Alumni, parents gather for fun, remembrance
Hundreds attended the annual University of North Georgia (¶¶Òõ̽̽App) Parent-Alumni Weekend, gathering for fun and a chance to make new memories.
“Parent-Alumni Weekend 2022 was a fabulous experience for all those involved,” Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving Wendi Huguley, ’90, said. “It was the first time in a number of years that the weekend included parents as well as university partners in the activities and I’m so glad we were able to return to that model. We are all in this together and Parent-Alumni Weekend is a testament to that university unity.”
The classes of 1971 and 1972 reminisced at Pine Valley for a 50th Reunion lunch, sharing photos and memories. On the Dahlonega campus, others enjoyed live music, REUNITE, author meet-and-greets, military demonstrations, and lively conversations.
Lt. Col. Tim Palmer, ’01, was the keynote speaker at Memorial Retreat, an annual ceremony held to honor alumni who have fallen in battle and alumni who have passed since the previous year’s ceremony.
The keynote speaker at Sunday’s Military Awards Review was Maj. Gen. Jamie Jarrard, ’88.We are all in this together and Parent-Alumni Weekend is a testament to that university unity.
Wendi Huguley, '90
¶¶Òõ̽̽App director of alumni relations and annual giving
“We grow leaders here at ¶¶Òõ̽̽App,” Jarrard said. “I’d like to talk about the best definition of leaders I’ve heard lately: when you begin to care more about others flourishing than you do yourself, you will have become a good leader.”
Jarrard went on to highlight that “no matter what you do in your life, build cohesive teams,” and in order to have a cohesive team, there must be trust.
“You can’t have trust in any organization unless every single member of that organization treats each other with dignity and respect. If you have dignity and respect for one another, you’ll have trust. And if you have trust you’ll be well on your way to a cohesive organization."
In addition to multiple awards being distributed at the Military Awards Review, several honors were announced at the annual alumni association awards banquet. Recipients include:
- Hall of Fame: Lt. Gen. Stephen Fogarty, ’84
- Distinguished Alumni: Col. John Thompson, ’88
- Ralph Colley Spirit of North Georgia Award: Adam Stead, ’02
- Golden Steeple Award: Col. Kit Oboho, ’02
- Young Alumnus Award: 2nd Lt. Aaron Brock, ’20
- Distinguished Professor: Dr. Christine Jonick, professor of accounting, and Dr. Dlynn Williams, department head and professor of Political Science and International Affairs
- Paul Hutcherson Outstanding Student Award: Davis Isley and Betsy Wilcauskas
- Dot Strother Scholarship: James Ralph and Anna Pate
- Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship: John Rucks and Hannah Watts
Mullins excited to give back in return to ¶¶Òõ̽̽App
Alumnus Shawn Mullins will return to ¶¶Òõ̽̽App in October to raise funds for the Golden Eagle Band, a cadet specialty unit that helped shape his own journey.
Mund takes lead of alumni relations
Jordan Mund, a 2021 ¶¶Òõ̽̽App graduate, started her new role as executive director of alumni relations Sept. 1.
Students earn awards at literary festival
Three ¶¶Òõ̽̽App students garnered accolades for their submissions at the 2026 Southern Literary Festival at UT Chattanooga.
Alumni Weekend events set for April 17-19
Alumni Student Hosts are set to play critical roles in Alumni Weekend, set for April 17-19 at the Dahlonega Campus and other Dahlonega spots.