The North Georgia Leader, 2012 Vol. 1

NORTH GEORGIALEADER2012, Vol. 1

The magazine for alumni and friends of North Georgia College & State University

NORTH GEORGIALEADER

Honoring Ben Purcell:

An American HeroJaymee CarnesStudent makes history on the court

Living Our Values:The Campaign for North Georgia

Honoring Ben Purcell:

An American HeroJaymee CarnesStudent makes history on the court

Living Our Values:The Campaign for North Georgia

L3 Leadership SummitStudents participate in a team-building exercise during the 2012 L3 Leadership Summit, which included student leaders from schools across the state.

North Georgia LeaderPublished semi-annually for alumniand friends of North GeorgiaCollege & State University.

Editorial StaffKate Maine, editorEdie Rogers, writer Mike Marshall ’10, writerLacey Pyle, designer Britta Hallberg ’12, editorial intern

ContributorsJeff Boggan • Dr. Andrew J. Leavitt • Phil Collins • Joey DanielsMary Elizabeth Pirkle • Parker Halstead • Bob Babich

Contact InformationE-mail: [email protected]: University Relations P.O. Box 1599 Dahlonega, GA 30533Phone: 706-864-1950

NORTH GEORGIALEADER

NORTH GEORGIALEADER

Living Our Values: The Campaign for North Georgia

FEATURES

The Campaign for North Georgia is raising $40 million to support the university’s mission and legacy.

2 President’s message Dr. Bonita Jacobs

3 Around Campus University news and announcements

7 Outstanding Students

8 Schools News highlights from each of the university’s four schools

12 Corps of Cadets

13 Saints Sports

22 Alumni Association News

24 Class Notes

29 Foundation News

33 Upcoming Events

14

Honoring an American hero

COL (Retired) Ben Purcell served his country as a POW during the Vietnam War; today he and his wife tell the story.

16

Basketball player making history

With a player of the year award already in the net, Sophomore Jaymee Carnes is just getting started.

20

2012, Vol. 1 1

2 North Georgia Leader

In my first year as president of North Georgia College & State University, I expected to see outstanding academics and student development opportunities, sup-ported by high levels of faculty and staff engagement. My experi-ences this year have affirmed the distinctive educational experience that North Georgia provides its students and have strengthened my appreciation of this incredible

campus community.That spirit of excellence has been further demonstrated

since January, when the University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted to consolidate eight colleges and universi-ties into four institutions, including North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College.

Understandably, the consolidation planning process has consumed much of our attention these past few months. As we worked through some of the complexities, we have also had opportunities to reflect on the strengths of both North Georgia and Gainesville State, and excitement is growing about the opportunities this presents for the 15,000 students and the re-gion. We have a bold mission ahead of us and the chance to be a driving force in a better future for the region and the state.

The institutional Consolidation Implementation Commit-tee, which was appointed by USG Chancellor Hank Huckaby and includes various stakeholders from both institutions, has been instrumental in the sensitive process of recommending a name and mission statement for the new university. These topics have been important to all of our stakeholders, and the committee’s work engaged thousands of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. This process revealed many common elements that are valued by our two institu-tions: student success, leadership development and academic excellence. The name and mission statement were approved by the Board of Regents in early May and are now guiding the more detail-oriented work of our operational working groups.

In May, the Board of Regents approved University of North Georgia as the name of the new institution and approved the mission statement below. Both take effect in January 2013, contingent upon approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools’ Commission on Colleges.

The University of North Georgia, a regional multi-campus institution and premier senior military college, provides a cul-ture of academic excellence in a student-focused environment that includes quality education, service, inquiry and creativity. This is accomplished through broad access to comprehensive academic and co-curricular programs that develop students

into leaders for a diverse and global society. The University of North Georgia is a University System of Georgia leadership institution and is The Military College of Georgia.

As confirmed by the newly adopted mission, the university will build upon our rich military heritage and academic excel-lence, while enhancing opportunities for students to pursue higher education degrees. United, our end goal is to expand higher education opportunities to more Georgians and to enhance academic success and increase graduation rates in support of the state’s Complete College Georgia initiative. The program seeks to create a better educated workforce by in-creasing the number of Georgians holding a higher education certificate or degree from its current level of 42 percent to the projected need of 60 percent by 2020. The combined strengths of North Georgia and Gainesville State will create a synergy that helps us meet that goal.

Of course, the past several months have also been filled with incredible examples of student success and alumni achieve-ment. In particular, I am pleased that the university was able to honor COL (Retired) Ben Purcell with the dedication of a formation plaza for the Corps of Cadets. I hope you will enjoy reading these stories in this issue of the North Georgia Leader.

Consolidation will support state education initiativesDr. Bonita Jacobs

from the

To read about the consolidation and to get regular updates, visit the consolidation website at www.gscngcsu.org or my blog at blog.northgeorgia.edu/president.

Hundreds of alumni and friends attended the dedication of the COL (Retired) Ben Purcell Formation Plaza in April. Special guests who helped honor COL Purcell were Gov. Nathan Deal (far right) and University System of Georgia Regents (back, left to right) Dink NeSmith, Larry Walker and Philip Wilheit.

2012, Vol. 1 3

Wayne Reece ‘78, right, coordinated a meeting this past November with the German Ambassador to the United States and key education and legislative officials in Georgia to discuss enhancing educational relationships between Georgia and Germany.

In just a few short weeks, University Center | GA 400 in Cumming, Ga., will open in time for fall semester and expand educational opportunities to a fast-growing region currently underserved by higher education. The instructional center, jointly developed by the university and Gainesville State College, was approved by the University System of Georgia Board of Regents in February 2011.

The new instructional center, located in Cum-ming off Georgia Highway 400 at Pilgrim Mill Road (exit 16), will offer a range of two- and four-year undergraduate programs, graduate programs and professional development opportunities.

Dr. Sherman R. Day, who once served as presi-dent of North Georgia College & State Univer-sity, has stepped out of retirement to serve as the center’s executive director.

“As our institutions seek to meet the growing need for higher education in the northeast Geor-gia region, Sherm Day brings vast administrative experience and knowledge to this important posi-tion,” said Dr. Bonita C. Jacobs, president of North Georgia College & State University. “With our pending consolidation with Gainesville State College, University Center | GA 400 may grow more quickly than originally planned in terms of programs available, and he is the perfect person to lead this effort.”

University Center | GA 400 builds on an existing 27-year partnership between North Georgia and Gainesville State College that today is growing even stronger. In January 2012, the Board of Regents announced plans to consolidate the two institutions to increase higher education opportunities throughout the region. When that consolidation becomes effective in January 2013, the newly consolidated university’s campuses will also include Dahlonega, Gainesville and Oconee County.

The Cumming site won’t be residential, and is expected to alleviate some of the capacity pressure at both Dahlonega and Gainesville campuses. With more than 6,000 students, North Georgia is nearing capacity at its Dahlonega campus and Gaines-ville State’s capacity has exceeded 100 percent on the Oakwood campus since 2000. In fall 2011, more than 1,500 students from Forsyth County were enrolled at both schools — 782 at North Georgia and 806 at Gainesville State.

University Center | GA 400 to open in August

Alumnus assists with international effortsWayne Reece ’78 owns a public affairs law firm in Atlanta and is very involved

with the German community in Georgia, especially with the German American Chamber of Commerce. In this role, he has been instrumental in facilitating partnerships among education, state and federal institutions, and major German and American companies that are leading to pragmatic and innovative programs that support development of international competencies in Georgia students and economic growth opportunities for our state and region.

This past fall, Reece coordinated a meeting with His Excellency Dr. Peter Am-mon, the German Ambassador to the United States, and a number of dignitaries including the Chancellor of the University System of Georgia, the State School Superintendent, US Senator Johnny Isakson, and North Georgia College & State University President Bonita Jacobs, among others. The intent of this event was to discuss enhancing educational relationships between Georgia and Germany, especially as they contribute to mutual economic development.

In December, a delegation from North Georgia visited several German universi-ties to begin establishing partnerships and exchanges that will further enhance North Georgia’s language and international education opportunities.


An architectural rendering of the planned field house.

Improvements ahead for the North Georgia Athletic ComplexThanks to the support of a few

generous donors, North Georgia College & State University will break ground this summer on a new field house for its baseball and softball teams, phase one of a multi-year effort to upgrade and renovate the North Georgia Athletic Complex. The vision is to create a world-class experience for players and fans of the North Georgia athletic teams by building much-needed facilities to support baseball, softball, soccer, and tennis.

In addition to the field house, plans call for a baseball and softball hitting facility with a viewing area, a field house and public restrooms for men’s and women’s soccer, a tennis center, and resurfacing all athletic fields.

“This project is more than an effort to improve athletics facilities. It is about the continued development of the university as a regional academic and athletic power and its ability to continue to attract the best and brightest students,” states President Bonita C. Jacobs. “I am convinced these improvements will move North Georgia forward.”

In recent years, the Bob Stein Baseball Stadium and the Haines & Carolyn Hill Softball Stadium have undergone extensive renovation and upgrades to bring them up to standards for the Peach Belt Conference. While the university has first-rate stadiums, the athletic complex is lacking in basic infrastructure such as public bathrooms, dressing and training facilities, and a concessions area.

“Athletics is essential to help the university build community to support all of our endeavors,” said Lindsay Reeves, director of athletics. “We have excellent student-athletes who compete at the highest levels and need facilities to match this.”

The university has put significant

resources over the years into these facilities and athletics in general.

“We cannot use state dollars for the upgrades at the Athletic Complex because their use is restricted for academics and military education,” Jacobs said. “We must rely on the generosity of our alumni and friends for projects like this.”

The challenge is further compounded by the smaller size of the student population of North Georgia, when compared with other Peach Belt Conference schools, and limits to which the university can charge an athletic fee. With one of the highest fee rates in the University System of Georgia, North Georgia still falls short in athletics funding due to its size.

“The two essential elements for a winning athletic program are scholarships for student-athletes and facilities. A student-athlete visiting the campus on a recruiting trip considers both elements as they make the important decision as to where to attend university and compete athletically,” Reeves said.

The need for additional facilities is apparent at each practice and on game days.

“Student-athletes currently dress out in their cars in the parking lot,” Baseball Coach Tom Cantrell said. “Taping and treatments cannot be performed on site, thus creating logistical challenges during practice and games.”

Since joining the NCAA and the Peach Belt Conference five years ago, North Georgia has been athletically competitive in the conference. North Georgia’s teams continue to qualify for the conference tournaments and post season play. This year, both the women’s soccer and men’s tennis teams competed in the NCAA regional tournaments and both were nationally ranked. Also, the softball team participated in the NCAA World Series for three consecutive years.

“I am extremely proud of our student-athletes who continually excel both on the field and in the classroom,” Reeves said. “These facility projects will afford our student athletes the opportunity to have locker rooms, receive athletic training treatment and prepare for game day at the site of their venues.”

Phase 2 of the project will include the baseball/softball hitting facility with a viewing area, a field house and public

2012, Vol. 1 5

The dedication ceremony recognized the Smulians

and volunteers and project partners who made the

move possible.

The dedication ceremony recognized the Smulians

and volunteers and project partners who made the

move possible.

Cabin provides new educational opportunitiesStudents, faculty, staff and community members gathered on the campus of North

Georgia College & State University in April for the dedication of a 180-year-old cabin moved here in February. Though the move was four years in the making, the real work of preserving and learning about the structure and its role in Appalachian culture is just beginning.

The cabin is located at the Vickery House, home to the Georgia Appalachian Studies Center (GASC), on West Main Street. The 320-square-foot cabin was donated by Jim and Betty Smulian and previously was located about 5 miles south of Dahlonega. Since its arrival on campus, the cabin has been fitted with a new roof and foundation.

“The cabin is such an historical item for the county, the city, the university and the historical society that it forms part of the circle of the history that we are learning more about,” Jim Smulian said.

Students in the Introduction to Appalachia course will research and document the background of the cabin.

There are clues that hint of a rich history yet to be discovered — various deeds show that the cabin was built in the early years of the Dahlonega gold rush and several Dahlonega families owned and lived in it during the decades since. Other stories claim that the land on which the cabin was built could have been owned by American Indians.

The relocation may not be the first time the cabin has been moved. One family story says the cabin was moved from its original spot when the well went dry in the early 1900s. The family living there at the time dismantled the cabin log by log and rebuilt it in a new spot nearby that had better access to water.

“The students will be studying the background of the cabin and the property, how the cabin came about and what happened with the families that lived on the prop-erty. We look forward to seeing that. We are so pleased to be a part of this,” Smulian said.

