Nighthawks Strong, Focusing on Student Mental WomenHealthRising in the RanksCONNECTINGTHESUPPLYCHAINLINKS SPRING/SUMMER 2022
Photo by Denise Ray UNG ofRecordCommissionsNumberOfficers
1WWW. UNG.EDU
In May, UNG’s largest-ever graduating class received more than 1,700 degrees, and about 1,300 students participated in the ceremonies. 2nd Lt. Ayomide Adekola was one of more than 120 cadets to commission into the Army, Army National Guard or Army Reserve during the 2021-2022 academic year—a record commissioning year at UNG.
2 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 Spring/Summer 2022 University of North Georgia Magazine is published semi-annually by the University of North Georgia. EDITORIAL STAFF Sylvia Carson, APR, editor Agnes Hina, writer Denise Ray ’11, ’14, writer Clark Leonard, writer Blake Poppell, photographer Nikki Nicholson, intern CONTACT Division of University Relations 82 College universityrelations@ung.edu706-864-1950Dahlonega,CircleGA30597 Departments 4 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE 5 AROUND UNG 10 CORPS OF CADETS 12 SPORTS ROUNDUP 36 CLASS NOTES 39 IN MEMORIAM 2216Features 16 Connecting the supply chain links UNG’s supply chain and logistics management concentration allows students to gain the skills needed to assist in this high-demand area. 22 Women rising in the ranks As the population of female cadets increases, more and more are taking on leadership roles. 30 Nighthawks strong, focusing on student mental health Nighthawk well-being remains a priority with mental health being the focus of a new initiative.
UNG SC H OL A RSHI P G A L A S A VE T HE D A T E OC T 2 0 2 207 FRI DAY 6:0 0 IN THE E V ENIN G F OR S YT H C ONFER E NCE C E N TE R C U M MI N G, G A We i n vi t e yo u t o pa r tn e r w ith the U n i ve r sity o f No r th Ge o r gia F o und a ti o n t o rais e fin a n c i a l s u pp or t f o r UNG s tude n t s c hol ar ships. W ith m o r e th a n 80% o f s t u dents s e eki n g financial a s si s tan c e , yo u r supp or t pl ay s a c r iti ca l r o le in th e su c c e s s of th e s t u de n ts w h o n e e d it mo s t . UN G ’s S ch o l a rship G ala is yo u r chan c e t o shi n e in the c o m munit y while h a ving a l a s ti n g impa c t o n t h e li ves o f t a le n t ed a nd d e se r vi n g s tudents a nd c ulti va ti n g t h e n ext gene ra tion o f le a de r s i n N or th Ge o r gia and a r o u n d th e glob e . U N GGIVE .ORG /S C H O L ARS H IP-G A L A S c an this QR c o de or em a il gala@ung . ed u f o r mo re in f orm a ti o n L E AR N M OR E L E T’ S MAK E A DIFFEREN C E .
4 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
I look forward to our yearlong Sesquicentennial Celebration and the many academic programs, performances and exhibitions, alumni gatherings, and campus and community celebrations that will commemorate this special time in our history. I hope that you will watch for and join in opportunities to celebrate with us in the weeks and months ahead.
Celebrating 150 years of producing leaders
achievements“Celebratingthemany of our graduates and seeing the promise in their eyes as they begin rewardingmilitarycareers,serviceoradvancededucationisforallofusatUNG.”
UNG will celebrate our 150th anniversary—our Sesquicentennial—throughout the 2022-2023 academic year, commemorating our university’s rich history and looking toward our future as a leading regional university. In addition to our designations as The Military College of Georgia and as a State Leadership Institution, UNG has numerous distinctions–from being the first public college in Georgia to admit and graduate a woman, to more recently, being a national top producer of Fulbright students for five consecutive years.
UNG is known for developing professional, civic and military leaders who make a difference in their communities in our region, state and beyond, and our reputation is growing. The articles in this issue of UNG Magazine highlight our momentum as one of the state’s top universities and our steadfast commitments to excellence, student success and leadership development. We are tremendously grateful to our alumni, donors and community stakeholders for your ongoing support of our mission.
BonitaSincerely,C.Jacobs, Ph.D. President
Commencement is one of my favorite parts of serving as president of the University of North Georgia. Celebrating the many achievements of our graduates and seeing the promise in their eyes as they begin careers, military service or advanced education is rewarding for all of us at UNG. This academic year we will confer more than 3,200 degrees—ranging from associate to doctoral degrees. We will commission more than 120 military officers this year, and 34 of them are Distinguished Military Graduates who rank in the top 20% of nearly 7,000 Army ROTC cadets nationally. Nine of those graduates are in the top 10% in the nation.
We are excited that academic and student development opportunities at UNG continue to grow. The new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation will open this fall at our Dahlonega Campus with state-of-the-art labs to provide hands-on experiences for students, and we will expand access to programs with facility expansions approved for our Cumming and Blue Ridge campuses. Our Oconee Campus added a Veterans’ Center to its offerings this past fall, marking the third UNG campus to have dedicated space for veterans. In addition, the recent expansion of our Gainesville Campus has provided much-needed instructional, lab and study spaces to support students and faculty.
5WWW. UNG.EDU
UNG topped a national list of four-year institutions for sending the most students abroad through the Fulbright U.S. Student Program for 2021-22 based on having seven alumni selected. The list, released by the U.S. Department of State, showed that UNG tied for first among institutions in its category and is the only public university in GeorgiaUNGlisted.hasearned the designation as a national top producer of Fulbright students for five consecutive years. This spring, five from UNG were selected for 2022-23 Fulbrights. UNG has produced 27 Fulbright finalists in a five-year span. Alumna wins Pickering Fellowship Katherine Torres, ’21, has earned the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship. She is one of 45 selections for the honor. The fellowship prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers. It is the fourth nationally competitive scholarship for Torres, who during 2021-22 taught English in Taiwan through the Fulbright U.S. StudentTorresProgram.willreceive up to $42,000 annually for a two-year period to complete a master’s degree program and participate in two summer internships designed to support her in becoming an excellent Foreign Service Officer. As a Pickering fellow, she has agreed to work with the Department of State’s Foreign Service for a minimum of five years.
UNG a national leader in producing Fulbrights
Two students named Goldwater Scholars
Two UNG students have won the Barry Goldwater Scholarship for 2022-23, making UNG the only public university in Georgia with more than one recipient this year. Anna Cronan and Alisha Paul placed among 417 sophomores and juniors selected from country.acrossnominees1,242theCronan, a junior abiology,aisGeorgia,inwasjuniorPaul,Program.thememberbiology,degreepursuingGeorgia,Dahlonega,fromainisaofHonorsawhoraisedDuluth,andpursuingdegreeinisalsomember of the Honors Program, as well as a member of the nationally recognized McNair Scholars Program.Cronan and Paul are the fourth and fifth Goldwater recipients fromTheUNG.Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation was established by Congress in 1986 to serve as a living memorial to honor the lifetime work of U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater, who served his country for 56 years as a soldier and statesman, including 30 years in the U.S. Senate. Alisha Paul Anna Cronan
$1.4 million grant to fund
Students take 2nd in NSA Codebreaker Challenge
The Challenge offers students a hands-on opportunity to develop their reverseengineering/low-level code analysis skills while working on a realistic problem set. Reverse engineering — the process through which an individual attempts to understand how a previously made device, process system or piece of software accomplishes a task — is a critical skill for those involved in the fight against malware, advanced persistent threats, and similar malicious cyber activities. Individuals with such skills may be heavily recruited by NSA and Fortune 500 companies and are often hired to protect corporate computer systems and networks.
“The goal is to get a greater number of first-generation students from disadvantaged backgrounds to finish high school and complete a post-secondary education,” Sandy Ott, executive director of UNG’s Blue Ridge Campus and the grant’s principal investigator, said. “Our aim is to enlist 500 students each year for five years.”
first-generation program
“Dr. Smith will bring strong experience to the recruitment, enrollment and retention of new and transfer students for our regional campuses,” President Bonita C. Jacobs said. “And I know he will also help strengthen community partnerships and alumni engagement in those campus communities.”
Students will have access to resources such as dropout prevention, college and financial aid awareness, study skills, test-taking preparation, financial literacy, college and scholarship application assistance, dual-enrollment education, servicelearning opportunities, and more.
UNG was awarded nearly $1.4 million over five years to launch the Talent
campusesregionalVPnamedSmithof
potentialtargetedprogramsoutreachbeFundsofU.S.isProgram,SearchwhichfundedbytheDepartmentEducation.willusedfortofirst-generation college students.
