Events memorialize students lost in 22-23
Article By: Denise Ray
On April 26, the University of North Georgia (Â鶹ÊÓƵ) will memorialize students who died during the 2022-23 academic year.
Campuses participate in Â鶹ÊÓƵ Remembers Day, a tradition that began in 2017.
"Â鶹ÊÓƵ Remembers is a time to come together at the end of the spring semester to celebrate the lives and memories of those friends, family members and colleagues who have passed away during the academic year," Dr. Michelle Brown, dean of students for Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Oconee Campus, said. "A meaningful tradition, the memorial provides a forum to honor Â鶹ÊÓƵ community members who are no longer with us and find comfort and healing."
This year two students enrolled at the Oconee Campus will be remembered. Conor James Rahiya, 21, transferred from Clemson University. A 2020 graduate of Marist School in Atlanta, Rahiya was enrolled in the associate pathway in business administration. He was a lacrosse player and loved outdoor sports, including hiking and fishing. Matthew Ryan Campbell, 19, was a sophomore enrolled at the Oconee Campus who excelled as a student in the bachelor's business pathway and was registered to attend the University of Georgia this spring semester. A high school graduate of Pickens County High School, he was a golfer and worked at Roll Off Systems while enrolled.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Remembers Day provides an opportunity for the campus community to come together as a family to support the family and friends of the students and the faculty and staff colleagues who have died to keep their spirits and memories alive and vibrant as members of the Nighthawk family.
Dr. John Delaney
Â鶹ÊÓƵ associate vice president of Student Affairs
Ryan Bennett Joiner, 29, who passed away in June 2022, was registered as a Dahlonega student and had earned an associate degree in computer science in 2020. He was pursuing a bachelor's degree in cybersecurity before his passing. Joiner was known for his enormous heart and was passionate about helping others.
Their names will be added to memorial markers on their home campus.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ Remembers Day services will begin at noon on the Oconee Campus (at the memorial near the entrance to the campus), and 5 p.m. at the memorial near Memorial Hall at the Dahlonega Campus.
Family members and friends are invited to the event where faculty and staff may share thoughts about the students who have died.
"Â鶹ÊÓƵ Remembers Day provides an opportunity for the campus community to come together as a family to support the family and friends of the students and the faculty and staff colleagues who have died to keep their spirits and memories alive and vibrant as members of the Nighthawk family," Dr. John Delaney, associate vice president of Student Affairs and dean of students for Â鶹ÊÓƵ's Blue Ridge and Dahlonega campuses, said.
Many students may have recently experienced the loss of a loved one for the first time. Professional counselors on campus also have specific training to help guide students of all ages through the grief and adjustment process. Students may contact Student Counseling to receive this assistance.
AGENT Initiative offers cyber education tools
Â鶹ÊÓƵ hosted its fifth annual Advancing GenCyber Education for North Georgia Teachers Initiative from June 2-6 to help 24 middle and high school teachers learn ways of teaching cybersecurity.
Hardee, Williams part of USG leadership program
Dr. Sheri Hardee and Greg Williams were part of the University System of Georgia's 2024-25 Executive Leadership Institute cohort.
Book published by Â鶹ÊÓƵ Press earns award
A book published by the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Press earned the second-place grand prize for non-fiction in the 2025 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
Cyber students make strong showings
Cybersecurity students from Â鶹ÊÓƵ turned in strong performances in the National Cyber League, National Cyber Exercise and SummitCTF during the spring semester.