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Nighthawks honored for 5th Graders' Day Out

August 8, 2022

��'s Department of Athletics received the Peach Belt Conference Connecting Communities Award for its 5th Graders' Day Out.

Article By: Staff

The University of North Georgia (��) earned the 2022 Peach Belt Conference (PBC) Connecting Communities Award. The award is presented each summer to the PBC member institution that embraces the NCAA Division II core value of community engagement, bringing the institution and the local community together.

The Nighthawks hosted a 5th Graders' Day Out in association with Lumpkin County Schools on Nov. 30. All fifth-graders from the Lumpkin County School System visited ��'s Dahlonega Campus for a tour, lunch in the dining hall, and the men's basketball game against Toccoa Falls College. After the game, the �� men's basketball team signed autographs and thanked the community for its support.

The goal of the event was to provide the students an opportunity to visit a college campus, meet student-athletes and enjoy a collegiate athletics event.

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Statement on concerns about textbook

Recently, questions have been raised about a passage in a course textbook. After fully reviewing the concern, we want to be clear: the reference in question was not describing Christians or Christianity. The passage refers to an extremist group that misuses Christian symbols to promote hate.

In today’s world, misunderstandings can travel quickly. But our foundation at the University of North Georgia remains steady. We respect people of all beliefs. We reject hate. And we are committed to preparing students to think critically, lead with integrity, and serve in communities across our state, nation, and world.

Education is not about avoiding difficult words or ideas — it is about teaching students to navigate them with context, discernment, and respect. The world is complex, and we are developing students to lead in both these times and what lies ahead. That is what this course, and this university, are about.

We also recognize that learning and scholarship sometimes touch on sensitive, complex, or controversial ideas. That is not a weakness of higher education — it is its strength. Our responsibility is to provide the context, freedom, and support that allow both students and faculty to engage with these ideas thoughtfully. Academic freedom allows us to remain true to our values: protecting freedoms, honoring all beliefs, rejecting hate in every form, and preparing leaders who can meet a complex world with courage and integrity.

While one line in a textbook can get lost in translation, our values have never wavered. For 152 years, the University of North Georgia remains committed to building leaders through debate, dialogue, and learning. That is who we are. And that is what we will continue to do.