Governor, chancellor help celebrate 150th
The University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) continued to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a Corps of Cadets review by Gov. Brian Kemp at Liberty Plaza across from the State Capitol in Atlanta on March 7. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Maj. Gen. Dwayne Wilson also attended the event.
A day before Â鶹ÊÓƵ's visit, legislative leaders approved $1.3 million in design funds for Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Military Science Center expansion in the amended Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, a Â鶹ÊÓƵ graduate, helped secure the funding.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ President Bonita Jacobs received a commendation from Kemp and Georgia Senate and House of Representatives resolutions in honor of the university's Sesquicentennial Celebration.
"We need more young minds like you in our society. And that is why I'm glad to know the University of North Georgia will continue to grow and thrive in its next 150 years," Kemp said. "It is a place of patriotism, and today we celebrate not only that great history, but also its exciting future."
Perdue lauded the way Â鶹ÊÓƵ develops leaders through its Corps of Cadets.
"I'm delighted that we still have young men and women who are committed to the safety of our nation," Perdue said. "The culture of leadership development at Â鶹ÊÓƵ is one of the best in the nation."
We need more young minds like you in our society. And that is why I'm glad to know the University of North Georgia will continue to grow and thrive in its next 150 years. It is a place of patriotism, and today we celebrate not only that great history, but also its exciting future.
Brian Kemp
Georgia governor
Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Sesquicentennial serves as an opportunity to honor the university's heritage, celebrate its present achievements, and focus on where it will lead next.
"As we seek to produce future generations of military leaders, I am very grateful to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, to our state legislators, and to Governor Kemp for their ongoing support and commitment to our plans to expand and modernize our Military Leadership Center so that we can continue to support our outstanding cadets," Jacobs said.
Wilson, a 1993 Â鶹ÊÓƵ alumnus, serves as commanding general for the Georgia Army National Guard. About 200 Â鶹ÊÓƵ cadets serve annually in the Georgia Army National Guard while in college, and 40 of them per year commission as second lieutenants when they graduate. Wilson noted that more than half of the Georgia Army National Guard's company and battalion commanders are Â鶹ÊÓƵ alumni.
"Thank you for your willingness to serve and to lead," Wilson said. "I know you are up for the challenges ahead."
Gooch earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management and a Master of Public Administration from Â鶹ÊÓƵ. He has seen first-hand the university's impact in his district.
"Â鶹ÊÓƵ has made a difference in our region for generations," Gooch said.
Three alumni who are flag officers attended the review: retired Maj. Gen. Bil Johnson, '72, retired Lt. Gen. Burke Garrett, '81, and retired Gen. Stephen Townsend, '82.
In addition to Gooch, a large contingent of state legislators attended the celebration on Liberty Plaza. Among those lawmakers were Sen. Max Burns, former dean of Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Mike Cottrell College of Business; Sen. Shelly Echols, '02; Rep. Stan Gunter, '81; and Rep. Will Wade, '01.
For more information on Â鶹ÊÓƵ's 150th anniversary, visit the Sesquicentennial Celebration website.
Event gives leaders taste of Corps life
High school students have a chance to get a big-picture view of Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Corps of Cadets and learn from current cadets at National Leadership Challenge from March 27-29.
Female student leaders recognized, honored
Ten female students and four alumnae were honored at Â鶹ÊÓƵ's 10th annual Women's Leadership Recognition Luncheon March 1. Dawn Hughes Simonton '88 served as the event speaker.
New course develops cadet leadership skills
Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Cadet Leadership Academy held the inaugural six-week Cadet Advanced Leadership Course in the fall for 156 sophomore cadets.
Program preps students to become cadets
Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Cadet Leadership Preparatory Program has 10 students in its second year. The program allows students to see if the Corps of Cadets is right for them.