Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ

Student speakers set for fall commencement

December 1, 2025
From left, fall graduates Katie Boster, Madeline Lindell and Alana Stroud will serve as student speakers at their respective Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ commencement ceremonies Dec. 9-10 in the Convocation Center at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Dahlonega Campus.

Article By: Clark Leonard

Three fall graduates will serve as student speakers at their respective University of North Georgia (Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ) commencement ceremonies Dec. 9-10 in the Convocation Center at Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Dahlonega Campus.

Katie Boster will be the speaker at the Dec. 9 ceremony for graduates from the Mike Cottrell College of Business, College of Education and College of Health & Wellness. The ceremony begins at 2 p.m.

Boster is a Cumming, Georgia, resident earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with a minor in psychology. She is starting her career as an oncology nurse at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta's Arthur M. Blank Hospital.

"College has provided me with a rich tenure of life lessons. I have practiced perseverance in countless academic and leadership moments. The rigorous demands provided me an opportunity to develop healthy and tested coping mechanisms," Boster said. "Having been challenged, I have honed many of my own skills, but even more-so, leaned into my faith and divine trust."

Madeline Lindell will speak at the 10 a.m. Dec. 10 ceremony for graduates in Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's College of Arts & Letters, University College, College of Science & Mathematics, and Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental Spatial Analysis.

Lindell is a Conyers, Georgia, resident earning a degree in communication with a concentration in organizational leadership and a minor in political science. She is the president of the Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, a communication honors society and has served in multiple Student Government Association roles. Lindell is also a Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ social media ambassador.

"During my years at the University of North Georgia, I have found my true identity and the freedom to grow into my own person," Lindell said. "Surrounded by friends, peers and mentors, I learned to form my own opinions, embrace challenges and celebrate achievements."

The speaker for the 6 p.m. graduate degree ceremony on Dec. 10 will be Alana Stroud. A Lula, Georgia, resident and elementary school teacher in Banks County, Stroud is earning her Master of Education in curriculum and instruction.

"I want to encourage my fellow graduates to pursue the next step of their journey with their whole heart, wherever that step may lead them, and encourage the audience to continue fighting for the graduates as they move forward in their lives, careers or education," Stroud said. "I have learned in my first few years in the classroom that heart work is what it will take to continue moving forward in our workplaces."


Music experience changes lives, recruits students

Music experience changes lives, recruits students

An opportunity for high school students to experience life as a Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ music major has shown an impressive increase in enrollment of music majors since its inception in 2022.
Brown creates mural at Lumpkin senior center

Brown creates mural at Lumpkin senior center

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ junior Kelsey Brown painted a mural of mountains, wildlife and a stream at the Lumpkin County Senior Life Center.
Maynard takes part in Army nursing program

Maynard takes part in Army nursing program

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ cadet William Maynard took part in the Army's prestigious Nurse Summer Training Program earlier this year.
Nursing program expands to Blue Ridge Campus

Nursing program expands to Blue Ridge Campus

Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ has expanded its Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ's Blue Ridge Campus this fall. The degree is now offered on four Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ campuses.