Graduation end of chapter for students, Hansford

DAHLONEGA –  During the standing-room-only commencement ceremony on Dec. 17 in Memorial Gym, North Georgia College & State University President Nathaniel Hansford conferred degrees on 216 graduates. Dr. Linda Roberts-Betsch, interim vice president for Academic Affairs, presented Hansford, who retired at the end of December after serving as the university's president since 1999, with a replica of the Presidential Medallion.

Dr. Donna Gessell, associate professor of English and director of Graduate Studies and External Programs and winner of the Alumni Association's 2004 Distinguished Professor Award, advised the graduates to "stay in touch" during her commencement address.

"Connections matter. Much of our lives is about relationships. However, I also urge you to stay in touch in less obvious ways – forging connections beyond the university. Stay in touch with our mission of leadership. Value the skills which enable you to develop yourselves and others as influential citizens."

The stage was adorned for the first time with new commencement banners, each representing the four NGCSU schools. The University Relations staff developed the banners in collaboration with the academic deans.

	Mark Howarth (left) , alumni director, presented NGCSU President Nathaniel Hansford and his wife Frances with the NGCSU Alumni Association's Golden Steeple Award.

Hansfords honored at campus retirement reception

DAHLONEGA – North Georgia College & State University President Nathaniel Hansford and his wife Frances were honored by faculty and staff members at a Dec. 1 retirement reception in the Pennington Military Leadership Center on campus.

Recognizing both Hansfords for their many contributions to the university, administrators spoke fondly and humorously of their memories during the five and one-half years of Nathaniel Hansford's presidency.

Faculty and staff contributed to a gift for the Hansfords. Dr. Philip Luck of the psychology & sociology faculty announced that the campus community's combined contributions have been added to the scholarship established in honor of Hansford by the NGCSU Foundation.

"You could have given us nothing else that would have pleased us more," Hansford said in his remarks thanking the faculty and staff for their friendship and support.

Jeff Boggan, director of the NGCSU Foundation, said that the development office on campus would especially miss Frances Hansford, a "great development officer," along with her husband.

"Together, they brought friends and family connections for the benefit of NGCSU," Boggan said.

Mark Howarth, alumni director, presented each of the Hansfords with the NGCSU Alumni Association's Golden Steeple Award.

New Appalachian Studies Center hosting regional meetings

DAHLONEGA – The new Appalachian Studies Center at North Georgia College & State University is hosting a series of town hall meetings across north Georgia, January through March. The ASC, developed through a grant received by Dr. Alice Sampson, focuses on preserving and promoting the Appalachian culture.

Funded in part by the Appalachian Regional Commission, the purpose of the meetings is to invite and collect public input for the design of an Appalachian Studies Center for the state of Georgia. Attendees will discuss current and future activities, projects, and venues concerning Appalachian life. Topics may include community leadership, economic growth, health, education, and culture.

The NGCSU Appalachian Studies Center serves the region's local communities, Georgia and its citizens. Interested individuals or groups are invited to attend any and all meetings. The meetings all start at 6:30 p.m. and the schedule is as follows: Jan. 1l, Sautee Naccochee at the Sautee Nacoochee Center; Jan. 18, Dahlonega at the Park and Recreation Center; Jan. 25, Calhoun at the Calhoun Depot; Feb. 8, Dahlonega at the Buisson Arts Center; Feb. 15, Lavonia at the Lavonia Depot; Feb. 22, Bremen at the Rock Building; and March 1, Ellijay at the United Community Bank of Gilmer County.

For further information, please contact Casey LaFrance, ARC Intern, 706-633-7546 or Alice Sampson, ASC grant director, 706-864-1540.

Graduation and commissioning on Dec. 17 at North Georgia
University graduates Gainesville College administrator and U.S. Army officers
 

	Donna Gessell

DAHLONEGA – Donna Gessell, the winner of the 2004 Distinguished Professor Award presented by the Alumni Council of North Georgia College & State University, will be the speaker at the Dec. 17 Commencement Ceremony. The NGCSU associate professor of English is also the director of Graduate Studies and External Programs.

The event takes place at 7 p.m. in the Memorial Gymnasium on campus, with 246 students receiving degrees.

At 3 p.m. on Dec. 17, about a dozen members of the Corps of Cadets will be commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army as they graduate from North Georgia. The event takes place in the auditorium of the Health & Natural Sciences Building on campus.

Debbra Pilgrim

Among North Georgia's graduates is Gainesville College Interim Vice President for Business & Finance Debbra Pilgrim. A GC employee for seven-and-a-half years, the Cleveland, Ga., resident will receive her bachelor of business administration degree.

"Debbra Pilgrim is an outstanding example of the benefits offered by NGCSU to develop students' confidences and leadership," said GC President Martha Nesbitt.

"While earning her BBA from North Georgia through the Gainesville College University Center, Debbra has served Gainesville College as an excellent director of accounting. She was also well prepared to assume the responsibility of vice president for Business and Finance in an interim capacity."

Pilgrim, the mother of two children with husband Terry, finished school while facing personal tragedy when her oldest son, Eric, was killed in a car accident earlier this year.

One of the graduates who is commissioning as an officer in the U.S. Army is Marina Currie of Virginia Beach, Va. Currie left home to come to North Georgia because of its reputation as a challenging senior military college, one of the nation's six, and now she will go on active duty and see other parts of the country and the world. She elevated herself through the ranks in the military program and through the student newspaper, where she became the editor her senior year.

"I've worked with many dozens of student workers in my 29 years of college admissions work and Marina really stands out," said Robert LaVerriere, director of NGCSU Undergraduate Admissions. "She will represent North Georgia well and I'm sure she'll be an asset to the Army. I can assure you that the people in her charge will never forget her."

Currie will receive her bachelor's degree in mathematics, with a minor in physics, and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery Corps.

This page last modified on: Monday, 31 January 2005 17:18:56 -0500 by University Relations    

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