University of North Georgia

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 student Evan Smith acquired the skills he would need in a doctoral program by assisting a University of North Georgia professor of chemistry in a research project, which was funded by a National Science Foundation grant. The junior pursuing a chemistry degree used those techniques to co-author a paper under review for a journal.

Domini'que Allen, a graduate student pursuing a master's degree in human services delivery and administration, was awarded the inaugural Benny Bagwell Community Impact Award by the South Hall Rotary Club.

Ryan T. Brownlee, a resident of Flowery Branch, Ga., recently received a $1,000 scholarship from Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) to attend medical school. Brownlee is an initiate of the Mercer University Circle of ODK. He spent summer 2021 researching the toxicity of mercury-cyanide complexes on zebrafish adult and embryo viability. In addition to his membership in Omicron Delta Kappa, Brownlee is an initiate of Alpha Epsilon Delta and Phi Eta Sigma honor societies. He has also volunteered for MerServe, a student-run service leadership board for the Macon undergraduate campus of Mercer University, and at a local homeless shelter. Aside from being recognized by OK, Brownlee was also awarded the Foothills A.H.E.C. Intensive Program Graduate Scholarship for 2021. He plans to attend an M.D. or combined M.D./Ph.D. program with the goal of becoming a primary care physician.

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Rachel Wilson has earned the Chinese Language Flagship Certified Global Professional with Distinction certificate. This is the highest level of proficiency a UNG student has achieved as part of its Chinese Language Flagship program. Started in 2011, the UNG Chinese Language Flagship prepares students to achieve a professional level of Chinese proficiency.

University of North Georgia (UNG) visual arts faculty and students aim to inspire kids at a Gainesville, Georgia, low-income housing complex to take an interest in art by involving them in it. Craig Wilson, associate professor of visual arts, and four of his students assisted the Gainesville Housing Authority and community volunteers in painting a mural this summer at Midtown Villages at Melrose.

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.

The Faculty Undergraduate Summer Engagement (FUSE) program returned to in-person participation to the delight of UNG's undergraduate students.

UNG senior Bailey Bullard tied for third place in the physical sciences and engineering category at Mississippi State University's recent Summer Undergraduate Research Symposium.

University of North Georgia (UNG) senior cadet Chandler Harris won the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association (AFCEA) Atlanta chapter's 2021 merit scholarship, which is for $1,500. The Dallas, Georgia, native pursuing a degree in cybersecurity is the president and founder of UNG's AFCEA chapter.

Five University of North Georgia (UNG) students and a recent alumnus are among the final 60 people competing for a spot on the first United States Cyber Team, which will take part in the International Cybersecurity Challenge (ICC) from Dec. 7-12, in Athens, Greece. Students Jake Elder, Houstoun Hall, Taylor Hitt, Benjamin Huckaba and Smit Patel and alumnus Kyung Michael Park will wrap up the eight-week U.S. Cyber Combine Sept. 3. The combine has provided a team atmosphere for growth, overseen by coaches who along with an advisory board will announce the 20-person U.S. Cyber Team in an Oct. 5 draft.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Bonita Jacobs has selected Anna Caitlyn "AC" Anderson as the 2021-22 UNG Presidential Fellow for the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress (CSPC). Founded in 1965 as a nonprofit, CSPC's mission is to "provide historical perspective about our nation's highest offices for citizens and policymakers," according to its website.

University of North Georgia (UNG) graduate Bradley Booth gained valuable experience this spring through the Fund for American Studies' (TFAS) Capital Semester on International Affairs + Public Policy. The cadet, who earned a degree in international affairs with a European concentration in August, was one of 14 students from across the U.S. to take part in the program.

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.

For the summer 2021 semester, the University of North Georgia (UNG) awarded 540 degrees and 17 certificates to graduates. More than 430 participated in the summer 2021 commencement ceremonies on Aug. 6 at the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. The ceremonies marked a return to the traditional commencement event with a keynote speaker.

The deans of each of UNG's colleges announced the names of those students who made their respective lists for summer 2021. 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.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Bonita C. Jacobs recognized students who achieved a 4.0 GPA during the summer 2021 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.

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

Of the 15 students selected for the Washington Program on National Security (WaPoNS), four are from the University of North Georgia (UNG). UNG alumnus Jacob Malimban and current students Taylor Mullikin, Ella Reid and Thomas Vella look forward to the experience.

A pair of University of North Georgia (UNG) students placed second in their divisions of the fourth annual Southeastern U.S. Korean Speech and Quiz Contest. UNG co-hosted the event via Zoom with the Korean Education Center in Atlanta.

While many graduate schools paused their admission process due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNG's McNair Scholars continued to succeed by gaining entry into several masters' and doctoral programs.

Seven UNG students will develop their skills and interests during research-based programs this summer.

Nine UNG students received a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, which provides up to $5,000 to help underrepresented students study abroad. The grant also provides up to $8,000 for critical language study.

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 on April 14 via Zoom.

UNG students Ketsia Malala and Robbie Griffin won the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarships this spring. FEA awarded 91 flexible scholarships to students of color and first-generation college and community college students from across the nation. Griffin and Malala were the only two students from a public or private school in Georgia to receive scholarships.

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 this spring via Zoom.

For the spring 2021 semester, the University of North Georgia awarded more than 1,600 degrees and certificates to graduates. More than 1,100 participated in the spring 2021 commencement ceremonies May 8-9 at the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. The ceremonies resembled a mix of traditional elements and socially distant protocols.

UNG junior Ann Lim was named an alternate for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program. The program provides undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers.

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.