Smith comes to UNG from West Virginia University at Parkersburg, where he served since 2019 as the executive vice president for enrollment management, executive dean and CEO of the university’s Jackson County campus, and special assistant to the president for equity and inclusion.
“This is UNG’s fourth top-three finish in a row in the NSA Codebreaker Challenge,” Dr. Bryson Payne, UNG professor of cybersecurity and coordinator of student cyber programs, said.
Dr. Steven Smith joined UNG as vice president of regional campuses on Aug. Smith1. serves as the basedadministratorchiefatUNG’s Gainesville Campus and also oversees UNG’s regional campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming and Oconee County. Smith succeeds Dr. Richard Oates, who has retired.
UNG finished second out of 631 universities and colleges in the 2021 National Security Agency (NSA) Codebreaker Challenge that wrapped up in January.
6 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
UNG is designated by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense.
University System honors Rifenburg for student collaborations
As a Fellow, Meek will observe and work with the president and other senior administrators at UNG, work with a mentor at the College of Charleston and participate in professional development with other ACEMeekFellows.joined UNG in 2015 and teaches at the Oconee Campus.
7WWW. UNG.EDU
Dr. Michael Rifenburg, associate professor of English, won the 2022 Regents’ Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Award from the University System of Georgia.
Rifenburg received especially high marks for his work with students as research and writing partners. He serves as co-director of first-year composition in the English department and senior faculty fellow for scholarly writing within UNG’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Arts from Auburn University and a Bachelor of Arts from Georgia College & State University. Rifenburg has worked at UNG since 2013. Meek named ACE Fellow
The American Council on Education (ACE) announced that Dr. Rosaria Meek, assistant professor of Spanish, has been named an ACE Fellow for the 2022-23 academic year. Following nominations by the senior administration of their institutions and a rigorous application process, 46 fellows nationally were selected this year.
Partnership formed with US Cyber Command Building on the university’s strong presence in cybersecurity, UNG is one of 70 universities, 14 community colleges, four service academies, and four federal graduate-level institutions selected to join the United States Cyber Command Academic Engagement Network. Through this partnership, students will gain access to sponsored capstone mentorships and internships, fellowships and recruiting programs.
In the past four years, an average of 239 UNG students per year completed the College of Education educator preparation program to become a K-12 teacher. For their final two years, pre-service teachers are immersed inside a K-12 classroom with a professional educator to prepare them to teach.
Master’s in computer science to begin spring 2023
UNG will begin offering a master’s degree in computer science in the Mike Cottrell College of Business in spring 2023, pending Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges approval. The degree will include concentrations in cyber operations and machine learning. Depending on the electives selected, students can also complete a graduate certificate in cybersecurity or technology leadership.Full-time students can complete the master’s degree in one year, while part-time students will be able to finish in two years. Classes will vary from fully online to some hybrid and face-to-face instruction.
Master’s in teaching degree moves online
The College of Education switched its Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) degree program from an in-person setting to a digital one to better serve students.
In the first year, MAT students take only education courses and are certified to teach. The second year, they enroll in the upperlevel courses, which count toward the advanced degree. For more information on how to apply, visit go.ung.edu/mat. College of Education earns national seal of approval
8 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
The College of Education (COE) earned renewal of its national accreditation from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation.
“This program is specifically for individuals who have a bachelor’s degree in one subject area, but they don’t have a degree in teaching,” Dr. Sheri Hardee, dean of the College of Education, said. “We moved the MAT program online, because a lot of post-baccalaureate students are working adults.”
In addition, the COE scored Level 4, or exemplary, in the Preparation Program Effectiveness Measures which includes a performance-based assessment of teacher candidates, the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators, a system of classroom teacher evaluations, an employer survey, and a survey of teachers at the end of their first year in the classroom.
The nursing department had a partnership during the 2021-22 academic year with Prevent Blindness Georgia offering free vision screenings for more than 1,000 children, primarily in elementary schools in Hall and Fulton counties. Bachelor of Science in Nursing students enrolled in the pediatric course earned their vision training certificate through online training modules and a skills assessment via Zoom. They then served as screeners in the schools and at community clinics.
In addition to teaching “Politics in the Peach State” to UNG students over the past three years, Deal contributed to the fourth edition of “The Basics of American Government,” a textbook written by UNG faculty and used widely throughout the state. He provided a unique view of politics both within Georgia and the nation as a professor, Dr. Dlynn Williams, department head and professor of Political Science and International Affairs, said.
9WWW. UNG.EDU
Upon graduation from the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Savannah, Williams was hired as a dispatcher at Georgia College and State University in Milledgeville, Georgia, and he earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. In 2011 he was hired as a police officer at the University of Georgia. His UNG career began in 2015 and he served nearly four years as associate director of emergency preparedness. Nursing students give children vision screenings
Greg Williams was named as the university’s new chief of police and director of public safety. His appointment follows his tenure as interim police chief. He took over the reins of UNG Public Safety in May 2021 when former chief Justin Gaines steppedBecomingdown.the police chief seems to be the natural progression for the lifelong public servant. He has spent most of his career with police departments in higher education. “I was raised in an environment of service,” Williams said. “Law enforcement has always been a calling for me.”
Williams named new police chief
Thanks to partnershipa with Prevent FultonschoolselementaryscreeningsprovidednursingGeorgia,BlindnessUNGstudentsvisionatinHallandcounties.
Classroom named for former Gov. Deal President Bonita Jacobs stands with Sandra Deal and former Gov. Nathan Deal at the door of the classroom in Young Hall recently named for Deal.
UNG President Bonita Jacobs commemorated former Gov. Nathan Deal’s three-year term as a Regents Professor and recognized his contributions to the university and the state by naming a classroom in Young Hall on the Dahlonega Campus in his honor.
UNG cadets pose for a photo with Merrill’s Marauder Gabriel Kinney at a breakfast where Kinney and two other Marauders shared their stories from World War II.
Cadet Phillip Ly, of Forest Park, Georgia, was selected as a scholar for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program in Washington, D.C. The program fully funds students to spend six weeks in the nation’s capital learning from diplomats, Foreign Service officers, and others on Capitol Hill. Scholars also take two courses for credit from Howard University and attend a seminar on professional writing. Typically, only 15 students are selected each year from a nationwide pool of more than 800 applications. This summer, Ly heared first-hand about the career he wants to pursue in the Foreign Service.
“I got to see how those professionals got where they are today so I can learn how to pursue the same path they did,” Ly said. “I also learned more about the rhythm of their daily lives.”
The Marauders who took questions from cadets were current oldest Army Ranger Gabriel Kinney, 101, from Alabama; Gilbert Howland, 98, a triple Combat Infantryman Badge recipient from New Jersey; and Bob Passanisi, 97, from New“ItYork.was absolutely sacred. As time passes, there are only so many opportunities to learn from soldiers who are in the generations before us,” Cadet Col. Ryan Jones, a senior from Richmond, Virginia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies, said. Jones is the Corps of Cadets brigade commander. Passanisi and Howland passed away in April and May, respectively.
Merrill’s Marauders share stories with cadets
About 60 cadets had a chance to ask questions and learn from the experiences of three World War II veterans during a March 4 breakfast. The veterans were part of the group that inspired the documentary “They Volunteered for This: Merrill’s Marauders,” a film which was screened on March 3 at UNG and has since aired on PBS.
10 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
Ly selected for Rangel Summer Program
The Corps of Cadets offered a 12-week aviation ground school during the spring semester for eight cadets. It provided a valuable experience for those who want to commission into the Army’s aviation branch and prepared them for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) private pilot written knowledge test.
Stan Allen, an FAA-certified instructor and longtime pilot, taught the cadets for two hours each week at Pennington Military Leadership Center.The Office of Leadership and Global Engagement funded this professional development opportunity for cadets.
Corps wins AUSA awards
The Corps of Cadets won a pair of awards for 2020-21 at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) annual meeting.UNG received the Most Active Company honor and the Best Activities to Enhance the Community award. Both honors rank UNG, which is one of six senior military colleges in the United States, atop the 270 ROTC companies nationwide.AUSApresents the Most Active Company to ROTC units with the most cadet company-sponsored activities, including meetings, public service programs, military instruction meetings and exercises, and membership recruiting efforts.
Cadets take aviation ground school course
Four cadets receive educational delay
Four cadets received an educational delay, which is awarded through a highly competitive process, from Army Cadet Command to pursue advanced degrees after their graduation in May 2022. An educational delay allows cadets to continue their studies before going on active duty, often in the medical or law fields.
