University of North Georgia

The University of North Georgia (UNG) swept top honors from U.S. Army Cadet Command this fall, boasting both the No. 1 overall ROTC cadet out of 5,538 nationally and the No. 1 National Guard commissioning cadet out of 1,491. Benjamin Smith is the top overall graduating Army ROTC cadet for the 2025-26 academic year, and Kyle Sanders achieved the No. 1 Army National Guard ranking and No. 11 overall.

This summer, 105 University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets graduated from Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Nine won PT awards, and UNG cadets also earned six leadership awards.

More than 20 University of North Georgia (UNG) students took part in research that was presented at the inaugural Research in Artificial Intelligence Testing & Evaluation (RAITE) Symposium, which was held Sept. 22 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. While not all were part of the presentations that day, many of them gained conference experience alongside students from fellow senior military colleges (SMC) The Citadel, Norwich University, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech. Multiple faculty members from UNG and the other SMCs also presented at the RAITE Symposium.

Two recent University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnae and a student joined Dr. Cathy Whiting, professor of biology, in delivering a recent workshop for Northeast Georgia Medical Center's (NGMC) Graduate Medical Education (GME) resident physicians. This is Whiting's fifth time leading a concept mapping workshop for NGMC GME residents, and she brings along students each time. In fact, this was alumna Josie Ayers' third time assisting the effort.

A team of University of North Georgia (UNG) students, faculty and staff won the college division of the Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, held Sept. 6 at Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Gainesville, Georgia. UNG has won the collegiate division all 12 years it has competed. UNG tallied a time of 1:04.17 to beat out second-place Clemson University and third-place Agnes Scott College.

As part of an award from a Halle Foundation grant, four University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of Music students gave individual performances at the Halle Foundation estate in Atlanta after participating in the Saarburg International Music Festival in Germany for two weeks in summer 2025. Tyler Howell, Atira Murawski, Hayden Starr, and Greisi Voja spent the two weeks overseas with lessons, sightseeing and performances.

Twenty-two University of North Georgia (UNG) students took part in the Oct. 3-5 Gainesville Theatre Alliance (GTA) production of 'Junie B. Jones is Not a Crook' at Pearce Auditorium on Brenau University's campus in Gainesville, Georgia. GTA is an inter-collegiate theatre collaboration between UNG and Brenau. Formed in 1979, GTA focuses on producing high-quality, university theatrical productions and provides students access to learning opportunities between both universities.

Students and a recent alumna from the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis (IESA) earned more than half of the Surveying and Mapping Society Education of Georgia Foundation (SAMSEF) scholarships awarded for 2025-26 in Georgia.

Olivia Tinsley transferred to the University of North Georgia (UNG). Her major changed a few times, but she remained steadfast with her art history minor. "I loved my art history minor so much, and it completely changed my career plans. UNG doesn't offer an art history major, so I chose digital marketing because I knew it would be applicable to anything and I do enjoy it," Tinsley said.

A University of North Georgia (UNG) graduate student recently had a scholarly article published in the "Journal of Educational Impact." Dalson Gunter's article, "Integrating Marginalized Voices into History Education," appeared in the Sept. 3 issue of the journal. Gunter is pursuing a Master of Education in curriculum and instruction. The Dawsonville, Georgia, resident earned a bachelor's degree in history with teacher certification in May.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) students studied in London this summer through the University System of Georgia (USG) Goes Global program. USG Goes Global partners with USG institutions to provide quality, affordable and impactful faculty-led study abroad programs for undergraduate students. Charlotte Carswell, Mallan Gill and T.J. Hageli were grateful for the opportunities the program presented them.

Five University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets completed Army ROTC Basic Camp this summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Madison Shook, a senior, pursuing a degree in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in health science, social science and military science, attended Basic Camp to catch up on training because she is a transfer student. While there, Shook won the Military Order of World Wars Award of Merit.

A pair of University of North Georgia (UNG) seniors took part in the Meridian-Cox Foreign Service Fellowship for Emerging Leaders this summer. Ryan Gentry and Claudia Marban were among the 20 students selected for the fully-funded enrichment and training program designed to increase awareness of Foreign Service careers among students nationwide.

Thirty University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets have earned Distinguished Military Student (DMS) status for the 2025-26 academic year, an increase of 12 DMS honorees from the previous year and the most among senior and junior military colleges nationally. The cadets were formally recognized at the DMS dinner and review the weekend of Sept. 19-21.

UNG alumna Isabella Martino, named Best in Show winner for the Juried Alum Exhibition, graduated in 2019. Her work, "Nonna Maria's Chair," evokes the way that objects can resonate with familial relationships.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Esports team finished second in the Local Area Network event at the National Esports Collegiate Conference (NECC) during the spring semester in San Antonio, Texas. That success followed UNG's Halo national title in fall 2024. Team members for the spring national runner-up group from UNG were Nicholas Flynn, Wyatt Gowan, Clayton Poore, Dalton Ragon, and Jay Turner.

