Officials with the University of North Georgia recently celebrated a record in student scholarship awards.
The seventh annual UNG Scholarship Gala was held March 29 to commemmorate a record $1.8 million in scholarship money that went to UNG students in fiscal year 2018.
UNG President Bonita C. Jacobs thanked donors for their generosity and highlighted the university's accomplishments, including record enrollment growth, expanded academic programs, numerous military awards as a senior military college, and being named a national top-producer of Fulbright students for two years.
"With a growing reputation for innovation and academic excellence, the University of North Georgia is building on its historic strengths of student success, military education, and leadership development to advance into new levels of prominence," Jacobs said. "With your support, we are equipping our graduates to serve at the cutting edge of solving complex problems to meet the needs of our region and our country."
Increasing scholarship funds has been one of Jacobs' top presidential priorities, and the first scholarship gala was held in 2013 as part of her inauguration. The formal event was held at the university's Convocation Center in Dahlonega.
Also during the evening, Retired Army Col. James T. Palmer, a 1973 alumnus who will retire as UNG's Commandant of Cadets at the end of June, received the Summit Award. The award recognizes an individual, family or organization for significant contributions to scholarships at UNG over an extended period, particularly when those contributions serve to change the expectation for scholarship giving at UNG.
Georgia House of Representatives Speaker David Ralston, a UNG alumnus who was unable to attend due to it being the final days of the legislative session, earned the Presidential Leadership Award. The award recognizes an individual who has made a significant, positive impact on the life and advancement of the university. A Blue Ridge, Georgia, resident, Ralston has championed the development of UNG's standalone Blue Ridge Campus, which is scheduled to open in fall 2020, and has supported the university's efforts to enhance economic development in the region.
Dr. Randy and Peggy Kirner, a 1967 alumnus and his wife who established the Randall and Peggy Kirner Scholarship in July 2017, received the Champion Award. It recognizes an individual or organization for significant contributions within the past two years that promote scholarship and giving to UNG.
From April 1-May 6, UNG is holding its annual RISE crowdfund to bring awareness to and raise funds for scholarships that help UNG students achieve their goals. The campaign highlights eight scholarships this year: Cottrell MBA Scholarship Fund, Eagle Fund, Oconeefest Scholarship, LeeAnn Noble Memorial Scholarship Fund, Women's Educational Scholarship, NGC Class of 1975 Scholarship, 1LT Weston Lee Memorial Scholarship Fund, and Music Scholarship Fund.
