University of North Georgia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Forty-eight cadets began their time as University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets with Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week during Jan. 5-10. Among that group were 35 National Guard soldiers who completed basic training in the fall before starting at UNG.

In ceremonies held Dec. 3-4 by the University of North Georgia, 26 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants. These in-person ceremonies were spaced out and the number of visitors was limited to adhere to social distancing practices due to COVID-19.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) welcomed new cadets this fall after successful completion of Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week at UNG. FROG Week, led by cadets with supervision from the commandant staff, helps transition the incoming cadets to the military lifestyle of the Corps.