Take a seat, pleaseTo give everyone an opportunity to participate in the effort to raise funds for the softball/baseball field house, there are a limited number of opportunities to have your name or that of someone you would like to honor placed on a seat in the Bob Stein Baseball Stadium or the Haines & Carolyn Hill Softball Stadium. Show your pride in North Georgia athletics by donating $500 to the baseball/ softball field house project and a seat plaque will be added to the back of a seat located in Stein or Hill Stadium. If you donate $750, two seats will be included. You can specify whether you want your seat plaque in Stein Stadium or Hill Stadium. The sport with the most seat plaques sold will chose the wall color of the common area!Contact Jeff Boggan, director of development at 706-864-1999 or [email protected] to order your seat plaque.

restrooms for men’s and women’s soccer, and resurfacing all athletic fields. The final phase will include the construction of a tennis center.

As a separate project, a convocation center is on the master plan of the university to support academic programs, convocations and graduations, and other university and community uses, including serving as the home of North Georgia basketball. More information about this project will be released as plans are able to proceed.

If you are interested in supporting this important project or need additional information, contact Lindsay Reeves at 706-864-1625 or [email protected].


A book burning in Opera Square, Berlin, May 10, 1933. Photo courtesy of U.S. Holocaust Memorial Musuem/NARA

Building on the success and popularity of the series from the past three years, the 2012 Cottrell Speaker Series aims to bring five highly talented, successful and motivated speakers to North Georgia College & State University to share their expertise with students and the community.

The speakers – all industry leaders – will discuss what it takes to succeed in today’s market, which is characterized by increas-ing competition, complex issues, and dynamic business models.

The series will begin on September 6, with four more speak-

ers following on September 20, October 4, October 18, and No-vember 1, respectively. Previous speakers have included execu-tives from top companies like McDonald’s, FedEx, Coca-Cola, and Delta. This year’s speakers will be announced in August. Each session will be held in the auditorium of the Health & Natural Sciences building, beginning at 12:45 p.m. Attendance is free, and the public is invited to participate.

The Library Technology Center at North Georgia College & State University, with collaboration from Gainesville State College and the Museum of History and Holocaust Education at Kennesaw State, is pleased to announce that the traveling exhibition Fighting The Fires Of Hate: America And The Nazi Book Burnings will be on display from Jan. 17, 2013, through March 15, 2013, during library open hours.

This exhibition will be on loan from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and will be funded through the generosity of friends of North Georgia College & State University. Since 1991, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum’s traveling exhibitions have been to more than 175 cities in 48 U.S. states, as well as Canada and Germany. The Museum’s exhibitions have been presented at a wide variety of institutions and have served communities of all sizes, from the smallest towns to largest cities.

On May 10, 1933, university students across Nazi Germany burned thousands of books in an ominous “cleansing” of the “un-German spirit” from German culture. Writings by scores of German and foreign authors, including Helen Keller, Ernest Heming-way, and Sigmund Freud, were consumed in spectacularly staged bonfires. Americans quickly condemned the events as hostile to the spirit of democracy and the freedom of expression.

University to host Holocaust exhibit

The University Press of North Georgia (UPNG), a scholarly press operated by North Georgia College & State University, has won a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Digital Start-Up grant for $24,923 to support the press’ exploration of peer review processes for publishing born-digital book-length scholarly monographs in the humanities to encourage their sup-port, acceptance, and use in academia.

UPNG plans to develop and pilot a model for peer review and eventual electronic publishing of single-author digital mono-graphs. This model will involve sharing resources among small university presses to ensure economic viability and to help allevi-ate the pressures facing academic publishing.

“Our project will leverage the expertise available at small university presses and build their capacity to encourage more scholarly publishing in the humanities,” said Dr. B. J. Robinson, UPNG director and director of the grant project.

Peer review intends to ensure quality scholarship and is a

crucial benchmark in the academic review process. It is one of the most important issues in digital humanities, as it potentially affects access to scholarly work and copyright.

“Large university presses, for various reasons, currently demonstrate reluctance to change and innovate in exploring revolutionizing options for pre- and post-publication peer review, especially as applied to digital monographs,” Robinson said. “A small press, like UPNG, can serve as a model to other, larger presses and hopefully work toward a solution that will benefit the entire scholarly community, including scholars, university administrators, editors, librarians, and students.”

NEH Digital Start-Up grants are designed to encourage in-novations in the digital humanities. Level I funding, like that received by North Georgia, supports brainstorming sessions, data gathering and initial planning. UPNG plans to seek NEH Digi-tal Start-Up grant Level II funding for up to $50,000 to imple-ment the collaborative model developed in this initial work.

University Press receives $25,000 grant to explore peer review process in digital publishing

Cottrell Speaker Series begins Sept. 6

2012, Vol. 1 7

outstanding students

For the second year in a row, North Georgia College & State University’s Student Government Association president has received the Willis Potts Leadership Award. This year, the award was presented to Patrick Pickens for excelling in his role as a leader at North Georgia, and in recognition of his service by the University System of Georgia’s Student Advisory Council (SAC), which represents students across the state.

Established in 2009, the award was created and named after Regent Willis J. Potts for his example of leadership and stout support of the SAC. In 2011, North Georgia SGA President Martin Erbele received the award.

“I do not see this award as an award for myself; I see it as an award for my entire Student Government Association,” Pickens said. “I am surrounded by some of the most dedicated, genuine, hardworking, goal-driven individuals that I have ever worked with.”

Pickens, a Cumming native and junior majoring in chemistry, is also heading into his third year as a freshman orientation leader and member of the Students Activities Board.

“I have always appreciated North Georgia’s core values and how they underpin everything here,” Potts said in his introduction of Pickens. “He [Pickens] has set himself apart in an institution that holds leadership as one of those core values.”

In addition to his student leadership positions, Pickens is a member of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities’ FUSE (Faculty-Undergraduate Summer Engagement) program. He will continue research with Dr. Holly Carpenter Desai on reflectins this summer at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California in San Diego. He was also named the Stinson Scholar for the FUSE program—a stipend that recognized him as the student collaborator for the highest-ranked proposal among submissions received from North Georgia’s biology and chemistry departments.

“I constantly feel as if I am getting an Ivy League education. The friends, professors, administration, president, faculty, and staff are some of the most incredible people I have ever met. Without a doubt, this institution has laid the framework for my future in a way that I never imagined,” Pickens said.

Pickens looks forward to the upcoming challenges that next year will bring, emphasizing his desire to keep focused on student representation. He feels that North Georgia has provided him with an atmosphere tailored to help him achieve these goals.

Kennell wins Outstanding Scholar AwardTim Kennell, a senior biology and chemistry major from North Georgia College & State

University, was named a 2012 University System of Georgia (USG) Outstanding Scholar, a title granting him an award and a scholarship in the amount of $1,000.

“I’m still in shock just from being nominated,” Kennell said.The Outstanding Scholar Award is given to students who demonstrate a passion to learn and

who exemplify a scholarly attitude in their diligence and performance. Kennell was nominated by several North Georgia professors based on his display of these traits.

This prestigious award is given to one student from each USG school. Each scholar is commended by a Georgia Senate Resolution and the names of these scholars are read aloud in both houses of the Georgia General Assembly during its annual Academic Recognition Day.

During his first year at North Georgia, Kennell was recommended by a professor to assist Dr. Michael Bodri, dean of the School of Science & Health Professions, in botanical research examining the dormancy traits of the Venus flytrap seed. They discovered that smoke could be used as a catalyst to induce dormancy in the seeds. Kennell said that was when his research at North Georgia began “picking up speed.”

Kennell is currently pursuing a double major in hopes of pursuing an advanced degree and a career as an oncologist. One research project he is working on includes “modifying a virus to infect a bacterium in order to produce an antibody of choice,” which he says will be very helpful in cancer research.

Kennell has been the teacher’s assistant in genetics for three years at North Georgia. After graduating in spring 2013, he plans to take the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) this summer and desires to attend Emory University in the fall.

“I feel I have gotten here because I genuinely love what I do. I’m eager to learn new things simply for the sake of learning, and because what I learn makes my experiences even more enjoyable,” he said.

Pickens wins Willis Potts Leadership Award


School of Arts & Letters

Mary Bricker, second from right, and other North Georgia art educa-tion students work on service learning projects through Artstream.

When it came time to end their service learning project earlier this spring at Avita Community Partners in Dahlonega, art education students at North Georgia College & State University found they had developed a real bond with their students.

For the past two years, North Georgia’s art education students have been teaching an art class at Avita, a day facility for adults with developmental issues, through Artstream, the Department of Visual Arts’ service-learning project. All art education majors are required to complete 80 hours of service learning.

Mary Bricker, a junior studying art education, has worked with the Avita group both years and said the final session of the 10-week class is typically met with lots of smiles and a few tears. This year’s project was creating a flower garden mural called Harmony Garden.

“Our big idea was that, like flowers, we’re all unique but we come together to make a garden,” Bricker said.

While the Avita clients learn about colors and composition and work on their motor skills through participating in the mural project, it’s also a learning experience for the North Georgia students.

“It’s really nice to know what can go wrong when you’re teaching, before I get into student teaching. Working with this group, especially, we have to be able to make a lot of adaptations, such as using bigger markers and tools that are easier to hold,” Bricker said. “It’s great learning to just go with the flow and to realize that if you plan anything, it may not work out how you planned it.”

Dr. Chris Dockery, an assistant professor in the Department of Visual Arts who oversees Artstream, said that’s the type of experience she sought for her students when approaching Avita about the opportunity.

“One of the skill sets my students don’t get is working with special needs students. I knew that a partnership would be beneficial both to my students and Avita’s clients,” Dockery said. “We do a lot of different projects throughout the year, but the students really blossom with the Avita folks. They are able to adapt with their teaching and really grow as educators. It gives me the sense that when they’re in their own classrooms, they’re going to be able to meet their students’ needs.”

Artstream is a student-driven service learning program that gives students experience beyond just classroom situations. Art students are responsible for planning and designing the projects, and securing materials. Other projects involve local schools, community centers, assisted living centers, hospitals and other venues. The goal is to bring hands-on creative experiences to groups in the area with little or no access to the visual arts.

“From conceptualization to end product, they do it all alone and that is incredible,” Dockery said.

The Artstream project is seeking funding to purchase and renovate an Airstream camper for future use a mobile art studio and classroom.

Artstream connects with community

The university’s biannual Arts & Letters Conference, featuring the theme “Significance of Color in the Humanities and Social Sciences,” was held in February. It featured Professor Victor Mair, of the University of Pennsylvania, who is one of the foremost scholars on China and Asia and who has authored or edited more than two dozen books on the topic. His keynote address, “Color Symbolism and Color Patterns among the Early Inhabitants of the Tarim Basin,” was part of a theme that explored how, throughout history, colors have influenced our lives.In addition to presenters from North Georgia, the three-day conference includes panel discussions involving presenters from the University System of Georgia, Harvard University, Arizona State University, City University of New York, and others.

Kathryn Hinds, Department of English, was copyeditor for a book that won the 2011 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature, “Inside Out & Back Again” by Thanhha Lai. Hinds has worked in the publishing industry since graduate school.

Dr. Timothy May, head of the Department of History and Philosophy and an associate professor, recently published his third single-author book, “The Mongol Conquests in World History,” with Reaktion Press in the United Kingdom and the University of Chicago Press in the United States. His first book, “The Mongol Art of War,” was also recently translated into Polish.

Two North Georgia students will have the chance to study abroad this year, thanks to receiving the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.Sadie Sparks and Randy Sherrill each will have their expenses covered by the Gilman Scholarship as they study abroad in China. Sparks, a junior, studied at Tsinghua University this spring. Sherrill, a senior, will spend the summer studying at Liaocheng University.The Gilman Scholarship is awarded to American undergraduate students who are receiving the federal Pell Grant and covers expenses for up to a full academic year for students who otherwise might not have been able to study abroad because of financial limitations.North Georgia has a wide range of study abroad opportunities, as well as scholarships and funding options available to students interested in studying abroad. Every year, dozens of North Georgia students take advantage of these programs and immerse themselves in other cultures. For details, visit northgeorgia.edu/global.

Mike CottrellSchool of Business

2012, Vol. 1 9

Dr. Christoph Rückel, a founding partner of German-based Bridgehouse Law, talks about the need to teach multiple lan-guages to American youth.

The 2012 Economic Development Summit, hosted in March by the Mike Cottrell School of Business and its Center for the Future of North Georgia, aimed to educate attendees about achieving a global presence for their businesses. The theme for this year’s event was “Going Global

for Growth,” with an emphasis on identifying and meeting the challenges that arise when businesses spread beyond their national borders.

“One of our goals here is to help small and medium-sized businesses realize that their market is no longer their immediate surroundings,” Dr. Ruben Boling, director of the Center for the Future of North Georgia, said. “Their market can now easily be a global one.”

