Campaign raises funds for scholarships

This fall's University of North Georgia (UNG) RISE Crowdfunding campaign aims to raise $104,500 to support 16 student scholarship funds.

The fundraising effort begins Oct. 15, the start of UNG's Gold Rush Weekend 2021, and wraps up Nov. 12, the day after the university's annual Scholarship Gala.

"I hope the UNG community will rise together, as they have done each year, to support UNG students and strengthen UNG's mission of providing access to higher education," Alberto Perez, annual giving officer, said.

The scholarships benefit an array of UNG students, including student-athletes, cadets, science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students, nursing students and first-generation students.

One of the funds benefits students pursuing physics degrees and honors Dr. Richard M. Prior, who retired in June 2020 after 26 years leading UNG's Department of Physics and Astronomy.

"These past few years have validated the service and sacrifices that nurses make every day caring for people both when they are sick as well as healthy," Mary Beth Byerly, development officer for the College of Health Sciences & Professions and the College of Education, said. "Nursing is a demanding degree, and scholarships often provide caring support so that students can focus academically and graduate ready to help others."

The other scholarship funds in the RISE campaign are:

• NGC Eagle Fund: This is an alumni-led and resourced scholarship fund for those cadets who are on a commissioning track.
• First Generation Scholarships: This helps first-generation college students pay for tuition and fees at UNG.
• NGC Class of '75 Scholarship: This provides two scholarships annually, one to a cadet and one to a noncadet from the Dahlonega Campus.
• Women's Educational Scholarship Fund: This provides women with a chance to overcome life's financial challenges and pursue higher education for the betterment of their lives.
• Oconee Annual Scholarship Fund: These are designed to support students who are pursuing associate degrees and have decided to further their education by transferring to another UNG campus.
• Kevin Jenrette NG '95 Memorial Scholarship Fund: Honoring the memory of an alumnus who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, this scholarship is awarded to a commissioning cadet or one on the path to commission who exemplifies high academic achievement.
• Visual Arts Scholarship: Faculty and staff of the Department of Visual Arts are leading this effort to increase financial support to students of extraordinary artistic ability.
• Music Scholarships: This funds not only music majors, but a range of other student musicians who study in the Music Department.
• James M. Albanese Memorial Scholarship Fund: This honors the memory of a beloved UNG student and fraternity brother and his giving spirit.
• Jenny Muller Cadet Scholarship Fund: This scholarship aims to train future female military leaders while honoring an outstanding female cadet.
• John Lancaster Memorial Scholarship: Honoring an alumnus, this scholarship helps musically talented students receive the best education possible.
• Golf Scholarship Fund: This fund supports UNG's men's and women's golf teams in their push for national competitions and recognition.
• Guy "Doc" Oliver Soccer Scholarship Fund: This honors a former English and languages professor and his love of soccer.
• Nighthawk Engagement and Student Transitions (NEST): These scholarships support transfer students, who make up about a fifth of the UNG student population.