University of North Georgia

University of North Georgia
Established	2013 (2013)
Type	Public
Endowment	$26,352,480 (2011)[1]
President	Final Exams
Students	16,502 (Fall 2013)[2]
Undergraduates	14,510 (Fall 2012)
Postgraduates	562 (Fall 2012)
Location	Dahlonega (Lumpkin County), Watkinsville (Oconee County), Gainesville-Oakwood (Hall County), and Cumming (Forsyth County), Georgia, United States
Campus	Suburban; 212 acres (Dahlonega campus); 794+ acres (all campuses)
Colors	UNG Blue and UNG Gold
Nickname	Nighthawks
Affiliations	NCAA Division II, Peach Belt Conference
Website	www.ung.edu

The University of North Georgia (UNG) is an educational institution that was established by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents on January 8, 2013,^[3] as a result of the consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College. The consolidation of the two schools was announced on January 10, 2012, and the name of the new school was announced on May 8, 2012.^[4][5] The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) approved the consolidation December 11, 2012.^[3] The combined institution has campus locations in Dahlonega, Oakwood (Gainesville Campus), Watkinsville (Oconee Campus), and Cumming.

With just over 16,000 enrolled students, the University of North Georgia is the sixth largest public university in the state of Georgia. Within UNG, there are five colleges which collectively offer over one hundred bachelor's and associate degrees, as well as thirteen master's degrees and one doctoral degree. More than 750 students are involved in the university's ROTC program, which has given it the designation as The Military College of Georgia. It is one of only six senior military colleges in the United States. In addition, it is also designated by the University System of Georgia as a state leadership institution.

History

The University of North Georgia was formed when the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) approved the consolidation of North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College in December 2012. Of the two institutions involved in the consolidation, North Georgia College & State University is the oldest, having been chartered in 1873, while Gainesville State College was established in 1964.^[6]

North Georgia College and State University

North Georgia College & State University was first established as North Georgia Agricultural College in January 1873. The creation of the institution came about as the result of efforts by U.S. Congressman and Georgia Representative William P. Price. It was Price's idea to use the land script of the Morrill Land-Grant Acts to transform the old Dahlonega Mint into a college. The university's iconic Price Memorial Hall, built in honor of William P. Price, is a nationally registered historic site where the U.S. Mint once stood. The building can be recognized by its gold-covered bell tower, as a perfect reminder of the rich history of gold prospecting and mining in Dahlonega.^[7] Along with the Morrill Land-Grant Acts came the stipulation that students in land-grant colleges enroll in military training. This marked the beginning of UNG's identity as "the military college of Georgia." In the college's first year there was an enrollment of 98 men and 78 women, making it the first co-educational college in Georgia.^[8]

The ROTC was created as a result of the National Defense Act of 1916. The steady growth of North Georgia College came to a halt in the 1930s as the Great Depression devastated much of the rural South. In 1933 the economic affliction brought about by the Great Depression forced the State of Georgia to reduce North Georgia College to a junior college. Despite this reduction the ROTC program remained intact. North Georgia College remained a junior college throughout the Great Depression and World War II. In 1946 the Georgia Board of Regents decided to reorganize the college into a four-year school, thus giving it the capacity to grant degrees. Three years later Merritt Eldred Hoag became the president of the college. His presidency spanned twenty-one years and oversaw several substantial expansions to the institution. The construction of Lewis Hall, an additional wing to Gaillard Hall, and the four story Hoag Student Center, constructed in 1951, 1961, and 1969 respectively, enabled the college to house more than twice as many students. It was also during the Hoag administration, in 1967, that the college became racially integrated.^[8]

The next great period of growth for the college occurred under the presidency of John H. Owen, from 1970 to 1992. His twenty-two year presidency, which was longer than any other President at the school, was defined by substantial increases in student enrollment, spurred by a heightening of academic standards and an increase in the caliber of the faculty. While President he worked with the ROTC Rifle Team and the science department at North Georgia College.^[9] In the beginning of Owen's term he worked to develop an alumni association for the school. The alumni association provided a huge financial boost to the North Georgia College Foundation, which provided funds for student scholarships. At the end of Owen's presidency NGC offered roughly three hundred scholarships; there were none at the beginning of his presidency.^[8] The College became North Georgia College and State University in 1996, after protesting alumni ruled out a suggestion that the College be renamed North Georgia State University upon the University System of Georgia granting the College University status.^[10]

Gainesville State College

Gainesville State College was established as Gainesville Junior College in Gainesville, Georgia in March 1964, but did not start classes until 1966. The college had to continually expand its educational facilities in the late 1960s and early 1970s as more students than originally forecast registered for classes. In 1987, the school changed its name to Gainesville College. As the college continued to grow it opened a satellite campus in Watkinsville, Georgia in 2003. Soon after, it began offerings of more associates' degrees. In October 2005 the Georgia Board of Regents approved a change in the school's mission and name. The school became known as Gainesville State College and simultaneously became a "state college", meaning that the institution could offer a limited selection of bachelor's degrees, such as the Bachelor of Science in Applied Environmental Spatial Analysis. In partnership with NGCSU, Gainesville State College opened an additional satellite campus in Cumming, Georgia in the fall of 2012.^[11]

Campuses

The University of North Georgia has campuses located in Dahlonega, Oakwood, Watkinsville (Oconee), and Cumming. Collectively, there is 794 acres (321 ha) of land among the Dahlonega, Oakwood, and Watkinsville campuses.^[12][13]

Dahlonega campus

UNG's Dahlonega campus has existed since its establishment as North Georgia Agricultural College in 1873. It was not until 1879 that the oldest surviving structure, Price Memorial Hall, was constructed upon the former site of the Dahlonega Mint.^[8] Today the gold-leafed steeple of the Price Memorial Hall building remains one of the most striking features of the UNG skyline. Much of the campus has been developed around the The William J. Livsey Drill Field, more commonly known as simply "the Drill Field". Dahlonega is located approximately an hour's drive from downtown Atlanta (66 miles (106 km) away), an hour and half drive from downtown Athens (60 miles (97 km) away), a two hours and fifteen minutes drive from Chattanooga, Tennessee (109 miles (175 km) away), and an approximately two hours and twenty minutes drive from Greenville, South Carolina (127 miles (204 km) away).

