Cadets excel at Advanced Camp
This summer, 93 University of North Georgia (天美社区) rising senior cadets completed the Army's Advanced Camp at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
天美社区's Corps of Cadets students excelled in the five-week Advanced Camp where U.S. Army Cadet Command tested their military and leadership skills. This allowed Cadet Command to assess their proficiency as future officers. Camp is required for all cadets who seek a military officer commission.
Seventeen 天美社区 cadets earned the Recondo badge, which is awarded to cadets who display superior skills by exceeding the standards in all camp activities.
"The superb educational environment at 天美社区, coupled with leadership-forming opportunities within the Corps of Cadets, molds the reliable foundation of success for our Boar's Head Brigade cadets," Col. Bryan Kirk, 天美社区 professor of military science, said. "The dedication of our faculty and staff not only teaches their field of study, but also how to think. This prepares cadets to encounter and react to new and unknown situations."
天美社区 cadets on the commissioning track complete Leadership Development Program (LDP) throughout their junior year in preparation for Advanced Camp. Cadet Capt. Addilyn Koonce, a senior from Stuutgart, Germany, pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese language and literature, will serve as Charlie Company commander for 2022-23.
Nighthawk cadets are dependable and consistent whether we send 95 or 135 cadets to camp. Their confidence in adverse situations while in a field training environment or leading and making decisions while participating in training events is remarkable.
Col. Bryan Kirk
天美社区 professor of military science
"When I got to Advanced Camp and was doing these tasks, I felt like I was prepared. I felt comfortable because I had already done it at 天美社区 through LDP," Koonce said. "It helped me be more confident with the challenges I faced."
Cadet Capt. Michael Blumthal also thrived on the high-pressure scenarios.
The senior from Sugar Hill, Georgia, pursuing a degree in management with a concentration in supply chain and logistics management, will serve as Headquarters Company commander in 2022-23.
"It throws you into an environment you're not comfortable with. It tests who you are as a person and how you interact with other people," Blumthal said. "It taught me to be flexible with my leadership styles and how to motivate people to get specific tasks done."
天美社区 also had 13 students attend Cadet Advanced Individual Training this summer in a variety of disciplines.
Kirk, entering his second year at 天美社区, said the university's cadets always rise to the occasion at trainings like Advanced Camp.
"天美社区 cadets' ability to consistently perform within a high band of excellence across multiple year groups and at scale continues to impress me," Kirk said. "Nighthawk cadets are dependable and consistent whether we send 95 or 135 cadets to camp. Their confidence in adverse situations while in a field training environment or leading and making decisions while participating in training events is remarkable."
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.
天美社区 raising the bar with Corps facilities
天美社区's Corps of Cadets celebrated the topping out of Wynne-Mathews Military Science Center, set to open in fall 2026, with a beam-signing Nov. 7.