Poultry team earns No. 6 spot in nationals

November 15, 2024
Under the guidance of Dr. Linda Purvis, (far right, back row), the UNG poultry judging team placed sixth in the national poultry judging contest at the University of Arkansas with Devin Self (far left, bottom) earning two individual awards.

Article By: Denise Ray

The University of North Georgia (UNG) poultry team placed sixth in the 58th National Collegiate Poultry Judging contest at the University of Arkansas in November. Team members included Alyssa Foster, Grant Justus, Devin Self, and Conner Watson.

"This year's team was very competitive, and our results reflect their hard work in preparation. I am very proud of these students and look forward to seeing how they do in future contests," Dr. Linda Purvis, associate professor of biology and poultry science, said.

Self, a freshman, earned two individual awards: second place in Division I and ninth place overall. He is from Hull, Georgia, and is pursuing an associate degree in agriculture-poultry science.

"When I heard my name called, all I could do was smile knowing that my hard work at practice had paid off and I was only going to get better from here," Self said. "My success is all thanks to the amazing coaches Dr. Purvis, and Jaque Conner, both have helped me excel in what I do and allowed me to be able to receive awards as I did."

This was the second and final time in the competition for Foster of Talmo, Georgia, which she described as "bittersweet."

"It has been one of the best experiences throughout my time in college. I am pursuing a degree in middle grades education for agriculture, so being able to have hands-on experience with one of the very things I will go onto teach my future students is important," Foster said. "Not only is the hands-on experience great, the connections and friendships I have been able to make are sure to last a lifetime. If I could give any student any advice, it would be to just try it; you never know how much you might like something until you just do it." 

The group will compete again in the spring at Mississippi State University in April 2025.


Future educators visit state legislators

Future educators visit state legislators

Students in UNG's College of Education had the chance to learn more about the legislative process during Professional Association of Georgia Educators Day at the Capitol.
Students gain hands-on adapted PE experience

Students gain hands-on adapted PE experience

Students in UNG's Physical Education Teacher Education program had a unique opportunity to experience adapted sports so they can better serve their future students who have such needs.
Student gains feedback on innovation at USG event

Student gains feedback on innovation at USG event

UNG grad student Aliou Aboubakar Mouhamed competed at the USG Entrepreneurship and Innovation Competition held April 6-7 at Kennesaw State's Marietta Campus.
REACH Day offers students taste of college

REACH Day offers students taste of college

UNG welcomed more than 250 middle and high school students, teachers and guidance counselors from across the state for REACH Georgia Day on March 25 at UNG's Gainesville Campus.