University of North Georgia

From Jan. 7-11, nearly 60 freshmen cadets completed Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week, the introduction to Corps of Cadets life at UNG through physical challenges, team-building exercises and information sessions.

Eleven UNG students and alumni were selected as semifinalists for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program. The highly competitive fellowship enables graduates to pursue research or teach abroad overseas. Semifinalists are Madelyn Beacham, Bethany Duque...

Four UNG students were selected in mid-January as semifinalists for the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS), which funds American undergraduate and graduate students to complete intensive language study abroad in the summer.

Thirty University of North Georgia (UNG) students were invited to join Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society, and seven were inducted in a Dec. 16 ceremony on UNG's Gainesville Campus. The others joined the student organization in absentia.

Eighteen cadets from the University of North Georgia (UNG) have been ranked in the top 20 percent of the nation among more than 5,000 Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) cadets assessed by U.S. Army Cadet Command. Cadets are ranked on the national Order of Merit List (OML) by achieving superior grade-point averages, strong performance in the Army Combat Fitness Test, and proving their worth as exceptional leaders in their college ROTC training.

Honors Program students at the University of North Georgia (UNG) directed their creative talents to a local camp for their community outreach project in the fall.

The deans of each of UNG's five colleges - the College of Arts & Letters, the College of Education, the College of Health Sciences & Professions, the Mike Cottrell College of Business, and the College of Science & Mathematics - announced the names of those students who made their respective lists for fall 2019. 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 fall 2019 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 programs who met the same level of achievement were named to the President's List.

In ceremonies held Dec. 13 at the University of North Georgia, graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

In addressing the graduates in one of the two University of North Georgia (UNG) fall 2019 commencement ceremonies on Dec. 14, University System of Georgia Board of Regents chair-elect Sachin Shailendra encouraged graduates to engage, work hard and never quit. Nearly 1,000 students earned degrees from UNG during the fall 2019 semester.

Christmas comes but once a year as does the annual University of North Georgia (UNG) Holiday Concert. UNG's music department presented a single performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, at Grace Episcopal Church at 422 Brenau Ave., in Gainesville, Georgia.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets traveled to Argentina's Colegio Militar de la Nacion to celebrate the school's 150th anniversary and take part in a leadership symposium.

Recent University of North Georgia (UNG) graduate prepares to spend a year in the Republic of Kazakhstan as an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program.

A team of College of Education (COE) students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) helped more than 150 high school students from across the state learn more about the teaching profession and how to prepare for it Nov. 7 at Future Georgia Educators (FGE) Day.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) students made history Nov. 17, when they were presented as members of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority Inc., the first African American sorority presence at UNG.

Using the University of North Georgia's (UNG) eye tracker, Dr. John Dewey and a trio of seniors pursuing psychology degrees are searching for the answer to a question: How much information can you gain from a person's gaze?

For about 20 hours over 2 1/2 days, University of North Georgia (UNG) students Joseph Froetschel, Suzy Steel and Lani Chastain helmed the world's second-largest single-dish radio telescope at Arecibo Observatory in Puerto Rico. It is an experience not open to many, said Dr. Allison Smith, part-time faculty in physics and astronomy at UNG.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Ranger Challenge program swept the top two spots at the Spartan Ranger Challenge and will send two teams to the Sandhurst International Military Skills Competition in April as UNG tries for a third straight ROTC title. Hosted by the 1st Brigade of U.S. Cadet Command, 19 teams from the nation's junior and senior military colleges competed in the Spartan Ranger Challenge Oct. 24-26 at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

To find students enthusiastic about the service projects that are part of the Blue Ridge Scholars program at the University of North Georgia (UNG), Dr. Nathan Price interviewed the applicants this year to the cohort-style program. "We get an idea of who they are and what they want to accomplish, and they get an idea about the program and its requirements," said Price, coordinator for the Blue Ridge Scholars program. Blue Ridge Scholars are full-time freshmen who receive extra academic support in the first year and participate in service-learning activities. As a cohort, they have a lower teacher-to-student ratio to help ease the transition from high school to college.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation honored women for their entrepreneurship efforts Oct. 22. Jenna Libman took home the UNG Student Woman Entrepreneur of the Year honor.

The Learning Assistant Program at the University of North Georgia (UNG) is introducing teaching as career pathway in physics. Learning Assistants train one-on-one with a professor for a lecture or lab class. Then, along with the professor, they help other students in those specific courses during class. During the first semester as an LA, students also take a pedagogy class to learn how to teach.

Researchers at the University of North Georgia (UNG) are on a quest to give people who use Facebook, Twitter and Instagram better tools to guard their sensitive data. Thanks to a Presidential Semester Incentive Award, Dr. Ahmad Ghafarian and three students are conducting controlled experiments to see how much data is stored on computers and web browsers used by social media account holders.

University of North Georgia (UNG) students Roel Aguilar, Carlos Garcia and Juan Velasquez made history earlier this semester on the University of North Georgia's Gainesville Campus. The trio were inducted as the newest members of Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc., becoming the first Latino fraternity at UNG and the first Greek-lettered fraternal organization on the Gainesville Campus.

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Katherine Torres participated in the highly competitive Cox-State Department Diplomacy Seminar in October. Torres, a junior pursuing a degree in political science with a concentration in pre-law, had applied for a summer enrichment program but was not selected. Then Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of research and engagement and associate professor of history, found the diplomacy seminar, a fully funded career exploration program for undergraduate students.

Two University of North Georgia (UNG) students participated in a unique opportunity through Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity's national philanthropy, The Ability Experience, in summer 2019. Both UNG students participated in Journey of Hope, which is one of three programs in The Ability Experience. With the program, students bike across America to raise awareness and funds for people with disabilities. They raised a combined $4,888 through their efforts with the program.

Now in its third year, the McNair Scholars program is designed to identify and prepare sophomores, juniors and seniors from all UNG campuses for post-graduate studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities. The current 18 McNair Scholars are succeeding. Since the program launched at UNG in fall 2017, several McNair Scholars have participated in undergraduate research projects and presented at conferences. In spring 2019, two McNair Scholars won national scholarships, including UNG's first Truman and Goldwater Scholars.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) congratulates all of the award recipients at the Georgia Film Festival. Hosted by the CMJ department at UNG, the festival ran from Sept. 20-21 in the Continuing Education and Performing Arts building on UNG's Gainesville Campus. More than 60 films from independent filmmakers and college students were accepted into the festival.

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi is proud to announce the recipients of a 2019 Love of Learning Award. The awards help fund post-baccalaureate studies and career development for active Society members.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Boar's Head brigade honored a record 31 members of the Corps of Cadets at the 2019 Distinguished Military Students (DMS) Review held Sept. 29, breaking the previous mark of 25 during the 2016-17 school year. The annual review recognizes senior ROTC cadets who have excelled academically and as leaders. To be selected, a cadet must be in the upper half of the academic class, the upper third of the ROTC class, and the upper third of UNG's Order of Merit List, established by the professor of military science. Additionally, cadets are chosen on the basis of interest and aptitude for military service and outstanding qualities of leadership and high moral character as demonstrated by participation and achievement in campus, civic and military activities.

Around 190 students transitioned from being civilians to cadets at Freshman Orientation Group (FROG) Week at the University of North Georgia (UNG), which ran Aug. 11-17. From rifle range training to an academics introduction, incoming cadets were presented with a great deal of information about UNG and how the Corps of Cadets fits within the university. They also completed grueling leadership exercises at Pine Valley, rappelled at the Army Rangers' Camp Frank D. Merrill and capped off the week with the Crown Mountain Run the morning of the traditional FROG Week graduation.