ǧÃŬAV welcomes students, community for Starlight
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (ǧÃŬAV) students, faculty, staff, and community members will have a chance to meet new ǧÃŬAV President Michael Shannon and members of ǧÃŬAV's national champion softball team at the annual Starlight Celebration and fireworks event on Aug. 26. Northeast Georgia Health System is the presenting sponsor for Starlight.
Gates will open at 6 p.m. for the event at ǧÃŬAV's Gainesville Campus with fireworks at dark. All activities will take place in the G.W. Bailey Amphitheater at 3820 Mundy Mill Road in Oakwood, Georgia.
Shannon started at ǧÃŬAV on July 1.
"I look forward to taking part in this longtime ǧÃŬAV tradition and meeting more of our ǧÃŬAV family," Shannon said. "We invite students, faculty, staff, and community members to enjoy this special evening on the Gainesville Campus."
The ǧÃŬAV softball program won its second NCAA Division II national championship May 31, completing a 64-win season in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Head coach and returning players for the Nighthawks will be in attendance at Starlight with their championship trophy to meet fans and help kick off the 2023-24 academic year.
I look forward to taking part in this longtime ǧÃŬAV tradition and meeting more of our ǧÃŬAV family. We invite students, faculty, staff, and community members to enjoy this special evening on the Gainesville Campus.
Dr. Michael Shannon
ǧÃŬAV president
All Catered Events will sell Applewood smoked pulled pork, Brunswick stew, chicken tenders, slaw, pasta salad, chips, brownies, and cookies. Frozen Frenzee will sell snow cones and coffee. Attendees may also bring their own picnics.
The fun includes a balloon artist, face painting, a play tent for children, and a glow tent. Nigel the Nighthawk, ǧÃŬAV's mascot and always a crowd favorite, will again be present along with ǧÃŬAV student-athletes and cheerleaders.
"Starlight is always a wonderful event that adds to the excitement of the beginning of a new school year," Dr. Steven Smith, vice president of regional campuses, said.
The event is free, but parking costs $10 per car or $20 per bus, van or larger vehicle. ǧÃŬAV students can enter for free with a valid ǧÃŬAV student ID card. No walk-ins are permitted. Proceeds from the event help offset student financial needs.
The ǧÃŬAV Patriot Choir will sing the national anthem, and the Corps of Cadets Color Guard will present the colors. The ǧÃŬAV Licklog String Band will also perform.
Clay Christy of Brickhouse Mobile DJs will serve as the event DJ.
The following items are prohibited at Starlight: walk-ins, pets (other than service animals), sparklers or outside fireworks, grills or any open flames, political signage, advertisements, or unlawful weapons.
Additionally, everyone is encouraged to use #ǧÃŬAVstarlight when sharing their photos of family, friends and fireworks during and after the event.
For more information about Starlight, visit the Starlight Celebration and fireworks event webpage.
Consular Corps visits ǧÃŬAV as part of tour
The Georgia Department of Economic Development arranged a tour that brought members of the Georgia Consular Corps to ǧÃŬAV on March 18 to learn more about education and workforce development programs.
IPP partners with WHOOP on wearables
WHOOP has signed on as the inaugural wearable partner of the ǧÃŬAV Institute for Peak Performance.
Historic season wraps up in regional final
The ǧÃŬAV women's basketball team fell 64-54 to Coker in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional championship game March 17 at the Convocation Center.
Martin leads ǧÃŬAV's national title push
ǧÃŬAV graduate guard Caroline Martin was named the 2025 Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year. Following PBC regular-season and tournament titles, the Nighthawks are hosting the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional as the No. 1 seed.