The university’s growing emphasis on developing globally prepared graduates extends to the regional business community, as it provides academic resources and opportunities for businesses and economic development agencies to expand their horizons.

University President Bonita Jacobs began the day by talking about how the message of the summit is very important to the university.

“Even if our students plan to work only in the North Georgia region following their graduation, they need to be able to understand other cultures and conduct business with people in other parts of the world. At North Georgia, our internationalization initiatives are gaining momentum and will provide new opportunities for students to study strategic languages and explore other cultures,” she said.

Gretchen Corbin, deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of global commerce for the Georgia Department of Economic Development, stressed the importance of businesses working together—noting that partnerships have kept Georgia afloat during the economic downturn.

Dr. Cristoph Rückel, a founding partner of German-based BridgehouseLaw, spoke at length about placing more attention on teaching multiple languages to American youth—an issue North Georgia’s Department of Modern Languages is addressing through expanded language offerings.

“This is the starting point for international business,” he said. “Our children must learn more languages so they can connect. They are on the internet and so they believe they are globally connected. They are not.”

To close the “Being Internationally Ready” portion, Mr. Christian Viviers, chief executive officer of Futura North America, called attention to the future of Georgia’s economic development after describing the hardships his company faced when opening a new business in the United States in 2007—the beginning of the economic downturn.

“Global growth is the only solution for Georgia,” he said, adding that it takes global roots to ensure survival in the worst of times.

Economic Development Conference focuses on global growth

Dr. Donna T. Mayo has been selected as the new dean for the Mike Cottrell School of Business and will assume this role effective July 1, 2012. Mayo is currently dean and professor of marketing in the School of Business at Dalton State College. “Dr. Mayo is a dynamic, engaging leader,” said Dr. Patricia Donat, vice president for academic affairs at North Georgia. “She has the personal qualities and professional experience to guide the school’s consolidation and advancement efforts.”During her 10 years at Dalton State, Mayo led the School of Business’ effort to obtain AACSB accreditation. Also, she has held faculty positions at Middle Tennessee State University, Louisiana State University, and the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga. She has also served as a consultant to more than 20 national, regional and local organizations.

The Mike Cottrell School of Business has maintained its business accreditation by AACSB International—The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Founded in 1916, AACSB International is the longest-serving global accrediting body for business schools that offer bachelors, master’s, and doctoral degrees in business and accounting. Only 643 schools of business, or less than 5% worldwide, have earned this distinguished hallmark of excellence in management education. To maintain accreditation a business program must undergo a rigorous internal review every five years, at which the program must demonstrate its continued commitment to faculty qualification, strategic management of resources, interactions of faculty and students, as well as a commitment to continuous improvement and achievement of learning goals in degree programs.The business administration program in the Mike Cottrell School of Business is the university’s most popular program of study, with about 950 undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in fall 2011.

Dr. Elisabeth Teal, associate professor of business administration, has been selected for a Fulbright Specialists project at Alexandru Ioan Cuza University in Iasi, Romania this summer. Teal will work with entrepreneurship colleagues and undergraduate students to develop business plans for new ventures in Romania. She will also provide master’s and doctoral-level seminars about the research process. Teal is one of more than 400 U.S. faculty and professionals who will travel abroad this year through the Fulbright Specialists Program, which was created in 2000 to complement the traditional Fulbright Scholar Program to provide short-term academic opportunities to prominent U.S. faculty and professionals to support curricular and faculty development and institutional planning at post-secondary, academic institutions around the world.

School of Education


A group of educators from Canada, Germany and Egypt talk about issues that keep children from learning during a one-day conference sponsored by North Georgia’s School of Education.

Each year, the Bellon Teacher Education Scholarship provides monetary assistance during the final internship for one North Georgia undergraduate or initial teacher education student who has the potential of becoming an exceptional educator. The 2012 recipient of this award is Stephen Brotherton, a middle grades student.Scholarship founders Jerry and Elner Bellon were first-generation college graduates, who continued their pursuit of higher education obtaining both master’s and doctoral degrees.

The Bellons dedicated their entire professional lives to education by serving as teachers, administrators, counselors and coaches at all levels, from kindergarten through post-secondary education. In addition, they have served as consultants to school districts across the United States and the U.S.

Embassy in Ankara, Turkey. The Bellons are most recognized for their work in teacher and curriculum development and educational leadership. “It is our sincere hope that this scholarship will allow another family to build a legacy of learning,” said Dr. Toni Bellon, daughter and a middle grades professor at North Georgia.

The Lumpkin County Retired Teachers Association has partnered with the School of Education to create two annual scholarships to provide support for students studying to become teachers. Each year scholarships are awarded to a graduating Lumpkin County High School senior with plans of enrolling in the Teacher Education program at North Georgia and a rising North Georgia senior who will graduate from the education program in one year. “Most of us in the LCREA have been in education for 30 or more years at different levels in the system and know what these future teachers will be experiencing. We want them to feel encouraged and supported as they enter this very important career,” scholarship selection committee member Joan Souders said.

In conjunction with its Master of Education degree, the School of Education offers a state-approved online Gifted Endorsement program for certified K-12 teachers. The three-course sequence covers characteristics, curriculum, methods, and assessment in working with gifted students. Courses begin in June and in January. For details, visit northgeorgia.edu/soe or contact Dr. Jacque Leeper at [email protected].

Despite differences in language, culture, society and even curriculum, children around the world can face challenges that keep them from learning.

To bring together diverse educators to talk about those common issues, Dr. Bob Michael, dean of the School of Education at North Georgia College & State University, and colleagues developed “Education as a Human Right: A Conversation,” a one-day conference at The Carter

Center in mid-April. Sponsored by the university’s Center for Language Education and the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE), the event convened educators from Egypt, Europe and the United States to talk about trafficking and movement of people, race, culture, religion, disability, and language and the effect those factors have on education.

“We brought together 30 people who are passionate and committed to access to education for youth around the world. They also presented a wide range of perspectives, which was just remarkable,” Michael said. “Hopefully we also opened each other’s eyes to the challenges all educators face and the opportunities we can create when we start talking about education as a human right.”

Participants agreed, language differences are creating barriers for educators around the world, not just in the United States.

“What I heard at the meeting was an emphasis on language acquisition for non-native speakers and teacher training, both of which are very aligned with CASIE’s mission, so I feel that we’re going to have a part to play in the next steps,” Suzanna Jemsby, CASIE executive director, said. “I had imagined there might be more regional differences, but there was much more universality to what people really want to see and it sounds like the same issues affect many parts of the world.”

Will Rumbaugh, area superintendent for the Fulton County School System, presented a paper on one Atlanta-area school’s challenges in helping students, and often parents, whose first language is not English. Schools in metro Atlanta and around the world often deal with a student body with a myriad of native languages and cultural backgrounds.

“I encounter this every day in practical and real terms, but to hear people from different backgrounds talk about it has helped me make more sense of it so that we can be more effective educators. … This drives at the heart of everything we’re trying to do in education, and that is to improve instruction and improve the educational lives for all children,” Rumbaugh said.

Conference participants also vowed to take action to improve students’ access to quality education around the world, giving Michael hope that the conference is just a beginning.

“I’m encouraged to hear people ask what are the action steps, what are we going to do next,” Michael said. “Certainly, one thing that we need to take a look at is teacher preparation; what are we not doing that we should be doing to better prepare classroom teachers to deal with some of the issues we’ve identified today.”

One concrete next step is another conference, set for six months from now at Egypt’s Alexandria University, with whom North Georgia College & State University has a faculty exchange program.

‘Education as a Human Right’ conference highlights challenges for educators around the world

2012, Vol. 1 11

School of Science& Health Professions

A new simulation lab features state-of-the-art patient simulators like the I-STAN, which can simulate nearly any illness or injury with realistic sounds and vital signs.

A new simulation lab in North Georgia College & State University’s Department of Nursing is providing nursing students with hands-on learning experiences as they prepare for healthcare careers. The lab is equipped with multiple life-like patient dummies that can simulate a variety of medical situations to provide realistic training in a classroom setting.

“Students enjoy the lab because it offers first-hand experience in a non-threatening, safe environment,” said Jan Partin, assistant professor of nursing and lead developer of the sim lab.

As students enter the lab they encounter an area with a chart and medicine cabinet simulation, for triage training. This area serves to familiarize them with the process of charting and obtaining the correct medications before entering the patient’s room.

From there, the lab opens into three distinct areas with their own private rooms, the first of which contains Noel. Noel is an interactive dummy that is capable of simulating multiple types of childbirth, down to the most intricate details. Noel is equipped with several different babies, including one that can be birthed by her and another, larger one used for post-delivery care training. Using Noel’s full range of features, students will be able train in ante-partum, post-partum, and gynecologic care. Noel can also simulate several types of birth complication to help students learn to respond to potential emergency situations.

Next to Noel’s room is the neo-natal room, a space that houses several baby models to help students become comfortable with the intricacies of infant care. To simulate the different possibilities and care requirements that arise as a baby grows older, the babies range from days old to many months.

The last room contains the medical-surgical (med-surge) unit, and is home to I-STAN, the most sophisticated patient dummy in the lab. I-STAN can simulate nearly any illness or injury for which the students will need to train, including broken bones and trauma, post-surgical care, seizures, and many types of sickness.

“He can sweat, bleed, moan, blink…he even has a heartbeat and lung and bowel sounds,” Partin said. “And, if the instructor wants to get more specific, there is a microphone that will allow us to have I-STAN say whatever we want.” This would allow students to have a highly interactive experience with I-STAN, from asking him how he feels and obtaining a response to treating him and seeing how his body responds to the treatment.

Partin said the sim lab may soon be used to help train North Georgia cadets and local EMTs as well, noting that I-STAN’s range of tools could be very helpful to them as a training aid.

“This is a great start, but there are many things we want to add in the near future,” Partin said. “Ideally, the next step is to add a section for pediatric care of patients around six years old.”

Nursing Department debuts North Georgia’s new sim lab

Dr. Holly Carpenter Desai, an assistant professor of chemistry and 2002 North Georgia graduate, was recently awarded the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation grant, which will allow her to conduct research at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California in San Diego this summer to continue her groundbreaking research in the study of reflectins—a protein material found naturally in the skin of squid that allow some squid to rapidly change color to communicate or camouflage themselves.Desai and her accompanying student also received support through the university’s CURCA FUSE program, and a fund for research reagents. During the research, Desai and her team will construct a material made from elastin and reflectins. Although this material does not currently have any application in today’s market, Desai is confident that it may one day lead to an application in health as a material component of skin implants or drug-delivery matrices.

Carolynn DeSandre, an assistant professor of nursing, was named a Georgia March of Dimes 2011 Nurse of the Year, one of only 16 from across the state. She received top honors in the category of Advanced Practice. Separately, she also received the university’s Excellence in Teaching Award for Innovation for the development of the Professional Transitions Program, an online accelerated graduate entry program for associate-degreed registered nurses with bachelor’s or master’s degree in another field of study.

Dr. Dawn Hayes and Dr. Jeanne Welch, faculty members in the Department of Physical Therapy, were appointed as clinical content experts by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) for the women’s health specialization exam and will serve a two-year term. Welch also was recognized by the ABPTS as neurologic clinical specialist. Dr. Ellen Hillegass, an associate professor in the department, received a Catherine Worthingham Fellows Award for 2012 for “outstanding achievements in the areas of overall accomplishment, education, practice and service, publications, research, and academic excellence” from the American Physical Therapy Association.


Corps of Cadets

Cadets enjoy free time in Liberty Hall, North Georgia’s newest cadet residence hall.

When the university community celebrated the opening of Liberty Hall in January, COL (Ret.) Tom Palmer, commandant of cadets and acting vice president for student affairs at North Georgia, called it a “dream come true.”

Liberty Hall, the newest cadet residence hall on the North Georgia College & State University campus, is located next to Patriot Hall and was actually completed and cadets moved into the new facility in December 2011.

“Liberty Hall is the second new cadet residence hall in two years and Liberty and Patriot Halls are the first new residential facilities for cadets in 50 years,” North Georgia President Bonita Jacobs said during the dedication ceremony. “These facilities do add a modern touch to cadet life, but the traditions of our cadets and our strong military heritage remain constant. The Corps of Cadets is the cornerstone of our residential program and currently makes up 38 percent of the students who live on campus.”

During the dedication ceremony, Palmer shared his memories as an alumnus of North Georgia’s Corps of Cadets and thanked those involved in developing the new residence halls for cadets.

“This is the culmination of a dream come true — to have new residence halls for cadets,” Palmer said, explaining that he had asked for the new facilities when he began working at North Georgia 10 years ago. “I just didn’t think it would happen this fast.”

