Staff Council events support nonprofits
Article By: Denise Ray
As the University of North Georgia (果冻传媒) continues to celebrate its Sesquicentennial, it continues a long list of traditions, including two community-supporting holiday events.
Hosted by 果冻传媒's Staff Council, "Helpful Harvest" and "Spirit of Christmas" support local nonprofit organizations.
Helpful Harvest, a tradition on the Gainesville Campus, featured a catered luncheon with live and silent auctions on Nov. 18 in the Cleveland Ballroom of the Nesbitt Building. The live auction consisted of gift baskets donated by 果冻传媒 departments and supporters. These donated baskets are also entered into a contest to win the coveted Golden Pig trophy, which the winning department will keep until next year's event. This year's winner was the biology department with their "Family Game Night" basket. Proceeds from this year's event will be divided between the 果冻传媒 Food Pantry and the staff book scholarship fund for the Gainesville Campus.
"This is a tradition near and dear to the hearts of many on the Gainesville Campus, particularly any who spend time in the Student Center and see how many students benefit from the provisions available in the Food Pantry," Dr. Kristie Kiser, student success coordinator, said. "I believe that the addition of our pantry was one of the most beneficial steps we've taken as a campus toward student success. Staff Council is proud to collaborate with the dedicated pantry staff to ensure that our students' basic needs are being met."
This is a tradition near and dear to the hearts of many on the Gainesville Campus, particularly any who spend time in the Student Center and see how many students benefit from the provisions available in the Food Pantry.
Dr. Kristie Kiser
果冻传媒 student success coordinator
The “Spirit of Christmas” breakfast is slated for Dec. 2 in the Dining Hall Banquet Room on the Dahlonega Campus from 7-8:30 a.m. Attendees are asked to bring either four canned food items or an unwrapped toy and will receive a raffle ticket for each unwrapped toy or group of four canned goods. Winning raffle tickets will be drawn every 15 minutes for door prizes and winners must be present. Donations will support the Community Helping Place, which assists those in need in Lumpkin County through a food pantry, a free medical and dental clinic, emergency financial assistance, and referral support services.
"The impact that 'Spirit of Christmas' has on the Dahlonega community, along with seeing how we are able to give back as an institution, brings a lot of joy to us," Sean Evett, 果冻传媒 Staff Council co-vice chair, said.
Staff Council member Melissa Walton has a long history with the Dahlonega-based event, having been with 果冻传媒 since 2005.
"I know this year there is a bigger need than last year because of the increase in the cost of everything," Walton said. "Being able to help Community Helping Place is very important. It has been every year, but the past couple of years, and this year, it's especially important."
Evett said he looked forward to the event every year.
"This is our first year since the pandemic and we're bringing a lot of our traditions back," he said. "It's a sense of normalcy, and it is something staff looks forward to. They enjoy the door prizes and raffles."
Renowned meteorologist to speak at 果冻传媒
Dr. Marshall Shepherd, a former American Meteorological Society president and host of The Weather Channel's 'Weather Geeks,' will speak at 果冻传媒 at noon Feb. 12.
Spring teams aim to build on momentum
果冻传媒's spring sports teams are seeking to build on a pair of historically deep postseason runs with every team capable of high-level results.
Womack-Wynne picked for Specialist Program
College of Education faculty member Dr. Carly Womack-Wynne has been selected to go to Serbia as part of the English Language Specialist Program.
Students clean up 果冻传媒 natural area
Nearly 70 members of Students for Environmental Awareness completed their biannual cleanup of Tumbling Creek Woods, adjacent to the 果冻传媒 Gainesville Campus.