Gainesville campus

Until it was consolidated with North Georgia College & State University in 2013, UNG's Gainesville campus was the location of Gainesville State College. Now known as the "Gainesville campus," it is located adjacent to Lanier Technical College's campus within the city limits of Oakwood. It has retained its association with Gainesville, since the school was originally founded and located in that city.^[14] Because of its close proximity to Interstate 985 and Georgia State Route 53, it is conveniently accessible for much of Hall County.

Cumming campus

In 2012, an academic facility in Cumming, GA was opened on GA 400. The goal of the Cumming campus is to eventually offer a range of programs. The intention of the non-residential campus is to address capacity concerns for the University of North Georgia. The Cumming campus also provides higher education to an area of the state that was previously “underserved”.^[15]

Oconee campus

The Oconee Campus was established in 1964, originally as a part of Gainesville State College.^[16] Oconee is a non-residential campus primarily serving students in the Athens and Watkinsville area. The campus is easily accessible from US-441 and the University of North Georgia has recently announced plans to expand the campus to accommodate the growing class sizes.^[17]

Academics

The University of North Georgia is a public co-educational institution that operates on a semester term schedule.^[1] Incoming freshmen at UNG have the third highest high school grade point average in the state university system, following the University of Georgia and Georgia Tech.^[18]

Degrees

For undergraduates the University of North Georgia offers 129 associate and baccalaureate degrees, as well as pre-professional and certificate programs. For graduates the university offers thirteen master's degree programs as well as one doctoral program. As a state-designated leadership institution, UNG is the only university in Georgia to offer a minor in leadership. The school is also a flagship ROTC Center in Chinese. This designation is aimed at helping cadets become proficient in Chinese language and culture.^[18] However, due mostly to size, each campus varies significantly in terms of which degree curricula they can accommodate. The Dahlonega campus focuses on Baccalaureate and graduate programs, and is the only one of the four campuses that offers Pre-Professional Programs. A smaller number of baccalaureate programs, most of which are education or business related, are available at the Gainesville Campus, while associate degrees are offered at both the Gainesville and Oconee campuses. As of Fall 2014, Gainesville campus is now offering a Bachelor's degree in Communication and offering three concentrations in Film and Digital Media, Multimedia Journalism, and Organizational Leadership.

Baccalaureate Programs Dahlonega Gainesville Cumming Oconee Accounting Y Y Y Applied Environmental Spatial Analysis Y Art Y Art Emphasis in Art Studio Y Art Emphasis in Film Y Art Education Y Art Marketing Y Athletic Training Y Biology Y Y Chemistry/Engineering Dual Degree Y Chinese Language and Literature Y Communication Y Computer Information Systems Y Computer Science Y Criminal Justice Y Criminal Justice & Criminal Forensics Y Early Childhood Education Y Y Y Early Childhood/Special Education Y Y Y English Y Y English-Concentration in Literature or Writing Y Finance Y Y French Language and Literature Y General Studies Y History Y Human Services Delivery & Administration Y International Affairs Y Management Y Y Y Marketing Y Math/Engineering-Dual Degree Y Mathematics Y Y Middle Grades Education Y Y Y Music Y Music Education Y Nursing- ASN & BSN Y Physical Education Y Physical Education Teacher Education Y Y Physics/Engineering-Dual Degree Y Physics Y Political Science Y Y Psychology Y Y Secondary Education - English Y Y Secondary Education - History Y Secondary Education - Mathematics Y Y Secondary Education - Science Y Y Sociology Y Spanish Language & Literature Y Spanish with Business Emphasis Y Technology Management Y Technology Management/ Paralegal Y Technical Theater Y	Associate Programs Dahlonega Gainesville Cumming Oconee Agricultural Engineering Y Agricultural- General Y Y Anthropology Y Y Art Y Y Art Education Y Y Biological Engineering Y Biological Sciences Y Biology Education Y Y Business Administration Y Y Business Education Y Y Chemistry Y Chemistry Education Y Civil Engineering Technology Y Communication Y Computer Science Y Criminal Justice Y Y Early Childhood Education Y Y Engineering Y Engineering (RETP) Y Engineering Technology Y English Y Y English Education Y Y Environmental Health Y Exercise Science Y Foreign Languages Y Forestry Resources Y Y General Studies Y Y Geology Y Y Journalism Y Y Health & Physical Education Y History Y Y Industrial Engineering Technology Y Mathematics Y Mathematics Education Y Mechanical Engineering Technology Y Media Studies Y Y Middle Grades Education Y Y Music (Applied) Y Music Education Y Philosophy Y Physics Y Physical Geography Y Y Political Science Y Y Poultry Science Y Pre-Dentistry Y Y Pre-Medicine Y Y Pre-Nursing Y Pre-Pharmacy Y Y Pre-Physical Therapy Y Pre-Physician Assisting Y Pre-Veterinary Medicine Y Y Psychology Y Y Religion Y Sports Management Y Social Work Y Y Sociology Y Y Theater Y	Pre-Professional Dahlonega Gainesville Cumming Oconee Dentistry Y Law Y Y Medicine Y Occupational Therapy Y Pharmacy Y Physical Therapy Y Physician's Assistant Y Respiratory Therapy Y Veterinary Medicine Y	Certificate Programs Dahlonega Gainesville Cumming Oconee Online Environmental Science Y Environmental Studies Y European Union Studies Y Gerontology Y Geographical Information Sciences Y Paralegal Studies Y Spanish Translation Y Theatre & Entertainment Technology Y

Schools and departments

The University of North Georgia has five Colleges:

College of Arts and Letters Mike Cottrell College of Business College of Science & Mathematics

College of Education College of Health Sciences and Professions

College of Arts and Letters

The College of Arts and Letters comprises twelve departments:

Communications/Media Studies/Journalism (Chair: Dr. Jeff Marker) English (Chair: Dr. Joyce Stavick) Political Science & International Affairs (Head: Dr. Dlynn Williams) Modern and Classical Languages (Chair: Dr. Brian Mann)

Psychological Science (Head: Dr. Steven Lloyd) Theatre (Head: Jim Hammond) Criminal Justice (Head: Dr. Jennifer Allen) History/Anthropology/Philosophy (Head: Dr. Timothy May)

Military Science (COL Todd Wilson, Professor of Military Science) Music (Head: Andy David) Sociology and Human Services (Head: Dr. Pamela Elfenbein) Visual Arts (Head: Dr. Pamela Sachant)

Dean of the College of Arts and Letters: Dr. Christopher Jespersen

College of Education

The College of Education is made up of four distinct departments:

Appalachian Studies Center (Director: Rosann Kent) Center for Language Education (Director: Dr. James Badger)

Health, Physical Education, & Recreation (Head Athletic Trainer: Matt Daniel) Teacher Education (Assistant Dean: Dr. Toni Bellon)

Dean of the College of Education: Dr. Bob Michael

College of Health Sciences and Professions

The College of Health Sciences and Professions has three departments:

Clinical Mental Health Counseling (Head: Dr. Paul Clay Rowell) Nursing (Head: Dr. Kim Hudson-Gallogly) Physical Therapy (Head: Dr. Carol Miller)

College of Sciences and Mathematics

The College of Sciences & Mathematics has five departments:

Biology (Head: Dr. Nancy Dalman) Chemistry/Biochemistry (Head: Dr. Tim Howell) Mathematics (Head: Dr. John Cruthirds) Physics (Head: Dr. Richard Prior)

Mike Cottrell College of Business

The mission of the Mike Cottrell College of Business is to educate students to become ethical business professionals and prepares them to serve as leaders in their communities and in the global marketplace.

The Mike Cottrell College of Business has seven undergraduate programs as well as a part-time Masters of Business Administration program. Those undergraduate programs are as follows:

Accounting (Head: Anne Duke) Computer Information Systems (Head: Markus Hitz) Computer Science (Head: Markus Hitz) Finance (Head: Mike Ryan) Management (Interim Department Coordinator: Ronald Larson) Marketing (Interim Department Coordinator: Ronald Larson) Technology Management

^[19][20]

Services

Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership

The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership is a university service that ensures that UNG students receive a quality education from knowledgeable, personable, and professional instructors. The CTLL is a unit of UNG Academic Affairs and works to provide professional development training and support for all UNG faculty and staff. CTLL is directed by Dr. Mary Carney, staff associates, and university faculty fellows.

Dr. Mary Carney expressed the importance of this program to the students at UNG by focusing on the ability of this program to bring the research on high impact practices to the teachers at UNG.^[21] The teachers are given resources such as: journals, books on the subjects pertaining to their field, and information on the best local conferences to attend. Service learning is an integral part of the program allowing the students real world practice in accordance with teachings from the classroom. According to Dr. Carney this fosters a deeper learning experience and creates a reciprocal relationship between the future work force and the community that they will be joining after graduation. The CTLL ensures that the students at UNG have a variety of experiences to draw upon once they join the workforce and ensures that the constant contact of the students, i.e. the teachers, perform at their best for the students that they teach.

Mission Statement: The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership (CTLL) supports the University of North Georgia’s commitment to “academic excellence in a student-focused environment.” Through our programs and outreach, CTLL seeks to foster our community of scholar teachers as they pursue research-based experimentation in the design and implementation significant educational experiences. CTLL programs enhance teaching excellence, instructional innovation, the scholarship of teaching and learning, effective academic leadership, and enriched educational environments through such opportunities as service-learning. CTLL encourages, recognizes, and rewards demonstrated excellence in teaching.The Center for Teaching, Learning, and Leadership (CTLL) supports the University of North Georgia’s commitment to “academic excellence in a student-focused environment.” ^[2]

• Academic Leadership
• Awards
• Blog
• Communities of Practice
• Events and Workshops
• Goals
• New Faculty
• Promotion and Tenure
• Service Learning
• Teaching and Learning Conferences
• Technology

Student life

The University of North Georgia has 14,510 undergraduate students with gender distribution of 45% male and 55% female. Student life at UNG varies between campuses due to the differences in student housing accommodation of the two primary campuses in Dahlonega and Gainesville. Out of the 5,541 undergraduate students attending the Dahlonega campus, 36% live in college-owned housing. Unlike the Gainesville campus, which offers no student housing, the Dahlonega campus has a permanent residing student body of roughly 2,000 throughout most of the fall and spring semesters.^[1][22]

Approximately 32% of students at the Gainesville and Oconee campuses are from the counties in which the campus are located (Hall and Oconee counties). The Gainesville and Oconee campuses are located on the outskirts of the city of Gainesville and the city of Watkinsville, respectively. 29% of students at the Gainesville campus are part-time, 'non-traditional' (23 years of age or greater).^[23]

Student Organizations

The University of North Georgia has several clubs and organizations on the Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Oconee campuses that students may join. Overall, there are more than 200 student organizations across the University of North Georgia campuses.^[24] Each campus has organizations for various interests, but there is currently no information available about student organizations on the Cumming campus.^[25] The University of North Georgia uses the website, OrgSync, to connect students with organizations.

Dahlonega Campus	Gainesville Campus	Oconee Campus
Academic	Academic	Academic
Faith-based	Faith-based	Faith-based
Greek Life	Honors Societies	Performing
Honor Societies	Multicultural	Special Interest
Military	Performing Arts and Publications	Sports
Multicultural	Recreational	Student Governance
Performance	Special Interest Groups
Service	Sports Clubs
Special Interest	Student Governance
Sports Clubs	University
Student Governance	Volunteer

Greek life

As of 2011, 13% of male students and 17% of female students were members of fraternities and sororities.^[1] The two councils that govern the Greek community at the school are the Interfraternity Council (males) and the Panhellenic Council (females). The school is home to seven national fraternities, five national sororities, and one local fraternity. Alpha Phi Alpha, a National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternity, has a charter at the university and is active on all campuses.

