About 600 graduates collect degrees at fall ceremonies
Article By: Staff
Before he enrolled in college, Rocco Ranallo had quite a few labor-intensive jobs including landscaper. But he didn't want to spend his life in a back-breaking career.
"I wanted a better future for myself," Ranallo said. "I didn't see a future in landscaping, and I knew I could give back to society through earning a degree."
The 36-year-old from Blairsville, Georgia, can see a future now thanks to his bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from the University of North Georgia (UNG). Ranallo was one of about 600 graduates UNG honored during commencement ceremonies Dec. 17-18 on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.
All graduates heard words of wisdom from three familiar faces. Dr. Katherine Adams, assistant professor of social foundations and leadership education in the College of Education; Dr. Timothy May, associate dean of the College of Arts and Letters; and Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science in the Mike Cottrell College of Business, were the keynote speakers for the three commencement ceremonies.
Each speaker noted the graduates' resilience to continue their degrees amid the COVID-19 pandemic and commended them on completing their educational journeys. May said with their degrees the graduates now have a "super power."
"A degree tells people you know how to learn," he said.
Ranallo said he learned from Payne and other computer science faculty.
Everyone at Student Accessibility Services on UNG's Gainesville and Dahlonega campuses made sure I had everything I needed to succeed. I've also really enjoyed interacting with the professors, because they genuinely care about their students and the courses they teach.
Andrew Furey
Fall 2021 UNG graduate with a degree in computer science
"They pushed me to try harder, go farther, be better, and gain more knowledge," he said.
It proved he made the right decision to transfer to UNG from North Georgia Technical College in 2019. He was one of the first students to take advantage of the articulation agreement between the two higher education institutions.
Andrew Furey, who has muscular dystrophy and uses a wheelchair, was glad he transferred to UNG as well. Muscular dystrophies are a group of muscle diseases caused by mutations in a person's genes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
"Everyone at Student Accessibility Services on UNG's Gainesville and Dahlonega campuses made sure I had everything I needed to succeed," Furey said. "I've also really enjoyed interacting with the professors, because they genuinely care about their students and the courses they teach."
Furey's college experience was not easy. Because of his muscular dystrophy, Furey faced several medical obstacles along the way.
"I was on my way to take a final exam when I went into respiratory failure," he said.
He was placed on a ventilator and spent months in an intensive care unit, forcing him to withdraw from UNG in 2011. He returned in 2014 and earned his associate degree a year later.
A longer commute to the Dahlonega Campus prompted Furey to suspend his education for a few years. He thought about returning in late 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted the plan. When courses transitioned to fully online, Furey saw a beacon of light. He registered for a full load of classes in fall 2020 and earned his computer science degree this fall.
"I've been working on getting my degree for a while, so it really feels like I've reached the end of a long journey," Furey said. "I will take a well-deserved break for a couple of weeks during the holidays. Then I plan to apply for software engineering jobs at a few companies and government agencies."
For dozens of graduates, they plan to start their military careers. Twenty-six graduates took their oath of office and were commissioned as second lieutenants in the Army and Georgia Army National Guard in individual ceremonies Dec. 17. They are the first among the approximately 100 officers UNG expects to commission during the 2021-22 academic year.
For Ranallo, his future entails a brand-new job waiting for him.
"Thanks to the UNG faculty and staff, I got an internship this semester with Mass Mutual as an information security consultant," he said. "Now, I have a full-time job lined up for January."
UNG also honored 95 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students with a pinning ceremony Dec. 18 after the final commencement. These nurses will be able to help fill the gap of the current national nursing shortage.
"These graduates are prepared to provide the care and compassion people need in these difficult times," Dr. Carolynn DeSandre, dean of UNG's College of Health Sciences and Professions said. "We are grateful for the impact they will make in their communities."
Concerto/Aria winner earns upcoming solo
Five UNG students placed in the annual Concerto/Aria Competition, with two earning a solo performance in an upcoming concert.
Special ed lab aids future educators
During the fall semester, future educators from UNG took part in a special education lab in which they worked with a software tool that helped them assess students, craft education plans and receive immediate feedback.
Grads prepare for their next steps
UNG will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
Scholarships provide life-changing opportunities
Scholarships have provided life-changing opportunities for UNG students, including performing with and learning from faculty who have performed at Carnegie Hall.