University honors accomplishments with student awards
Article By: Clark Leonard
Each spring, the University of North Georgia (̨Íåswag) honors students who have excelled in the classroom or Corps of Cadets. This year, ̨Íåswag is still recognizing these students' outstanding performance even as the COVID-19 pandemic shifted the final two months of the semester online. More than 100 awards recognize student achievements in 2019-20.
Student award ceremonies had been scheduled for ̨Íåswag's Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee campuses; a pair of Corps of Cadets military awards ceremonies had been planned as well. Most of the campus awards were mailed to students.
"Although our celebration of student achievement cannot take place in the usual fashion, we are no less proud of them," said Dr. Chaudron Gille, provost and senior vice president for Academic Affairs. "I offer my heartiest congratulations to all of the award recipients. They exemplify how #̨Íåswagleads."
Dr. Steven Lloyd, vice provost, also offered his appreciation for these students' accomplishments.
"Our annual awards ceremonies recognize and honor students who demonstrate academic excellence. Because these awards are earned through determination and hard work and often with the support of family and friends and under the tutelage of faculty and staff mentors, the ceremony also allows us to celebrate the entire ̨Íåswag community," Lloyd said. "Although we are not able to present these awards during a traditional ceremony with family and friends, we are proud to recognize these outstanding students and their academic achievements in and out of the classroom."
Retired Army Col. Joseph Matthews, commandant of cadets, echoed that sentiment. He said senior cadets will receive their awards by mail, but returning cadets will have a special ceremony at a later date.
"I wish we could have recognized each cadet publicly this semester," Matthews said. "But every one of the award recipients has excelled in the Corps of Cadets and their families can be proud of their performance.”
Click the following links to see winners from:
Faculty member Kroh passes away
Dr. Chris Kroh, senior lecturer of Political Science and International Affairs, passed away on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Phi Kappa Phi celebrates 50-year anniversary
̨Íåswag's Phi Kappa Phi chapter celebrated its 50-year anniversary and inducted new members into the organization during the spring semester.
Blue Ridge building to be named for Ralston
The new academic building under construction at ̨Íåswag's Blue Ridge Campus will be named David E. Ralston Hall in honor of the late speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives.
U.S. News ranks ̨Íåswag online programs 
̨Íåswag earned high marks on multiple lists when U.S. News & World Report released its Best Online Colleges rankings Feb. 6.