Fraternities		Sororities
	Alpha Phi Alpha Delta Chi Kappa Sigma Pi Kappa Alpha Pi Kappa Phi Sigma Alpha Epsilon Sigma Chi Sigma Nu Sigma Omega	Alpha Gamma Delta Delta Zeta Kappa Delta Phi Mu Sigma Kappa

Greek Life at UNG was established on the foundation of four core values: service, scholarship, leadership, and lifelong friendship. In keeping with these principles, Greek organizations have a set of standards that a student must meet in order to be considered for membership. These criteria are:

• 2.3 minimum GPA (Some chapters do expect higher as designated by their national and local policies)
• 12 credit hours completed at the University of North Georgia (Any campus)
• Full-time student status in a baccalaureate program (Enrolled in 12 credits at the time of membership invitation)
• Cadet students must be off Quarters (2.5 GPA and 14 credit hours) ^[26]

Leadership

The University of North Georgia is designated by the University System of Georgia as a 'leadership institution'. The university has received this designation because of how ambitiously it incorporates and promotes the development of leadership skills into many of its academic and extracurricular programs.

The Military Leadership Center was dedicated in 2004 to Brooks Pennington Jr., who was a World War II and Korean War Veteran, as well as a Georgia state Congressman and Senator. The Center accommodates four high-technology classrooms, a conference room, a rifle range, and the Brigade Headquarters.^[27]

Because of UNG's status as a leadership institution, it is a participant in the L3 Summit. The Summit is a six-day program during which college and university students from all over Georgia engage in team-building exercises and leadership training sessions for roughly eight hours every day. The program is usually held at some point between the spring and summer semesters.^[28]

Traditions

• Arch: The North Georgia Arch is located at the campus entrance near Dahlonega's town square. It was built by the Class of 1951 to commemorate their classmates who died in the Korean War. Tradition holds that freshmen are not to walk through the larger archway. Instead they are supposed to walk through the smaller adjacent archway.^[29]

• Bugle Calls:
  • Reveille is played every morning at 7:00 a.m., at which time cadets and civilians alike stop and face the flag.
  • Retreat/To the Colors is played every afternoon at 5:00 p.m., at which time all outdoor activity on campus ceases, in order to pay respect to the American flag. Cadets stand at attention and salute the flag while civilians stop, remove their hats, face the flag, and place their right hand over their heart.
  • Taps is played every evening at midnight (2:00 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays of open weekends) to indicate the end of the day. Cadets are required to be in their dorms at this time.
• Drill Field: The Drill Field is located in the heart of the main campus. This field is the parade ground for the UNG Corps of Cadets, and is used for drill and ceremonies. It is also used for recreational activities,such as intermural sports, though the activities of the Corps take precedence. Although the Drill Field is roughly 800 feet (240 m) long and located in at the center of the campus, students are not supposed to walk across it as a shortcut. Instead, they are asked to walk around the encircling sidewalk when traveling from one building to another. On April 18, 2009, the drill field was dedicated to retired General William J. Livsey.^[29]
• Memorial Wall: The Memorial Wall, located in front of the Memorial Hall Gymnasium, was built in 1983 in honor of UNG students and alumni that died while in military service to their country. Students do not enter the area around the wall unless they are stopping to show honor to those listed on the wall. As of 2013 the Memorial lists 174 names that died during WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, or were lost in combat.

• Retreat Triangle: The triangle is located near the Drill Field, Student Center South, and Dunlap Hall. It holds the original retreat cannon, a 1902 three-inch (75 mm) pack howitzer, which has been fired daily at 5 p.m. for more than 50 years. The cannon was recently restored by the North Georgia Parents Association. Students do not walk on the triangle or tamper with the cannon under any circumstances.

Center for Global Engagement

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) facilitates international and cross-cultural experiences for students faculty, staff and the greater community in order to better integrate the University of North Georgia into the globalized world.

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is the University of North Georgia's (UNG) connection to the world. The CGE is home to International Student and Scholar Services, Study Abroad Services, the Federal Service Language Academy, Military International Programs, International Internships, and International Partnerships. All these sectors operate with the focus of providing international learning opportunities to the UNG students and faculty who desire to enhance their cross-cultural perspectives and global understanding.^[19]

These programs confirm the CGE mission of facilitating international and cross-cultural experiences for students, faculty, staff, and the greater community in order to better integrate the University of North Georgia into the globalized world.

• Study Abroad: Studying abroad is a great way to obtain personal and intellectual growth, career inspiration, work experience, language acquisition, and intercultural understanding. Study abroad changes lives, and the work of the CGE is guided by the commitment to promoting access to study abroad opportunities for UNG's growing and diverse population of students. The CGE strives to provide outreach, service, and support to students considering studying abroad. The CGE’s study abroad advisors can assist students in finding the perfect study abroad program for your personal and/or career aspirations. The CGE offers access to more than 70 programs around the world.

• International Student and Scholar Services: The CGE assists international students, scholars, and faculty with transitioning from their home country to the United States. With help from the CGE, UNG hosts over 100 international students from more than 30 countries. The CGE staff is composed of experienced educators who have a sound understanding of various global issues, trends, and educational systems, as well as possessing expertise in immigration regulations that affect one's entry and stay in the United States. They are trained and experienced in cross-cultural counseling and U.S. immigration regulations. The services include advisement, counseling, and information on the admissions processes such as immigration, academic issues, and even personal issues.

• Military International Programs: The University of North Georgia (UNG) has partnered with US Army Cadet Command to send Cadets from schools throughout the United States to a foreign country. This lead to the creation of the Cadet English Language Training Team (CELTT). Its purpose is to arrange the travel of cadets overseas to assist in teaching English to foreign military counterparts. The long-term goal of this program is to establish a service learning program that can be replicated in other regions and nations in each Unified Combatant Command Area of Responsibility. CELTT prepares future officers for effective service across the spectrum of conflict in various regions of the world.

