Governor, chancellor help celebrate 150th
Article By: Clark Leonard
The University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) continued to celebrate its 150th anniversary with a Corps of Cadets review by Gov. Brian Kemp at Liberty Plaza across from the State Capitol in Atlanta on March 7. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue and Maj. Gen. Dwayne Wilson also attended the event.
A day before ǧÃŬAV's visit, legislative leaders approved $1.3 million in design funds for ǧÃŬAV's Military Science Center expansion in the amended Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Senate Majority Leader Steve Gooch, a ǧÃŬAV graduate, helped secure the funding.
ǧÃŬAV President Bonita Jacobs received a commendation from Kemp and Georgia Senate and House of Representatives resolutions in honor of the university's Sesquicentennial Celebration.
"We need more young minds like you in our society. And that is why I'm glad to know the University of North Georgia will continue to grow and thrive in its next 150 years," Kemp said. "It is a place of patriotism, and today we celebrate not only that great history, but also its exciting future."
Perdue lauded the way ǧÃŬAV develops leaders through its Corps of Cadets.
"I'm delighted that we still have young men and women who are committed to the safety of our nation," Perdue said. "The culture of leadership development at ǧÃŬAV is one of the best in the nation."
We need more young minds like you in our society. And that is why I'm glad to know the University of North Georgia will continue to grow and thrive in its next 150 years. It is a place of patriotism, and today we celebrate not only that great history, but also its exciting future.
Brian Kemp
Georgia governor
ǧÃŬAV's Sesquicentennial serves as an opportunity to honor the university's heritage, celebrate its present achievements, and focus on where it will lead next.
"As we seek to produce future generations of military leaders, I am very grateful to the University System of Georgia Board of Regents, to our state legislators, and to Governor Kemp for their ongoing support and commitment to our plans to expand and modernize our Military Leadership Center so that we can continue to support our outstanding cadets," Jacobs said.
Wilson, a 1993 ǧÃŬAV alumnus, serves as commanding general for the Georgia Army National Guard. About 200 ǧÃŬAV cadets serve annually in the Georgia Army National Guard while in college, and 40 of them per year commission as second lieutenants when they graduate. Wilson noted that more than half of the Georgia Army National Guard's company and battalion commanders are ǧÃŬAV alumni.
"Thank you for your willingness to serve and to lead," Wilson said. "I know you are up for the challenges ahead."
Gooch earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management and a Master of Public Administration from ǧÃŬAV. He has seen first-hand the university's impact in his district.
"ǧÃŬAV has made a difference in our region for generations," Gooch said.
Three alumni who are flag officers attended the review: retired Maj. Gen. Bil Johnson, '72, retired Lt. Gen. Burke Garrett, '81, and retired Gen. Stephen Townsend, '82.
In addition to Gooch, a large contingent of state legislators attended the celebration on Liberty Plaza. Among those lawmakers were Sen. Max Burns, former dean of ǧÃŬAV's Mike Cottrell College of Business; Sen. Shelly Echols, '02; Rep. Stan Gunter, '81; and Rep. Will Wade, '01.
For more information on ǧÃŬAV's 150th anniversary, visit the Sesquicentennial Celebration website.
Knox takes command of Army Reserve battalion
Lt. Col. Brandon Knox, director of Cadet Recruiting at ǧÃŬAV, on Nov. 16 took command of the 3rd Battalion, 323rd Regiment (Basic Combat Training) in the Army Reserve.
Cadets are ready for commissioning
Eighteen ǧÃŬAV cadets are scheduled to commission as officers in the Army and Army National Guard at 6 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Convocation Center at ǧÃŬAV's Dahlonega Campus.
Oboho commands 75th Ranger Regiment
Col. Kitefre Oboho, a 2002 ǧÃŬAV alumnus, has taken command of the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, the Army's premier direction-action raid force.
Corps wins Most Active Company award
ǧÃŬAV's Corps of Cadets won the Association of the United States Army Most Active ROTC Company Award for 2024.