Congressman Rich McCormick Visits University of North Georgia Dahlonega Campus

DAHLONEGA, GA - Congressman Rich McCormick visited the University of North Georgia Dahlonega Campus (UNG) this week, engaging with cadets, students, faculty, and university leadership. The visit focused on military readiness, national security, leadership development, and educational innovation.

Congressman McCormick began his day at Radar Ridge, where he joined the cadets from the Corps in their morning physical training. He then joined the UNG Cadet Leadership Academy (CLA) leaders and cadets for breakfast at the Military Leadership Center. The Congressman got the opportunity to divulge in insightful conversations about cadet successes and plans to expand their programs.

"As a Marine, seeing the dedication and discipline of the young cadets at UNG is truly inspiring. It was an honor to join them for their morning training and speak with many of them one-on-one about their goals and future aspirations",said Congressman Rich McCormick. "I'm proud of the grit, determination, and leadership emerging from Georgia's 7th Congressional District. I have no doubt these young men and women will go on to accomplish great things-and I look forward to watching their journey unfold. Semper Fidelis".

"Working out with Congressman McCormick showed me that leaders lead from the front,"said Jaleyn Baker, a senior cadet serving as the Commander of the 1st Battalion of the UNG Boar's Head Brigade Corps of Cadets. Baker will be graduating in May and Commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Military Police Corps, with hopes of becoming an Army JAG Officer.

Throughout the visit, Congressman McCormick participated in a series of in-depth briefings and roundtable discussions centered on national defense, cutting-edge STEM innovation, and the development of tomorrow's leaders; pillars that define UNG's mission as Georgia's premier military college.

"It was incredibly impactful to discuss the mission, work, and vision of the University of North Georgia today with Congressman McCormick. We spent the day outlining our vision to disrupt the American higher education value proposition and ultimately deliver a university that doesn't exist",said UNG President Michael Shannon."UNG is not in the business of selling college degrees - we are in the business of shaping courageous, purpose-driven leaders who meet this moment in history with grit, service, and impact. We are setting the conditions to deliver not just higher education, but higher purpose. We appreciate the collaboration and support from Congressman McCormick and his team."

The visit also highlighted UNG's growing partnerships with industry and government agencies. Congressman McCormick toured the Mike Cottrell College of Business, where he engaged in a discussion with CyberHawk students, and visited the Institute for Peak Performance, an emerging hub for human-performance research that supports both ROTC cadets and NCAA athletes.

"The University of North Georgia is a powerhouse for leadership development and national service,"said Congressman McCormick."It was an honor to meet with such driven cadets and students who represent the best of what Georgia and the nation have to offer."

The day concluded with a strategic roundtable in Price Memorial Hall, where university leaders and local officials discussed expanding broadband in rural North Georgia and increasing ROTC scholarship opportunities for first-generation college students. Both initiatives, McCormick noted,"tie education directly to economic resilience and national preparedness."

Congressman McCormick's visit reinforced UNG's status as one of the nation's top leadership institutions and deepened collaboration between Georgia's 7th Congressional District and the state's senior military college.