Parent-Alumni Weekend set for April 14-16
Article By: Denise Ray
Parent-Alumni Weekend will bring fun, friends and memories back to the University of North Georgia's (̨Íåswag) Dahlonega Campus from April 14-16 with reunions, military ceremonies, awards, and live music.
"Alumni, parents, campus partners and students enjoy the events because they catch up with familiar faces and meet new ones," Wendi Huguley, '90, executive director of the , said. "Parent-Alumni Weekend is a great time to bring multiple constituents together from various backgrounds, who have one thing in common — their love for North Georgia."
The begins with camping at Pine Valley Recreation Complex, where many can recapture memories of Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week and classes. The Nighthawks Athletic Golf Tournament is at 9 a.m. April 14 at Achasta.
This year the tradition of recognizing a group of outstanding men and women, students, faculty and alumni at the Annual Awards Banquet continues on the night of April 14, Huguley said.
On April 15, festivities start early with the "," a family-friendly 5K red, white and blue color run through Dahlonega, with check-in starting at 7:30 a.m. at the ̨Íåswag Alumni House, 70 Alumni Drive.
Parent-Alumni Weekend is a great time to bring multiple constituents together from various backgrounds, who have one thing in common — their love for North Georgia.
Wendi Huguley, '90
executive director of ̨Íåswag's Alumni Association
"The Freedom Color 5K Fun Run was a great addition to the schedule in 2022, with runners ranging in age from 14 to those in their mid-70s. The idea was to offer an event that appeals to a broad range of people, and the race did just that," Huguley said.
This is a big year for the class of 1973 as it celebrates its 50th reunion at the Alumni House at 6 p.m. April 14. The fun continues April 15 with a reunion luncheon at 11:30 a.m. on the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology & Innovation lawn and dinner at the Achasta Clubhouse.
"I am looking forward to celebrating one of our biggest weekends of the year. The ̨Íåswag Young Alumni group hopes that this year will be even better with regard to young alumni attendance," Jared Patterson, '14, Alumni Relations officer for Young Alumni, said. "Between the live music and great food, we hope to draw an outstanding group of young alumni to our April event."
April 15 will also see a tour of campus facilities and REUNITE on the Price Memorial patio from 1-4 p.m. Among the authors signing their books will be President Bonita Jacobs, author of "̨Íåswag the Gold I See! The Legacy of ̨Íåswag's Dahlonega Campus" and "̨Íåswag Best Day Ever!: The Legacy of ̨Íåswag's Gainesville Campus."
The Corps of Cadets will provide several events and host distinguished military officials. Col. Christopher S. Powell, '02, deputy chief of staff, personnel (G1) for the Georgia Army National Guard, is the guest speaker for the Memorial Retreat at 4 p.m. April 15 at the Memorial Wall outside Memorial Gym. Brig. Gen. Charles R. "Rob" Parker, '93, commanding general for the 7th Signal Command (Theater) in Fort Meade, Maryland, will serve as reviewing officer at the 2 p.m. April 16 Military Awards Review on the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field.
"Brig. Gen. Rob Parker is a great example of the leaders our Corps of Cadets has developed for 150 years and will continue to produce for the next 150 years," retired Col. Joseph Matthews, commandant of the Corps of Cadets, said. "It is an honor to have fellow alumnus, Col. Chris Powell, speaking at the Memorial Retreat ceremony. I am grateful to Brig. Gen. Parker and Col. Powell for giving their time to speak to and meet with the cadets, alumni and supporters of the Boar's Head Brigade."
A highlight of the weekend for the Corps of Cadets will be the parade on the Gen. William "Lipp" Livsey Drill Field that recognizes cadets who have earned awards. Alumni fall in behind the corps and march past the reviewing stand.
Several musical performances will be given by the Music Department during the weekend, both indoors and outdoors.
The Alumni Association will recognize its 2023 Alumni Association Award recipients on April 14. Recipients include:
- Dr. Charles Davis, '87 — Hall of Fame Award
- Oscar “Bo” Fears, '68 — Distinguished Alumni
- Jenny Muller, '94 — Distinguished Alumni
- Jim Solomon, '75 — Golden Steeple Award
- Brad Blazek, '18 — Ralph Colley Spirit of North Georgia Award
- Sophie Bender, '15 — Distinguished Young Alumni
- Dr. Stephen Smith — Distinguished Professor, Dahlonega and Blue Ridge
- Dr. Jamie Mitchem — Distinguished Professor, Gainesville, Cumming and Oconee
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̨Íåswag's renovated Cumming Campus library was dedicated Nov. 5 as the John and Mary Helen McGruder Library thanks to their lifetime of support to the University of North Georgia and the Cumming Campus.
Faculty member Kroh passes away
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̨Íåswag's Geospatial Alliance Club will be hosting its annual GIS Day event on Nov. 20 at ̨Íåswag's Gainesville Campus.
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̨Íåswag's 11th annual Oconeefest, held Oct. 17 at the Oconee Campus, raised $15,611 for scholarships supporting students from Oconee and surrounding counties.