• Hunter Cavanaugh earned a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness. The Elberton, Georgia, resident will pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy out of state.
Each award included a $3,000 check from Lockheed Martin.
• Charles Fuller earned a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness. The Newnan, Georgia, resident has been accepted to the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Brenau University.
• Alexander Haller earned a degree in psychology. The Lawrenceville, Georgia, resident aims to pursue a Ph.D. in clinical psychology.
• Daniel J. Stuart earned a degree in kinesiology with a concentration in health and fitness. The Huntsville, Alabama, resident plans to pursue a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. From left: Cavanaugh, Fuller, Haller, and Stuart Stan Allen, an FAA-certified instructor and longtime pilot, taught an aviation ground school for UNG cadets.
Accepting the AUSA awards were cadet Terrance Dorsey, second from left, cadet Jordan Armstrong, center, UNG Professor of Military Science Col. Bryan Kirk, third from right, and UNG Commandant and retired Col. Joseph Matthews, second from right.
11WWW. UNG.EDU
Plunkett was the most decorated goalkeeper in Georgia College’s history. She is the school’s career record-holder in goals against average (0.74), saves percentage (.854) and shutouts (19). She also ranks second in career saves with 275 and wins with 33.
The Nighthawks have won at least 43 games in all but one full-length season since 2009 and have reached the NCAA Division II championship seven times, including winning the 2015 national championship. Head coach Mike Davenport has 975 career wins in 22 seasons.
12 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
Softball team reaches Final Four
Atlanta Braves fans had a chance to take photos with the 2021 World Series trophy on UNG’s Dahlonega Campus. The trophy was on display at Haines and Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park before and during a UNG baseball game. The trophy’s stop in Dahlonega was the first stop in Lumpkin county and one of 151 stops on the statewide tour, commemorating 151 years of Braves baseball.
Plunkett inducted in Georgia College Athletics Hall of Fame
The team also won the PBC regular-season championship with a 20-4 record.
Plunkett also serves as UNG’s Title IX deputy coordinator and as Peach Belt Conference Senior Woman Administrator Council chair. She is a 2020 graduate of the Leadership Enhancement Institute.
Mary Rob Plunkett, director of athletics, was inducted into the Georgia College & State University Athletics Hall of Fame in the fall. Being added to the Hall of Fame is the latest addition to her long list of achievements.
Braves trophy makes stop in Dahlonega
“I am extremely proud of this team. They have improved from the beginning of the fall until our final out in Denver more than any team I have coached in 22 seasons,” Davenport said.
The UNG softball team won its first two games at the NCAA Division II championship in Denver, advancing to the Final Four before losing a pair of games to end its season.
The softball team won the NCAA Southeast Super Regional to earn a return to the NCAA Division II championship.
The 2022-23 athletic year is Plunkett’s seventh year at UNG. She was promoted to athletic director in 2020 after serving as the associate athletic director for business.
Plunkett was the first AllAmerican in Georgia College women’s soccer history after making the National Soccer Coaches Association of America third team in 2009. She also earned placement on the all-region and All-Peach Belt Conference first teams.
UNG finished the season 49-18 overall, including a 7-3 mark in the NCAA tournament and a 2-0 run to earn its eighth consecutive Peach Belt Conference (PBC) tournament title.
For the first time in the history of the Peach Belt Conference Women’s Golf Championship, a player has won the tournament in back-to-back years. UNG women’s golfer Maddie Ananthasane claimed individual medalist honors as a sophomore, leading UNG to a fourth-place finish in the April tournament at Sea Palms in St. Simons Island, Georgia.
13WWW. UNG.EDU
Nighthawks finish year in Final Four
The UNG women’s basketball team made history during the 2021-22 season, reaching the NCAA Division II national semifinals for the first time. The Nighthawks defeated Pace University 68-61 in the Elite Eight in Birmingham, Alabama, before their season ended two nights later in a 74-68 loss to Western Washington University in the Final Four.
Ananthasane, from Dacula, Georgia, is just the second player in the league’s history to win the event twice. She keeps individual medalist honors with UNG for a third year out of the last four as Megan Sabol was the last person to win the event prior to Ananthasane in 2021.
Ananthasane wins PBC title
It’s one of the happiest moments I’ve ever had for a team.”
“It was an honor to coach a team who loved and believed in each other at the level we did all year,” head coach Buffie Burson said. “To reach a Final Four is as rewarding as anything in my career because we pushed through so many challenges and earned our way through.
Also, fifth-year senior forward Julianne Sutton received the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division II Player of the Year award.
Sutton became UNG’s first WBCA first-team AllAmerican selection since Mimi Hill in 2013-14. She is also the first UNG player to win the Player of the Year honor from the WBCA and the second National Player of the Year in program history, joining current assistant coach Jaymee Acton, who was named Daktronics Player of the Year after the 2011-12 season.
Ananthasane finished with a final round of even-par 71 to claim a score of 5-over for the tournament, winning by two shots.
Where I Lead: Helping students
14 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
BIO JIM RAMIREZ-RUIZ is a senior pursuing a degree in middle grades education, with concentrations in mathematics and social studies. He is part of the Aspiring Teachers Program, a partnership through which the Gainesville City School System pays tuition for UNG students of color who want to be teachers and offers them jobs upon graduation.
realize potentialtheir
Scan to learn more about Ramirez-Ruiz.
It’s a shock to them. They’re mostly seeing Hispanic people in other fields. They begin to realize they can attend college and earn scholarships. They get more insights about higher education, which motivates them when they get down the road.
What inspired you to go into teaching?
My teacher in first and second grade actually cared about me and worked with me. That made me feel good about myself as a kid. I try to relate with my students as much as I can. Once the relationship is built, it helps them learn better. Students are there not just to learn from you. They are also there to interact with you. You have to build a positive environment where students can get along and be supportive of one another. What is your main goal as you interact with your students?
How has UNG prepared you to be a teacher?
15WWW. UNG.EDU
I’m just trying to motivate them to be the best they can. I want them to think at a younger age about what they’re going to do after graduation. They can do anything they put their minds to.
UNG has been an amazing journey for me. Ever since freshman year, I have been able to get involved with the Latino Student Association, interact with the Multicultural Student Affairs office, and receive resources on campus. I have also connected with the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office, and they helped me apply for and win the IME-BECAS Scholarship from the Mexican Consulate and the Ty Cobb Scholarship. How do your students react to you?
CONNECTING THE SUPPLY CHAIN LINKS UNG is preparing students to be part of the solution to the nation’s supply chain and logistics issues. BY CLARK LEONARD 16
Dr. Mohan Menon, department head of marketing and management, said the supply chain disruptions have been eye-opening for many people who previously did not think about how they received products.
“ This time of uncertainty helps build critical thinking skills through a flexible issuesweenvironmentlearningwhereconsidertheseourselves.”KayliAllen,
This area of study is a natural fit for Kayli Allen, a Flowery Branch, Georgia, resident who is scheduled to graduate in May 2023. A logical thinker, Allen enjoys seeing how different pieces of the supply chain fit together.“Beingin school during the pandemic, I’m seeing these problems, and even in the textbooks they don’t know how it’s going to turn out,” Allen said. “This time of uncertainty helps build critical thinking skills through a flexible learning environment where we consider these issues ourselves.”
The increasing prevalence of supply chain problems due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine underscore the importance of the supply chain and logistics management concentration UNG offers as part of its management major in the Mike Cottrell College of Business (MCCB).
Student
“It’s a great case study in how everything is linked to everything,” Menon said. “It is a structural problem because it deals with the raw processes like transportation and materials like fuel.”
SYFAN BENEFITSPARTNERSHIPSTUDENTS
UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
17WWW. UNG.EDU
A major contributor toward the success of UNG’s supply chain and logistics management curriculum has been its partnership with Syfan Logistics, which is based in Gainesville, Georgia. Syfan works alongside UNG to Tony Rodriguez, director of human resources at Syfan Logistics, speaks with UNG faculty members Dr. Mohan Menon, Dr. Lu Xu, and Dr. Zuoming Liu.
Logisticians, who analyze and manage an organization’s product or material acquisition and distribution, are in high-demand; the Georgia Department of Labor projects 800 job openings for logisticians annually through 2028. These complex jobs often require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and have a median annual wage of more than $77,000, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
18 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 success doesn’t end with the naming of the Logistics Lab, either. Through the company’s generosity, the MCCB was able to award two $10,000 scholarships to highly deserving MCCB students and provide support for professional development opportunities for many other students.
SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES ARE A BALANCING ACT
The 104-acre Northeast Georgia Inland Port planned for Hall County will provide a direct link to the Port of Savannah via Norfolk Southern. The rail terminal will open with 9,000 feet of working track, expanding to 18,000 feet at full build-out. With a top capacity of 150,000 container lifts per year, the facility will offset 600 roundtrip highway miles for every container moved by rail.
In the Syfan Logistics Lab, students will gain experience with McLeod Software, the leading software in the logistics industry, thanks to the support of McLeod Software and Syfan Logistics.
Dr. Zuoming Liu, assistant professor of management, teaches his students about two of the main challenges in the supply chain: companies’ desire to reduce costs through overseas sourcing of their materials and businesses’ patterns of lean operations that keep only enough supply for a short window. The difficulties in meeting both of those goals while providing enough product to satisfy customers is always a balancing act, but even more now in the economic uncertainty of a global pandemic.“Wecannot avoid globalization or lean operations,” Liu said. “But we must help our students find ways to balance these challenges.”
Liu has enlisted Allen and some of his other students to assist with research on supply chain resiliency. They check in with local businesses to see how well they have been able to keep their inventory stocked.
“We realized how fragile the supply chain was,” Allen said. “It’s been interesting. I’ve learned a lot.” would be helpful to contribute to an environment that will hone students’ communication skills with realworld applications.”
“Our operations happen in a large, open room,” Jim Syfan, co-founder and CEO of Syfan Logistics, said. “That is not by accident. Rather than a lecture hall, I thought it
“These gifts are transformative for our logistics and supply chain program,” MCCB Dean Mary Gowan said. “Our alumni already do well in the industry, but having access to the logistics lab and the specialized software will ensure our students are highly competitive in the industry as they graduate. We are truly thankful for the partnership we have with Jim, Greg and Steve Syfan that provides jobs for our students and support for ourSyfan’sprogram.”commitment to student ensure students are gaining the most up-to-date information in the field, and the company regularly hires students as interns and alumni as full-time employees.
A logistics lab in the new Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation, set to open at the Dahlonega Campus in fall 2022, will provide students further opportunities to gain hands-on practice and feedback from industry professionals as they grapple with these dilemmas. The Syfan Logistics Lab will provide students with a learning environment that emulates a real logistics center, merging current technologies with the benefits of classroom instruction.
Assistant Professor of Business Statistics and Quantitative Methods
“I liked how concrete and applicable the information is. I can think abstractly, but I like practical applications for what I’m learning,” AllenDr.added.LuXu, assistant professor of business statistics and quantitative methods, said students are learning about three forms of sustainability: economic, environmental and social. She said that after years of economic and environmental considerations taking center stage, the social sustainability of taking care of employees and creating safe products is now gaining attention. Since everyone in our society is a customer, Xu said all can play a part in pushing for sustainability.
sustainability,withtogetherworkascustomersagrowingawarenessofwecanhelpcreateaculturalchange.”Dr.LuXu
19WWW. UNG.EDU
The subject matter extends far beyond abstract textbook material.
“We can take our power to move this forward,” she said. “If we work together as customers with a growing awareness of sustainability, we can help create a culturalUNG’schange.”supply chain and logistics management concentration includes three courses specific to this field: quality and improvement, procurement and supply chain management, and supply chain management and logistics.
“If we
20 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 Where I MotivatingLead:othersBIO BRADLEY WEAVER, ’14, is putting the management degree he earned to good use as he owns and operates Bradley’s Farms, which sells aGeorgia,thrivingtrees.strawberriespumpkins,andChristmasInadditiontohisDawsonville,farm,healsohaslandscapebusiness.
Fairness and knowledge. Know your employees, know your customers, and know your business. Take care of your employees, and your employees will generally take care of your customers. How do you lead?
Leadership means encouraging and motivating people to help them find their passion. It requires listening and respecting the person.
The classes I took and the people, both teachers and friends, gave me a good foundation. Much of my knowledge came from books and professors, especially the ones who were business owners and led people.
I take individuals and match whatever their needs are. I wouldn’t ask them to do anything I wouldn’t do. I try and make things easier for them, like come up with new ideas to make the job go by quicker and easier, which relates to employee satisfaction. What advice would you give small business owners about leadership? You don’t have to be the biggest overnight. You can slowly grow in to it and prove your concept and tweak it as needed. Whether you’re selling a product or a service, you can slowly build and work out the bugs and then go from there. In business you’re constantly tweaking things.
How do you define leadership?
21WWW. UNG.EDU
Which skills does a leader need?
How did UNG shape you as a leader?
22 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 BY DENISE RAY PHOTOS BY PEGGY COZART RANKSINRISINGWOMENTHE Women are increasingly assuming leadership roles in the Corps of Cadets. Scan to see how women lead in the corps.
THE CONTINUESMOMENTUM
In 1973, UNG became the first of the nation’s six senior military colleges to accept women into its Corps of Cadets, paving the way for alumna Col. Greta Railsback, ’99, to become the first UNG female graduate to rise to the rank of Army colonel. Last summer Railsback took command of the Soldier Recovery Brigade, National Capital Region, at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. The brigade provides leadership, case management, conditions to promote healing, and comprehensive transition planning for the Army’s most complex wounded, ill and injured“We’dsoldiers.alllike to high-five each other, but I know we can do better. Every year, I want to see us do better,” Railsback said of her 2019 promotion to colonel. “This promotion is not winning for us, it is just the beginning.” During her years in the corps, Dawn Brookshire, ’95, was the first female battalion commander. By 2009, UNG was the first to promote a female, Ashlie Shrewsbury, ’10, to the highest-ranking position in the corps – brigade commander. For the first time, all 700-plus members of the corps — the largest in the school’s history at that point — reported to a woman.“Iheld a few different leadership positions throughout my time at UNG, but commanding the brigade was by far the most challenging,” Shrewsbury said. “One of my most lasting lessons is that empowered subordinate leaders excel if you give them the chance. Commanding the brigade changed how I lead people in a hugely positive way.” Logan Scott followed in Shrewsbury’s boots in the 2019-20 school year.
By fall 2018, women made up 18.3% of UNG’s cadets. The university’s goal is to maintain a level of 16% or more, which correlates to the percentage of women officers in the U.S. Army. The percentage of incoming female cadets increases incrementally each year, with an estimated 25-27% of an incoming class being women, Mike Ivy, director of cadet admissions, said. As the numbers continue to rise, so does the presence of women in positions of command and specialty organizations. In 2021-22, cadet leadership included Lt. Col. Callie Regal, ’22, 2nd Battalion commander; brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Jordan Armstrong; Capt. Isabella Hurst, ’22, Alpha Company commander; Capt. Hayley Farmer, ’22, Golf Company commander; and Hayley Farmer, left, and Esther Kim, right, work together at Camp Frank D. Merrill Army Ranger Camp during FROG Week. Both graduated in May 2022 and commissioned as Army officers.
23WWW. UNG.EDU
1st Sgt. Laurana Bradley.“Asa battalion commander, it has been an honor to work with so many of my outstanding peers,” Regal said. “I thoroughly enjoy getting to work with the other commanders and staff as we tackle the tasks and missions that come our way.”
CamaraderieGuardArmyofIntelligenceintocommissionedKaylaLt.DanleytheMilitarybranchtheGeorgiaNationalinMay2022.isjustone
UNG female cadets have stood out at Advanced Camp, a month-long training event designed to demonstrate proficiency in basic officer leadership and military skills. The successful completion of the Advanced Camp is a prerequisite for cadets who seek a military officer commission. College ROTC programs from all around the nation 2nd of the benefits of an increasing presence of women within the Corps of Cadets.
“I have learned a great deal about myself and about corps operations through this opportunity.”
In 2022-23, women will again hold several leadership positions.
Cadet command positions are selected through a competitive board process and having goals early on helps set cadets up for success when being assessed, Regal said.
The first female members of cadet specialty organizations include Vanessa Pizarro, ’11, the first female in the Mountain Order of Colombo, Ivy said. The Mountain Order of Colombo is based on U.S. Army Ranger training and named after Master Sgt. Louis P. Colombo, who volunteered his time and knowledge. Gretchen Blaschke was the first female member of the Aggressor Platoon. A scholarship was created in her honor after she passed in 1981. Joanna Schell, ’12, and sister Sophie Schell Bender, ’15, followed in Blaschke’s footsteps, and more recently Alison Gaynor, ’21. The Aggressor Platoon provides training in small unit, light infantry, and Ranger tactics. Cadet Capt. Taylor Stephenson is the current commander of the Blue Ridge Rifles, a military precision drill team. In 2010, Capt. Jessica Carlock placed seventh out of 4,702 cadets in the nation on the National Order of MeritToday,list.
