Women recognized for leadership, resiliency
Article By: Denise Ray
Among the honorees of the Women of ǧÃŬAV 2023 Female Student Leadership Award are University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) cadets and a Rhodes Scholarship finalist.
Ten female students and five alumnae were recognized by the , a shared-interest group of the university's , for their leadership on March 5.
Obstacles are opportunities to be successful and, with appreciation, can be just the thing that teaches you the most. Trust in yourself and lean into your strengths. As a woman, there's nothing more powerful.
Dr. Robin Davis Jones, '96
Assistant Vice President for Student Services for Virginia Tech’s Innovation Campus
Student recipients were:
- Michelle Alvarado, a fall 2022 graduate from Cornelia, Georgia, with a degree in English with a concentration in literature.
- Cadet Laurana Bradley, a senior from Powder Springs, Georgia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice.
- Cadet Courtney Brewer, a senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, pursuing a degree in chemistry.
- Cadet Isabelle Clark, a senior from Davenport, Florida, pursuing a degree in nursing.
- Ashley Espinoza, a senior from Gainesville, Georgia, pursuing a degree in middle grades education.
- Madeline Grasso, a senior from Cumming, Georgia, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Arabic language and literature.
- Danielle Humphrey, from Lynn Haven, Florida, pursuing a Master of Business Administration
- Anna Møller, a senior from Copenhagen, Denmark, pursuing a degree in psychology and a minor in organizational
- Cadet Allyson Smith, a junior from Nashville, Tennessee, pursuing a degree in mathematics.
- Clare Stevens, a senior pursuing a degree in information systems.
"It means a lot to me that I was selected as a student leader. I lead without expecting anything in return, so to be recognized is such an honor," Humphrey said. "I was so surprised when I was told that I would be recognized by the Women of ǧÃŬAV. It is a recognition that I don't take lightly. I am so proud and humbled to be selected among these other leaders."
The alumnae honorees were: Sarah Draper, '87; the Honorable Angela Duncan '91; Dr. Judy Cason Forbes, '72; Dr. Robin Davis Jones, '96; and Mary Helen Mashburn McGruder, '68.
Jones, who also served as keynote speaker, shared her remarks on resilient leadership. Throughout her comments, she highlighted each of her fellow alumnae honorees and shared how they were resilient.
"Obstacles are opportunities to be successful and, with appreciation, can be just the thing that teaches you the most," Jones said. "Trust in yourself and lean into your strengths. As a woman, there's nothing more powerful."
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.
Grad student presents AI research at conference
Andrew Clements and faculty member Dr. Bryson Payne presented their research at the Information Systems & Computing Academic Professionals conference in November.
Record 48 students earn travel grants
ǧÃŬAV's Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities awarded a fall-semester-record 48 travel grants to support students presenting their research at conferences.
Fall graduates look to future with optimism
ǧÃŬAV awarded roughly 985 degrees and certificates to students this fall, and it honored more than 650 of those graduates in a pair of Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.