300-plus new UNG grads prepared to lead boldly

The University of North Georgia (UNG) honored more than 300 graduates in its summer commencement ceremony on Aug. 4 in the Convocation Center at UNG's Dahlonega Campus. UNG's summer graduates earned 68 different degrees and averaged a 3.2 GPA.

UNG President Michael Shannon, who took office on July 1, served as the keynote speaker. Drawing from author Jordan Rayner, he encouraged graduates to recognize their strong base of a UNG education, orient their perspective and "enter the epic" through boldness.

"Don't doubt yourself. You have more than what it takes," Shannon said. "Fear is a liar. Be bold."

Shannon also highlighted several graduates to reinforce the power of the UNG experience.

Alicia Holman earned an associate degree in art through courses at UNG's Oconee Campus. A mother of three and the owner of Twisted Moon Studios in Bogart, Georgia, Holman is already quite accomplished. Her degree from UNG is the result of her pursuit of a dream deferred.

Holman, a Monroe, Georgia native, plans to work toward her master's degree, but not before helping her 17-year-old daughter graduate from high school. She says it is her family that inspired her to take on the risk of returning to school at 41.

"I sat on the dream and kept developing it, knowing I wanted to do something with art therapy and it requires education," Holman said. "Watching my kids, especially my oldest, face their own challenges and risks inspires me to overcome my own."

Attending UNG and graduating twice is a feat 2nd Lt. Joseph Stover just accomplished. Earning a master’s degree in international affairs, the Army officer was also a dad and a husband while in the Corps of Cadets. As a prior-enlisted Army soldier, Stover credits his wife Ebony with inspiring him to even take the leap to return to school at 27 years old.

He shared he is excited to take a break and spend some time with family after graduation before taking on his new assignment in Korea. The leader shared that his time as a veteran in UNG’s Corps of Cadets has helped him lead from the front while balancing his schoolwork and personal life. His biggest advice is a reminder that graduation is attainable.

"To all the people who feel like schoolwork is overwhelming, it can be done. You can do it. You just have to be willing to make sacrifices and prioritize," Stover said.

Anh Tran graduated with a degree in marketing with a concentration in digital marketing, while minoring in graphic design. Born and raised in Gainesville, Georgia, Tran is a first-generation American with her parents hailing from Vietnam. She began her UNG journey at the Gainesville Campus before finishing at the Dahlonega Campus, where she got involved as an orientation leader and was president of ENACTUS, a social entrepreneurship organization.

Tran won a Gilman Scholarship and the Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship to fund a virtual internship in Germany and a study abroad in the United Kingdom. She shared that her time studying abroad has her wanting to return for another amazing experience. Eager to continue her education and work in her field, Tran is developing a website to showcase her portfolio with aspirations of attending Newcastle University in the United Kingdom for graduate school. Forever grateful for her time as a student at UNG, Tran shared she learned a lot.

"Never be afraid to try new things and reach out to various people. Seek out opportunities. UNG taught me there are always scholarships and opportunities for everybody out there," Tran said. "Just go for it. You'll be one step closer to where you want to be at the end of the day."

Graduate Bryson Edmondson always had a passion for storytelling, and it led him to pursue a degree in film and digital media with a production concentration, taking advantage of Atlanta's reputation as the "Hollywood of the South."

Inspired by the booming independent film scene on YouTube, Edmondson has been working to start a small, independent animation studio. His studio production class at UNG was one of his favorites.

The LaFayette, Georgia, native is looking forward to traveling after graduation and aims to enter the film industry as a screenwriter. Edmondson shared that whatever the outcome, he's content with where his future will take him.

"My goal is to simply find my place, somewhere I am content and able to support those I love. All I know is that I adore screenwriting, and I hope I can comfortably pursue it after I graduate," Edmondson said.

Born in China, Maggie Simmons was adopted and raised in Snellville, Georgia. Intrigued by her heritage, Simmons earned a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals. Her interest in Asian culture led her to spend 10 months in Taiwan, studying abroad for her Chinese Language Flagship capstone. The anime and music lover enjoyed interacting with the natives and immersing herself in the culture, as well as visiting tourist sites.

Simmons is the former president of the UNG Chess Club and was also in chorus. She participated in the Kendo Club and the Traditional Chinese Instrument Club while abroad. The 23-year-old, who believes in leading by example, hopes to pursue a career either interpreting or teaching English or Chinese.

"I want to learn about my heritage and learn the language," Simmons said. "I'd like to go to China someday and visit or even teach."

In celebration of UNG’s role as one of only six senior military colleges in the nation, the commencement ceremony concluded with a group commissioning for the summer graduates becoming second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. These graduates were also recognized separately in individual commissioning ceremonies with their family and friends.