24 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 Bravo Company
FUTURE LEADERS WITHIN THE CORPS
“Being a leader is not easy, but it is worth every minute getting to help and mentor others,” Regal said.
Cadet Lt. Cols. Bentlee Roberson and Allyson Smith will be battalion commanders; Cadet Capts. Addilyn Koonce and Bellana Bradley will be company commanders.
25WWW. UNG.EDU
Women are regularly assuming top positionsleadershipinUNG’sCorpsofCadets.
“The video showcases the great impact women in the corps provide on a daily basis and the leadership opportunities women have,” Ivy said.Ivy said that the corps should reflect the Army’s composition, and that the Army should reflect the people it serves.
In 2017, Addyson Albershardt was one of two who won the Bold Spirit Award, voted on by Advanced Camp instructors. She also was recognized as the female cadet with the highest score on the Army Physical Fitness Test.
RECRUITING VIDEO FOCUSES
To highlight the achievements of UNG’s female cadets, Ivy and the Office of Cadet Admissions have developed a video.
Training at Pine Valley is an integral part of the cadet experience at UNG. attend the event held every summer at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
“My goal as a director of cadet admissions is that when you see videos, presentations, regardless of who you are or where you’re from, orientation, race, gender, you can see yourself at UNG,” Ivy said. “I really do think that the strength of UNG is in our diversity,” Ivy said. “Within the corps structure, the diversity of the talent that we have goes through all depths. It doesn’t matter what you look like, where you come from, what you’re socioeconomic status is, because at the end of the day, if you have the attitude and effort, and you want an education, and an opportunity to be a leader on day one after graduation, UNG is the place for you.”
In 2021, Farmer, received the USAA Warrior Ethos Award, given to a cadet in each of the 11 regiments at camp. After Advanced Camp, she helped mentor younger cadets at Basic Camp, also at Fort Knox. ON FEMALES
ANNA CAITLYN “A.C.” ANDERSON, ’22, recently earned a degree in political science with a pre-law concentration. She was named a Fulbright finalist and will teach English in Spain for the 2022-23 academic year. At UNG, Anderson served as a EntertainmentleaderAmbassador,PresidentialorientationandNighthawksofficer.
UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 Where I experienceaPreparingLead:forFulbrightBIO
What made you want to apply for a teachscholarshipFulbrighttoinSpain?
I’ve always loved the cultures associated with the Spanish language. It’s different wherever you go. I wanted the opportunity to not only share my culture, but learn another while improving my Spanish and teaching English. What was it like to seek out this opportunity?
The whole writing process can be very daunting. It can be time-consuming. It can be nerve-wracking. However, at the end of the day, it is an incredibly rewarding experience. You discover yourself by focusing on what you have and not what you don’t have. That is how you formulate your personal statement and your statement of great purpose. What are some of the most important lessons you learned as a leader at UNG? You can always develop as a leader. There’s no point at which you can’t grow and continue to better yourself. You should always strive for that betterment as a leader. Also, there’s no team member too big and no team member too small to make something happen in the leadership realm. How did challenges help you grow in your time as a student? The bumps in the road made me develop. And they made me broaden my ability to be adaptable, to be flexible, to be prepared for the unexpected and remain calm in a stressful situation.
BY DENISE RAY
Students’ capacity for resiliency diminished due to isolation.
NIGHTHAWKS STRONG
Socialization—a key element of collegiate life—was basically nonexistent as students no longer had the opportunity to be together for entertainment and activities.
In the five-year span from 2014-15 to 2018-19, anxiety replaced depression as the top mental health diagnosis on college campuses, and like the rest of the nation, UNG also saw an increase in the severity of problems.“Notonly were we dealing with increased demand, but also increased intensity, which was creating a mental health crisis across the country in college students,” Dr. Simon Cordery, director of student counseling, said. “This generation has so many more challenges to navigate than previous ones. They’re breaking down. They’re having meltdowns over small things. They go straight from, ‘This is horrible, I can’t deal with this’ to ‘I want to die.’”
A University System of Georgia mental health initiative, funded by the state during the COVID pan demic, supports a partnership with Christie Campus Health and the creation of “Nigel Cares,” a mental health support line where students can receive immediate mental health support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. Also, if needed, students can receive five sessions with a mental health professional (either virtual or Telepsychiatryin-person).isasolution to a national lack of access to psychi atrists and helps students in need of counseling or medication stay in school and continue to function at a level that allows them to succeed academically.“Thisisan educational com munity, but we are a microcosm of the real world,” Cordery said. “Real-world problems exist and improved mental health improves everything else. We want students to be in the best possible frame of mind when they’re trying to pass a difficult course like organic chemistry that requires them to be functioning at a very high level. If they’re not sleep ing, if they’re not eating, if they’re preoccupied with a relationship problem, they’re not going to do that successfully.”
focusing on student mental health
28 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
Through the mental health initiative, UNG is also working with JED Campus, a four-year program to build on existing student mental health and substance abuse and suicide prevention efforts.
Dr. Simon Cordery Director of Student Counseling
The initial 2021 assessment identified 62 campus-level action items, and UNG has completed 34 items in the first year, Cordery said. He added that UNG has been well-prepared to make the improvements because of the university’s focus on student success and best practices.
also began teaching Mental Health First Aid, a program for faculty, staff and students to learn to recog nize and intervene in mental health issues in a way that helps them get the help they need.
In December 2020, UNG students participated in a Healthy Minds survey, which highlighted the interference of mental health issues with academics, stress, anxiety, and suicidality. UNG has taken several steps to support student well-being and resiliency, including the expansion of a peer educator program, because, as Cordery said, students will listen to peers when building skills and making behavior and lifestyle changes.
Kognito is an interactive online program for students to learn how to identify students exhibiting signs of psychological distress, approach students to discuss their concern and make referrals to university counseling centers. Students also learn about campus resources and support services, including counseling centers.
“Not only were we dealing with increased demand, but also increased intensity, which was creating a mental health crisis across the country in college students”
“This course helps faculty feel so much more comfort able in their classroom, and it helps them intervene in a way that’s really effective,” Cordery said.
“Students, faculty and staff want to help each other,” Dr. James Conneely, vice president of student affairs, said. “They realize it takes a community to accomplish this goal.”UNG
ON
Dr. Ben Wynne, Professor of History Wynne’s book focuses on Macon, Georgia, and its history of music that has evolved throughout the years. The city is known to be the birthplace of many iconic artists, such as The Allman Brothers Band, Little Richard and Otis Redding; all of whom Wynne mentions and talks about in his novel. The book also covers many musical genres, including blues, jazz, R&B, and rock and roll.
“Handbook of Research on Teaching Diverse Youth Literature to Pre-Service Professionals”
The focus of the book is to help university educators teach their students how to use books when teaching smaller children. The book covers topics focused on diversity resources and activity planning.
Dr. Diana Edelman, Interim Assistant Head of the Department of English
“Embryology and the Rise of the Gothic Novel”
2022
Dr. Danielle Hartsfield, Associate Professor of Literacy and Elementary Education
“Something in the Water: A History of Music in Macon Georgia, 1823-1980”
The faculty and staff at UNG have seen an impressive number of books produced within the academic year. While this is not an exhaustive list, it is clear that UNG has several great authors in its midst. These books even include work from President Bonita Jacobs and Dr. Richard Oates, former vice president of UNG’s Gainesville Campus.
Dr. Bibek Chand, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs, Co-Author Chand and his co-author focused on the European Union-Asia relations, specifically focusing on the foreign trade, political, and social issues in China. The book highlights interactions in fields many people tend to overlook when discussing the two regions and the problems they are facing.
“Embryology and the Rise of the Gothic Novel” is a book that focuses on the evolution of gothic literature. The book argues that one reason gothic fiction is so powerful is due to the fact that reproductive questions rarely have definite answers. For example, the story of Frankenstein is mentioned a lot throughout the book. During that time period many scientists were grappling with the role of the supernatural in reproduction.
