More than 600 graduates were honored at UNG’s Dahlonega Campus in a pair of commencement ceremonies on December 16 at the university's Convocation Center.
The first ceremony had Carvil Chalk,’94, a deputy director for aviation technology for the U.S Army, address graduates for the school’s College of Arts & Letters, College of Science & Mathematics, Lewis F.Rogers Institute for Environmental and Spatial Analysis, and University College.
“Walk out of this place today determined to serve others in humility,” Chalk said.
Carlee Blankenship, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with a pre-law concentration, served as the student speaker at this first ceremony.
Graduates from the school’s College of Education, College of Health Sciences and Professions, and Mike Cottrell College of Business were addressed by Dr. T. Sloane Guy. Director of minimally invasive and robotic cardiac surgery at the Georgia Heart Institute at Northeast Georgia Health System.
"Each of you stands at the crossroads of possibility. As you step into the world beyond these academic walls, I implore you to consider the profound impact you can have by aligning your passion with the needs of others," Guy said.
For this second ceremony, Louisa Schlesiger, who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in management, served as a student speaker.
"Find your purpose and what makes you happy, and strive toward that. Remember that luck still requires preparation to meet opportunity,” Schlesiger said.
Savannah Whitmire, a Flowery Branch resident, earned a Master of Accountancy after completing her Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from UNG in the summer of 2022. She received the Chantal and Tommy Bagwell Scholarship as an undergrad.
"The only reason I stayed in school during COVID-19 was the Bagwell Scholarship. It was so hard," Whitmire said. "When I see other students struggling with various things, I try to point them to scholarships."
Whitmire also stated that UNG’s accounting career fairs helped lead her to internships and jobs in the field. She now plans to work for Mauldin & Jenkins, the place she gained experience as a student.
"The UNG student culture in the accounting program is wonderful," Whitmire said. "It's how I learned how to work with other people."
