The University of North Georgia (UNG) celebrated the opening of its new Blue Ridge Campus with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony Wednesday, September 16.
“You know today is a special day in the history of Fannin County and this entire region in North Georgia,” Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston said.
“This experience will equip the young people of Fannin, Gilmer, Union, Towns Counties, and the surrounding areas to compete in the global marketplace by giving them an educational experience that is second to none.”
University System of Georgia Chancellor Dr. Steve Wrigley recognized UNG President Dr. Bonita Jacobs, Ralston and Senator Steve Gooch for their efforts in bringing the campus to Blue Ridge.
“He’s been a tireless advocate for the University of North Georgia,” Wrigley said of Ralston.
Gooch also praised Ralston for his efforts.
“He didn’t accept no as an answer,” Gooch said. “He was determined to make it happen, and he knew he had to put a pin in the ground somewhere, and he did it in Fannin County.”
Gooch added that the campus allows high schoolers a chance to get a head start on their higher education at no additional cost to the student.
“A lot of students and a lot of young people in Fannin County may never get an opportunity to go to Atlanta to a bigger university system, but they can get just as good a degree and college experience right here at home as they can anywhere around the world,” Gooch said.
“This project would not be here today if it wasn’t for him (Ralston).”
UNG first debuted in Blue Ridge in 2015 with the opening of a satellite campus located on Dunbarton Farm Road.
After starting with just 18 students at the original satellite campus, the new campus is now home to approximately 232 students.
Located on Nighthawk Drive, just off of Appalachian Highway, the facility boasts over 3,500 square feet of classroom space, a computer and biology lab, tutoring space, office space and additional areas for students to relax and study.
Additionally, the campus gives students a broader selection of courses to take when compared to what the university was able to offer students at the satellite campus.
Event attendees were treated to a special graduation ceremony when Blue Ridge native and Blue Ridge Campus scholar Candace Seabolt was recognized for her achievements during the ribbon cutting ceremony.
“Today, we have the opportunity to honor Candace’s achievement,” Jacobs said.
Since a formal graduation ceremony was not possible due to COVID-19, Seabolt was honored for graduating this past spring.
Graduating Cum Laude, Seabolt earned a degree in kinesiology with a teaching certificate.
She has also been selected for the Fulbright U.S. Student Program where she will travel to Taiwan to instruct English and is the first ever to be selected for the program from Blue Ridge.