• Federal Service Language Academy: The FSLA is a summer program for high school students who are interested in federal service careers and strategic foreign languages. Students may choose to take Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, German, or Portuguese. Once on campus, students hear from speakers from agencies such as the DEA, FBI, State Department, and Peace Corps. After the three-week program, students may earn high school credit if approved by their high school.

• International Partnerships: To meet the University of North Georgia’s mission of preparing students for a global society, the Center for Global Engagement has established relationships with a growing number of outstanding universities worldwide. Some of the programs are only in the development phase, but others are mature and constantly growing and evolving. These relationships usually involve student and faculty exchanges, research opportunities, international internships, and other collaborative possibilities.

• International Internships: International internships can offer the thrill of an international experience combined with the real-world practice sought after by employers. International internships can provide students with advanced foreign language skills, intercultural skills, global experience and perspectives, job knowledge and skills, and independence and confidence. Once a student the university has chosen an international internship, the CGE staff can assist the student with preparing for an international experience.^[20]

Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC)

With the exception of its stint as a junior college during the Great Depression (1933-1946), the U.S. Army ROTC program has been active at what is now the University of North Georgia since 1916. However, it wasn't until shortly after the Second World War that the program was able to give its graduates commissions in the army or reserves. This development into an advanced ROTC program was made possible by a combination of the newly passed G.I. Bill, the recent economic recovery in Georgia, and the ambitious leadership of college president Jonathan Clark Rogers.^[8] Today it is one of the six senior military colleges in the county.^[8] As of 2012 there were 665 male and 91 female cadets (5% of the school's student population) comprising the ROTC program.^[11]

By Title X of federal law, UNG is one of only six colleges and universities in the nation designated as senior military colleges.^[30] UNG is also designated by the Georgia Board of Regents and the Georgia General Assembly as The Military College of Georgia and as a Leadership Institution. Although the majority of its 15,000 undergraduate students are not members of the Corps of Cadets, the residential campus community in Dahlonega is influenced by military values, including respect, responsibility, and service to others.

During spring and fall semesters, the character of UNG is distinguished by approximately 700 Cadets wearing military uniforms in classrooms and laboratories, while conducting tactical exercises, while rappelling down walls, or parading on the drill field in the center of the scenic Dahlonega campus. At 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., traffic stops and pedestrians turn toward the campus memorial as the bugle marks time-honored ceremonies to raise and lower the flags.

The Corps of Cadets provides a West Point-like experience during the fall and spring semesters. The Corps of Cadets serves as a leadership, character, and academic development laboratory where Cadets put into practical use the skills and theory that they learn in the classroom. The primary purpose of the Corps is to prepare our Cadets to serve as commissioned Army officers. The secondary purpose is to prepare Cadets who do not or cannot commission, for life and leadership roles in the civilian world. The Corps of Cadets does not seek those who need discipline and structure to succeed in college. Rather, they seek disciplined young men and women who want to be leaders.

Throughout the regular fall and spring academic sessions military life on campus is full-time during the week for cadets. Cadets begin their day with first call 6:45 AM, Monday through Friday. Physical fitness training is conducted at 7:00 AM on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and room and uniform inspections on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Cadets are then free to clean up, eat meals, and attend classes on their own. They participate in leadership laboratories most Monday afternoons. After supper, there is a two-hour mandatory study period for first semester Cadets. Cadets may be released from this requirement upon achieving a satisfactory level of academic achievement. Lights out occurs at midnight. Most weekends are free. However, about one weekend per month is designated as a "closed" weekend for the purposes of training, inspections, competitions, or parades.^[31]

Weekends for cadets are not confined by the same consistent and stringent scheduling as are the weekdays. Roughly once a month cadets are subject to a 'closed weekend', during which they must participate in military training or other Corps-related activities. These weekends may include parades, inspections, and field exercises. These exercises take place at Camp Frank D. Merrill, Pine Valley Training Facility, or Radar Ridge, and are intended to compliment the tactical and technical skills that the cadets learn in their military science courses. During 'open weekends', which are weekends not dedicated to military training, cadets are permitted to leave campus to visit family and friends. They may also use these weekends as opportunities to remain on campus and focus on school work. Many cadets also choose to remain on campus during open weekends and enjoy outdoor activities in the local area such as fishing, rafting, and hiking.^[31]

"Boar's Head Brigade"

The Boar's Head Brigade is the official designation of the Corps of Cadets at the University of North Georgia. There are currently upwards of 700 students involved in the Corps. The unit comprises battalions, each containing three companies, each of which comprises three platoons, each of which comprises four squads.^[32]

"A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, plagiarize, evade the truth, conspire to deceive, nor will he/she tolerate those who do."

—Honors Code of the Corps of Cadets

"Truth and Wisdom"

—Motto of the Corps of Cadets

Military organizations and special units

There are a number of organizations that are affiliated with the Boar's Head Brigade. Some of them have prehistory dating back to the Civil War.

Aggressor Platoon

"Aggressors Lead the Way!"

—motto of the Aggressor Platoon

The Aggressor Platoon, founded in 1963, is a voluntary extracurricular activity. It was established to serve as the opposing force for Cadet field training exercises. The platoon was open to sophomore Cadets, and known as the "Black Tigers"- a reference to the black fatigues worn by its members. Toward the end of the 1970s the platoon began to allow all Cadets to participate.^[33]

Cadets that participate in the Aggressor Platoon are trained in guerrilla warfare tactics, light infantry, Ranger, and special operations. The platoon develops skills that are of use on the modern battlefield. To qualify for membership Cadets must meet physical fitness test standards, a 6-mile ruck march, and a timed obstacle course.^[33]

Blue Ridge Rifles

"Blue and Gray All the Way!"

