Alumni, parents gather for fun, remembrance
Article By: Denise Ray
Hundreds attended the annual University of North Georgia (UNG) Parent-Alumni Weekend, gathering for fun and a chance to make new memories.
“Parent-Alumni Weekend 2022 was a fabulous experience for all those involved,” Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Wendi Huguley, ’90, said. “It was the first time in a number of years that the weekend included parents as well as university partners in the activities and I’m so glad we were able to return to that model. We are all in this together and Parent-Alumni Weekend is a testament to that university unity.”
The classes of 1971 and 1972 reminisced at Pine Valley for a 50th Reunion lunch, sharing photos and memories. On the Dahlonega campus, others enjoyed live music, REUNITE, author meet-and-greets, military demonstrations, and lively conversations.
Lt. Col. Tim Palmer, ’01, was the keynote speaker at Memorial Retreat, an annual ceremony held to honor alumni who have fallen in battle and alumni who have passed since the previous year’s ceremony.
The keynote speaker at Sunday’s Military Awards Review was Maj. Gen. Jamie Jarrard, ’88.We are all in this together and Parent-Alumni Weekend is a testament to that university unity.
Wendi Huguley, '90
UNG director of alumni relations and annual giving
“We grow leaders here at UNG,” Jarrard said. “I’d like to talk about the best definition of leaders I’ve heard lately: when you begin to care more about others flourishing than you do yourself, you will have become a good leader.”
Jarrard went on to highlight that “no matter what you do in your life, build cohesive teams,” and in order to have a cohesive team, there must be trust.
“You can’t have trust in any organization unless every single member of that organization treats each other with dignity and respect. If you have dignity and respect for one another, you’ll have trust. And if you have trust you’ll be well on your way to a cohesive organization."
In addition to multiple awards being distributed at the Military Awards Review, several honors were announced at the annual alumni association awards banquet. Recipients include:
- Hall of Fame: Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, ’84
- Distinguished Alumni: Col. John Thompson, ’88
- Ralph Colley Spirit of North Georgia Award: Adam Stead, ’02
- Golden Steeple Award: Col. Kit Oboho, ’02
- Young Alumnus Award: 2nd Lt. Aaron Brock, ’20
- Distinguished Professor: Dr. Christine Jonick, professor of accounting, and Dr. Dlynn Williams, department head and professor of Political Science and International Affairs
- Paul Hutcherson Outstanding Student Award: Davis Isley and Betsy Wilcauskas
- Dot Strother Scholarship: James Ralph and Anna Pate
- Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship: John Rucks and Hannah Watts
Luncheon honors scholarship recipients
Five nontraditional female students at UNG each earned a $2,000 scholarship from the Women of UNG on Dec. 5 at the Women's Holiday Scholarship Luncheon.
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.
UNG honors '20 Under 40'
The Alumni Association has announced this year's '20 under 40' honorees, recognizing members of the UNG family for their personal and professional accomplishments or their distinguished service.
Five alumni selected for veterans HOF
Five UNG alumni are part of the 14-member class of 2024 inductees into the Georgia Military Veterans' Hall of Fame.