October 4, 2021
A record 34 University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets who earned Distinguished Military Student (DMS) status for the 2021-22 academic year were honored Sept. 26 at the DMS Review in the Convocation Center on UNG's Dahlonega Campus.
"I am exceptionally proud of our Boar's Head Brigade DMS cadets. They have distinguished themselves through remarkable effort and consistent high achievement within the ROTC program and the UNG student body," Col. Bryan Kirk, UNG's professor of military science, said. "It is a testament to each cadet's determination and capability, as well as the ROTC leaders and the superb UNG faculty and staff who support the individuals and the corps."
To be selected, a cadet must be in the upper half of the academic class, the upper third of the ROTC class, and the upper third of UNG's Order of Merit List, established by the professor of military science. Additionally, cadets are chosen on the basis of interest and aptitude for military service and outstanding qualities of leadership and high moral character as demonstrated by participation and achievement in campus, civic and military activities.
This year's DMS honorees are: Ayomide Adekola, Victor Ambriz, Noah Armstrong, Michael Bun, Daniel Burke, Dayton Cady, Justin Collado, Jordan Cook, Thomas Cothren, Michael Crequerodriguez, Kobe Culpepper, Kayla Danley, Jarrett Dooley, Dillon Evans, Henry Gale, Alexander Haller, Connor Hamilton, Chandler Harris, Shane Henderson, Samuel Hicks, Davis Isley, Ryan Jones, Wyatt Lastinger, Alex Minton, Wilson Roberts, Daniel Shearer, Komlan Sogah, Aaron Stark, Samuel Stuart, John Tapia, Noah Umezaki, Casey Wagoner, William Wischnewsky, and Benjamin Yetman.
Umezaki, a senior from Peachtree Corners, Georgia, pursuing a degree in marketing, said his class's competitive nature sets it apart.
"We all hold each other to high standards," Umezaki said. "We don't let each other slip."
The cadets and their families were honored Sept. 25 during the annual DMS Banquet. The DMS Review and Banquet were part of the sixth annual Boar's Head Brigade-Corps Alumni Weekend, which brought together current and former cadets.
Adekola, a senior from Loganville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in computer science, is a battalion commander for UNG's Corps of Cadets. The DMS honor also allows him to set an example for a younger brother who is in the corps and other siblings who aren't in college yet.
"I'm showing them what's possible because if I'm able to do it, there's nothing stopping them from being able to do it," Adekola said.
Sponsored by the North Georgia Corps of Cadets Association, Boar's Head Weekend included networking and mentoring sessions by alumni in specific career areas. Sessions were designed to give future graduates additional knowledge about the pathways for their chosen pursuits.
Army Maj. Gen. Thomas Carden spoke Sept. 24 at the Convocation Center to start the weekend. Carden is adjutant general of the Georgia Department of Defense.