Student wins awards at national and regional Korean speech contests

November 23, 2020
UNG student Brianna Welch won awards at national and regional Korean speech contests.

Article By: Clark Leonard

University of North Georgia (UNG) student Brianna Welch had a chance to tie together her Korean language skills with her family history to earn an award at a national event.

Welch, a junior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in East Asian studies with a Korean concentration, won a Korea Culture Award at the annual Korean Speech Contest hosted virtually by the South Korean Cultural Ministry in October. She recorded a three-minute talk connecting her grandfather's role as an interpreter to the story of a Korean soldier in the Hungnam Evacuation that saved more than 14,000 lives during the Korean War.

"It was fun to learn the history and use my language skills," Welch said. "And I can tie it in with my family."

Welch was one of 34 students to receive an award from the virtual event. Two UNG students took part in the contest that totaled 224 participants.

She followed her success with a first-place finish in the most advanced non-heritage level of the third annual Southeastern Korean Speech Contest. There, she expanded her talk to five minutes for a live Zoom call and competed against students from Auburn University, Duke University, Emory University, Georgia State University, Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State University, University of Georgia, and Vanderbilt University.

"Brianna has never been to Korea, but she is a role model for students who want to study a foreign language and enrich their cultural understanding without studying abroad," said Dr. Jiyoung Daniel, associate professor of Korean at UNG. "While I am excited about her recognition and accomplishments, I am not surprised at her achievement. She has been a stellar student."


Case, Hines earn first publication

Case, Hines earn first publication

A recent alumnus and a senior have earned their first peer-reviewed publication for a piece studying political rhetoric surrounding the Ukraine-Russia war.
Oboho commands 75th Ranger Regiment

Oboho commands 75th Ranger Regiment

Col. Kitefre Oboho, a 2002 UNG alumnus, has taken command of the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army's premier direction-action raid force.
24 are Distinguished Military Graduates

24 are Distinguished Military Graduates

Twenty-four cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2024-25 academic year, including five who are in the top 70 out of more than 5,000 in the national ROTC class.
Student, faculty member create bridge rendering

Student, faculty member create bridge rendering

A student and a faculty member in UNG's Department of Visual Arts have partnered with the City of Dahlonega to create a rendering of a pedestrian bridge that will be built soon.