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    1. UNG
    2. News

    Spring and summer graduates honored at weekend ceremonies

    September 21, 2020
    Spring graduate Octavio Aguado poses for a photo with UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs at a commencement ceremony Sept. 19. The carefully planned events were spaced out over two days with limited guests to facilitate social distancing to adhere to COVID-19 public health guidelines and state parameters on gatherings.

    Article By: Clark Leonard

    About 400 University of North Georgia (UNG) spring and summer graduates and their families celebrated their accomplishments in a series of small commencement ceremonies held Sept. 19-20. The carefully planned events were spaced out over two days with limited guests to facilitate social distancing to adhere to COVID-19 public health guidelines and state parameters on gatherings.

    The long-awaited ceremonies brought smiles and relief at the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. A trio of outdoor ceremonies had been planned for Sept. 18 on the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field, but events were moved indoors due to inclement weather.

    "Our staff planned and executed these events creatively and meticulously to ensure our graduates and their families had a meaningful celebration in a safe environment," Dr. Kate Maine, UNG vice president of university relations and chief of staff, said. "While these were unconventional commencement events, we are very pleased that UNG was able to honor our recent graduates with a personalized experience."

    Claire Allinson

    Claire Allinson celebrates crossing the stage at a commencement ceremony held Sept. 19.

    UNG awarded more than 2,100 degrees and certificates for the spring and summer semesters.

    Claire Allinson, who earned mathematics and accounting degrees in May and had volunteered at previous commencement ceremonies, knew she wanted to participate in her own graduation. Allinson was thrilled the ceremony was still held amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

    "You've worked so hard, and you get a whole day to let your family celebrate you," Allinson said. "It's passing from being a college student to an adult in the real world."

    The Lilburn, Georgia, native was active on campus through her work with Outdoor Pursuits and as an orientation leader.

    Octavio Aguado, who earned a biology degree in May, was determined to partake in commencement in whatever form it took.

    gather in the grove

    UNG graduate Kacee Criddle turns the tassel on her graduation cap at a commencement ceremony Sept. 20.

    "I wanted to celebrate with my parents. My parents have been a big part of my journey," Aguado said. "This was a way to see everybody in a safe way during the pandemic."

    Aguado started a master's degree program in higher education leadership this fall at Valdosta State University.

    For Kacee Criddle, a mother of four, the ceremony capped a long journey during which she overcame obstacles to earn an associate degree in the sociology pathway.

    "It's that final reward of the effort you've put in," Criddle said. "It means everything to me. It makes me so proud to do that."

    Criddle hopes to use her degree to be an advocate for patients or abuse victims.

    Contact the Author

    Ethics events provide training for students

    Ethics events provide training for students

    UNG's Ethics Bowl team participated in its national competition March 4-5, and UNG's cadet Ethics Bowl team will host the first Senior Military College Ethics Bowl on March 25.
    Students present research at Capitol

    Students present research at Capitol

    Four UNG students presented at the Posters at the Capitol event held Feb. 27 in Atlanta. The Georgia Undergraduate Research Collective organized the event.
    UNG hosts science  education conference

    UNG hosts science education conference

    The College of Education and the College of Science & Mathematics co-hosted the annual Georgia Science Teachers Association E.L.I.P.S.E. Conference Jan. 28 on UNG's Gainesville Campus.
    High school students  can preview life at UNG

    High school students can preview life at UNG

    UNG will hold free Nighthawk Preview open house events on all five campuses this spring.

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