“New Challenges and Opportunities in European-Asian Relations”
“Thriving as a Woman in Leadership in Higher Education: Stories and Strategies from Your Peers”
Dr. Chaudron Gille, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs, Chapter Author Gille wrote a chapter in “Thriving as a Woman in Leadership in Higher Education: Stories and Strategies from Your Peers” in which she discusses the struggles women face when trying to share their own experiences. Her chapter encourages women in the field to talk more about their achievements.
30 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer
OUR BOOKSHELVES
Edited by Dr. Dlynn Williams, Department Head of Political Science and International Affairs, and Dr. Raluca Viman-Miller, Assistant Professor of Political Science. Dr. Craig Greathouse, Professor and Associate Department Head; Dr. Cristian Harris, Professor; Dr. Scott Meachum,Assistant Professor; Dr. Jonathan Miner, Professor; Dr. Nathan Price, Associate Professor; Dr. Sam Rohrer, Associate Professor; Dr. Seyed Hamidreza Serri, Associate Professor; Dr. Laurel Wei, Assistant Professor; and Dr. Dwight Wilson, Associate Professor, also contributed.
THE EDUCATIONCITIZENSHIPPROGRAMANDBLACKWOMEN’SPOLITICALCULTURETHE EDUCATIONCITIZENSHIPPROGRAMANDBLACKWOMEN’SPOLITICALCULTURE DEANNA M. GILLESPIEDEANNA M. GILLESPIE [[[[
Most people know the major moments in the civil rights movement and Dr. Gillespie’s book brings light onto the lesser-known subjects. Her main goal with the book is to put Black women as the center of attention, show what effects they had on the movement, and history as we know it today.
Written by Dr. Chris Jespersen, Dean of the College of Arts & Letters, and illustrated by Josie V. Toney, Staff Member
“Homeschooling: A Guidebook of Practices, Claims, Issues, and Implications”
Faculty at UNG took notice of the price of textbooks and decided they wanted to offer a low-cost alternative. The Department of Political Science and International Affairs authored and edited the textbook. The textbook introduces beginner political science students to the world politics.
This book offers a fresh perspective on how politics translated from Washington, D.C., to Montgomery, Alabama, during the pivotal period of reconstruction. Rogers examines the shifting political dynamics following the Civil War.
Dr. T. Jameson Brewer, Assistant Professor of Social Foundations and Leadership Education
31WWW. UNG.EDU
“The Citizenship Education Program and Black Women’s Political Culture”
“Reconstruction Politics in a Deep South State: Alabama, 1865-1874”
“Critical Essays on the Writings of Lillian Smith”
“California ABC’s” follows Milo, a black lab, on a journey around California. Milo visits many of the state’s cities, famous and little landmarks, as well as state parks and recreational areas. Milo’s journey is targeted for classroom usage, with primary focuses on social studies, culture and geography.
Dr. Tanya Bennett, a Professor of English, edited and contributed, along with three other UNG English Department faculty members contributing: Associate Department Head Dr. Wendy Kurant Rollins, Associate Professor David Brauer, and Senior Lecturer Cameron Crawford.
“UNG Best Day Ever”
“California ABC’s”
“The Basics of Global Politics”
The book explores the claims made by advocates of homeschooling and the history of the practice.
Dr. Warren Rogers, Professor of History
Dr. Dee Gillespie, Professor of History
The book tracks the evolution of Smith from her younger days into a courageous and talented writer. Bennett thought that students would connect well with someone who was from their state and might have a better understanding of the reading once they learned more about Smith and her writings.
President Bonita Jacobs and Dr. Richard Oates, former Vice President of UNG’s Gainesville Campus “UNG Best Day Ever” focuses on the Gainesville Campus’ signature Starlight Celebration and Fireworks event. In the book, a family prepares for Starlight by touring the campus and landmarks in Gainesville. This book is the second in a series that spotlights each of the UNG campuses.
The university began as North Georgia Agricultural College in 1873 in Dahlonega, Georgia, and was renamed North Georgia College in 1929. In 1996, due to its much wider scope of academic programs, the University System of Georgia reclassified the college as a state university and renamed it North Georgia College & State UniversityGainesville(NGCSU).Junior College was founded in 1964, becoming Gainesville College in 1987 and Gainesville State College in 2005. It expanded in 2003 to include the Oconee Campus. In 2013, NGCSU and Gainesville State College consolidated to become the University of North Georgia. The Cumming Campus opened as a joint venture between NGCSU and Gainesville State College months before the consolidation, and UNG opened the Blue Ridge Campus in 2015. Both campuses have helped expand access to higher education across the north GeorgiaUNGregion.isoneof only six federally designated senior military colleges, which include The Citadel, Norwich University, Texas A&M University, Virginia Tech, and Virginia Military Institute. It has been Wayne Baird
Pat Guthrie
UNG’s Sesquicentennial Planning Committee has begun its work with three distinguished honorary co-chairs: Wayne Baird, 1989 vicegraduateUNGandpresident of the UNG faculty,students,whichthestaffEvents,ofUNG’sdirectorexecutiveAnnaFoundation.StatetheformerandUNGpresidentimmediateJimmyAssociation;AlumniFaulkner,past-oftheFoundation;PatGuthrie,CEOofGainesvilleCollegeBrown,ofOfficeUniversityistheleaderforcommittee,includesalumni,staff, volunteers, and representation from each of UNG’s campuses. Learn more at ung.edu/150.
preparing future officers to serve as officers in the U.S. Army since the university’s founding in 1873.
Jimmy Faulkner
32 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
Sesquicentennial marks 150 years of scholarship, leadership and service
UNG will mark 150 years of serving the region, state and nation with its Sesquicentennial Celebration during the 2022-23 academic year. A litany of special events and tieins with annual events will kick-off in August at UNG’s faculty/staff and student convocation ceremonies.
“We look forward to celebrating UNG’s rich history as we build on our momentum of preparing outstanding civic, professional and military leaders,” UNG President Bonita Jacobs said. “Our students, faculty, staff and alumni are an invaluable part of our legacy and the university’s impact on our state, and we are eager to celebrate this milestone with them and with our communities.”
33WWW. UNG.EDU CONGRATULATIONS University of North Georgia Alumni Association 2022 Award Recipients 2LT Aaron Brock ’20 Young Alumnus Award John Rucks Alumni Association (Ret) COL John Thompson ’87 Distinguished Alumni Adam Stead ’02 Ralph Colley Spirit of North Georgia Award Hannah Watts Alumni EndowedAssociationScholarship Dr. Dlynn Williams Distinguished Professor The UNG Alumni Association annually honors the university’s most outstanding alumni, students and faculty who exemplify exceptional leadership, service and excellence in their roles serving or attending the university. To nominate someone, please visit ungalumni.org/alumni-awards-banquet . The deadline for award nominations is January 14, 2023
1 58
“You can’t have trust in any organization unless every single member of that organization treats each other with dignity and respect. If you have dignity and respect for one another, you’ll have trust. And, if you have trust, you’ll be well on your way to a cohesive organization.”
34 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022
2022 was a fabulous experience for all those involved,” Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Wendi Huguley, ’90, said. “It was the first time in a number of years that the weekend included parents as well as university partners in the activities, and I’m so glad we were able to return to that model. We are all in this together and Parent Alumni Weekend is a testament to that university unity.”
PARENTSALUMNI,
GATHER FOR REMEMBRANCEFUN,
Hundreds attended the annual UNG ParentAlumni Weekend, gathering for fun and a chance to make new “Parentmemories.AlumniWeekend
The classes of 1971 and 1972 reminisced at Pine Valley for a 50th Reunion lunch, sharing photos and memories. On the Dahlonega Campus, others enjoyed live music, REUNITE, author meet & greets, military demonstrations, and lively conversations. Lt. Col. Tim Palmer, ’01, was the keynote speaker at Memorial Retreat, an annual ceremony held to honor alumni who have fallen in battle and alumni who have passed since the previous year’s ceremony areTheread.keynote speaker at the Military Awards Review was Maj. Gen. Jamie Jarrard, ’88. “We grow leaders here at UNG,” Jarrard said. “I’d like to talk about the best definition of leaders I’ve heard lately: when you begin to care more about others flourishing than you do yourself, you will have become a good leader.” Jarrard went on to highlight that “no matter what you do in your life, build cohesive teams,” and in order to have a cohesive team, there must be trust.
2 Student Jesus Penaloza attended the Reunite event with his family.
The Golden Eagle Band performed during the 2022 Parent-Alumni Weekend.
The Reunite event held during the 2022 foodWeekendParent-Alumnifeaturedlivemusic,andbooksignings.
