University of North Georgia

Just days away from graduating from the University of North Georgia (UNG), Katelynn Fry learned her design had been selected for a challenge coin.

For the spring 2024 semester, the University of North Georgia (UNG) awarded about 1,700 degrees and certificates to graduates. Many of the graduates participated in the spring 2024 commencement ceremonies held May 2-3 at the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Michael P. Shannon recognized students who achieved a 4.0 GPA during the spring 2024 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 deans of each of UNG's colleges announced the names of those students who made their respective lists for spring 2024. 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 a ceremony held May 2 by the University of North Georgia, 52 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

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 9-11.

More than 100 military awards and scholarships were presented to University of North Georgia cadets at the March Military Awards Ceremony and a pair of April events during Alumni Weekend.

University of North Georgia (UNG) students Eric Brockman, Ashley Davis, Alyssa Foster, and Amy Arellano participated in the 75th Ted Cameron National Poultry judging contest sponsored by US Poultry and Egg Association. Coached by biology associate professor Dr. Linda Purvis and UNG junior Jacque Conner, the team brought home five trophies.

Sophomore Emilyn Slemons, who is pursuing a degree in history and is in the Honors Program at the University of North Georgia (UNG), has been named a 2024 Fulbright UK Summer Institute (UKSI) scholar.

University of North Georgia (UNG) students, faculty and alumni had a valuable opportunity to provide feedback to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA) and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger at investor roundtables held March 27 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Itzel Moreno presented at an international conference in Oaxaca, Mexico, during spring break.

March 29 marked the return of the University of North Georgia's (UNG) 29th Annual Research Conference (ARC) featuring 100 projects in various areas of study. The event designed for students from all disciplines and campuses to present their findings is presented each year by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA).

Nine University of North Georgia (UNG) students took part in the annual Japanese Speech Contest at Georgia State University in Atlanta in March, with five of them earning awards.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) seniors who have studied art and art history extensively have already been accepted to graduate school at prestigious research universities.

Forty University of North Georgia (UNG) students in STEM degree programs are now receiving up to $10,000 per academic year in scholarships thanks to a $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation. Students can be in the program for up to eight semesters, with the possibility of a total of $40,000 in scholarship money by graduation.

Thirteen University of North Georgia (UNG) students attended the Southeast American College of Sports Medicine (SEACSM) Annual Meeting held in Greenville, South Carolina, from Feb. 22-24. While there, some students participated in the Quiz Bowl competition and others shared poster presentations.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) students and Dr. Andrew Johnson, director of Multicultural Student Affairs, attended the African American Collegiate Male Summit from Feb. 22-23 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Five University of North Georgia (UNG) students are teaming up on a business model that aims to deliver healthy snacks at an affordable price for college students. On the strength of this idea, the group won the innovateUNG Pitch Challenge held Feb. 28 in the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation. Their victory earned them a $2,000 cash prize to go toward their innovation.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Nu Gamma chapter of Beta Alpha Psi (BAP) co-hosted the BAP Mid-Year Meeting in Atlanta from Feb. 9-10 with students and faculty from the University of Tennessee at Knoxville. BAP's theme for the meeting was "Embracing Innovation. Empowering Professionals."

Students and faculty with the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Honors Program hosted the Georgia Collegiate Honors Conference from Feb. 23-24 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus, and one student won a research award. Dr. Anastasia Lin, UNG assistant vice president of Academic Affairs and Honors Program director, served as faculty vice president of the Georgia Collegiate Honors Council, while senior Jami Nakan served as student vice president of the Georgia Collegiate Honors Council. Nakan and Lin planned the statewide event in collaboration with a team of volunteers from the Honors Program as well as Lillie Holtzclaw, administrative assistant for Honors and McNair.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) men's basketball team is taking its pursuit of a national title to another level. Thanks to a 70-67 victory against Lander University in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship game March 19, the Nighthawks are headed to the eight-team NCAA championship, which starts March 26 in Evansville, Indiana.

University of North Georgia (UNG) senior Chandler Mayfield won the SHAPE America Major of the Year Award, given by the Society of Health and Physical Educators (SHAPE).

Ten female students and three alumnae were honored for their leadership by the Women of UNG on March 3. University of North Georgia (UNG) first lady Jessica Shannon was the luncheon speaker. The event theme was "A Legacy of Leadership."

University of North Georgia (UNG) junior Fatima Santillan is the university's first Public Policy and International Affairs Junior Summer Institute (PPIA JSI) fellow. The award will allow her to attend a rigorous seven-week fellowship at the University of California, Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy.

Three University of North Georgia students competed in the Geomatics Bowl at the Surveying and Mapping Society of Georgia's Annual Technical Seminar, where they won two of their rounds. The Geomatics Bowl is a Jeopardy-style game with prompts from surveying, geospatial and related categories.

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Autumn Cleymans spent a week in Japan for the Kakehashi Project this January. She earned the opportunity through her first-place finish in the most advanced level of the Japanese Speech Contest held at Kennesaw State University in spring 2023.

University of North Georgia (UNG) students Hannah Eckerman and Devin Marshall, '23, had work published in Queen City Writers, an online source showcasing student writing. The journal is housed at the University of Cincinnati.

Hugh Pruitt, a University of North Georgia (UNG) freshman, was awarded a scholarship by the Atlanta Chapter of the Project Management Institute for his essay "Where Will I Be In Five Years."

Three students from the University of North Georgia presented their research at Posters at the Capitol in Atlanta on Feb. 20. Twenty-four projects from 11 different universities were presented at the yearly event put on by the Georgia Undergraduate Research Collective (GURC) to promote undergraduate research.

The University of North Georgia men's basketball team will host the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional after winning its first Peach Belt Conference tournament championship.