Renovation work has begun on Gaillard Hall, which also houses cadets. When those renovations are completed in fall 2012, the campus will have capacity to house more than 760 cadets in three new or newly renovated residence halls.

Palmer noted that each of the residence halls was designed with the particular organizational and physical needs of the Corps of Cadets in mind and that they feature suites modeled after modern Army facilities, rather than the traditional barracks accommodations.

Liberty is home of 1st Battalion of the Boar’s Head Brigade, housing Alpha, Bravo and Delta companies. 1st Battalion is under the leadership of c/LTC Waldeck, who had the opportunity to help President Bonita Jacobs cut the ribbon on the morning of the facility’s official opening.

“The ribbon-cutting ceremony for Liberty Hall was a great experience,” Waldeck said. “I am excited to have first battalion live in the new residence hall and experience all of the new amenities that weren’t available in the old buildings.”

Corps celebrates opening of Liberty Hall

COL Todd P. Wilson has been named professor of military science and succeeds the retiring COL Michael Pyott in the position, which also serves as head of the Department of Military Science. Wilson graduated from Purdue University with a bachelor’s degree in history.

He earned a master’s degree in Defense Analysis from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, Calif.His previous assignments include the U.S. Army Infantry School, where he served as company commander for the 4th Ranger Training Battalion and an instructor for the Infantry Officers Advance Course. He also has served as the Command and Control Warfighting Function Chief for Operations Group Delta at the Battle Command Training Program at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Wilson has served two combat tours in Afghanistan, including one tour while assigned to the 25th Infantry Division and one tour while serving as deputy commanding officer for 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, his most recent assignment.

Lee Durham, the first national ROTC flagship liaison, a position created as part of a Department of Defense initiative stressing language and culture expertise for U.S. military officers, is based at North Georgia, who along with Arizona State University and Georgia Institute of Technology were the first schools to be designated pilot ROTC flagship universities and were awarded NSEP grants to instruct cadets in Chinese. “The National Security Education Program’s (NSEP) Language Flagship program was started to get more language and culture capability into federal service, an area that was found to be lacking about the time of Desert Storm,” said Durham, who spent 30 years in the U.S. Army and the Georgia National Guard. “Last year, the decision was made to move flagship from being merely a civilian government focus to targeting ROTC cadets — a group of young, high-quality and well-educated students who are guaranteed at least six years of service.

Keith Antonia, director of cadet admissions, and a member of the Army’s Ranger Hall of Fame was selected for a three-year term as the honorary colonel of the U.S. Army’s Ranger Training Brigade. The brigade is responsible for running the Army’s Ranger School, and consists of three battalions: the 4th Ranger Training Battalion at Fort Benning; the 5th Ranger Training Battalion in Dahlonega; and the 6th Ranger Training Battalion. One officer graduate from each Ranger class will receive a Keith P. Antonia Leadership Award.

Saints Sports

2012, Vol. 1 13

Athletics Director Lindsay Reeves and President Bonita Jacobs (center) stand with Athletics Hall of Fame honorees, from left: Sue Haynes Malone, Willie Thomas, Morey LeFeve, Dewayne Patrick, and Leon Ricketson.

In January, North Georgia College & State University inducted five new members into the Athletics Hall of Fame — former basketball and baseball player Dewayne Patrick, former baseball player Leon Ricketson, former women’s basketball players Sue Haynes Malone and Morey LeFeve and former men’s basketball player Willie Thomas.

The Athletics Hall of Fame honors individuals who have earned outstanding athletic achievement as a player or coach or have made significant impact on the university’s athletics programs. A nine-member board of directors is responsible for the operations of the Athletics Hall of Fame and selects all honorees, based upon nominations.

Patrick, who graduated in 1957, was a guard on the basketball team and was an outstanding ball handler, dribbler and shooter. During his junior season, Patrick led the team in scoring, averaging 18.8 points per game. He also played third base and was a pitcher for the baseball team.

Ricketson, who graduated in 1965, became the first North Georgia athlete to earn All-American honors from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) in 1964. He was offered contracts with the Giants and the New York Yankees, but turned down both.

Sue Haynes Malone was the first woman in Georgia to receive an athletic scholarship. In 1973, she played in and won the first-ever Georgia Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women conference basketball game and led the team to a GAIAW title a year later. She played semi-professionally for Atlanta from 1976-77.

Thomas came to North Georgia in 1980 and appeared in 122 games, scoring 1,976 points, grabbing 1,038 rebounds and making 822 field goals during his four-year career. Thomas led the Saints to the NAIA National Tournament twice, received second-team NAIA All-American honors and was named the College Player of the Year in Georgia.

Morey LeFeve, one of the most decorated players in North Georgia women’s basketball history with 14 records, graduated in 2000. She was a three-time All-American. She earned First-Team Kodak All-American and First-Team NAIA All-American honors her junior and senior years. She also led the Lady Saints to three NAIA National Tournament appearances.

To nominate someone for the Athletics Hall of Fame or for more information, visit the website at http://www.saintssports.com/insideAthletics/ahof/index.

Athletics Hall of Fame inducts alumni athletes

Senior softball players Jessica Coan, Hilary Cox and Pilar Harden depart North Georgia after an unprecedented four-year career that included trips to three NCAA Division II College World Series, four NCAA Super Regionals and national recognition for multiple team members.All three women earned national honors this year, marking the third-straight year that North Georgia softball players received national recognition from both Daktronics and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA). The trio received NFCA All-Southeast Region First-Team honors; the third year Harden has earned the recognition and the second year for Coan and Cox. Coan also was named a Daktronics Third-Team All-American. Junior Karlie Gillam was named NFCA Second-Team All-Region and freshman Melissa Dickie earned an All-American honorable mention from Daktronics. Dickie also was named PBC Freshman of the Year and Southeast Region Pitcher of the Year.The team came up short in its attempt at a fourth-straight College World Series appearance, losing to Flagler in a decisive game three in the NCAA Super Regionals hosted at North Georgia.

Eight North Georgia athletes were named to the Peach Belt Conference’s spring sports All-Academic teams. Softball team members Hillary Cox, Jessica Coan and Katie Garrett were named to the list, as well as baseball players Jordan Erisman, Derek Hooper and Kenny Bellavance. Women’s golfer Casey Truelove and men’s golfer Matt Rochlin also earned All-Academic honors.The All-Academic team is part of a season-long program recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of PBC student-athletes in the classroom and on the field. To be eligible for the All-Academic team, a student-athlete must participate in at least half of team events and be either a starter or significant contributor; achieve a 3.30 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale; and complete at least one full academic year at his or her current institution.

In a season filled with firsts, the North Georgia men’s tennis team finished its season with an at-large bid to the NCAA Division II Tournament and a No. 7 seed in the Southeast Region.The 48-team field features 15 automatic bids and 33 at-large bids. The final 16 teams advanced to the National Championships, won this year by Peach Belt Conference rival Armstrong Atlantic State, one of nine PBC teams in the tournament. The Saints capped their best season in school history at 14-9 overall; the program’s first-ever national ranking put the team at No. 25.


The Campaign for North Georgia is instrumental

in providing student scholarships.

This spring, North Georgia College & State University announced the public phase of the university’s first-ever capital campaign, Living Our Values: The Campaign for North Georgia, which has already raised about $38 million toward the $40 million goal thanks to the gifts of more than 7,500 different donors.

“The Campaign for North Georgia has been highly successful in bringing much-needed resources to bear during one of the most dramatic economic downturns in the past century,” President Bonita Jacobs said. “The success the campaign has enjoyed is a testament to the generosity and loyalty of North Georgia alumni, faculty and staff, and friends. However, the need for fundraising in higher education has never been greater.”

Due to the struggling economy and state funding cuts over the past few years, less than 50 percent of the university’s operating budget today comes from state funds. The difference comes from tuition, fees and private contributions. The shift in budget resources is having an impact on students’ ability to pay for school as well as increasing the demand for support from the NGCSU Foundation, a philanthropic organization that raises money to support scholarships and institutional priorities not met through other means.

“We’re starting to carry expenses on the foundation side that historically would be expenses from the operational side, and that’s simply because the state dollars are declining and tuition can’t be raised,” Dr. Andrew Leavitt, vice president for advancement, said.

Since the campaign began in 2007, almost $7 million has been contributed for student scholarships and 40 new scholarship funds have been established. Creating more scholarships is a top priority for Jacobs, who has announced the formation of the Steeple Scholarship, an annual scholarship fund that will be used to help students in a variety of programs meet the cost of college. The Steeple Scholarship Fund is named for North Georgia’s most recognizable symbol, the gold-leafed bell tower located atop historic William Pierce Price Memorial Hall.

Though about 85 percent of the university’s freshmen receive HOPE scholarships, student scholarship needs are diverse.

“In some cases, scholarships provide the possibility of attending college where other resources might not be available. In other cases, scholarships recognize particular achievement and attract high-performing students to the university,” Jacobs said. “In all of these situations, our supporters can create life-

changing opportunities for students.”The catalyst for The Campaign for North Georgia in 2007

was an unprecedented $10 million gift from Mike and Lynn Cottrell to support the university’s school of business. Mike Cottrell currently serves as co-chairman of the campaign and is a trustee emeritus of the NGCSU Foundation.

“These contributions indicate a high degree of commitment to uphold a tradition of academic excellence and leadership development that has had a transformative impact on our nation and the north Georgia region,” Cottrell said in reference to the campaign’s success.

The campaign theme is rooted in the university’s core values of courage, integrity, loyalty, respect, service, truth, and wisdom and how those qualities, as part of the North Georgia educational experience, have prepared generations of military

THE CAMPAign for norTH gEorgiAFundraising campaign supports an enduring legacy of values and education

Living Our Values

2012, Vol. 1 15

The Campaign for North Georgia will conclude on June 30, 2012, and donors of all levels are encouraged to participate. There are several ways to contribute to The Campaign for North Georgia, including current gifts such as cash, property or stock and planned gifts such as bequests, charitable gift annuities or qualified retirement plans. Additionally, donors may name the NGCSU Foundation Inc. in their wills or estate plans for specific amounts or for specific percentages of their residual estates.

For details, please contact Jeff Boggan, director of development, at 706-864-1999 or [email protected]

A $10 million donation from Mike and Lynn Cottrell established the Mike Cottrell School of Business and launched the Campaign for North Georgia in 2007. Pictured from left are Dr. Gerald Skelly, dean of the School of Business & Government in 2007; Lynn and Mike Cottrell, Connie Cottrell, Mike’s mother; and Dr. David Potter, university president in 2007.

officers and civic and professional leaders to make a positive difference in the communities they serve.

A recent $1 million gift to the campaign by BB&T reinforces that aspect of the university’s mission. BB&T’s contribution will establish the Center of Excellence in Ethical Business Leadership as an academic unit in the Mike Cottrell School of Business. Expected to develop over a five-year period, the center will provide opportunities for students to gain a deeper understanding of how ethical leadership principles apply to organizations, communities, regions, and international environments.

“BB&T’s and the BB&T Foundation’s longstanding commitment to supporting ethics and ethical decision making in business presents an opportunity to partner with North Georgia College & State University to enhance the understanding and practice of ethical business throughout the north Georgia region,” said Perry Tomlinson, BB&T regional president.

BB&T’s gift is a reflection of the university’s impact on the region and the fact that its graduates – whether they serve as military officers, teachers, healthcare providers, law enforcement personnel, businesspeople, or community volunteers – are leaders who make up the fabric of this region and our country.

“Some of our largest donors have been people who have not set foot in our classrooms, but who understand the importance of having a university in the region and the positive impact of our graduates as a result of high quality academic and leadership development programs,” Leavitt said.

The Center of Excellence in Ethical Business Leadership is just one example of university initiatives designed to prepare students as globally conscious leaders. North Georgia has garnered national recognition through its Corps of Cadets, academic excellence, value, strategic language initiatives, and

undergraduate research, and the university is consistently among the top schools in the University System of Georgia in key performance metrics, such as entering freshmen SAT scores and GPAs and graduation rate.

“Through their investment in the distinctive educational experience North Georgia provides, the alumni and supporters who are participating in the Campaign for North Georgia are creating a legacy that will endure forever,” Jacobs said.

Paul Stringer, a North Georgia alumnus and co-chairman of The Campaign for North Georgia, said maintaining high-quality programs requires support from alumni and friends of the university.

“We know how proud our alumni are of the university’s designation as The Military College of Georgia and that we are a state leadership institution. These signature elements contribute to the unique educational experience North Georgia offers,” Stringer said. “To effectively maintain programs like this and to provide opportunities for students to earn a high quality college education, private support is vital.”