Nine students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) participated in National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU), Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI) or similar programs this summer.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) provided 10 students with innovative experience this summer through a three-week "AI in manufacturing" Maymester course followed by eight-week internships at companies in surrounding counties.

From July 14-18, the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Cumming Campus hosted high school students from across Georgia and the U. S. for the fourth annual National Intelligence Summer Academy (NISA). Dr. Edward Mienie, executive director of the strategic and security studies bachelor's degree program and partnerships and professor of strategic and security studies, envisioned NISA along with the former Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies and created the NISA syllabus. The academy made an enormous impression on Madison Dewey, Cristin Gibson, Lydia O'Neill, and Hailey Thomas, who served as staff assistants this year providing students an exceptional experience and help networking with former members of the CIA, FBI and other agencies.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) welcomed 242 new cadets during Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week, held Aug. 3-9 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. FROG Week introduces freshmen to the Corps through physical challenges, as well as information sessions about the academic and military aspects they will experience in the next four years. Cadet leaders planned and executed FROG Week, as they do with all cadet events, under the supervision of the commandant staff.

Twelve University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets spent the summer abroad in U.S. ally nations experiencing culture and military structure. Cadet Emily Mendez, who once aspired to be a veterinarian, spent the semester at Colegio Militar de la Nacion in Argentina. Being fluent in Spanish and having a deep desire to travel, the Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident jumped at the chance. While in Argentina, she was granted permission to participate in field training with the Armor Branch. The decision was "life-changing" for Mendez, who left the U.S. believing she wanted to branch infantry.

Nine University of North Georgia (UNG) students painted a mural this summer at UNG's Gainesville Campus centered on the wording "Face the Strange." The mural is on a wall that connects to the side of the Arts and Technology building. It is a lyric from the David Bowie song "Changes" that UNG President Michael Shannon referenced in his August 2024 Reveille address outlining a bold vision for the future of UNG. A reception will be held at noon Aug. 26 at the mural site to celebrate the students' work.

In a ceremony held Aug. 15 by the University of North Georgia, 10 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

Grace McGill is taking full advantage of every opportunity at the University of North Georgia (UNG). The junior cadet and women's soccer player recently graduated from Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. But it was far more than just completing the course for McGill, a junior from Senoia, Georgia, who is pursuing a degree in cybersecurity. She was selected to lead the 40 cadets who took part in the event alongside 140 Army soldiers. Only six of the 80 people who graduated from the Air Assault School were women.

Students and faculty from the University of North Georgia (UNG) presented their research at the annual Southeastern Psychology Association (SEPA) conference in Atlanta in April. There was a total of 25 presentations given, with students presenting much of their own original research based on Honors theses, independent studies, research projects from class, Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement (FUSE) projects, and McNair Scholars projects. Some projects were funded by Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA) mini-grants, Dr. Kathryn Narciso, senior lecturer of psychological science and leadership minor coordinator, said. In total 28 students authored research, as did 12 faculty.

Nine University of North Georgia (UNG) students strengthened their linguistic skills and cultural awareness through a five-week study abroad program in Peru this summer. The experience was part of a partnership with the organization Peru Study Abroad and La Universidad Andina del Cusco.

For the summer 2025 semester, the University of North Georgia (UNG) awarded more than 400 degrees and certificates to graduates.

Seven cadets completed the U.S. Army Jungle Operations Training Course (JOTC) at Lightning Academy on Oahu, Hawaii May 12-23. Jason Cooper, Jake DeSimone, Ali Nabulsi, Jake Penny, Benjamin Smith, Thomas Williams, and Noah West completed the training. Cooper, Smith and Williams graduated with the JOTC tab. "Jungle School," as it's often referred to, is a two-week course that trains soldiers in skills necessary to operate and survive in the jungle, including land navigation, combat tracking, jungle tactics, survival training and dismounted mobility under the direction of the 25th Infantry Division. To earn the tab, cadets had to demonstrate proficiency in various skills with challenges of wet conditions, steep and challenging terrain, and mental and physical fatigue.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Michael P. Shannon recognized students who achieved a 4.0 GPA during the summer 2025 semester. Students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours in bachelor's degree programs who achieved a 4.0 grade point average were named to the President's Honor Roll. Students enrolled in associate degree or dual enrollment programs who met the same level of achievement were named to the President's List.

The deans of each of UNG's colleges announced the names of those students who made their respective lists for summer 2025. Dean's List recognition is achieved by having at least a 3.5 grade point average, carrying 12 or more credit hours in one semester and having no grade lower than B.