Corps of Cadets wins AUSA Most Active Company award

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) Corps of Cadets has earned the 2020 Most Active Company of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) distinction.

The honor ranks UNG, which is one of six senior military colleges in the United States, atop the 270 ROTC companies nationwide.

"I am extremely proud of our cadets and all that they have accomplished, and I appreciate all of our faculty, staff and alumni who help mentor these students," UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs said.

AUSA presents the Most Active Company to ROTC units based on the most cadet company-sponsored activities, including meetings, public service programs, military instruction meetings and exercises, and membership recruiting efforts. UNG has commissioned more than 425 cadets into the Army, Georgia Army National Guard or Army Reserve in the past four years. This fall, more than 730 cadets are part of the corps.

This year, the award was accepted by Jacobs; retired Col. Joseph Matthews, commandant of cadets; and Cadet Col. Benjamin Danko, the Corps of Cadets brigade commander.

"I'd like to express my appreciation to the hard-working cadets of the Boar's Head Brigade, who devote so much time to their character and leadership development," said Matthews, who served in the Army for 27 years before taking on the commandant role in 2019. "Army units and businesses can rest assured that the UNG Corps of Cadets graduates they hire will be immediately prepared to lead and help their organizations succeed."

Danko, a senior pursuing a degree in criminal justice, expressed appreciation for the honor from AUSA. He said UNG's approach to training sets it apart.

"Being a cadet at UNG is mentally and physically tough but extremely rewarding," Danko said. "We have numerous leadership development opportunities that we can use to not only add to our resumes, but also to lead in the Army."

UNG's nationally recognized Army ROTC program attracts students from across the state, region and nation. UNG has commissioned more than 50 general officers, seven of whom are serving in a variety of command positions. Many other UNG alumni completed successful military careers, and hundreds are serving on active duty today at all levels of command.