—motto of the Blue Ridge Rifles

The origins of the Blue Ridge Rifles predates the existence of any college in Dahlonega. The unit was formed in 1861 when the city dispatched its second group of volunteer soldiers to the Civil War. Once the unit's three years of service was complete in 1864, it reenlisted for the final year of the war. Following the Confederacy's surrender at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865 all Confederate military units were disbanded, including the Blue Ridge Rifles. However, the former Blue Ridge Rifle soldiers still continued to maintain social contact with one another as civilians. It was not until 1950 that the Blue Ridge Rifles drill platoon (known as the Honors Platoon between 1950-1958) existed at North Georgia College. Although it shared the same name with the Confederate unit there was no direct affiliation between the two entities. The platoon adopted the name simply in homage to the original Confederate Blue Ridge Rifles.^[34]

In 1971 the Blue Ridge Rifles won first place in the East Tennessee State University Drill Meet. Additionally, they were also the 2001 and 2002 National Champion Precision Drill Team.^[34]

Cadet Chaplain Corps

"Faith, Truth, Service!"

—motto of the Cadet Chaplain Corps

The Cadet Chaplain Corps, established in 2000, became an official specialty unit on North Georgia College's campus in 2008. Student cadets participating in this association receive training and mentoring for active and retired Army Chaplain. One of the foremost responsibilities of the Cadet Chaplain Corps is organizing support events such as Bible studies, prayer breakfasts, and corresponding with guest speakers. These speakers include Army officers, athletic coaches, and POW heroes.^[35]

Color Guard

"Duty! Honor! Country!"

—motto of the Color Guard

One of the UNG Color Guard's primary duties is to safeguard and present the colors (American, State, and Boar's Head Brigade) at each and every function of the Corps of Cadets. They are also responsible for performing at special occasions at the request of the university, such as Atlanta Braves baseball games, National Football League games, NASCAR events, Atlanta Athletic Club events, nearby Veteran's Day celebrations, and other various local and community events. It has been nationally recognized for its precision drill performances. The unit earned the title of National Champion Color Guard Team in 2000 and 2002 at the National ROTC Drill Meetings. In 2010 the Color Guard placed second at the Mardi Gras Drill Meet hosted by Tulane University in New Orleans. The Color Guard is open to all students in the Corps of Cadets that meet certain academic and fitness standards^[36]

Golden Eagle Band

"Talons of Steel!"

—motto of the Golden Eagle Band

"Raise Hell!"

—alternate motto of the Golden Eagle Band (used primarily by veterans)

The Golden Eagle Band was formed as a component of the Corps of Cadets in 1873. Since then it has served as the university's sole marching band. Rather than performing at athletic events, as is most common with many university marching bands, the Golden Eagle Band's primary function is to perform at UNG Corps of Cadets functions, as well as represent the Corps of Cadets in parades around the local community and throughout the nation.^[37] The mission of the Golden Eagle Band's is to "provide quality musicianship, discipline, and leadership through both military and musical training."^[38]

Although the majority of the Golden Eagle Band's performances are military processions, the band has recently adopted Drum Corps International techniques into its own regimen. Every spring the band goes on tour around the Southeastern United States and entertains audiences that come to see the military reviews and processions. Unlike other military units at UNG, the Golden Eagle Band is open to both cadet and civilian students.^[39]

Mountain Order of Colombo

"If you can't keep up the pace, drop out of the formation."

—motto of the Mountain Order of Colombo

The mountains near the Dahlonega campus of North Georgia are home to the mountain phase of the U.S. Army Ranger school and serve as a great location for military mountaineering training. In 1962 a group of Cadets, inspired by a demonstration performed by the cadre of the U.S. Army Mountain Ranger Camp, formed the Mountain Order of Colombo. The cadets' request for training was met by Master Sergeant Louis P. Colombo, who was assigned to Camp Merrill at the time.^[36]

The Mountain Order of Colombo, sponsored by the Military Science Department, strives to promote enthusiasm for military mountaineering and small unit infantry tactics. The unit aims to train Cadets in fixed installations exercises, hand-to-hand combat, survival tactics, and terrain navigation. The training pertaining to these skills begins in an instructional classroom format before moving to field environments at the college's rappelling tower and later at Yonah Mountain. Under certain circumstances members of the Mountain Order of Colombo may be eligible to attend the U.S. Army Mountain Warfare School.^[36]

Athletics

Following the establishment of The University of North Georgia in 2013, the school's athletic teams were nicknamed the "Nighthawks." UNG's athletics teams compete in the Peach Belt Conference as part of the NCAA Division II classification.^[40] But prior to joining NCAA Division II, North Georgia (formerly known as NGC&SU) formerly competed in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC) from 1999 to 2005. Margaret Poitevint, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mathematics & Computer Science, is the NCAA designated Faculty Athletics Representative. Men's sports include: baseball, basketball, golf, rifle, soccer, and tennis. Women's athletics include: basketball, cheerleading, cross country, golf, rifle, soccer, softball,^[41] and tennis.^[42]

The University of North Georgia Softball team was founded in 1997, led by Coach Ricky Sanders. He coached the softball team for 4 seasons until 2000, which was also the year Sanders and the team won the title of Champions of the NAIA Regional Tournament. The softball team has competed as a member of the Peach Belt Conference since 2006 in NCAA Division II. The Nighthawks softball team played in the 2013 NCAA Division II Southeast Super Regional. Their other accomplishments include five additional NCAA National Tournament Appearances, eight conference titles, and six-hundred wins in the program's history. The team's head coach, for the past 14 seasons, has been Mike Davenport. Davenport, also the assistant coach of USSSA Pride, has won eight conference regular season titles, seven conference tournament crowns and has recorded an overall record of 597 – 184 since the start of his coaching career in 2001. The Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium, or “The Hill,” was constructed during the fall of 2008 on the North Georgia Dahlonega campus. In 2014, “The Hill” has started renovation for all new turf and features that include a first class facility for the nighthawks (ungathletics.com). The Hill housed the 2009, 2010 and 2014 NCAA Southeast Regional and Super Regional.

UNG's baseball facility was constructed in 2008 for the former North Georgia College and State University. In 2010, it was dedicated to former NGC alumnus and baseball player Bob Stein, who donated much of the funds used in the construction of the field.^[43] The UNG baseball team ^[44] is a member of the Western Division of the Peach Belt Conference.^[45]

The UNG rifle team is coached by head coach Tori Kostecki. The rifle team is part of the NCAA Division I Southeast Air Rifle Conference, where they are currently placed second in the conference. The team has also participated in the April 2014 USA Shooting Junior Olympic National Championship. The school's rifle facility is the Col. Raymond C. Hamilton Rifle Range on the North Georgia Dahlonega campus.

