University of North Georgia

Before beginning a new season, the University of North Georgia (UNG) softball program had a high-profile chance to celebrate its 2023 NCAA Division II national championship. Twenty-three players and the team's coaches visited the Georgia Capitol on Jan. 30, receiving a commendation from Gov. Brian Kemp and first lady Marty Kemp and Senate and House resolutions honoring the team's national title. The team also presented Kemp, state Sen. Steve Gooch and state Rep. Will Wade with personalized UNG jerseys. Gooch, the Senate majority leader, and Wade are UNG alumni.

University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnae Nataly Morales Villa and Melissa Silva have earned one of six inaugural Gilman Alumni Changemaker Awards. Both graduated from UNG in 2019.

University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnus 2nd Lt. Phillip Ly has earned the Rangel Fellowship, which awards up to $42,000 annually for two years to 45 American students who plan to earn a master's degree and begin a career in the Foreign Service.

A University of North Georgia (UNG) student and faculty member are participating in a Sonya Clark exhibition at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Roxie Fricton and Johanna Norry, a lecturer of studio art, are assisting with "Reconstruction Exercise," where they help visitors weave a recreation of the Truce Flag from the Civil War.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) 30 newest cadets began their time in the Corps of Cadets with Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week from Jan. 3-7. The week mixed physical challenges with an array of workshops about available services and how to succeed as a cadet and a student.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Ethics Bowl team earned a spot in its national competition thanks to a second-place finish in the Mid-Atlantic Regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl in November. This marks UNG's second nationals appearance in a row. The Association for Practical and Professional Ethics Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl national event is set for Feb. 24-25 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Seven students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) attended the Wildlife Society 30th annual conference, one of the largest gatherings of wildlife professionals in North America, accompanied by three UNG faculty members, including biology lecturer Jessy Patterson.

Three University of North Georgia (UNG) students attended the fourth annual U.S. Arabic Debating Championship, an event created to spread cultural awareness and provide room for dialogue in the Arabic language from Oct. 13 -15.

University of North Georgia (UNG) senior Sharon Tran was selected as one of four recipients of the Shannon Kelly Kane Scholarship, a 2023 National Association for Music Education (NAfME) Collegiate Professional Achievement Award. Tran received the award at the NAfME National Leadership Assembly and Collegiate Leadership Advocacy Summit in June.

In a ceremony held Dec. 15 by the University of North Georgia, 27 graduating cadets were awarded commissions as second lieutenants.

For the fall 2023 semester, the University of North Georgia (UNG) awarded 989 degrees and certificates to graduates. Many of the graduates participated in the fall 2023 commencement ceremonies held Dec. 16 at the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus.

The deans of each of UNG's colleges announced the names of those students who made their respective lists for fall 2023. 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 University of North Georgia's (UNG) poultry team placed sixth overall at the 57th National Poultry Judging Contest held from Nov. 5-8 at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas. This year's team members were Amy Arellano, Eric Brockman, Ashley Davis, and Kayley Edwards, coached by associate professor Dr. Linda Purvis and UNG junior Jacque Conner.

University of North Georgia (UNG) President Michael P. Shannon recognized students who achieved a 4.0 GPA during the fall 2023 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.

University of North Georgia (UNG) junior Riley Rowland received the Southeastern Regional Conference of the American Chemical Society (SERMACS) 2023 Undergraduate Poster Award in October in Durham, North Carolina.

University of North Georgia (UNG) senior Krista Willey was named Student Woman Entrepreneur of the Year by the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation in the Mike Cottrell College of Business in a ceremony on Oct. 25 in the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology and Innovation at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. Taylor Merritt, '15, was recognized as the Alumna Woman Entrepreneur of the Year. Merritt is CEO of Daddy Tay Fitness, a company she founded in 2022.

Fourteen students from seven different departments competed in the University of North Georgia's (UNG) fourth Annual Research Pitch competition. The 2023 competition was held Nov. 1 at UNG's Dahlonega Campus and was sponsored by the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities (CURCA).

Seventeen University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates (DMGs) for the 2023-24 academic year, which is six more than a year ago. Five of UNG's DMGs are among the top 10% nationally of graduating active-duty-eligible cadets.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) tradition of excellence continued at Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as 94 cadets completed the summer training.

Junior Susana Olivo Sandoval was selected as UNG's Newman Civic Fellow for 2023-24. The opportunity allows students to network and gain access to training and resources that nurture their assets and passions.

Cadet Hyunbean Park has been selected as the annual UNG recipient of a scholarship from the Georgia Mountain Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, which recently hosted its annual meeting at UNG.

1st Lt. Tristan Moran, '20, graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School in September. He became the second active-duty Army nurse to complete Ranger School while in the Army Nurse Corps.

Erin Whatley earned the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Scholar award for the 2023-24 academic year.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) honored 32 students with about $15,000 of scholarships and celebrated the philanthropy that made those scholarships possible at the sixth annual Tomato Sandwich Supper held Sept. 28 at UNG's Blue Ridge Campus.

UNG and the Consulate General of Mexico in Atlanta are teaming up for the fourth consecutive year to offer scholarships to UNG students of Mexican or Latinx descent. Scholarship recipients include Fatima Santillan, Juan Hernandez, Diane Gomez, Kevin Luna-Vaca, Dulce Sumano, Miguel Vilchis Tinoco, Cinthia Acosta, and Jessaly Chamorro.

A total of 22 University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets earned Distinguished Military Student (DMS) status for the 2023-24 academic year. The cadets were formally recognized at the DMS dinner and review the weekend of Sept. 22-24.

UNG took first place in the collegiate division of the 200-meter race of Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival at Lake Lanier Olympic Park on Sept. 9.

One hundred and seventy-eight cadets began their time as University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets with Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week from Aug.13-19. FROG Week marks the transition from civilian to military life within UNG's Corps of Cadets.

Twelve UNG cadets traveled abroad this summer for professional development opportunities.

UNG alumni Elizabeth Dobbs, 2nd Lt. Phillip Ly and Sonrisa Reed and student Emma Vail took part in an internship this summer with the University of Maryland's Research for Intelligence and Security Challenges Initiative.