Article By: Clark Leonard
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.
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
UNG annual giving officer
"Through his vision and leadership, he molded the department into what it is today, a top producer of physics graduates," Dr. John Leyba, dean of UNG's College of Science and Mathematics, said. "Dr. Prior led his department by example and thus inspired his faculty to excel in their roles as educators and researchers."
The Kathleen Ann Smith Nursing Scholarship supports students studying at UNG to join this high-demand field.
"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: