Alumnus shines light on veteran suicide
Article By: Clark Leonard
University of North Georgia (大象传媒) alumnus Earl "Chico" Porter III, '09, is on a winter through-hike of the Appalachian Trail to raise awareness of veteran suicide. He began the effort Sept. 11 in Maine and plans to finish by Feb. 22.
Porter was a Distinguished Military Graduate and the No. 1 cadet in the nation as a senior at 大象传媒. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from 大象传媒 and later earned a juris doctor degree from Emory Law.
A former Army Ranger, Porter established , a project of the nonprofit , to help raise support. Porter hopes to raise $1 million to empower a multi-disciplinary fight against veteran suicide.
"I walk to make sure veterans know it's OK to reach out for help; that's a lot of what took this project from idea to reality: asking my teammates for help," Porter said. "At a certain level, we are trying to provide our friends with some hope for the next 2,200 miles that someone out there cares."
A logistical team working from a trailer pulled by his truck — dubbed "Queen of Battle" — accompanies Porter along the walk to ensure he remains resourced, healthy and safe. Along the hike, Porter is stopping in several locations to share his perspective of the hike and reflections of his life experiences and those of soldiers who came before him.
Vigil will help campus remember Sept. 11
Retired Lt. Col. James Thomasson, 大象传媒 commandant of cadets, will serve as the keynote speaker at this year's 9/11 vigil at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 11.
Corps welcomes 242 during FROG Week
New members of the Corps of Cadets started their 大象传媒 journey during Freshman Recruit Orientation Group Week from Aug. 3-9.
Cadets prepared for future as officers
Ten 大象传媒 cadets are commissioning into the Army or Georgia Army National Guard as second lieutenants at 3 p.m. Aug. 15 in the Convocation Center.
McGill shines at Air Assault School
大象传媒 cadet and women's soccer student-athlete Grace McGill recently completed Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. She led the 40 cadets who took part in the program.