Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us
Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    Payne receives Order of Thor for efforts to train cadets in cyber

    March 11, 2020
    Dr. Bryson Payne, shown with his wife, Bev, was honored with the Order of Thor by the Military Cyber Professionals Association.

    Article By: Clark Leonard

    Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science and director of the Center for Cyber Operations Education at the University of North Georgia (UNG), has been honored for his work to prepare cadets for military cybersecurity careers.

    Payne was inducted into the Order of Thor by retired Lt. Gen. Burke Garrett, '81, who represented the Military Cyber Professionals Association (MCPA) in delivering the honor to Payne on Feb. 28. The Order of Thor "recognizes excellence in (and special contributions to) the American military cyber community," according to the MCPA website. "These recipients demonstrate duty, loyalty and excellence."

    "Dr. Payne merits this recognition for his inspired leadership in establishing a cyber education program at the University of North Georgia and growing America's next generation of cyber leaders," Garrett said. 

    Payne pointed to the efforts of Dr. Billy Wells, a retired Army colonel and senior vice president for leadership and global engagement at UNG; the Institute for Leadership and Strategic Studies; faculty, staff, donors, and all others who help support UNG's cybersecurity efforts. As of spring 2020, 55 cadets are pursuing bachelor's degrees in cybersecurity through UNG's Mike Cottrell College of Business. Seven UNG graduates have commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army Cyber Corps, with numerous others entering the Signal Corps and Military Intelligence branches.

    UNG is designated by the National Security Agency and Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education.

    "This award was really recognizing the team effort," Payne said. "I was honored to be able to accept the award on behalf of the team."

    The MCPA is a nonprofit organization and counts service members, retirees and civilians in the cyber community among its members.

    Contact the Author

    Teachers gain skills in cybersecurity

    Teachers gain skills in cybersecurity

    Thanks to a grant from the National Security Agency and National Science Foundation, UNG hosted an academy this summer for middle and high school educators to learn how to teach cybersecurity.
    Payne helps coach U.S. to  third-place cyber finish

    Payne helps coach U.S. to third-place cyber finish

    UNG computer science professor Dr. Bryson Payne was part of the coaching staff for the U.S. Cyber Team as it finished third in the inaugural International Cybersecurity Challenge in Athens, Greece.
    Cadet wins  AFCEA scholarship

    Cadet wins AFCEA scholarship

    University of North Georgia sophomore cadet Jaden Davidson has won the AFCEA Atlanta chapter's 2022 merit scholarship.
    Partnership launches new leadership program

    Partnership launches new leadership program

    UNG's TRUIST Center for Ethical Leadership and the Georgia Association for Women in Higher Education are launching a Fellows Leadership Program from February 2023 through September 2023.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment /HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2022 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.1 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    AskNigel