalism. Today, she is the owner of The Bookshelf, an independent bookstore in downtown Thomasville, Georgia, where she has lived with her husband, Jordan, for more than a decade.
In addition to owning the bookstore, Jones is the host of From the Front Porch, a weekly podcast focused on books, small business and life in the South. Her work and podcast have been featured in national publications including Southern Living and Country Living. In April 2025, she released her first book, Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put.
Jones said one of the things she enjoys most about her work is creating community through literature and conversation.
“I love owning a ‘third place,’ building a community of readers in our small town and around the country,” Jones said. “And I love putting words on a page, crafting sentences and stories I hope might bring comfort and camaraderie.”
She credits Faulkner University with helping shape both her academic and professional journey.
“Faulkner truly gave me an education of the whole person,” she said. “The small environment provided me with the opportunity to craft the academic experience I wanted. I did independent studies and internships, and my liberal arts degree prepared me for a job that requires me to wear a lot of different hats.”
Jones also reflected on the lasting impact her professors had on her personal growth and career development.
“My Great Books professors showed me how to navigate the world thoughtfully and with curiosity,” she said. “I know how to ask good questions and how to sit patiently in silence because of them.”
She said her journalism professors also played an important role in shaping her professional skills.
“They taught me how to manage deadlines, juggle personalities, tell good stories and get stuff done,” Jones said. “I’m not sure who I’d be — in the workplace and beyond — without their influence.”