University of North Georgia

University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets and leaders traveled abroad this summer for a wide range of professional development opportunities and events. This included multiple visits to international military academy partners, as well as conferences and leadership courses.

Twyla Bryant, who completed post-baccalaureate work at UNG to be certified as a teacher, was selected by the Transatlantic Outreach Program of the Goethe-Institut to participate in a study tour to Germany, funded by The Halle Foundation.

A faculty member, a recent alumna, and a staff member from the University of North Georgia (UNG) attended the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) Conference from June 19-22 in Treviso, Italy. The conference theme was "Working Wicked Intelligence Challenges." Dr. Edward Mienie, professor and executive director of UNG's bachelor's degree in strategic and security studies, presented on a counterintelligence framework for cybersecurity education as part of a counterintelligence panel. Noelle Heineman, a former student of Mienie and a December 2021 UNG graduate with a degree in strategic and security studies with a concentration in intelligence, attended the conference to gain further exposure to the intelligence and intelligence education career fields. She started attending George Washington University this fall to pursue a master's degree in security policy studies.

University of North Georgia (UNG) alumna Leah Pennell, '22, has earned an $8,500 Phi Kappa Phi fellowship and will use it to fund research at Georgia Institute of Technology, where she is pursuing a doctoral degree in molecular and cellular biology. Pennell earned her bachelor's degree in biology from UNG in May. Pennell, who worked as an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Dr. Alexandra Garrett while at UNG, presented her work at the Georgia Undergraduate Research Conference (GURC) in fall 2021 and National Conference of Undergraduate Research (NCUR) in spring 2022 Her leadership roles as an undergraduate also included being a Supplemental Instruction facilitator and a mentor to other Nighthawks and co-manager of the lab of Dr. Abby Meyer. Meyer described Pennell as "a model student."

In ceremonies held Aug. 5 by the University of North Georgia, 22 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants. They are among the 123 officers UNG commissioned during the 2021-22 academic year.

University of North Georgia (UNG) students Melena Appling, Edleen Henriquez, and Susana Olivo Sandoval have earned grants from the Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE). Appling received a $6,000 Global Cities Grant, reducing her program fee to half, allowing her to participate in the Open Campus program in London and Rome during fall 2022. Appling is a junior from Buford, Georgia, pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in public relations. Henriquez and Olivo Sandoval each will receive $1,500 to use for study abroad in summer 2022, fall 2022 or spring 2023.

More than 100 University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets were presented with scholarships and awards at ceremonies held this spring.

Eight University of North Georgia's (UNG) cadets completed a 12-week aviation ground school during the spring 2022 semester. It provided a valuable experience for those who want to commission into the Army's aviation branch and prepared them for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot written knowledge test.

The Upward Bound program at the University of North Georgia (UNG) is helping three siblings attain the goal of a college education while also receiving major scholarship assistance. Siblings Jerson Lopez, Melissa Lopez and Mileidi Martinez-Garcia, of East Ellijay in Gilmer County, are each Dell Scholarship recipients, each earning funds of up to $20,000, for a total of $60,000 for the trio.

University of North Georgia (UNG) cadet Benjamin Yetman received one of two $1,000 college leadership scholarship awards presented by the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States (AMCSUS) this March. Yetman, a Kennesaw, Georgia resident, graduated with a degree in history and commissioned into the Army as a second lieutenant this month. He served as a cadet captain during his senior year.

University of North Georgia (UNG) freshman Autumn Sniffen participated in the Spring Language Flagship Hackathon held at the University of Maryland, College Park. Sniffen also attended the Flagship Hackathon event 2021 in Seattle.

In ceremonies held May 4-6 by the University of North Georgia, 77 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants. They are among the approximately 120 officers UNG expects to commission during the 2021-22 academic year.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Ranger Challenge program shows no signs of slowing down. UNG earned its fourth consecutive ROTC title and finished fourth overall out of 48 teams from around the world at the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held April 29-30 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

UNG cadet Isabelle Clark is taking part in the Army's Nurse Summer Training Program in 2022.

Thirty-one cadets began their time as University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets with Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week from Jan. 4-8. FROG Week marks the transition from civilian to military life within UNG's Corps of Cadets.

In ceremonies held Dec. 17 by the University of North Georgia, 25 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

UNG's Ranger Challenge team won eight of 13 events to earn its fourth consecutive Spartan Ranger Challenge victory.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is tied for the most Distinguished Military Graduates (DMG) among the nation's six senior military colleges for 2021-22, with 32 selected. Nine of those rank in the top 10% of their ROTC class nationally.

UNG established a scholarship for newly enrolled transfer students in fall 2021. These students were selected based on their exemplary academics and co-curricular involvement.

A record 34 University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets who earned Distinguished Military Student (DMS) status for the 2021-22 academic year were honored Sept. 25 at the DMS Banquet and Sept. 26 at the DMS Review.

UNG sent a cadet to Korea Military Academy for the first time through the schools' exchange agreement this fall.

A University of North Georgia (UNG) record 149 rising senior cadets completed the Army's Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, this summer. A year earlier, the camp was canceled due to COVID-19 and converted into the yearlong Operation Agile Leader. During the 38-day Advanced Camp, U.S. Army Cadet Command tested their military and leadership skills. This allowed Cadet Command to assess their proficiency as future officers. Camp is required for all cadets who seek a military officer commission.

More than 200 cadets began their time as University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets with Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week from Aug. 15-21. FROG Week marks the transition from civilian to military life within UNG's Corps of Cadets.

In ceremonies held Aug. 5-6 by the University of North Georgia, 18 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

Five University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets have been selected for the Army's competitive Nurse Summer Training Program (NSTP). The internship will provide Bachelor of Science in Nursing students Anna Chirillo, Megan Collins, Haydn Griffin, Esther Kim, and Brandon Ware with a four-week experience unlike their other clinical rotations. Each will be stationed at a different location in the United States between their junior and senior years.

More than 70 University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets were presented with scholarships and awards at ceremonies held this spring.

In ceremonies held May 5-7 by the University of North Georgia, 50 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants. These in-person ceremonies required masks to align with COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Cadets from the University of North Georgia (UNG) generally spend the summer between their junior and senior years experiencing the grueling Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky. The COVID-19 pandemic transformed that training to an academic-year-long effort known as Operation Agile Leader for seniors on campus. Operation Agile Leader was the Army-mandated replacement in 2020-21 for Advanced Camp, which cadets must complete to be commissioned in the military. Cadets are tested on areas that include rifle marksmanship, hand grenades, first aid, Army combat fitness, and land navigation.

Major General Ray Shields, the Adjutant General for the State of New York, announces the promotion of members of the New York Army National Guard in recognition of their capability for additional responsibility and leadership.

University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets have earned honors for their academic and military training accomplishments, some as Distinguished Military Graduates and some as Distinguished Military Students.