Skip to Main Content Skip to Main Navigation Skip to Footer
UNG Logo
  • Info For...
    • Accepted Students
    • Current Students
    • Parents & Family
    • Faculty & Staff
    • Alumni
    • Business & Community
    • International Students
  • Quicklinks
    • Directories
    • myUNG
    • Academic Catalogs
    • Athletics
    • Banner
    • Bookstore
    • Calendars
    • Campuses & Maps
    • Continuing Education
    • D2L
    • Employment / HR
    • IT Service Desk
    • Libraries
    • UNG Foundation
  • Admissions
  • Corps of Cadets
  • Academics
  • Cost & Aid
  • Student Life
  • News & Events
  • Athletics
  • About Us

Find the most up-to-date information on the Presidential Search site.

Newsroom
  • All Articles
  • Media Relations Contact
  • Expert Guide
  • Points of Pride
  • Magazine
  • Social Media
    1. UNG
    2. News

    Alumnus shines light on veteran suicide

    November 9, 2021
    UNG alumnus Earl "Chico" Porter III is seeking to raise $1 million to combat veteran suicide through his winter through-hike of the Appalachian Trail.

    Article By: Clark Leonard

    University of North Georgia (UNG) alumnus Earl "Chico" Porter III, '09, is on a winter through-hike of the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness of veteran suicide. He began the effort Sept. 11 in Maine and plans to finish by Feb. 22.

    Porter was a Distinguished Military Graduate and the No. 1 cadet in the nation as a senior at UNG. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from UNG and later earned a juris doctor degree from Emory Law.

    A former Army Ranger, Porter established Something Outta Nothing, a project of the nonprofit Toughest Kids Inc., to help raise support. Porter hopes to raise $1 million to empower a multi-disciplinary fight against veteran suicide.

    "I walk to make sure veterans know it's OK to reach out for help; that's a lot of what took this project from idea to reality: asking my teammates for help," Porter said. "At a certain level, we are trying to provide our friends with some hope for the next 2,200 miles that someone out there cares."

    A logistical team working from a trailer pulled by his truck — dubbed "Queen of Battle" — accompanies Porter along the walk to ensure he remains resourced, healthy and safe. Along the hike, Porter is stopping in several locations to share his perspective of the hike and reflections of his life experiences and those of soldiers who came before him.

    Contact the Author

    First cadets study  abroad in Lithuania

    First cadets study abroad in Lithuania

    UNG cadets Andrew Garner and Ian Priour are the first participants in a military academy exchange in Lithuania, and faculty member Dr. Raluca-Viman Miller is teaching in Romania this semester.
    Four students earn  Boren scholarships

    Four students earn Boren scholarships

    UNG students Justin Heintz, Mia Libosada and Emily 'Gracie' Ragon won Boren scholarships in spring 2023 to support their language and cultural learning experiences. One student who won the Boren wishes to remain unnamed.
    Linatoc is top cadet in Army small arms event

    Linatoc is top cadet in Army small arms event

    UNG cadet Anthony Linatoc took first place in the cadet division of the U.S. Army Small Arms Championships on March 18 at Fort Benning, Georgia.
    Farmer makes history as Ranger School graduate

    Farmer makes history as Ranger School graduate

    UNG alumna 2nd Lt. Hayley Farmer, '22, became the first woman to graduate from Ranger School after commissioning as an officer from UNG.

    UNG Logo
    • Contact Us
    • Request Information
    • Quick Facts
    • Campus Maps & Directions
    • Student Consumer Information
    • Campus Safety
    • Emergency Information
    • Employment/HR
    • UNG Policies & Procedures
    • UNG Alumni Association
    • UNG Foundation
    • Ethics & Compliance Hotline
    • Human Trafficking Notice
    • Equal Empl. Opportunity

    © 2023 The University System of Georgia and the University of North Georgia.

    UNG follows the section 508 Standards and WCAG 2.0 for web accessibility. If you require this content in another format, please send an email to the ADA Coordinator.

    Use of military-themed imagery does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Department of Defense.

    • Accreditation
    • Accessibility
    • Privacy Policy
    Establishing Connection...
    AskNigel