University of North Georgia News

Col. Christian Durham made no secret of where he wanted to wrap up his Army career. Now, Durham is making those dreams a reality as the professor of military science at the University of North Georgia (UNG). Durham, a 2001 UNG graduate, stepped into the role in June, succeeding fellow alumnus Col. Ed Bankston. As a longtime Army officer, Durham still points back to the influence of leaders like Col. Edward Chamberlain III, Col. Butch Teston, Col. Gerald Lord, and Col.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) has partnered with the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC) to house the club's history at the Library Technology Center at the Dahlonega Campus. Jordan Shenefield, GATC History Committee chair, and Ron Hamlin, GATC History Committee member, met with UNG's Allison Galloup, head of special collections and archives, at UNG about a possible partnership in January 2024.

The Lewis F. Rogers Institute for Environmental & Spatial Analysis will host a hands-on lab in the Arts & Technology building during Next Fest. It is the first of five Next Fest events scheduled for the 2026-27 academic year and can best be described as an academic festival and community open house. Meagan Lafferty will be returning to the University of North Georgia's (UNG) Gainesville Campus living out the dream UNG helped her unlock.

Roughly 240 young men and women were part of the latest Freshmen Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week class at the University of North Georgia (UNG) Aug. 2-8. Grace McGill, brigade commander of the UNG Corps of Cadets, led their week-long experience. They brought total Corps of Cadets enrollment to 750. McGill, a senior, took the helm at the end of the spring 2026 semester.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) athletic teams will aim to keep the Nighthawks' momentum rolling this fall. Both UNG soccer teams earned regular-season Peach Belt Conference (PBC) championships in 2025, marking the first such title for the men's team. The women's team set a program record with 18 victories. The teams each feature key returnees as they aim to keep climbing.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) and the Dahlonega Literary Festival will welcome readers, writers, educators, students, and community members from across the region for the third annual North Georgia Regional Book Fair from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Convocation Center. "More than a celebration of books, the event reflects a growing commitment to literacy, storytelling and lifelong learning across north Georgia," said Dr. Laura J.

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) College of Education is launching a Bachelor of Science in Education in special education this fall in collaboration with four other University System of Georgia (USG) schools. A consortium of professors from UNG, Augusta University, Columbus State University, Georgia Highlands College, and Georgia Southern University will deliver the program through USG's eCampus platform.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) Woofer Quartet walked away with first place in the chamber music competition at the 23rd annual International Euphonium Tuba Festival (IET), held June 14–20 at Emory University. More than 170 musicians from around the world celebrated excellence in low brass performance and education. The event was created by Dr. Adam Frey, professor of music and low brass, and he has served as host for the past 22 years. "This is a fantastic accomplishment," Frey said.

The works of three students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of English were recognized for their excellence during the Southern Literary Festival at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, held April 9-11. There were students from 18 other universities from around the Southeast. Theodore Lopata's poem "Attachment Styles" won first place in the poetry category. Lopata graduated in May with a degree in English with a concentration in literature and a minor in linguistics.

The works of three students from the University of North Georgia (UNG) Department of English were recognized for their excellence during the Southern Literary Festival at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, held April 9-11. There were students from 18 other universities from around the Southeast. Theodore Lopata's poem "Attachment Styles" won first place in the poetry category. Lopata graduated in May with a degree in English with a concentration in literature and a minor in linguistics.