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Ten University of North Georgia (ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ) cadets are commissioning into the Army or Georgia Army National Guard as second lieutenants at 3 p.m. Aug. 15 in a ceremony at the Convocation Center. Col. R. Ramsey Oliver '02 will serve as the keynote speaker.

Oliver is currently the program executive officer for Special Operations Forces Warrior Systems at United States Special Operations Command.

"We are extremely proud to commission our next set of ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ leaders. They have all worked tirelessly to get to this point, and we know each one will proudly represent both the Boar's Head Brigade and the University of North Georgia as they step into the officer ranks," Col. Ed Bankston, ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ professor of military science, said. "We are excited to have Col. Ramsey Oliver as our guest speaker. There is not a better way to celebrate our next generation of ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ leaders than having a top-performing ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ officer administer the oath of office."

Jaelyn Baker, a Conyers, Georgia, resident, who earned a degree in criminal justice, is commissioning as a second lieutenant in the active-duty Army's Military Police. Baker said she had a well-rounded experience that included extracurricular activities such as the Mountain Order of Colombo, Scabbard and Blade military honor society, being a member of Delta Zeta sorority, and graduating from Airborne and Air Assault schools. She is only the fifth woman ever promoted to climb member in Colombo at ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ.

"I've learned great skills, not just mountaineering. I learned a lot about my leadership style and how to adjust to different capabilities," Baker said. "It was a lot more than just rappelling."

Cadets plan and execute all of their own events with oversight from the commandant staff. Baker said this environment helps cadets embrace challenges and cultivate a willingness to make decisions in the heat of the moment.

She is grateful for everyone who encouraged and helped her along the way. Baker hopes others will follow her lead.

"Go out and try something and create your own experiences," Baker said. "Don't allow others' fears to keep you away from what you want to achieve."

Andrew Garner, a Lexington, Kentucky, native who earned a degree in international affairs, will commission into the active-duty Army's Armor Branch.

Garner spent more than a semester of his junior year at General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania in what he called "one of the best experiences of my life." He then had an internship at the Baltic Defence College the first semester of his senior year. He encourages other cadets to work with retired Lt. Col. Wesley Pirkle, director of Global Military Programs, and retired Sgt. Maj. Terry Baumann, assistant director of Global Military Programs, to find opportunities to grow their skills abroad.

"Be spontaneous and be bold," Garner said. "Go on these adventures, even if they seem scary at first."

Garner was also grateful for the Leadership Development Program (LDP), which prepared him during his junior year to attend Advanced Camp, a grueling experience that helps determine commissioning branches.

"LDP is a trial by fire," Garner said. "It weeds out your bad character traits and reinforces your positive traits."

Pierce Fincher, who is from Rome, Georgia, has earned a degree in criminal justice and will commission as a second lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard Infantry Branch.

Fincher said his time in the Mountain Order of Colombo, Ranger Challenge and the military honor society Scabbard and Blade have been instrumental in his growth.

"They pushed me to be a better person in general," Fincher said. "They always made me strive for more."

He also appreciated the way the Corps of Cadets instilled a sense of looking beyond himself.

"Get involved in something. Don't just keep to yourself and stay in your dorm room and study. Build connections and friendships," Fincher said. "Always find something to push yourself and those around you."

Jordan Brashear, a Fort Myers, Florida, resident, earned a degree in criminal justice and will be commissioning as an officer in the active-duty Army Infantry Branch. After originally wanting to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Brashear was grateful for the opportunities she gained at ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ. 

Brashear graduated from Air Assault School at West Point in summer 2024 after completing Advanced Camp. She sought to share what her experience was like in hopes of encouraging other women in the Corps to attend the Army's specialty schools.

As a senior, she served as a tactical officer with LDP. She encourages others to take cadet leadership roles so they can learn in a safe environment.

"My leadership skills and people skills have improved tremendously since coming to ÐÁÓÈÀïÅ®ÓÅ," Brashear said.