University of North Georgia

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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 2021 University of North Georgia (UNG) graduates plus two 2019 alumnae will see their dreams come true this year. All seven were selected as finalists for the U.S. Fulbright Program for the 2021-22 academic year. The highly competitive and prestigious program enables graduates to pursue research activities, become English Teaching Assistants, or enroll in graduate school.

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.

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

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.

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

Two University of North Georgia (UNG) students have been chosen as Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) finalists: Bailey Pieplow and Zoe Rumbaugh. Three other UNG students, Roderick Selman, Daniel Shearer, and Maggie Simmons, were chosen as alternates.

Six UNG students won the Boren award in spring 2021. The Boren Scholarship and Fellowship provide up to $25,000 for students to intensively study language and culture abroad. Five students earned the scholarship while one received the fellowship.

For the first time in a decade, two University of North Georgia (UNG) students presented their research to the U.S. Congress in a virtual event on April 27-28.

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.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) finished sixth out of 11 schools participating in the National Security Agency Cyber Exercise (NCX) held virtually April 8-10. After entering as an expo team in 2019, this was the first year UNG participated as a competition team. UNG faced off against the nation's five other senior military colleges, three service academies and two National Security Agency (NSA) units.