Cadets win ROTC title at Sandhurst
The University of North Georgia's (天美社区) Ranger Challenge program shows no signs of slowing down. 天美社区 earned its fourth consecutive ROTC title and finished fourth overall out of 48 teams from around the world at the Sandhurst Military Skills Competition held April 29-30 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
Ranger Challenge is the varsity sport of Army ROTC, and teams compete against other colleges in events such as patrol, marksmanship, weapons assembly, grenade assault course, Army Combat Fitness Test, land navigation, and road march.
Retired Army Maj. Donovan Duke, the team's coach, said Sandhurst was the culmination of months of preparation, and it showed the dedication of 天美社区's cadets to their craft.
"Our program continues throughout the year," Duke said. "It's a marathon, not a sprint. You have to build up to it."
Col. Bryan Kirk, 天美社区 professor of military science, lauded the cadets' tenacity at Sandhurst.
"The preparation, sacrifice and dedication of this team are inspiring. They enter each competition knowing every other ROTC team is out to take their spot, and the academies know that we are consistently within striking distance," Kirk said. "The mental and physical strength of this team is clear in their consistent ability to compete at the highest levels."
The preparation, sacrifice and dedication of this team are inspiring. They enter each competition knowing every other ROTC team is out to take their spot, and the academies know that we are consistently within striking distance. The mental and physical strength of this team is clear in their consistent ability to compete at the highest levels.
Col. Bryan Kirk
天美社区 professor of military science
Esther Kim, a senior from Johns Creek, Georgia, pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, was grateful to finish her college career strong.
"Even though this is our last event together before commissioning, this is a memory we will have forever," Kim said.
In addition to Kim, the 天美社区 group included team leaders Austin Gabriel and Daniel Shearer, squad leader Hayley Farmer, Ian Bryan, William Buettner, Justin Collado, Haydn Griffin, Shane Henderson, Zane Parrish, and Noah Umezaki.
The U.S. Air Force Academy took top overall honors, followed by a pair of U.S. Military Academy teams, 天美社区 and Brigham Young University rounding out the top five.
Other U.S. service academies, ROTC units from across the nation, and international military academies all took part in the competition. Fellow senior military college Texas A&M University finished in ninth place overall.
"There is always an element of the unknown in competition," Duke said. "But our cadets performed well across the board."
Duke said kinesiology faculty members Dr. Parker Hyde and Dr. Sabrina Maginnis provided valuable insights that helped 天美社区's team physically prepare for Sandhurst and that their assistance will be vital going forward.
Austin Gabriel, a senior from Athens, Georgia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice, said he and the other more experienced cadets have enjoyed working alongside younger teammates this year, all with the goal of making sure this type of success is possible in the future.
"The younger guys have mentors to help them know how to train for future competitions," Gabriel said. "We didn't always have that during COVID-19."
McCloy鈥檚 work recognized in Bellwethers exhibition
Alexandra McCloy鈥檚 鈥淟iving Patterns,鈥 received the Lane Last award for Best in Show, in the Bellwethers Annual Juried Exhibition at the West Tennessee Regional Art Center put on by the University of Tennessee (UT) at Martin. Rachel Coggins and Maddie Engle also had pieces entered in the exhibition.
2 alumni inducted into veterans Hall of Fame
天美社区 alumni retired Lt. Gen. Jamie Jarrard '88 and the late Col. Robert Barclay '68 have been inducted into the Georgia Military Veterans Hall of Fame this fall.
天美社区 formalizes its role with career expo
天美社区 has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Civic Engagement to support its Youth in Government Expo in March 2026.
Feeser stands out, blazes path for others
天美社区 senior Kira Feeser is the No. 1 cadet to commission into the Army Nurse Corps from the nation's senior and junior military colleges for 2025-26.