Nearly 190 join Corps of Cadets
Article By: Denise Ray
The week before the University of North Georgia's (ǧÃŬAV) fall semester started, 187 incoming cadets experienced Freshmen Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week. The Aug. 14-20 set of events helped them acclimate to life as ǧÃŬAV cadets.
The FROGs learned about the expectations of the Corps of Cadets in part from a history-making leadership duo. This academic year marks the first time both ǧÃŬAV cadet battalion commanders are women. Bentlee Roberson is the first battalion commander and Allyson Smith the second battalion commander.
Smith, a junior from Nashville, Tennessee, pursuing a degree in mathematics, recalled her FROG Week as humbling with the vast amount of newness at one time. Roberson, a junior from Florence, Alabama, pursuing a degree in kinesiology, said her situation was different as she'd just completed a 12-week program in basic training for the Georgia Army National Guard.
It's definitely a challenge... if it wasn't a challenge, everybody would be doing it. The superiors are hard on you, but they're hard for a reason. It's to prepare you and get you in the mindset of the Corps of Cadets."
Nicholas Conowal
ǧÃŬAV freshman cadet
"I walked in thinking I knew everything. Well, they knocked me off my high horse quickly," Roberson said. "I realized quickly that there was plenty for me to learn during FROG Week."
The pair realize the responsibility that comes with their leadership role for 2022-23.
"I believe a lot of our leadership style comes from our experiences. We try to adjust the things we saw to improve them," Smith said. "We give guidance and are ultimately responsible."
Roberson and Smith are among the cadet leadership responsible for the creation and execution of FROG Week and all corps events, with supervision from the commandant staff. The FROG Week days started early, usually about 6 a.m., and lasted until taps at 10 p.m. They included arduous physical activity and learning everything there is to know about being a cadet, from recognizing ranks to dorm room standards.
"It's definitely a challenge," Nicholas Conowal, a freshman from Dawsonville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in political science with pre-law concentration, said. "If it wasn't a challenge, everybody would be doing it. The superiors are hard on you, but they're hard for a reason. It's to prepare you and get you in the mindset of the Corps of Cadets."
Olivia Sullens, a freshman soccer student-athlete from Dahlonega, Georgia, pursuing a degree in strategic and securities studies with a concentration in international affairs and Russian minor, thrived on the high demands of FROG Week.
"My experience has been amazing and also somewhat difficult, but also very fun," Sullens said. "It's nice to know that other people, people I've never met before, are going through the same thing as I am and are helping me through it."
Poultry students finish first in national event
ǧÃŬAV established the first chapter of the Professional Agricultural Student (PAS) Organization in the South, and its team finished first in the nation in the Poultry Specialist career area the National PAS conference.
Cyber student wins award at Honors event
Members of the ǧÃŬAV Honors Program attended the 2025 Georgia Collegiate Honors Conference at Georgia Tech in February, with first-time attendee Dagen Shehorn bringing home an award.
Zavarce named first STEMNetX recipient
Albany Zavarce is the first ǧÃŬAV student chosen as a STEMNetX Fellowship recipient and was awarded a one-week paid fellowship in Pennsylvania.
Barrere goes from teacher to nurse
ǧÃŬAV nursing graduate Rebecca Barrere earned her degree from ǧÃŬAV after a decade in teaching and now works as a nurse in Dahlonega.