—Edie Rogers and Kate Maine

Living Our Values BB&T gave $1 million to the university to fund the Center of Excellence Ethical Businss Leadership.. Pictured in the back row, from left, are Dan Carey, BB&T executive and North

Georgia alumnus; R. Perry Tomlinson, BB&T regional president; and Jonathan Collins, BB&T executive and North Georgia alumnus. Front row are: Bonita Jacobs, and James A.

Faulkner, trustee of the NGCSU Foundation and member of BB&T Board of Directors.


Ben and Anne Purcell, who met in 1949 at North Georgia, were married in 1951.

His wife, Anne, a 1953 North Georgia graduate, spent most of those five years not knowing whether her husband was alive or dead.

“We lived with that not knowing until Jan. 27, 1973. That was a long day, because that’s the day I knew I was going to hear the answer to that question,” Anne Purcell said. “I knew what I wanted the answer to be, but it could have gone either way.”

Born in Clarkesville, Ga., Ben Purcell met Anne Grant of Baldwin, Ga., at the beginning of her freshman year in 1949. Anne recalls meeting Ben after a school dance as she walked back to Sanford Hall. Spotting her name on the barrette in her golden hair, he told her, “Anne, the next time I see you, you speak to me.” Being addressed by an upperclassman didn’t faze her.

“I told him, ’Yes, sir!’ real cocky like,” she laughed. “I would see him in the dining hall and we would eat together and our relationship took off from there. He was sweet, considerate and very kind and I just enjoyed being with him.”

Purcell, a Distinguished Military Graduate, earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and commissioned as a second

lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1950. When the Korean War started, Purcell was transferred from Fort Riley, Kan., to Fort Jackson, S.C. After spending every weekend driving back and forth to Baldwin to visit Anne, Purcell proposed and six weeks later got his orders to ship out. The couple married in January 1951.

Purcell served two combat tours in Korea. He volunteered

On Feb. 8, 1968, COL (Ret.) Benjamin H. Purcell, a 1950 North Georgia graduate and former professor of military science, took a helicopter flight that would change his life forever. The helicopter was shot down over the jungles of Vietnam, and Purcell was captured and spent more than five years as a prisoner of war.

COL (Retired) Ben Purcell and wife Anne look over the newly dedicated formation plaza.

COL (Retired) Ben Purcell and wife Anne look over the newly dedicated formation plaza.

2012, Vol. 1 17

A converted suitcase holds items from COL Purcell’s years as a POW — (top) small tools and buttons made of bone; (middle) sandals he was given to wear, made out of old tires; (bottom) other items he fashioned from what he was given during his captivity.

for Vietnam in 1968 after advancing his education and career at Shippensburg State College in Pennsylvania and the U.S. Army War College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

About halfway through his tour in February 1968, the helicopter in which Purcell was a passenger was shot down outside of Quang Tri City and he and the crew were captured by enemy forces. He escaped and was recaptured twice, spending 58 of his 62 months in solitary confinement. Purcell, the highest-ranking Army POW in Vietnam, endured interrogation, starvation and beatings—treatment that intensified after each failed escape attempt.

On the other side of the world in Boonville, Mo., Anne Purcell and their five young children had no idea if Ben was alive, only that the helicopter wreckage had been found but no bodies were discovered. Anne Purcell credits her faith with helping her endure the ordeal.

“That not knowing, it’s a limbo situation; you don’t know if he’s dead or alive. One day, as I was praying, I heard these words, ’Go to Columbus, Ga., and wait.’ I never looked back; the voice told me where to go and what to do when I got there,” Anne said. “I relied upon the Lord to provide what I needed, which was a lot of things. God gave to me things that I asked for, but he also gave me things that I didn’t ask for.”

She moved her family to a small home the couple had purchased near Fort Benning while Ben was stationed there in the 1950s. From a trio of friends who made her laugh during monthly lunches to a part-time job teaching 3-year-olds, Anne found strength in others.

“I took the job reluctantly, but it was the best thing for me because I began to think about other people and their lives instead of turning inward and thinking only about myself,” she said. “And thank goodness for my own children because they gave me a reason to get up in the morning. And they gave me plenty to do.”

It was at Fort Benning that Anne reconnected with COL (Retired) Ed Nix and Sue Nix, 1951 and 1953 North Georgia graduates, respectively. The Nixes knew the Purcells as fellow students and became better acquainted when Ben started dating Anne, who was a roommate of Ed’s younger sister.

The Nixes were stationed at Fort Benning while Ed served two tours during Vietnam. When Anne Purcell visited the Nixes to welcome them to Columbus; they were devastated to learn that Ben was a POW.

“When you realize that somebody that close to you gets captured or killed, it hits you hard,” Ed Nix said. “It took a lot of character and fortitude to survive the things he was put through, and I just can’t say enough about the great respect I have for him and Anne both for what they had to go through.”

The Purcell family waited without word until Jan. 27, 1973, the day the Paris Peace Accords ended the Vietnam War. At the end of that day, Anne Purcell was given the news she had hoped for the past five years — Ben was alive. He was released two months later and the family was reunited on March 27, 1973.

Four years later, the Purcells returned to Dahlonega as Ben was able to finish his military career as the professor of military science and commandant of cadets at North Georgia from 1977 until 1980.

“That was special and it was just like coming back home.

18 North Georgia Leader18 North Georgia Leader

While being held in captivity, COL Ben Purcell made this hat using cloth and thread from his uniform sewn together with a needle he made out of a piece of bone from a meal. The hat was to be part of his disguise when he escaped, as prisoners of war didn’t wear hats.

… Some of the professors we had were still there,” Anne said. “North Georgia will always hold a special place in our hearts.”

David E. Williams, a 1980 graduate and a current member of the university’s Corps Advisory Council, said he was inspired by hearing Purcell’s story during his time as a cadet.

“I admired the man because of his courage. He was a role model and a pillar of strength, and I’ve enjoyed being around him,” Williams said.

In the years after Purcell’s release, Ben and Anne shared their story through appearances, talks and a book, “Love & Duty,” that alternates between first-person accounts from each.

After his retirement, Purcell led various boards and organizations and served as a state representative in the Georgia General Assembly from 1993 to 1997. During his military career, he earned the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, and the Parachutist and Combat Infantryman Badges.

During the university’s annual Parents-Alumni Weekend in April, the new formation plaza at North Georgia was dedicated in honor of Purcell as the COL Ben Purcell Formation Plaza. Though he couldn’t attend the event, GEN (Retired) “Lipp” Livsey commended Purcell for his service.

“I know of no other soldier or North Georgia graduate who deserves this honor more than COL Ben Purcell. He epitomizes everything that our country, Army and college stand for. I am honored to count him as a friend,” Livsey wrote.

—Edie Rogers

Sale of commemorative bricks to raise funds for Corps

The Corps Advisory Council at North Georgia College & State University is selling commemorative brick pavers that will be part of the COL Ben Purcell Formation Plaza. The plaza is located in the military housing district formed by the new Patriot and Liberty halls and the renovated Gaillard Hall.COL (Retired) Paul Wingo ’78, a member of the Corps Advisory Council, is leading the brick project.“The money raised through the sale of commemorative bricks in the COL Ben Purcell Formation Plaza will go to the Corps of Cadets Fund,” Wingo said. “That is the general fund for the corps, and while it mostly is used to provide scholarships for cadets, funds also are used to provide equipment, supplies or other expenses not covered by the university or the ROTC program.”The bricks will be placed in the middle area of the plaza surrounding the granite rendition of the Boar’s Head Crest, approximately 2,400 bricks. Selling all the bricks would raise some $600,000 for the fund.The first brick to be placed in the plaza, which was dedicated on April 21 during Parents-Alumni Weekend, was engraved with the name of COL Ben Purcell. Another three dozen commemorative bricks have since been installed in the plaza.The bricks will be sold for $250 each. Each brick can be engraved with up to three lines of text.Checks should be made payable to NGCSU Foundation, marked for CAC Pavers Project. Payment must accompany the order form. Credit card payment may be arranged by calling 706-867-2873 and specifying CAC Pavers Project. Gifts are deductible for tax purposes. Send form and payment to: NGCSU Foundation, P.O. Box 1599, Dahlonega, GA 30533.For more information or questions, contact Jeff Boggan, director of development, at 706-864-1999 or [email protected].

Download the order form online at:http://www.northgeorgia.edu/brickpaver

It all began as a student at North Georgia.

n o r t h g e o r g i a . e d u • D a h l o n e g a , G e o r g i a

In 1974, Greg Blount received one of the fi rst scholarships awarded by the North Georgia College & State University Foundation. With its impressive liberal arts program and leadership opportunities in the Corps of Cadets, North Georgia provided an excellent platform for his plans to become an attorney. Today, Greg is an environmental lawyer and partner with international law fi rm Troutman Sanders. With nearly 30 years experience, he has worked as an Assistant Attorney General, in-house counsel to Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources and national environmental counsel for a Fortune 50 company. Recognized as one of the country’s leading environmental lawyers, he actively counsels local governments in the Tri-State Water Wars.

For Greg, like so many other outstanding leaders in the state, it all goes back to the values that defi ned his education at North Georgia. “The discipline of the military with its absolute truths, balanced by the liberal arts progam and its metaphorical search for truth… as an attorney, those values are my foundation.” – Greg Blount, 1978 North Georgia graduate

EDUCATION FOR LIFE AND LEADERSHIPThis advertisement paid for with private funds from the NGCSU Foundation.

My job is to discover the truth.

Historic Tanyard Creek Park in the heart of Atlanta

0006NorthGA_Blount-8o5x11.indd 1 11/4/10 11:45:51 AM

Share your story at northgeorgia.edu/values


There’s no doubt about it: Jaymee Carnes is making history as one of the most dynamic basketball players ever at North Georgia College & State University. If you missed the opportunity to see her in action this season, don’t worry – she still has two years left at North Georgia.

A native of Gainesville, Ga., Carnes came to North Georgia this year by way of Wake Forest University, an NCAA Division I school in North Carolina, where she appeared in 28 games as a true freshman. At Wake Forest, Carnes averaged only 1.6 points per game and 2.2 rebounds per game. Those numbers, along with many others, skyrocketed at North Georgia this year, when Carnes decided to play closer to home.

Carnes has had one of the most prolific single seasons of any North Georgia student-athlete. She led the Lady Saints in scoring 22 out of 25 games and became the first basketball player in school history to earn Peach Belt Conference (PBC) and National Player of the Year honors.

“To win the highest honor in the country is an incredible accomplishment for Jaymee,” said Lindsay Reeves, university athletic director. “Jaymee, who is just a sophomore, brings honor and prestige to North Georgia athletics and to the university. We are very proud of Jaymee and her incredible work ethic both on and off the court.”

Carnes set multiple PBC records and nearly rewrote the entire North Georgia women’s basketball record book. She earned the highest possible honor in Daktronics National Player of the Year along with Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-American accolades. With so much success, one might wonder what lies ahead for Carnes, but Buffie Burson, North Georgia women’s basketball head coach, believes Carnes still has room to grow.

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2012, Vol. 1 21

“With her strong work ethic and commitment, I look forward to seeing her continue to grow even more as a great player,” Burson said. “To be named the Daktronics National Player of the Year while playing in the grueling Peach Belt Conference is remarkable. She faced so many great players and defensive schemes this season. It was exciting to coach her and watch her work her magic.”

Though the team missed out on the PBC Tournament, Carnes was still a spectacle to watch. The 6-foot forward presented competing teams with a tall task in terms of guarding.

She led the nation in scoring with 26 points per game, while also ranking 15th in rebounds with 11.2, giving her a double-double average. She was also eighth in blocks and scored 30-plus points three times, including a career-high 40 points against Brenau University.

Carnes also set North Georgia records for total points in a season, scoring average in a season, and free throws made. The sharp-shooter holds North Georgia NCAA Division II single-game records for points in a game with 40, blocks in a game with nine, and field goals made in a game with 16, a mark she accomplished twice in a span of 35 days.

