Trio of alumni to speak at commencement

Three alumni will serve as keynote speakers at the University of North Georgia's (UNG) spring commencement ceremonies May 6-7. More than 1,300 UNG students are expected to participate in the commencement ceremonies at the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. 

• Jane Hemmer will address graduates of the College of Arts and Letters and University College in the 6 p.m. ceremony on Friday, May 6.
• John Hemmer, '67, will share remarks with graduates of the College of Education and College of Health Sciences & Professions for the 3 p.m. ceremony on Saturday, May 7.
• Joshua Teteak, '94, will speak to graduates of the College of Science & Mathematics, Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis and Mike Cottrell College of Business at the 10 a.m. ceremony on Saturday, May 7.

 

Jane Hemmer and Teteak both serve as trustees for the UNG Foundation, which provides philanthropic support for scholarships and institutional priorities.

Jane Hemmer attended UNG and completed her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Augusta University. She conducted graduate work in anthropology at the University of Georgia, and she is a Certified Forensic Artist. Through her company, Forensic Artists of Georgia, she works as a freelance forensic artist for various law enforcement agencies. She is the owner of White Sulphur Farms Inc.

Dr. John Hemmer, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from UNG and completed his medical degree at Augusta University in 1970. While at UNG, he was captain of the Scabbard and Blade military honor society and captain of the Blue Ridge Rifles drill team. His training included an internship at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in El Paso, Texas, and further training in orthopedic surgery at Ireland Army Community Hospital in Fort Knox, Kentucky and at the Greenville Hospital System and Shriner's Children's Hospital in Greenville, South Carolina.

Teteak serves as the chief supply chain officer for the BlueLinx Corporation. He earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from UNG and his Master of Business Administration from Georgia State University. While at UNG, Teteak served as the cadet brigade commander in his senior year and later served in both the 24th Infantry Division and the 3rd Infantry Division.

Lynn Cottrell will be recognized for her outstanding accomplishments and receive an honorary doctorate of business administration for her philanthropic contributions in support of higher education and athletics at UNG. Together with her husband Mike, Lynn Cottrell has been instrumental in providing more than $28.1 million in critical resources and strategic support for UNG in the past 17 years.

Graduates are encouraged to arrive one hour before their ceremony dressed in their gown and cap with its tassel.

To attend, all guests 2 years old and older must have a ticket. Each graduate is issued up to five tickets, which can be printed or shown electronically.

"We are preparing for our largest walking class of graduates," Anna Brown, executive director of university events, said. "Our staff is working hard to ensure a wonderful celebration of their achievement."

For those unable to attend the in-person event, the ceremonies will be streamed live on UNG's Facebook page.

Individual commissioning ceremonies for members of the Corps of Cadets entering the U.S. Army, Army National Guard, and Army Reserve will be held May 4-6 at the Pennington Military Leadership Center. The events will recognize their service and leadership and formally mark their entrance into the military as second lieutenants. These graduates will also be commissioned collectively during the commencement ceremony.