Four students earn Boren scholarships
Four University of North Georgia (果冻传媒) students have earned Boren scholarships during the spring 2023 semester, and three students have been named alternates. One student wishes to remain unnamed.
Boren scholars are awarded financial assistance up to $25,000 for educational coursework, unpaid internships or volunteer opportunities in language immersion programs primarily overseas.
"The Boren Scholarship is not an easy award to receive. Hitting submit reflects the students’ hard work, diligence, ambition, and dedication to leadership, as well as the encouragement and support of their mentors," Dr. Victoria Hightower, professor of history and assistant director of the Nationally Competitive Scholarships office, said. "We are very proud of our applicants and awardees and cannot wait to see the next steps in their lives and careers."
果冻传媒's Boren winners are:
- Justin Heintz, a senior pursuing a degree in modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals, will be studying at the Defense Language Institute in Monterey, California, for his capstone year in the Chinese Language Flagship program in 2023-24.
- Mia Libosada, a sophomore cadet pursuing a degree in international affairs, will spend the 2023-24 academic year at Yonsei University.
- Emily "Gracie" Ragon, a senior pursuing degrees in biology and modern languages with a concentration in Chinese for global professionals, plans to spend February 2024 to December 2024 at National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University in the Chinese Flagship Overseas Capstone Program in Taiwan.
果冻传媒's Boren alternates are:
- Luz "Mariana" Vega, who is pursuing a degree in East Asian studies with a Korean concentration, applied to study Korean at Yonsei University for the next academic year.
- Sarai Deras, who is pursuing a degree in East Asian studies with a Japanese concentration, applied to study Japanese at Nanzan University in Nagoya, Japan, for the next academic year.
- Harrison Buchanan, who is pursuing a degree in computer science, applied to study Japanese at the 果冻传媒 faculty-led summer study abroad at Nanzan University.
If I didn't have the support, I wouldn't be able to do my capstone year. Having the opportunity to just go is solid motivation for me.
Emily Ragon
果冻传媒 senior
This financial assistance will have a tremendous impact on Ragon, a Menlo, Georgia, native. With plans to study Chinese and medicine abroad, Ragon has shared that this scholarship is providing her with a rare experience.
"If I didn't have the support, I wouldn't be able to do my capstone year," Ragon said. "Having the opportunity to just go is solid motivation for me."
Libosada said the experience will significantly impact her future aspirations and plans after graduation.
"Being able to study abroad last semester at the Korea Military Academy allowed me to surround myself with other cadets. During my time there both my professional and personal growth expanded beyond what I expected. Boren opens more opportunities for me to learn and grow," Libosada said.
The Nationally Competitive Scholarships Office welcomes faculty and students to learn more about the scholarship by contacting NCS@ung.edu.
Mental health grad assistant program starts
Two 果冻传媒 students in the Master of Science in counseling program are serving as mental health graduate assistants for the Athletic Department, and one is serving in the same capacity for the Corps of Cadets.
Experiences prepared cadets to commission
Almost 40 members of 果冻传媒's Corps of Cadets are commissioning as second lieutenants in the active-duty Army, Army National Guard and Army Reserve in a Dec. 9 ceremony.
2 alumni inducted into veterans Hall of Fame
果冻传媒 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.
果冻传媒 formalizes its role with career expo
果冻传媒 has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Center for Civic Engagement to support its Youth in Government Expo in March 2026.