Men's Basketball

North Georgia Nighthawks
University	University of North Georgia
Conference	PBC
Location	Dahlonega, GA
Head coach	Chris Faulkner (12th year)
Arena	Memorial Hall Gym (Capacity: 1,025)
Nickname	Nighthawks
Colors	Blue, White, and Gold
Uniforms
Home Away Alternate

The University of North Georgia Nighthawks is a NCAA Division II collegiate program in the Peach Belt Conference alongside schools such as Georgia College and State University and Columbus State University. The 2014-15 North Georgia Nighthawks play their home games in Memorial Hall Gym. The Nighthawks are picked to finish 8th in the PBC for the 2014-15 season. Head Coach Chris Faulkner has three returning starters this season and Nighthawk Students and Fans hope the team can have more success than last year's team team, who finished the season 12-14 and 9-10 in conference play.

Coaching Staff

Head Coach- Chris Faulkner:^[46] Faulkner is entering his 12th year as head coach of the Men’s Basketball team. In May 2003, he returned to his Alma Mater and began coaching and building the team based on his love for the sport. During his tenure at UNG he has produced several Georgia-Alabama-Carolina Conference Newcomers of the Year as well as All-Freshman Team members. In 2003-2004 he led UNG to a record breaking season in the SSAC (Southern State Athletic Conference) with a 23-10 overall record. Faulkner was named head coach at Piedmont College in Georgia in 1997. There he led the basketball program through a transitional period from NAIA division to NCAA Division III and into the GSAC (Great South Athletic Conference). He was a 1993 graduate of the University of North Georgia where he play four consecutive years of collegiate basketball. He also participated in international summer play in Costa Rica and Spain and was a recipient of the Will D. Young Scholarship. He received his Bachelor of Science in Physical Education and a Master of Education in 1995. After completing his playing Career at North Georgia he resided as assistant coach for 4 years. Faulkner and his family reside in Dahlonega, GA.

Assistant Coach- Josh Travis:^[47] Travis is entering his 12th year as the Assistant Men’s basketball coach at the University of North Georgia. During his time at UNG, the program as posted a 155-159 mark, including an appearance in the 2007-08 and 2012-13 Peach Belt Conference Basketball tournaments. Travis assists with all aspects of the program. He was a graduate assistant in 2003-04, but then was promoted as assistant coach. He is also an instructor in the Health and Physical Education department and received his Master of Education in Physical Education at UNG. Travis played for 2 years at Truett-McConnell College in Cleveland, Ga (1997-1999). Then transferred to Reinhardt College where he finished out his collegiate career. Travis came to Dahlonega from Reinhardt where he served as an assistant coach to the women’s basketball team in 2002-2003 and as an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team in 2001-2002. Travis and his wife reside in Dawsonville, Ga.

Assistant Coach- Richard Simmons:^[48] Simmons is entering his sixth year as Assistant Coach of the Men’s Basketball program. Simmons brings almost 40 years of coaching experience for the staff, including stops at Pineville High School in Pineville, W.Va., and Hilliard High School in Hilliard, Fla., before coming to Georgia for coaching positions at Morrow High School and Lovejoy Middle School in Clayton County. Simmons has an overall record of 395-194 throughout his coaching career. While leading his teams to a pair of state tournament runner-up finishes, 11 state tournaments, 11 region championship, and seven regional runner-up appearances. Simmons attended Concord University and earned First-Team All-Conference honors in baseball and basketball in 1965 and 1966, however he earned his undergraduate degree and graduate degree from the University of West Georgia. Simmons resides with his wife and children in Dahlonega, GA.

Graduate Assistant Coach- Jared Hawkins:^[49] Hawkins is currently a graduate student at the University of North Georgia. He play four consecutive years at UNG. Hawkins resides in Dahlonega, GA.

Strength and Conditioning Coach- Richard Pruett: Pruett earned his bachelor's degree at Georgia State in 2012. During his last semester, he completed his internship at Exos, a performance training facility in Gulf Breeze, Fl. Pruett got his coaching start in 2007 as the Defensive Quality Control and Fullbacks Coach for the Georgia Force, of the Arena Football League. In 2009 he moved to Atlanta where he worked as a student assistant at Georgia State University for the start up football program under Coach Bill Curry. Pruett is currently finishing his graduate degree at the University of North Georgia and resides in Dahlonega, GA.

Current Roster

^[50]

Name	Number	Pos.	Height	Weight	Year	Hometown
Sean Brennan	2	Guard	6'2"	168	Sophomore	Roswell, GA
Jesse Byrd	3	Guard	6'0"	155	Freshman	Decatur, GA
Tyler Dominy	14	Guard	6'5"	191	Freshman	Dawsonville, GA
Taylor Guthrie	20	Guard	6'4"	183	Junior	Dahlonega, GA
Corey Green	21	Guard	6'4"	209	Junior	Detroit, MI
Tanner Plemmons	22	Guard	6'2"	188	Junior	Franklin, NC
Shaquan Cantrell	23	Guard	6'0"	195	Sophomore	Gainesville, GA
Ebo Smith	24	Guard	6'3"	177	Freshman	Lula, GA
Travis Core	25	Guard	6'2"	167	Senior	Trenton, GA
T.J. Williams	32	Forward	6'8"	240	Sophomore	Wilmington, NC
Dylan Setzekorn	33	Forward	6'7"	194	Junior	Gainesville, GA
Andrew Lawrence	42	Forward	6'6"	198	Senior	Hilliard, FL
Michael Varrichione	44	Forward	6'6"	220	Junior	Medway, MA

2014-15 Schedule

^[51]