5 James Ralph received the Dot Strother Scholarship award at the Alumni Association Awards Banquet.
1
4 Corps of Cadets Brigade Commander Ryan Jones with brigade staff at Military Awards Review.
6 UNG’s very own authors and artist at REUNITE signed their books published by UNG Press.
6 119 10 7 2 3 4
35WWW. UNG.EDU
8 President Bonita Jacobs welcomed University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue to the Military Awards Review.
10 The 2-mile “fun run” through campus and downtown Dahlonega provided an early morning start to the Saturday activities.
7
9 Cadets in formation at the Military Awards Review.
3 University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue watched as President Bonita Jacobs handed a saber to the brigade commander for UNG’s Corps of Cadets at the Military Awards Review.
11 Alumni Student Hosts Maggie Davidson ’23 and Caroline Jones ’24.
Karen Towles, ’95, won the 2021 Lower School Teacher of the Year Award from the Georgia Independent School Association, beating out nominees from 160 other schools. She is a physical education teacher and coach at Lakeview Academy in Gainesville.
Melanie Reed, ’92 , was named superintendent for the Buford City School System. She previously held the deputy superintendent position. A native of Gwinnett County, she also held leadership positions at Buford Elementary and Buford Middle schools. Joshua Teteak, ’94, was appointed chief supply chain officer at BlueLinx Holdings Inc. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and served in the U.S. military for six years. He currently serves on the UNG Foundation Board of Trustees.
1980s Mark Agerton, ’87, has been named senior vice president, federal sector, with Syft. Prior to joining Syft, he was a senior area sales manager for Vocera and held executive positions with CareFusion, Cardinal Health and Pyxis. In addition, he was a director of materials management for several hospitals and health systems, including Northeast Georgia Health System and DeKalb Medical Center. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in business management.
1990s
generalformersoon.HebeassignmentandNationalforandArmygeneralcommandingtheassignmentcompletedJarrard(AUSA).recentlyanasdeputy-forU.S.EuropeAfricatheArmyGuard,hisnextwillannouncedistheadjutantforthe state of Georgia and commanding general of the Georgia Department of Defense. He served on active duty for more than 20 years. The medal was established in 1999 and is awarded annually to a serving or former member of the U.S. National Guard who has contributed most to the advancement of AUSA’s goal of a seamless and componentintegrated Army.
36 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 CLASSNOTES
Jarrard earns medal from AUSA Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Jarrard, ’88, earned the Lt. Gen. Raymond S. McLain Medal from the Association of the United States Army
Joan Lee, ’89, was added to the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. After earning her M.Ed. in 1995, Lee taught business sciences.foralsoTechnicalfortechnologyadministrativeandaccountingovertwodecadesatLanierCollege,wheresheservedasdivisionchairbusinessandcomputer
Paul Arcangeli, ’87, longtime United States House Armed Services Committee staff director, retired from his role April 1. Arcangeli worked for the committee for nearly 18 years in a variety of roles. He commissioned into the Army upon graduation from UNG and served for 12 years before shifting gears to work as a congressional staffer.
World Series is a family affair
Michael Cheek, ’04, was a Forsyth County Teacher of the Year finalist. He teaches eighth-grade math at Vickery Creek Middle School. He received his bachelor’s degree in marketing and began his teaching career in Forsyth County in 2009. Jimmy Lane, ’05, was appointed president and CEO of the Cocoa Beach (Florida) Regional Chamber of Commerce. Lane previously was the executive vice president for the Forsyth County Chamber of Commerce. He earned a degree in math education.
Donna Peters, ’06, was recently hired as director of marketing and communications with Sterling Seacrest Pritchard in Savannah, Georgia. Peters previously worked as the marketing and events coordinator for the Independent Insurance Agents of Georgia. She graduated with an associate degree in sociology.
Susan Bennett, ’96, was a Forsyth County Teacher of the Year finalist. She teaches English for Speakers of Other Languages at Cumming Elementary School, where she began her teaching career in 1997.
Jennifer DeFillippes, ’06, was promoted to assistant superintendent at Lee Arrendale Transitional Center. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice at UNG.
Deticia Oosthuizen, ’06, was a finalist for White County’s Teacher of the Year. She is a second-grade teacher at Mossy Creek Elementary School and has been teaching for 16 years, with 13 of those at MCES. She earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management and later a master’s degree in early childhood education.
37WWW. UNG.EDU
Troy Snitker, ’16, helped the Houston Astros reach the 2021 World Series as one of the team’s hitting coaches. That created a matchup with his father, Braves Manager Brian Snitker.
Nicole Stansell, ’07, has been named assistant principal at Longtime Kennedy Middle School in Aiken, South Carolina. Stansell earned her bachelor’s degree in middle school education.
2000s Jackson DeFore, ’00, was appointed deputy director for administration and finance with the Georgia Department of Corrections. Builder Travis Camerio, ’01, and designer Heather Camerio, ’07, received an award in the Specialty Project Category in the 2021 Best in American Living Awards from the National Association of Home Builders. Their company Camerio Builders helped create an accessibility and sensory room for a client who had suffered a traumatic brain injury.
After playing three seasons for UNG, Troy Snitker played two years of minor league baseball in the Atlanta organization before entering coaching. He earned a degree in physical education from UNG.
Jessica Scroggs, ’16, was a finalist for White County Teacher of the Year. She is an interventionist at Jack P. Nix Elementary School, where she teaches response to intervention classes. Her degree is in early childhood and special education, along with a reading endorsement.
38 UNG MAGAZINE | Spring/Summer 2022 Cynthia Kinsey, ’08 , was named the 2022-23 Teacher of the Year for Gainesville City Schools. She earned a Bachelor of Science in early childhood education.
2010s Mollie Parker, ’13, was promoted to the rank of sergeant in the Dalton Police Department. She joined the force after graduation from UNG and then earned her law enforcement certification and became a patrol officer later that year.
2020s Ariel Turner, ’21, has been named associate dean for collections and discovery for Clemson Libraries. Before Clemson, Turner worked within Kennesaw State University’s library system, where she served as department chair of library resources. Turner earned her Doctor of Education in higher education leadership and practice at UNG.
Sommer Coen, ’18, was appointed studio manager and artist-in-resident of the Transylvania Community Arts Ceramics program. She is a native of Cumming, Georgia, and obtained her Bachelor of Arts in studio art. Erica Jones, ’19, was named editor of the Dawson County News. After graduating, Jones joined the Dawson County News team in March 2020 as a features and education reporter. Melissa Pruitt, ’07, ’14, ’19, opened a MedLink Georgia clinic in Suches. MedLink Georgia is a nonprofit that serves patients from 26 Northeast Georgia counties and contiguous North and South Carolina communities.
Ranger Distinguished Honor Grad Jared Pate, ’20, graduated from the U.S. Army’s Ranger School, where he was recognized by the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade as the distinguished honor graduate of his class. Pate was a member of the Georgia Army National Guard as an infantryman assigned to the Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment as a strategic and security studies major. He attended Ranger School after graduation. To submit a class note or update your contact information email the Office of Alumni Relations at alumni@ung.edu.
’10 February
’59
September
Mr. Arlin Wilburn Pitts ’81 December 1, 2021 Mr. George W. Pope ’65 October 7, 2021 Mr. Michael Vincent Redmond ’65 October 19, 2021 Mr. Gary Eugene Reed ’75 January 21, 2022 CAPT (Ret.) Custis L. Rosser ’67 August 1, 2021 Ms. Oleeta J. Sanford ’76 November 10, 2021 Mr. Donnie Lee Scogin ’98 December 16, 2021
’54 February 1, 2022 Mrs.
’53 March 2, 2022 Mrs.
Stegall ’68 December 14, 2021 Mr.
9, 2021
October
FACULTY/STAFF/FRIENDS
December
2022 Mrs.
2021
’62 February 9, 2022 Mr. James Lafyette Maher ’74 November 28, 2021 Mr.
February
Fabozzi ’83 February 17, 2022 Mrs. Carole Grace Fay ’65 December 16, 2021 Mr. Nicholas Alec Felker ’21 January 28, 2022
39WWW. UNG.EDU In Memoriam
Cooper ’12 November 4, 2021 Mrs. Clara
’58
2022 Mr.
2021
2021
December
2021 Mrs.
20, 2022 Mrs.