As Burson believes, Carnes’ remarkable first season could be a preview of great accomplishments still to come for this talented young student-athlete. Carnes is working hard in the off season and plans to return for her junior season this winter. The 2012-13 season starts in mid-November.—Joey Daniels

Carnes latest of a trio of national player of the year honorees

Carnes is the third female athlete at North Georgia College & State University to earn national player of the year accolades in the past three years.Jessica Coan and Sarah Phillips, ace pitchers for the Lady Saints softball team during their time at North Georgia, each was recognized for her individual achievements in recent seasons.In 2011, Coan was named National Pitcher of the Year and a national First-Team All-American. Phillips won the same two awards in 2010 and also was a finalist for the 2009-10 Division II Athlete of the Year.Phillips graduated in May 2011 with a degree in middle grades education and is serving as a graduate assistant coach under head softball coach Mike Davenport while pursuing her master’s degree at North Georgia. Last year, she also was chosen for the Canadian National Softball Team. Phillips, who was born in Canada, is trying out for the team again during this summer’s selection camp.Phillips had one of the most prolific softball careers in NCAA Division II history, earning a Peach Belt Conference record 124 wins. Her career 1.46 earned run average places her fourth in school history, while she holds program records for innings pitched with 946.1, strikeouts with 911, and shutouts with 45.In the 2011 regular season, Coan pitched a 27-4 record and notched a 0.95 earned run average. She has tossed 213.1 innings and recorded 326 strikeouts, while allowing just 29 earned runs on the year. The Lady Saints fell just short of making their fourth-straight appearance in the Division II College World Series.This summer, Coan will be playing softball for a German team — the Mannheim Tornados. The Duluth native, who transferred to North Georgia from Georgia Tech, has no remaining eligibility, but plans to complete her degree at North Georgia upon her return from Germany.

—Edie Rogers

Jessica Coan

Sarah Phillips

Jaymee CarnesHeight: 6-0 Year: Sophomore

Hometown: Gainesville, GA (Gainesville High School)

Position: Forward

High school honors: AJC AAA Player of the Year, four-time All-Area, two-time All-Region, Atlanta Tip-Off Club All-Metro Team, and the Most Valuable Player at the GACA North-South All Star Game. Rated in the top 100 for forwards her senior year according to ESPN.

2011-12 statsGames played/started: 25/25Minutes: 903 Field goals: 214 (44.5%)3-point: 16 (32.7%)Free throws: 180 (77.9%)Overall points: 624Rebounds: 279 Assists: 34Steals: 33Blocks: 78

22 North Georgia Leader 2010, Vol. 2 2322 North Georgia Leader

Phil Collins, right, director of alumni relations, shares a laugh with Byron (J.B) Woolfolk, retired chemistry instructor, prior to the annual Saints Club Golf Tournament held during Parents-Alumni Weekend.

North Georgia Corps of Cadets stand in formation during the Memorial Retreat for Parents-Alumni Weekend.

Hello, Alumni.

Your Council has been very busy this year supporting over 30 events including area meetings around the country, reunions, and many others gatherings around campus. We look forward to seeing you at an event soon!

By now, you have received mailers from Alumni Association Partners offering unique benefits to our alumni. We also recently updated our Alumni Directory in partnership with Harris Direct; we do this once every five years. This

project is now complete as all directories have shipped to those who ordered.

April is always a busy month on campus, and this year proved no different. Parents-Alumni Weekend was a great success highlighted by the dedication of the COL Ben Purcell Formation Plaza. COL Purcell took part in the ceremony, and it was a very moving experience for all that attended. COL Purcell spent over 62 months as a POW in Vietnam, and over 58 of those months in solitary confinement. He completed his Army career right where it began...on campus in Dahlonega as the Commandant/Professor of Military Science.

Our student athletes continue to make us proud. The softball team recently won the Peach Belt Conference Runner-Up title and played very well in the Regionals! Jaymee Carnes was named Player of the Year for the Peach Belt Conference from our Lady Saints Basketball Team. Our other teams are doing great this year as well. Finally, the following athletes were inducted to the NGCSU Athletic Hall of Fame: Dewayne Patrick, baseball and basketball; Leon

Ricketson, baseball; Sue Haynes Malone, basketball; Willie Thomas, basketball; and Morey LeFeve, basketball.

The Corps of Cadets continues to shine as we expect: 87 cadets are going to Ft. Lewis, Washington, this summer for LDAC (“Advanced Camp”). The corps remains strong at nearly 800 cadets.

Finally, we say goodbye to four great Council Members: Chris Kemp, Bernex Richardson, Alan Ware, and Roger Waldrop. They all have contributed a great deal to our Council for our alumni! We thank them for their hard work and contributions. At the same time, we welcome two new members to our Alumni Council: LTG (Ret.) Randy Mixon, and Ms. Ann Hammel. We are excited to have them join us as they both have had quite an impressive track record of success since graduating! Two more new members will be named over the next month. Many thanks to Phil Collins and Parker Halstead for their tireless energy in working hard to connect and engage with you.

When around campus, please stop by our new bookstore. You will see quite an impressive new location on Chestatee Street. When purchasing articles from the store, don’t forget to mention that you are an Alumni Association Member; your membership entitles you to a 15 percent discount on all your purchases. Thank you all for your continued support. Please reach out to us and let us know how we can help enhance the value of your membership.

Alumni Association update

Bob Babich ’85

President,NGCSU Alumni Association

2012, Vol. 1 23

Alumni Spotlight fiddleheads AlbumThe Fiddleheads released their first studio album, “Goodbye L.A.” on iTunes in March and reached #1 selling album on Amazon under the “Roots Rock” section. Pictured left to right are: Adam Kersh, Jake Larios ’09, Trygve Myers ’11, Michael Wallace ’11 and Zak McConnell ’10.

Lewis Hall LadiesA group of “Lewis Hall Ladies” from the Class of 1958 meet at Orange Beach, Al., every fall for a few days of fun and laughter. Different ladies attend each year and stay with classmate Betty Anne Causey Wilder. Ladies in photo are: Kay Holland Ball, Lee Wall Geer, Sherry Matthews Stevenson, Sarah Lee Gudger Almand, Betty Anne Causey Wilder, Sadie Burrow Howard, and Joy Hudgins Miller.

To Whom It Concerns:

I am Betty Jane Mitchell (Hill). I’m the proud mother of four children, ten grand-children and twelve great-grand-children.

I entered North Ga. College in the summer quarter 1945, and completed two years (the last two years it remained a junior college).

We were a unique class in many respects. Our high school years were 1941-1945. These were four momentous years for our class, our country, and the world, since they encompassed World War II. When Japan surrendered in August 1945, we had a street dance in front of Price Memorial.

Fall quarter 1945 saw a huge enrollment increase as many veterans were returning to continue their education under the G.I. bill. It was a wonderful time for the girls. Since we were outnumbered by a ratio of three to one, we never lacked having a date. The dances, hayrides, and ten mile hikes with a special cadet provided so much fun and a lifetime of memories. I’ve often wondered how many marriages culminated from NGC romances.

I can honestly say that my two years at North Ga. were the two happiest years of my life.

My daughter Lauren Cox graduated from NGC in 1970. Clay Cox, my grandson, is presently enrolled in the freshman class. Three generations at the greatest school anywhere.

I’d love so much to hear from any and all classmates, especially those who entered with me, summer quarter 1945.

I hope we can make a real effort to get together one more time.

Thanks,

Betty J. Mitchell Hill (1945 & 1946)

Mrs. Betty Jane Mitchell Hill 32 Live Oak Ct.Forsyth, Ga. 31029

Home Phone: 478-733-8364Cell Phone: 478-733-7289

[email protected]

ALUMNI COUNCILRobert J. “Bob” Babich, II ’85, presidentElizabeth Rhodes ’66, vice presidentMatt McRee ’89, secretaryNancy Clark ’54, treasurerBrad Barton ’94Ben Clark ’75Amy Jarrard Coffee ’97Jason Cox ’01Ann Hammel, ’89Randy Mixon, ’75 Greg Smith ’76Andrea Strickland ’69Tommy Thomas ’82

EX-OFFICIO MEMBERSDr. Bonita C. JacobsNGCSU President

Frank “Mac” McConnell ’79NGCSU VP Business & Finance

Dr. Andy LeavittNGCSU VP Advancement

COL Tom Palmer ’73Commandant of Cadets

EXECUTIVE DIRECTORPhil Collins ’75Director of Alumni Relations

The Alumni Association received the following letter from an alumna looking to get back in touch

with other north georgia alumni.

24 North Georgia Leader24 North Georgia Leader

1950s

LTG (Ret.) Burton “DeWayne” Patrick ’57 was named in the North Georgia College & State University Athletic Hall of Fame in January 2012. He lettered four years in basketball and baseball, serving as captain of both teams. During his senior year he averaged more than 20 points per game as a point guard and had a four-year batting average of .345.

Dr. Victor H. Hutchinson ’52 was recognized with the Jack Renner Award for his significant contributions to science education at the University of Oklahoma. This is the Oklahoma Science Teachers Association’s highest honor given each year.

1960s

COL (Ret.) John W. Harden ’61 served in South West Asia as the Theater Dental Surgeon as part of the Operation Enduring Freedom.

1970s

Dr. Travis King ’70 retired from teaching in 2010 with 35 years of teaching credit. He is currently teaching as an adjunct professor for Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Ga. He would love to hear from any North Georgia classmates. His e-mail is [email protected], his phone is 229-985-2809.

Hon. David E. Ralston ’76, who currently serves as Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives, was recognized in Georgia Trend Magazine’s 100 most influential people in Georgia.

Susan Roose Nolan ’79 has joined Fifth Third Bank as a corporate senior vice president and director of human

resources for Georgia. Prior to joining the bank, she was vice president of human resources at SunTrust for six years working with corporate senior management. She resides in the Sandy Springs, Ga., area.

1980s

David E. Williams ’80 currently serves as the past-president of North Georgia College & State University’s Corps Advisory Council and the North Gwinnett Kiwanian President. He was presented the Hixson award for his many contributions to Kiwanis service.

Dr. William Glaze Vaughan ’80 joined East Tennessee Children’s Hospital as the new director of pediatric surgery. His wife, Kimberly; sons, Keelan (20), and Aidan (9), and daughters Berkley

(18), and Ainsley (16), are happy to be living back in the Southeast after his most recent practice in Forth Worth, Texas.

David D. Stovall ’81 was promoted to director of development for the Norton Agency’s Commercial Mountain Region. He will be responsible for expanding Norton’s commercial reach in Georgia’s northern counties and into bordering counties of Tennessee, North and South Carolina. He resides on the Hiawassee River and is a member of Habersham Rotary Club and past district governor.

COL John L. Smith ’81 retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service. He served in many important positions in the U.S. Army, acquired two master’s degrees, graduated from the Command and General Staff College, the War College, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Ranger, Pathfinder and jumpmaster Schools. COL Smith’s awards include two Bronze Star Medals, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Defense Meritorious Service medal, Master Parachute Badge

and numerous expeditionary awards. Colonel and Mrs. Smith have two children, Nicole and Jonathan, and one granddaughter, Kaliyah.

COL Joseph L. Brazell ’83 was officially promoted to colonel during ceremonies held at U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). He has held various

positions with the Georgia Army National Guard and is currently the team chief for FORSCOM Mobilization Operations. He moved to Fort Bragg, NC, but still maintains his residence in his hometown of LaGrange, Ga., where he and his family are members of the First United Methodist Church.

COL (Ret.) Daniel M. Enoch ’84 was named vice president for special programs of BOSH Global Services; an SBA-certified 8(a), veteran-owned company offering turnkey technical and operational support services. He will spearhead the expansion of BOSH’s complete services portfolio into some of the federal government’s more specialized operational markets.

Glenn Kennedy, II ’86 retired in July 2011 as garrison commander at Fort Gordon. He will now serve as deputy administrator, with Administrator Scott Johnson, and will oversee Columbia County’s federally funded project to expand broadband access throughout the community.

Roger D. Fitzpatrick ’88 has retiried as principal of Mossy Creek Elementary School (White County). He is also running as 9th District Candidate for the U.S. Congress.

2011, Vol. 2 252012, Vol. 1 25

The Trio – Coody, Ainslie, HaneyTwo generations of North Georgia

graduates run the Bank of Madison. At 123 years old (founded in 1889), the Bank of Madison is one of the oldest banks in the country. Left to right: V.P. Cameron Coody ’00, V.P. Andrew A. Ainslie, III ’02 and Pres. /CEO Charles H. Haney, III ’80.

COL Michael D. Pyott ’88 is to retire in September after serving 24 years in the U.S. Army and four years as professor of military science at North Georgia. Not only did his military career begin at North Georgia, it is also where he met his wife, Meredith Browning Pyott ’91. They have been married for 20 years and were blessed with their two children, Olivia and Luke. The family plans to stay in the Dahlonega area.

Douglas E. Powell ’89 and wife, Effie (Bruce) Powell ’91 have recently moved to Vicenza, Italy with their daughter Rose. Douglas will work for U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) in the G-4 office. They are in the process of finding a villa large enough to host any and all friends and North Georgia alumni during their stay in Italy. Email them at [email protected]

1990s

John Geyer ’90 is the owner and CEO of J. Geyer Advertising and the Trophy Case LTD. He specializes in providing products for family reunions, sports, political campaigns and recognition products that connect with the Gainesville, Ga. community. He will serve on the Greater Hall Chamber board of directors beginning in July.