Date	Time	Team	Location
Nov 15	3:30pm	Southern Wesleyan University	Dahlonega, GA
Nov 18	7:30pm	Brevard College	Brevard, NC
Nov 20	7pm	Emmanuel College	Dahlonega, GA
Nov 24	7pm	Shorter University	Rome, GA
Nov 28	3pm	Chowan University	Pensacola, FL
Nov 29	3pm	Claflin University	Example
Dec 13	7pm	Limestone College	Gaffney, SC
Dec 18	7:30pm	Flagler College	St. Augustine, FL
Dec 20	3:30pm	Armstrong State University	Savannah, GA
Jan 3	3:30pm	Georgia College	Dahlonega, GA
Jan 5	7:30pm	Young Harris College	Young Harris, GA
Jan 7	7:30pm	Georgia Regents University Augusta	Augusta, GA
Jan 10	3:30pm	Clayton State University	Morrow, GA
Jan 14	7:30pm	Columbus State University	Columbus, GA
Jan 17	3:30pm	University of North Carolina Pembroke	Dahlonega, GA
Jan 19	3:30pm	Francis Marion University	Dahlonega, GA
Jan 24	3:30pm	Clayton State University	Dahlonega, GA
Jan 28	8:30pm	University of Montevallo	Montevallo, GA
Jan 31	3:30pm	Lander University	Dahlonega, GA
Feb 4	7:30pm	Young Harris College	Dahlonega, GA
Feb 7	3:30pm	University of Montevallo	Dahlonega, GA
Feb 11	7:30pm	Georgia Southwestern State University	Americus, GA
Feb 14	3:30pm	Georgia College	Milledgeville, GA
Feb 18	7:30pm	University of South Carolina Aiken	Aiken, SC
Feb 21	3:30pm	Columbus State University	Dahlonega, GA
Feb 25	7:30pm	Georgia Southwestern State University	Dahlonega, GA
Feb 28	TBA	PBC Quarterfinal	TBA
Mar 7	TBA	PBC Seminfinal	TBA
Mar 8	TBA	PBC Championship	TBA

See also

• Dahlonega, Georgia
• Gainesville State College
• History of University of North Georgia
• List of colleges and universities in Georgia (U.S. state)
• North Georgia
• North Georgia College & State University
• Reserve Officers' Training Corps
• United States Senior Military College
• NCAA
• Division II (NCAA)
• Peach Belt Conference

External links

• University of North Georgia official website
• University of North Georgia official Facebook page
• University of North Georgia official Twitter page
• UNG Athletics
• Peach Belt Conference
• UNG Cadet Admissions
• University System of Georgia
• ROTC programs

References

^{[52] [53]}

• Roberts, William (1998). Georgia's Best Kept Secrets: A History of North Georgia College. Dahlonega, GA: William Pittman Roberts. 

Peach Belt Conference Members Armstrong State University Clayton State University Columbus State University Flagler College Francis Marion University Georgia College & State University Georgia Regents University Augusta Georgia Southwestern State University Lander University University of Montevallo University of North Carolina at Pembroke University of North Georgia University of South Carolina Aiken Young Harris College Future Auburn University at Montgomery Associates University of Alabama in Huntsville Nova Southeastern University Shorter University

College sports teams in Georgia NCAA Division I Georgia Georgia Southern Georgia State Georgia Tech Kennesaw State Mercer Savannah State NCAA Division II Albany State University Armstrong State University Clark Atlanta University Clayton State University Columbus State University Fort Valley State University Georgia College & State University Georgia Regents University Georgia Southwestern State University Morehouse College University of North Georgia Paine College Shorter University Valdosta State University University of West Georgia Young Harris College NCAA Division III Agnes Scott College Berry College Covenant College Emory University LaGrange College Oglethorpe University Piedmont College Wesleyan College NAIA Divisions I and II Brenau University Brewton–Parker College College of Coastal Georgia Dalton State College Georgia Gwinnett College Life University Middle Georgia State College Point University Reinhardt University Savannah College of Art & Design Savannah College of Art & Design–Atlanta Thomas University Truett–McConnell College NJCAA Division I Abraham Baldwin College Albany Technical College Atlanta Metropolitan College Chattahoochee Technical College Darton State College East Georgia College Georgia Highlands College Georgia Military College Georgia Perimeter College Gordon State College Middle Georgia College South Georgia Technical College Waycross College NCCAA Divisions I and II Carver College Emmanuel Point University Shorter University Toccoa Falls College

University System of Georgia Research Universities Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia Regents University Georgia State University University of Georgia Comprehensive Universities Georgia Southern University Kennesaw State University University of West Georgia Valdosta State University State Universities Albany State University Armstrong State University Clayton State University Columbus State University Fort Valley State University Georgia College & State University Georgia Southwestern State University Middle Georgia State University (effective July 1, 2015) University of North Georgia Savannah State University Category I State Colleges Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College Atlanta Metropolitan State College College of Coastal Georgia Dalton State College Georgia Gwinnett College Gordon State College Middle Georgia State College (until June 30, 2015) Category II State Colleges Bainbridge State College Darton State College East Georgia State College Georgia Highlands College Georgia Perimeter College South Georgia State College Governing body Georgia Board of Regents

United States military academies and military colleges Military academy (United States) Federal service academies Undergraduate Air Force Academy Coast Guard Academy Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point) Military Academy (West Point) Naval Academy (Annapolis) Post-graduate Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences Preparatory Air Force Academy Preparatory School Military Academy Preparatory School Naval Academy Preparatory School Senior military colleges Public The Citadel University of North Georgia Texas A&M University Virginia Military Institute Virginia Tech Private Norwich University Military junior colleges Public Georgia Military College Marion Military Institute New Mexico Military Institute Private Valley Forge Military Academy Wentworth Military Academy Staff colleges Air Command and Staff College Air Force Institute of Technology Air University Air War College Army Command and General Staff College Army War College Army Warrant Officer Career College Community College of the Air Force Defense Language Institute Joint Forces Staff College Marine Corps University Marine Corps War College National Defense University Naval Postgraduate School Naval War College School of Advanced Military Studies Military academy Military education and training

• "High Impact Practices" Best Practices for Supporting College Access and Success, November 15, 2014