Students to shine in virtual Honors and Awards Day

University of North Georgia (UNG) students who show promise, demonstrate creativity, display excellence, serve others and exceed all expectations will have their moment in the spotlight during the annual Student Honors and Awards Day.

"The Honors and Awards Day is an opportunity to acknowledge the remarkable achievements our students have earned in and outside of the classroom," said Dr. Steven Lloyd, vice provost. "This celebration also provides an opportunity to share students' feats, accomplishments, and innovations that otherwise might not be known within our campus community and beyond."

More than 238 student awards will be announced April 14 via Zoom.

UNG switched to a virtual venue for health and safety reasons necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic. But intimate in-person recognitions happened across all campuses ahead of awards day.

"Last year, we didn't have time to transition the in-person event to a digital one," said Candace Lovell, administrative assistant to the assistant vice president of research and engagement. "This year, we wanted to give the students some more personal recognition."

In mid-March, award-winning students had their pictures taken with Nigel the Nighthawk as they accepted their certificates.

"It was our way to congratulate them face to face and give them a keepsake," Lovell said.

The pictures will be shared in a slideshow during the ceremony. Award presentations will be divided by department, college, campus or the university as a whole.

"Each award has its own story and provides an opportunity to celebrate our students while honoring those for whom awards are named and who contributed to UNG's culture of excellence," Lloyd said.

The ceremony will begin with remarks from Dr. Bonita Jacobs, president of UNG; Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs; and Dr. James Conneely, vice president of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Then the event will break into three simultaneous sessions with hosts Lloyd for the Dahlonega and Blue Ridge campuses, Dr. Richard Oates for the Gainesville and Cumming campuses, and Dr. Cyndee Perdue for the Oconee Campus.

"Each UNG campus is a family under the university umbrella," Oates said. "We will celebrate with the ones we work with, study with, counsel with, and bond with through common experiences."

He, Lloyd and Moore are looking forward to the ceremonies.

"I think my favorite part is the joy and honor you can see on every recipient's face and the pride that radiates from those of their loved ones," Moore said. "These awards are a time of celebration and we need those moments more than ever!"

 To watch the ceremony, UNG students, faculty and staff may register online. If they are unable to attend April 14, a recording will be available online at a later date.