MAJ (Ret.) Patrick C. Rogers ’94 received his MBA in executive aerospace and defense from the University of Tennessee- Knoxville. He wanted to continue his education and “compliment his experiences” after he retired in 2010 from 23 years of service in the U.S. Army.

2000s

James E. Daniel, Jr. ’00, owner of JD Electronics in Gainesville, Ga., celebrated his company’s 20th year in business. He has created multiple successful, small businesses that provide affordable technological support.

CAPT Joseph M. Byerly ’03 was selected as a 2011 MacArthur Leadership Award recipient. This is awarded to the Army’s

best young leaders who exemplify duty, honor and country. He and his wife Amanda (Ferrell) Byerly ’09 will reside in Fort Benning this summer.

Kristen Picou-Matesevac ’05 and her husband Mark Matesevac, are the proud parents of two daughters. Sydney Renee Matesevac, born March 2, 2007 and Clara Rosalie Matesevac, born April 9, 2010. Kristen, Mark, Sydney and Clara live in Lawrenceville, Ga. where Kristen is a kindergarten teacher.

Blake Boling ’06 married Suzanne Adamson Boling ’04 on May 15, 2010. They are expecting their first child in June 2012 and live in Cumming, Ga. Blake works for BB&T and Suzanne works for Muffley & Associates.

Marie Gilmour ’06 married Tucker O’Keefe on April 28, 2012 in Saint Augustine Florida, where they both currently reside. The couple Honeymooned in San Fransisco, Napa Valley and plan to take a cycling bike tour through the Northern California Wine Country.

Seth Alhadeff ’08 and Alsion Sedgwick Alhadeff would like to announce the birth of their son, William Sedgwick Alhadeff on September 4, 2012. “Liam” joins his brother Solomon, 2, at the family’s home in Dahlonega, Ga.

Adam Strzemienski ’08 and wife Sarah welcomed their daughter, Lydia Ann, on March 26, 2012.

CPT Kevin Holloway ’07 and Lucie Holloway ’08 are currently stationed at

Fort Carson, CO. Kevin took command of the Forward Support Company in the 4th Squadron, 10th U.S Cavalry Regiment. In April 2012, Kevin deployed for his second tour to Afghanistan. Lucie is a photographer and also works for Colorado College. Colorado Springs Official Visitor Guide recently featured one of Lucie’s photos on their cover. See her work at www.lzhphotography.com.

Teri Jo Reese ’09 is currently enrolled at Florida State University as a PhD. student in sociology. She was recruited to help plan and design a special undergraduate research course for U.S. military veterans. Veterans will learn about qualitative methods by interviewing other campus veterans about their experiences in the service as well as their transitions into college.

Shah Rahman ’09 was recently hired at Blizzard Entertainment as a QA – Application Tester I. Blizzard produces the popular World of Warcraft games. He and his wife Susan Helton-Rahman ’09 are now both employed in top video game companies in California.

Bambi Kimmes ’10 started Angels All Around, Inc., a privately owned home care service and certified nurse assistant training center. You can read more about her at www.angelshomecareservice.com.

Natalie Langway ’10 is engaged to Dustin Whiten ’10 and they plan to marry on October 27, 2012.


John Lancaster ’02 took his skills and abilities as a piano performance major to Nashville, Tenn., where he is now a successful pianist touring and recording with well-known artists. He has had multiple television appearances including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Good Morning America, The Jimmy Kimmel Show and several performances on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry.

After a two-year tour with Atlantic recording artist Will Hoge, he began touring with hit BNA artist Rachel Proctor, Kenny Chesney, Rascall Flatts, and Brad Paisley. Lancaster has recorded piano tracks on the Collective Soul album, “Youth,” and on singer/songwriter Edwin McCain’s album “Scream and Whisper.” He performed on and co-produced Will Hoge’s album, “The America EP,” has cut studio tracks alongside superstar Bryan White, and performed with Edwin McCain, Graham Colton Band, T. Graham Brown, Sister Hazel and #1 songwriters Derek George and Dave Berg.

He is married to singer/songwriter Rachel Proctor, also a performer. Read more about John at www.johnjarrardfoundation.com/artists/john-lancaster and http://wikibin.org/articles/john-w.-lancaster.html.

Lancaster finds success in Nashville

Golden Alumni Society

Many alumni and friends of North Georgia called and emailed the Office of Alumni Relations to request a copy Dr. William Roberts’ book, Georgia’s Best Kept Secret: A History of North Georgia College. A number of these books are still available. Want your own free copy? Please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at [email protected] or by phone at 706-864-1547.

Georgia’s Best Kept Secret

In 2009, the Office of Alumni Relations created a distinctive gift for presentation to all alumni celebrating 50 years or more since graduating from North Georgia. The gold medallion is inscribed on the front with the seal of the university along with the words, “Golden Alumni Society,” and on the back with the graduate’s name and class year. The medallion is usually presented to each alumnus at the time of their class reunion, or mailed to their home address upon request. If you have reached this milestone, congratulations and welcome to the Golden Alumni Society. If you are a member of the Class of 1961 or before and wish to receive your medallion by mail, please let us know. You are welcome to call our office at 706-864-

1547, email: [email protected], or drop us a note: Alumni Relations, PO Box 1599; Dahlonega, GA 30533. Be sure to tell us your class year and how you want your name to read. Please allow four to six weeks for delivery.

2012, Vol. 1 27

Golden Alumni Society

Mr. Wade H. Williamson ’35 9/6/2011

Mrs. Edna Henson Cook ’38 11/14/2011

Mr. Charles H. Phillips ’38 1/23/2010

Mr. Carl M. Detwyler ’40 11/14/2011

Mrs. Bernice griffin Hinson ’40 9/21/2011

Mrs. Wylene Conner Samples ’40 5/16/2010

Mrs. Maude reese Couch ’40 9/1/2005

Mrs. Jewell Campbell West ’40 1/1/2012

Mr. James H. King ’41 10/17/2011

Mr. Lawton M. Sosebee ’43 11/30/2011

Mr. robert C. Maxwell ’43 1/20/2012

Mr. P. Seale Hipp ’44 10/3/2011

Mr. Jack f. Proctor ’45 11/20/2011

Mr. William P. Westbrook, Jr. ’46 5/26/2011

Mrs. Mary ruth Jones Mills ’49 10/18/2011

Miss Carolyn Allen Townes ’49 9/10/2011

Mr. Eric A. newsom, Jr. ’49 3/19/2011

CoL(ret.) John r. Crumplar ’50 8/12/2011

Mr. James W. Payne, Jr. ’50 12/29/2011

Mr. Brevard S. Williams ’52 7/1/2010

Colonel Walter E. Meeks ’52 11/23/2011

Mr. J. B. Thornton ’53 7/11/2010

Mr. Paul g. Seals ’53 11/4/2011

Mrs. Mary Ann redd Crews ’53 9/29/2011

Mr. Claude L. Huey, Jr. ’56 11/25/2007

Mr. Carl Julian glass, Jr. ’57 10/12/2011

Mr. Ernest Lee Harrison, Jr. ’60 12/30/2011

Mr. frank D. Vaughn, Sr. ’60 11/11/2011

CoL John E. Pirkle ’60 9/30/2011

Mr. ralph W. McCullough ’61 9/20/2010

CoL Thompson A. Terrell, iii ’62 9/6/2011

Mrs. nola Logan Stephens ’62 10/19/2011

Mr. richard Clifford Bullard ’62 11/9/2011

Mrs. Judith Dunn McConoughey ’63 3/15/2012

MAJ(ret.) Wootten A. York ’66 10/22/2011

CoL(ret.) Charles H. Champion, Jr. ’66 11/1/2011

Mrs. Darlene Chastain Kinard ’66 11/18/2011

Mr. Stanley richard Janis ’67 12/23/2011

Mr. James Bob Howington ’67 1/30/2012

Mr. robert L. rozar, Jr. ’68 12/6/2011

Mrs. Marvine rider Wanamaker ’68 2/3/2012

Mr. Clifford B. glover, iii ’69 4/24/2011

Mr. Kerry Philip Pullen ’70 9/23/2011

Mr. John T. Warnock ’71 1/29/2012

Mr. Stark r. Buckner ’72 10/23/2009

Mr. John B. Hulsey ’74 7/16/2009

Mrs. Sandra Lovering Challender ’75 12/15/2011

Mrs. Marie Williams Davis ’78 11/7/2011

Mrs. Mechelle Moose Mayfield ’87 11/23/2010

LTC Jeffrey Donald Dryden ’87 9/25/2011

Mr. David L. Jordan ’96 9/5/2009

Mr. richard P. Stringer 7/18/2011 (Alum, non-grad)

Dr. Cecil Jackson retired 8/27/2011 (Faculty)

Mr. Bill B. Woody 1/2/2011 (Retired Staff)

Mrs. frances Yager 11/20/2011 (Friend)

Mr. Joseph S. Stewart, Jr. 11/11/2010 (Friend)

Mr. J. L. nix 2/8/2012 (Friend)

In MemoriamNorth Georgia College & State University extends sympathy to the family and friends of the following alumni and friends, They are listed by class year with their date of death.

Membership InformationYour Alumni Association is a dues-based organization designed to engage graduates with one another and with the

university. Revenue from membership dues helps defray the cost of many events and programs while funding others entirely. Your membership dues support the following programs throughout the year:

Alumni Events & recognition: Parents-Alumni Weekend, Homecoming, class reunions, area gatherings, Gold Rush weekend receptions, Young Alumni Board activities, alumni awards (Hall of Fame, Distinguished Alumnus & Young Alumnus, Ralph Colley Spirit of North Georgia, Golden Steeple).

Student & faculty Engagement: Paul M. Hutcherson Outstanding Student Awards, Distinguished Professor Award, Distinguished Military Student luncheon, Legacy Luncheon, senior gifts, Student Alumni Association and staff appreciation picnic.

Alumni Support: Alumni Council support (insurance, licenses, permits, fees and retiring member gifts), postage, subscriptions, printing and postage for The Leader Magazine for Association members, and NetCommunity software maintenance & updates.

Membership in your Alumni Association is vital to providing the level of support and engagement you deserve. Thank you for your continued involvement and support of the Alumni Association. If you are not a member, please visit www.northgeorgia.org to join or renew today.

Through a simple contract, you agree to make a donation of cash, stocks or other assets to North Georgia College and State University Foundation. In return, the Foundation agrees to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

In addition to providing a gift to North Georgia College and State University Foundation and receiving fixed payments for life, you also receive these benefits:

« Your initial gift is partially income tax– deductible.

« Your charitable gift annuity payments are partially income tax–free throughout your estimated life expectancy.

« Your payments are not affected by ups and downs in the economy.

« The gift annuity can be for one or two people, so your spouse or another loved one can also receive payments for life.

« If you use appreciated stock to make a gift, you can usually eliminate capital gains tax on a portion of the gift and spread the rest of the gain over your life expectancy.

Your Rate Generally, the older you are at the start of your payments, the higher your payments. These rates are the maximum rates recommended by the American Council on Gift Annuities and are adjusted periodically.

For details, contact Bruce Howerton at [email protected] or 706-867-8743.

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Support North Georgiavia a Charitable Gift Annuity

NORTH GEORGIA COLLEGE & STATE UNIVERSITY FOUNDATION, INC.

2012, Vol. 1 29

The Time is Now

Dr. Andrew J. LeavittVice President for Advancement & Executive Director, NGCSU Foundation, Inc.

