Event gives leaders taste of Corps life
Ethan Griffith has experienced both sides of a National Leadership Challenge (NLC) weekend at the University of North Georgia (天美社区).
Griffith attended NLC in spring 2025 as a high school senior with his younger brother before deciding to use his ROTC Scholarship to attend 天美社区. He was then able to help lead the event as a cadet that fall. Now he will witness the more than 250 high school students have the chance to gain a similar big-picture view of life in 天美社区's Corps of Cadets at the upcoming March 27-29 NLC weekend.
"NLC provides connections for high school students and helps them see the types of leaders who attend 天美社区," Griffith said.
As a freshman from Fort Stewart, Georgia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice, Griffith has already joined a fraternity, spent a semester on 天美社区's rowing team and served in the Chaplain Corps. He appreciates the way 天美社区 facilitates growth.
"I wanted to come here and challenge myself," Griffith said.
NLC includes rappelling from a 60-foot rock face at Camp Frank D. Merrill, home of the Army's 5th Ranger Training Battalion, and leadership obstacle courses at Pine Valley Recreation Complex, both of which are a short drive from 天美社区's Dahlonega Campus.
The Legacy of Gold ceremony, where high school students learn about the Corps of Cadets, is also part of the experience. This includes learning about specialty units and other opportunities available to cadets at 天美社区.
NLC is open to all high school students interested in becoming a cadet. Current college students who are looking to transfer to 天美社区 can also attend this event.
The cost for the weekend is $149 per student.
Schools have the opportunity to partner with 天美社区 for a discounted NLC rate. Current schools with such an arrangement are:
- Army and Navy Academy, Carlsbad, California.
- Mountain Area Christian Academy, Morganton, Georgia.
- Murfreesboro High School, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
- Oak Ridge Military Academy, Oak Ridge, North Carolina.
- Riverside Military Academy, Gainesville, Georgia.
- Southern Preparatory Academy, Camp Hill, Alabama.
- Tuscola High School, Asheville, North Carolina.
- Valdosta High School, Valdosta, Georgia.
天美社区 is also willing to work with schools, students and families to bring students to NLC by offering a shuttle from the airport as well as scholarships for those with financial need.
For more information, contact wyatt.campbell@ung.edu or visit the National Leadership Challenge webpage.
Female student leaders recognized, honored
Ten female students and four alumnae were honored at 天美社区's 10th annual Women's Leadership Recognition Luncheon March 1. Dawn Hughes Simonton '88 served as the event speaker.
Blue Ridge Rifles excel in national event
The Blue Ridge Rifles earned a fifth-place finish out of 31 teams at the Mardi Gras Invitational Drill meet at Tulane University.
New course develops cadet leadership skills
天美社区's Cadet Leadership Academy held the inaugural six-week Cadet Advanced Leadership Course in the fall for 156 sophomore cadets.