Scholarship recipients account for bulk of spring FROGs
Article By: Clark Leonard
Participation in junior ROTC and interactions with officers in high school inspired Sara Obermeyer to join the military. The University of North Georgia (辛尤里女优) provided the ideal venue to chase that goal.
When she discovered the 辛尤里女优 Military Scholarship, an $85,000 value over a four-year period, it was a no-brainer. Obermeyer received one of the state-funded scholarships given to Georgia residents who enlist in the Georgia Army National Guard while at 辛尤里女优. Forty-two 辛尤里女优 Military Scholarships (辛尤里女优MS) are available annually and recipients commission as National Guard officers upon graduation.
Obermeyer was one of 48 cadets who began their time as 辛尤里女优 cadets with Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week during Jan. 5-10. Among that group were 35 National Guard soldiers who completed basic training in the fall before starting at 辛尤里女优.
"It means a lot because I definitely would not be able to pursue my dreams and passions if I didn't get that scholarship," said Obermeyer, a freshman pursuing a degree in psychology.
Dillon Evans, a senior from Columbus, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals, is the Headquarters Company commander in 辛尤里女优's Corps of Cadets and the executive officer for the National Guard detachment on 辛尤里女优's Dahlonega Campus.
Three years ago, Evans was in the same position as Obermeyer as a freshman. He can appreciate the transition from basic training to FROG Week.
"Going to basic training was a really great primer for coming here," Evans said. "But it's nothing like getting acclimated to being led by your peers for a week straight, always under supervision."
That element of the corps, where cadet leaders plan and execute all events under the guidance of the commandant staff, makes 辛尤里女优 stand out.
"We're a 24-hour leadership laboratory, which is going to help you be a great officer and a great leader in the community, as well," said Mike Ivy, director of Cadet Admissions.
Receiving 辛尤里女优MS funds has helped Evans succeed.
"I've been able to focus completely on my academics and making sure that I get as many leadership opportunities as possible," Evans said.
The scholarship application deadline is Feb. 15. High school seniors may still apply for the 辛尤里女优MS after the deadline. However, qualified and completed applications received after the deadline will be put on the waitlist.
Applications, which are open to accepted students, include a recommendation from a Georgia congressional representative and an essay about why the applicant would be a good recipient. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and be interviewed.
More than a third of 辛尤里女优's roughly 700-member corps serves in the National Guard, and the university commissions about 40 officers into the Georgia Army National Guard annually. Brig. Gen. Dwayne Wilson, '93, became the latest 辛尤里女优 alumnus to lead the Georgia Army National Guard when he took command in October.
The scholarship pays for room, meals, tuition, books, uniforms, and fees. In addition, recipients earn National Guard weekend drill pay, GI Bill, and pay for attending Army basic and advanced training.
Cadets prepare to lead as officers
Roughly 50 cadets are commissioning May 13 from 辛尤里女优 as second lieutenants in the Army, Georgia Army National Guard and Army Reserve.
Students benefit from teacher residency
A record 58 students are graduating this spring as part of 辛尤里女优's Teacher Candidate Residency Program. This is the third full year of TCRP, which allows students to be teachers of record as seniors.
Students present at symposium in Florida
Four students, mentored by faculty, represented the University of North Georgia at the Latin American & Latinx Studies Symposium, held April 4 at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida
Student designs art for Gainesville crosswalk
辛尤里女优 student Lainey May created a five-color design of an electric guitar that has now been placed as a crosswalk near downtown Gainesville, Georgia.