2021
February
Mr. Ronald James Holt ’65 January 2, 2022 Mrs. Lois C. Hope ’65 September 6, 2021 Dr. Charles Dean Jeffries ’50 February 16, 2022 Mr. Reid Joseph Kendall ’81 November 25, 2021 Mrs. Janet Kay Lewis ’75 October 28, 2021 Dr. Hoyt Morris Lock ’55 September 8, 2021 Dr. Harold Glenn Long ’54 September 15, 2021 Mr. Jon Elmo Lott ’75 January 30, 2022 Mr. William Fred Lott ’66 January 30, 2022 Mrs. Beverly Sue Lougher William Barbara 14, Karis Nizhoni Begaye ’99 5, Mr. Michael William Bennett ’66 2, Mr. Stuart Wayne Berger ’88 1, Edna Lois Black ’78 17, Mrs. Patricia Ann Boozer ’64 22, Mr. James Herman Brown ’49 16, Ms. Jacqueline Annette Bryan ’88 31, Mrs. Mary Elizabeth Chapman ’58 22, 2021
September
December
’59 September
November
’62
David McCord ’86 January 11, 2022 Mr. Robert F. McDowell ’64 January 9, 2022 ALUMNI Mr. Bobby G. Adams ’74 September 23, 2021 Mrs. Dana Ruth Allen ’86 September 23, 2021 Mr. Jones Garnett Andrews ’66 October 1, 2021 Dr. James Wade Ash ’60 December 15, 2021 Mr. Henry V. Bailey ’71 March 2, 2022 Ms.
Mrs. Betty Mitchell Oglesby ’76 January 7, 2022
2022 LTC
’58
Mr. Comer Frank Hampton ’46 January 13, 2022 Mr. Stephen Brian Hardegree ’93 January 20, 2022 Mr. Wyman Chappell Heeth ’59 November 21, 2021
Mr. Jimmy Earl Clement ’63 15, 2021 Mr. Shawn Ryan Mae Dianne Elrod Sarah Shepherd
Mr. Charles G. Pinson ’56 January 11, 2022
December
COL (Ret.) Howard Cook Florence ’68 February 20, 2022 Mrs. Betty Rose Forrester ’56 November 7, 2021 LTC (Ret.) Ralph Lamar Foster ’67 February 7, 2022 Mr. Thomas O. Fowler February 21, 2022 Mrs. Patricia Fuller ’51 March 15, 2022 Mrs. Elena D. Giblin ’53 October 15, 2021 Mrs. Kay Lois Gorday ’68 February 28, 2022 Mr. James Berry Gordon ’61 October 18, 2021 Mr. Donald Gene Hall ’86 November 16, 2021
’43 November 24, 2021
2021
8, 2022 Mr.
’57 August 28, 2021 Ms. Meadow Dean Snow ’23 October 22, 2021 Dr. Broadus Frederick Sowell ’52 October 6, 2021 Mr.
Cox ’67 October 7, 2021 Mrs. Imogene Dawkins ’85 February 12, 2022 LTC (Ret.) Donald Lawrence Devlin ’66 January 5, 2022 Mrs. Amy Victoria Dittrich ’94 February 12, 2022 Mr. Lawrence Warren Drinkard ’61 October 13, 2021 LTC (Ret.) Billy Alfred Duncan ’68 September 23, 2021 Dr. Joseph Nathaniel Edwards ’45 March 22, 2022 Mrs. Sandra
Tammen ’84 November 14, 2021 Mr.
’87 July
’98 October 5, 2021 Ms.
COL Thomas Appleby Settle ’55 January 30, 2022 Ms. Mary K. Sheats ’62 March 10, 2022 Mrs. Martha Simmons ’67 February 24, 2022 Ms. Nancy Simpson ’83 March 1, 2022 Mr. Ellis Jackson Singleton Robert Miller E. Paul Stringer Rebecca Juanita Christopher Michael Van Albert Thurston Micah Toombs 22, Ms. Lauren Emily Turner 10, Jack Anthony Vickery Myrna Yvonne 23, Sandra Jane West 10, 2021 Lisa Joan Whitaker 18, 2021 Mrs. Virginia Ruth Williams 6, 2022 Bruce Clement Williams 16, 2022 Hoyt Stanley Wishon November 22, Mr. Harry Howard Young 18, 2021
Mr. Mortimer Frank Meadors
West ’59 December
Mr.
’86 November
Mr. Charles Ray Milam March Michael James Moore November William Woodrow Morgan January Bonnie Sue Morris December
2022
’45
2022 Dr.
February
’57 January
’10
’56 October
2021
Mr. Charles T. Guthrie March 16, 2022 Mrs. Jeanne Hanlin March 15, 2022 Ms. Alice Elizabeth Harkins 26, 2021 Mr. Charles Martin McCranie March 9, 2022 Dr. Sylvia Ann Moseley February 9, 2022 Mr. Reginald A. Perry February 21, 2022 Mr. Wallace Clyde Scott January 8, 2022 Dr. Jennifer Lund Smith 23, 2022
Mr. Dallas Franklin Gay 21, 2022
Tavares ’14 December 4, 2021 Mr.
Evelyn Barden ’57 February
Mrs. Tami M. Hefner ’92 September 5, 2021 Mr. Eugene Holitt Hodges ’00 November 5, 2021
January
Mrs.
’66 November 16, 2021 Mrs.
Mr. Carlton A. Morrison September 22, Mr. John Spencer Morrison ’87 January 15, William E. Mundy ’52 November 8, 2021 Mr. Danny Neal ’76 February 3, 2022
Mr. Benjamin Brinson Overstreet ’48 January 11, 2022 Mr. David Clifton Owen ’58 February 17, 2022 Mr. Lynn Vence Ozment ’78 January 11, 2022 Mr. Lawrence Wayne Palmer ’49 October 2, 2021
’72 January
Mr.
2021
2021
26, 2021 Dr.
40 UNG MAGAZINE | Fall 2021 Upcoming Events For event times and other details, as well as more event opportunities, visit calendar.ung.edu. UNG continues to monitor guidance related to COVID-19 and events are subject to postponement or cancellation. AUGUST August 5 Summer 2022 Commencement Dahlonega Campus August 20 FROG Week Graduation Dahlonega Campus August 22 First Day of Classes August 27 Starlight Celebration & Fireworks Gainesville Campus August 30 - September 21 Art Exhibition: Fools Like Us by Will Kurucz Bob Owens Art Gallery Dahlonega Campus SEPTEMBER September 6-8 Senior Military College Conference Dahlonega Campus September 15 Athletics Hall of Fame Induction DahlonegaCeremonyCampus September 17 Nighthawk Preview Oconee Campus September 20 REED Summit September 21 Tomato Sandwich Supper Blue Ridge Campus September 23-25 Boar’s Head Weekend Dahlonega Campus September 24 Family DahlonegaDay Campus OCTOBER October 15-16 Gold DahlonegaRush Campus October 17-21 National Transfer Student Week All Campuses October 20 OconeeOconeeFestCampus October 20 – November 30 Artist Exhibition: Joe Kameen Bob Owen’s Art Gallery Dahlonega Campus NOVEMBER November 1 Application Deadline November 3 Third Annual Research Pitch GainesvilleCompetitionCampus November 4-6 National Leadership Challenge Dahlonega Campus November 5 Lumpkin County Veterans Day Parade Dahlonega Campus November 7-11 Veterans Appreciation Week All Campuses November 8 Patriot DahlonegaChoirCampus November 12 2022 Mid-Atlantic Regional Intercollegiate Ethics Bowl GainesvilleCompetitionCampus November 21-25 Fall Break DECEMBER December 9 Last day of classes December 16-17 Fall 2022 Commissioning and Commencement Ceremonies Dahlonega Campus Visit calendar.ung. edu for times and other details, as well as additional opportunities.eventVisit www.ungalumni.org for updates related to alumni events.
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA NIGHT AT TRUIST PARK ATLANTA BRAVES vs PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES SAT, SEPT 17 7:20 pm VS Ro ot on the World Champion Atlanta Brave s on September 17. Fans are encouraged to wear their UNG gear! Come out early for a University of North Geo rgia Parade around the warning track. TO BUY TICKETS ONLINE GO TO: UNGALUMNI.ORG/BR A VES
Gates open 6:00-8:30 p.m. | Fireworks at Dark U NG students enter free with current U NG student ID $10 (Cash O nly)per car $20 (Cash O nly)per bus , van or larger All event proceeds benefit U NG students. S aturday, August 2 7 ung .edu/starlight Presenting Sponsor Starlight 2022 UNG Magazine Ad Final-Print.indd 1 6/13/22 1:21 PM
