University of North Georgia

The University of North Georgia Tri-Alpha honor society spring induction ceremony highlighted the achievements of 42 students, seven faculty and staff, and one alumnus. The event was held on April 25 on UNG's Gainesville Campus.

Seven University of North Georgia (UNG) students were selected this spring for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. Paired with the recipients announced in December, this gives UNG 19 awardees for the 2021-22 cycle.

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.

Four University of North Georgia (UNG) students pursuing degrees in cybersecurity had their research accepted for the inaugural Cybersecurity Research in Undergraduate Programs (CyRUP) Conference held April 6-8 at Norwich University, and one of them won an award.

University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets Chandler Harris and Jasmine Valentine participated in the TechNet Indo-Pacific conference in Honolulu, Hawaii, from April 11-13.

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

UNG students who showed promise, demonstrated creativity, displayed excellence, served others and exceeded all expectations had their moment in the spotlight during the annual Student Honors and Awards Day events held April 12-14.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) poultry judging team excelled in the USPOULTRY Foundation Ted Cameron National Poultry Judging Contest held April 1-3 at Louisiana State University. UNG's group of students tied for sixth place in market products, eighth in production and ninth in breeds. Jackson Barkley placed 10th individually in breed selection, 14th individually in market products, and was 19th overall in the contest.

Four University of North Georgia (UNG) students have earned Boren awards to support language and cultural learning opportunities, and two were named Boren alternates. The Boren Scholarship and Fellowship provides up to $25,000 for students to intensively study language and culture abroad. In exchange, students agree to work for the U.S. federal government for at least a year and receive coaching and mentoring upon their return to facilitate this objective.

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) 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.

2018 UNG alumna Lydia Skolrood has earned acceptance into the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program, while May 2022 graduates Gina Diodati and Calvin Perdigao have received generous grad school funding.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) debate team collected a series of accolades in the Pi Kappa Delta National Conference from March 10-12 at the University of Central Florida. Nathalia Ingles Cardona earned All-American status, Taylor Mullikin earned a superior rating in broadcast journalism, and the team won superior overall for small entry sweepstakes. This is the fourth time UNG has earned an All-American honor; the last time a Nighthawk brought home the award was 2015.

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.

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Mirna Turcios-Galvez has been voted as the communications officer for the American Institute of Graphic Arts' (AIGA) Atlanta Student Board. The position is a one-year commitment.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) students have been selected for Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarships. Grants were renewed for three additional students for travel this year. That gives UNG six of the 119 FEA scholars.

For the spring 2022 semester, the University of North Georgia (UNG) awarded about 1,700 degrees and 25 certificates to graduates. About 1,300 graduates participated in the spring 2022 commencement ceremonies held May 6-7 at the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Bonita C. Jacobs recognized students who achieved a 4.0 GPA during the spring 2022 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 following people recently were initiated into The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,971 new initiates from 78 universities during April 2022. Students initiated into the Society must be sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate/professional students in the top 35% of their class, demonstrate leadership experience in at least one of the five pillars, and embrace the ODK ideals. Fewer than five percent of students on a campus are invited to join each year.

The deans of each of UNG's colleges announced the names of those students who made their respective lists for spring 2022. 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.

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.

Five University of North Georgia (UNG) students and alumni were selected as finalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for the 2022-23 academic year. The highly competitive and prestigious program enables graduates to pursue research activities, teach English abroad, or enroll in graduate school.

Phillip Ly did not let cancellations of study abroad opportunities to Japan keep him from applying for major honors. Now, he will take part in the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program in Washington, D.C.

Four University of North Georgia (UNG) undergraduate students presented their research at "Posters at the Capitol" in Atlanta on March 30. Roughly 30 students from seven colleges and universities presented at the annual event.

UNG students Alisha Paul and Anna Cronan have won Barry Goldwater Scholarships, making UNG the only public university in Georgia with multiple recipients this year. The other Georgia school with multiple recipients was Emory University with three. The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate.

On March 5, University of North Georgia (UNG) student Susana Olivo Sandoval was named the first-place winner in category 3 at the annual Georgia Japanese Speech Contest held virtually. Her division was for students with N3-level proficiency of Japanese Language Proficiency Test, corresponding to 3000-level Japanese courses at UNG. Four other UNG students earned awards.

UNG students Will Smith, Jessica Byrne, and Dawson Henricks were able to learn more about legislation and lobby on behalf of Georgia educators when they visited the General Assembly.

The sixth annual Women's Leadership Luncheon recognized 10 outstanding UNG female students this year.