Rusty and Jan Lovell of Gainesville announce the engagement of their daughter Shelly Elaine Lovell to James Elder Pound, son of Jim and Brinkley Pound of Columbus.

The bride-elect is the granddaughter of V.C. and JoAnn Lovell of Gainesville and John and Barbara Kidd of Gainesville.

She is a 2003 graduate of Gainesville High School in Gainesville. She graduated in 2007 from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro with a bachelor's degree in biology and chemistry. She is employed as a dental assistant with Bennett Family Dentistry in Gainesville. She is a member of Alph Delta Pi sorority.

The groom-elect is the grandson of Murphy Pound of Columbus and the late Barbara Pound and Nell Burks of Mobile, Ala., and the late Williams Burks.

He is a 2003 graduate of Columbus High School in Columbus. He graduated in 2007 from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro with a bachelor's degree in construction management. He is employed as an assistant project manager with Brasfield and Gorrie in Greenville, S.C. He is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity.

The couple plan to wed April 18, 2009, at Smigthgall Arts Center in Gainesville.