Thirty-one cadets began their time as University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets with Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week from Jan. 4-8. FROG Week marks the transition from civilian to military life within UNG's Corps of Cadets.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 626 new initiates from 23 universities during December 2021. 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 fall 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.

In ceremonies held Dec. 17 by the University of North Georgia, 25 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

Twelve UNG students were awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship on Dec. 8. The nationally competitive scholarship enables Pell-grant-eligible students to study or intern abroad.

Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society, welcomed 1,128 new initiates from 41 universities during November 2021. 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.

University of North Georgia students Sebastian Cherres, Chloe Meewes, and Cathryn Allen captured the top three spots of the second annual Research Pitch Competition and took home cash prizes.

Seven UNG students participated in the U.S. Universities Arabic Debating Championship hosted Nov. 12-14.

Four UNG cadets will pursue graduate degrees after receiving an educational delay from Army Cadet Command.

Six UNG students were awarded the Women's Education Scholarship from the Women of UNG, which is a shared interest group of alumni, faculty and staff.

Melissa Silva and Katherine Torres are finalists for the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship, which supplies fellows with up to $42,000 to complete a master's degree program and prepares them for Foreign Service careers.

The Honors Program on UNG's Dahlonega Campus began in 1995. The program began on the Gainesville Campus in 1998, with Honors courses in English dating back to 1985. Connecting academically motivated students with each other to develop a competitive and supportive community is one segment of the Honors Program. It also is designed to enhance students' learning experience through research projects, volunteer activities, study abroad opportunities, and national scholarship applications.

The Golden Eagle Band marched in the 2021 Southeast North Carolina Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 6 in downtown Wilmington, North Carolina.

UNG's College of Education hosted more than 60 high school students for a Future Georgia Educators Day on Oct. 26. Fourteen COE Student Ambassadors led students around campus and answered questions, while some led workshops. They are among the 470 UNG juniors and seniors in classrooms in some 112 schools across the state in the teacher preparation program for the 2021-22 school year.

Fifteen UNG students earned a Goizueta Foundation Scholarship, which couples financial assistance with community service projects.

UNG Master of Accountancy student Alhasan Idrees is one of 10 students nationally to earn the George Willie Ethnically Diverse Student Scholarship & Internship. It has given him the opportunity to complete an internship at the Dean Dorton public accounting firm in Louisville, Kentucky.

UNG hosted its Hispanic Heritage Month Art Exhibition from Oct. 14-15, with 16 students showcasing their experiences of Hispanic culture.

UNG's Ranger Challenge team won eight of 13 events to earn its fourth consecutive Spartan Ranger Challenge victory.

UNG established a scholarship for newly enrolled transfer students in fall 2021. These students were selected based on their exemplary academics and co-curricular involvement.

UNG sent a cadet to Korea Military Academy for the first time through the schools' exchange agreement this fall.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is tied for the most Distinguished Military Graduates (DMG) among the nation's six senior military colleges for 2021-22, with 32 selected. Nine of those rank in the top 10% of their ROTC class nationally.

UNG student Taylor Hitt is one of 25 competitors to make the U.S cyber team.

Seven students from the University of North Georgia were awarded the IME-BECAS Scholarship funded jointly by the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta and UNG. Recipients gain professional development in service, leadership, and research skills.

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.