Foundation Board of Trustees2011-2012

OFFICERS Chairman Mr. George E. Coleman, Jr. ’53, Alpharetta, GA

Vice Chairman Mrs. Mary Helen McGruder ’68, Cumming, GA

Secretary Mr. E. Paul Stringer ’53, Dahlonega, GA

Treasurer Mr. H. Dwight Mathews ’66, Norcross, GA

TRUSTEESMG (Ret.) Jere H. Akin ’59, Morganton, GAMr. Robert J. Babich, II ’85, Powder Springs, GA BG (Ret.) Josiah Blasingame, Jr. ’54, Monroe, GAMr. William S. Chapman, Sr. ’59, Lilburn, GAMr. Mike Cottrell, Dahlonega, GADr. James A. Crupi ’70, Plano, TX Dr. Sherman Day, Dawsonville, GADr. Conrad H. Easley ’62, Dalton, GAMr. James A. Faulkner, Dahlonega, GAMrs. Leslie K. Fowler ’81, Gainesville, GA BG (Ret.) David L. Grange ’70, Wilmington, NCMr. Joe M. Hatfield ’85, Clarkesville, GACOL (Ret.) T. Haines Hill ’56, Gainesville, GADr. Bonita C. Jacobs, Dahlonega, GA Mr. Chris H. Kitchens ’70, Acworth, GAMr. Ronald G. Larson, Dahlonega, GA GEN (Ret.) William J. Livsey ’52, Fayetteville, GA Mr. Nicholas W. Massengill ’81, Marietta, GAMr. Robert S. Mathews ’71, Atlanta, GAMr. Frank J. McConnell ’79, Dahlonega, GADr. Jonathan Miner, Dahlonega, GAMr. J. T. Morgan ’50, Covington, GAMr. Don Nading, Dahlonega, GA COL (Ret.) Edward J. Nix ’51, Marietta, GAMr. Brooks M. Pennington, III, Madison, GAMrs. Patricia Powell ’72, Murrayville, GAMs. Janice H. Van Meter ’59, Columbus, GA Mrs. Barbara DeMarco Williams ’73, Atlanta, GA

via a Charitable Gift Annuityvia a Charitable Gift Annuity

By now you should have received in the mail President Bonita C. Jacobs’ announcement of Living Our Values — The Campaign for North Georgia. In partnership with the North Georgia College & State University Founda-tion, Inc., this is North Georgia’s first-ever effort to raise funds to support the strategic plan of the university. Led by campaign chairmen Mr. Mike Cottrell and Mr. E. Paul Stringer ’53, we suc-cessfully raised $36 million in the quiet phase of the campaign towards our $40 million goal. This occurred during the most difficult economic times since the Great Depression.

Our story of success to-date is completely attributable to friends and alumni who have made both transfor-mational gifts and sustained annual gifts to support the unique mission of this institution. All members of our Foundation Board of Trustees, Alumni Council, Corps Advisory Council, Saints Club Board, and Mike Cottrell School of Business Advisory Council have given or pledged to the campaign.

The public phase of the campaign is off to a very fast start. We have raised nearly $2 million during the public phase so far led by the extraordinary generosity of the BB&T Foundation’s $1 million gift to fund the Center for Business Ethics. The BB&T Founda-tion gift was made possible by the momentum created by the Mike and

Lynn Cottrell gift and the hard work of NGCSU Foundation Trustee Jimmy Faulkner.

Every gift counts. If you have already given to the campaign this year (or in previous years), please consider a special gift in honor or memory of a special person to you. The majority of our alumni have never made a gift to North Georgia, so now is the time to help North Georgia meet this ambi-tious goal.

Time is especially short. Given our current plans to consolidate with Gainesville State College, the cam-paign chairmen made the decision to end the campaign on June 30, 2012, with $2 million left to raise during this public phase. The funds raised during this effort have and will go to support much needed scholarships across the university and signature programs, such as our beloved Corps of Cadets and the Mike Cottrell School of Business.

I want to take this opportunity to personally thank our campaign co-chairmen and all of the extraordinary volunteers who put in great time and treasure to make this campaign success-ful. I hope you can join the efforts of thousands of alumni and friends who have chosen to support Living our Values — The Campaign for North Georgia.


For information about giving to North Georgia, contact Jeff Boggan, director

of development, at 706-864-1999 or [email protected].

Class reunions are often filled with emotions of all kinds and tend to motivate people in many different ways. Some folks are motivated to lose weight or buy new clothes to impress their college classmates. Others may vow to do a better job of keeping in

contact with their friends.Last fall, at the Class of 1966 reunion, which was attended

also by members of surrounding classes, some alumni were motivated to take some action to support the university in a way that was meaningful to them, and so began the NGC Eagle Fund.

Paul Lockard ’66, who lives in Waynesboro, Mississippi, enlisted the aid of friends from his class and several others to launch a quiet, but persistent, email campaign to raise money to provide scholarships to cadets at North Georgia. His initial collaborators included Elizabeth Lord Rhodes ’66 and Les Redwine ’65, and the group expanded quickly.

When Lockard contacted university staff about their efforts, the group had already received more than $35,000 in pledges to create the NGC Eagle Fund, and the effort had grown to include the Classes of 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1968. The Class of 1969 had already established their own fund, so

they were not solicited for the new fund. A simple letter was mailed to alumni in those classes who did not have an email address that was known to committee members or to the university.

In January of this year, representatives of these four classes met in Dahlonega to determine how to proceed with fundraising and awarding of scholarships. A board of directors was formed as follows:

To date, more than $45,000 has been committed to the fund. Paul Lockard represented the group at the Military Awards Review during Parents-Alumni Weekend in April to present five $1,000 scholarships to cadets for the upcoming school year.

To make a contribution to the NGC Eagle Fund, send your contributions to the NGCSU Foundation, PO Box 1599, Dahlonega, GA 30533 and mark it for the fund. You may also give online at www.northgeorgia.org/giving and direct your gift to the NGC Eagle Fund in the comment box.

NGC Eagle Fund takes flight

Valuable gift planning information online

You’ve spent a lifetime working to make a living, and building resources (home, retirement plans, insurance, investments, etc.). What happens to all of it when you are gone? Where can you find information to help you make your plans?

North Georgia has a wealth of planning information available online that will help you get a better understanding of your options. This information is available to you at no cost or obligation through a website that is prepared and maintained for us by The Stelter Company and their staff of experts that keep the information updated with the latest IRS rules and regulations.

Check out the site at www.northgeorgia.org/giving by clicking on the “Planned Giving” link on the left, and then on the “learn more” link on the subsequent page. You will find a library of articles and brochures about estate planning and about including charitable giving as part of your estate planning.

These resources may not answer all of your questions, but they will give you better information about the options available, and help you ask the right questions of your legal or financial advisors.

A new feature available in the Planning Toolbox at the bottom of the page helps you to see the possible benefits of a gift to North Georgia in seconds using the new Gift Illustrator. With this tool, you can literally see the way your gift works.

Gift Illustrator lets you explore the benefits of giving a gift without the headache of crunching numbers. Just adjust the easy-to-use slider bars and watch your benefits update. And leave the math to us!

Perhaps you are thinking you’d like to make a larger gift to North Georgia, but you’re worried about how that decision would impact you. Gift Illustrator can help. Choose your gift amount and see the benefits immediately. Adjusting the gift size up or down is as simple as moving the slider bar.

Of course, if you want to discuss these options with us, we’d love to hear from you. Contact Bruce Howerton at 706-867-8743 or [email protected] or Jeff Boggan at 706-864-1999 or [email protected]. Find out how giving can benefit you as well as North Georgia!

Paul Lockard ’66, chairmanJim Anderson ’66Bob Danforth ’67Gary Engen ’65Tony Faiia ’68Ford G’Segner ’66

Mike Glowatch ’68Carter Haley ’67Les Redwine ’65Liz Rhodes ’66Skip Schafer ’66John Shope ’65

2012, Vol. 1 31

Wreath Fund establishes new tradition

Student leadership brings phonathon success

Imagine yourself in this scenario: You are a student at North Georgia, and your job four nights a week is to call total strangers on the phone and ask them for money. Would you sign up for that job? Every year, a dedicated group of North Georgia students do just that, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

When the economy is good, this is a tough job. In a tight economy, this can be even more difficult. This year, the announcement of the consolidation of North Georgia and Gainesville State College introduced a good bit of uncertainty in the minds of our alumni and the callers’ jobs got even more complicated.

Where can one find the leadership to work through all of this to get to a positive outcome? At North Georgia, the answer is often student leadership, and that is certainly the case with this year’s North Georgia Fund Phonathon.

Led by Jessica Harris ’12, who graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in education, a small group of callers – no more than six each night – stayed faithful to the task. Their goals were to engage alumni and others in conversation about North Georgia, answer their questions, update their alumni records, and ask for a gift to the North Georgia Fund.

Some conversations were pretty brief, especially when the person called abruptly ended the call before being asked for money. Others lasted as long as 30 minutes or more, where stories were told, memories shared, concerns addressed, and messages were sent to alumni or favorite faculty members.

During the spring semester alone, students dialed 10,569 phone numbers, attempting to reach 8,881 people. Some of these numbers were attempted multiple times. In all 1,774 constituents were reached.

Of those contacted, 33 percent gave a donation of some kind. A total of $45,071 was committed from 588 gifts. The average night brought $968 in gifts and pledges, with the highest nightly total being $3,098. The average phonathon gift was $77.

So, why is this so remarkable? From an alumni perspective, when the conversation is allowed, this is as much about strengthening relationships as about raising money. From a fundraising perspective, phoning campaigns are important

because it is the most cost-effective way to engage new donors to encourage them to begin a personal tradition of giving to North Georgia. While some people hate to be called and asked to donate, others won’t donate any other way.

The most lasting benefit of this annual effort is student leadership development. These callers spend most of their time calling people who have never made a gift to North Georgia, and who are unlikely to make a gift in the future. At least two-thirds of the calls will end with a “NO” answer – sometimes politely, sometimes not so politely.

Student callers learn the values of the university, and they learn to persevere, to celebrate small victories and stay focused on the goal. When you are so enthusiastic about your school, it’s hard to hear “NO” so often.

The student phonathon manager has to keep her callers motivated and on task. For the past two years, Harris has used the techniques she has learned for managing the classroom to keep the phoning center moving forward, and she has excelled. She has produced great results for North Georgia, but she has also grown in immeasurable ways as a leader.

So, the next time you get a call from a North Georgia student, take a moment and think about the person calling you. We hope you make a gift during the call, but even if you choose not to donate to the North Georgia Fund or some other program of your choice, at least have a little appreciation for their effort in calling you, and in the lifelong value of your response. Thanks for the conversation.

Following the success of the NGC Eagle Fund, Paul Lockard ’66 and others were inspired by a program called Wreaths Across America, and established a wreath fund at North Georgia. This simple fund provides money to purchase floral wreaths to be placed at the North Georgia memorial walls throughout the year during special occasions, such as Memorial Day, Veterans Day, etc.

Arrangements have been made with a local florist to

prepare the wreaths for display. Members of the Corps of Cadets will place the wreaths at the memorial site with the appropriate reverence for the occasion.

While this program is simple and impactful, it is not free. Distinctive memorial wreaths can cost $150 or more for each occasion. Your support of the Wreath Fund is welcomed. Please make your gift to the NGCSU Foundation and mark it for the Wreath Fund.


See the new locations, services, and vendors now located in the University Bookstore on

South Chestatee Street next to the Smith House.Uniform shop

Student Health Services, Textbooks & Print Services

(Bottom level)

Starbucks Coffee Shop

Admissions offices(Top level)

greek Apparel

Spirit Wear

C A M P U S C O N N E C T I O N

YOur universiTY BOOksTOreYOur universiTY BOOksTOre

For more information about community and cultural events, visit the online events guide at www.northgeorgia.edu/eventsguide.

For details about alumni events and activities, visit www.northgeorgia.org.Events

Upcoming

2012, Vol. 1 33

Vega String Quartet, North Georgia Chamber Music Festival

Alumni Golf Tournament

University EventsThrough July 30 Drawing the Line: The 2012 Hal B. Rhodes III Student Exhibit, Library Technology Center

June 10-29 Federal Service Language Academy: Session 1

June 15, 17, 22 and 24 North Georgia Chamber Music Festival Gloria Shott Performance Hall northgeorgia.edu/chambermusic

July 8-11 Girls Basketball Camp

July 8-27 Federal Service Language Academy: Session 2

July 10-12 Softball Camp

June 17-21 Soccer Camp: Session 1

July 15-18 Boys Basketball Camp

July 15-19 Soccer Camp: Session 2

Aug. 3 Summer Semester Commencement

Aug. 13 FROG Week begins

Aug. 20 Fall Semester begins

Sept. 6 Cottrell Speaker Series begins

Nov. 1-10 Discover Tuscany (group travel sponsored by Continuing Education)

Alumni Association EventsJune 2 Ft. Campbell, KY Area Gathering

June 8-10 Class of 1972 Reunion

Sept. 14-16 Reunion 2012 for the classes of 1965-1969

Sept. 29 Reunion for the classes of 1930s & 1940s

Oct. 6 Legacy Luncheon (during Family Weekend)

Oct. 19-21 Gold Rush Weekend and Member Receptions

Nov. 12 1st Annual Alumni Association Scholarship Golf Tournament

Office of AdvancementP.O. Box 1599Dahlonega, GA 30533

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAiDMWI

Cool RidesOne of the elements that makes North Georgia unique is the military training for our Corps of Cadets. In March, these Blackhawk helicop-ters supported a field training exercise for cadets, who were formed up on the William “Lipp” Livsey Field.

The North Georgia Leader, 2012 Vol. 1

Documents

Transcript of The North Georgia Leader, 2012 Vol. 1