UNG : About 600 Graduates Collect Degrees At Fall Ceremonies

Oconee GA

21 December, 2021

10:36 AM

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Press release from University of North Georgia: Staff December 20, 2021 Before he enrolled in college, Rocco Ranallo had quite a few labor-intensive jobs including landscaper. But he didn't want to spend his life in a back-breaking career. "I wanted a better future for myself," Ranallo said. "I didn't see a future in landscaping, and I knew I could give back to society through earning a degree." The 36-year-old from Blairsville, Georgia, can see a future now thanks to his bachelor's degree in cybersecurity from the University of North Georgia (UNG). Ranallo was one of about 600 graduates UNG honored during commencement ceremonies Dec. 17-18 on UNG's Dahlonega Campus. All graduates heard words of wisdom from three familiar faces. Dr. Katherine Adams, assistant professor of social foundations and leadership education in the College of Education; Dr. Timothy May, associate dean of the College of Arts and Letters; and Dr. Bryson Payne, professor of computer science in the Mike Cottrell College of Business, were the keynote speakers for the three commencement ceremonies. Each speaker noted the graduates' resilience to continue their degrees amid the COVID-19 pandemic and commended them on completing their educational journeys. May said with their degrees the graduates now have a "super power." "A degree tells people you know how to learn," he said. Ranallo said he learned from Payne and other computer science faculty. "Everyone at Student Accessibility Services on UNG's Gainesville and Dahlonega campuses made sure I had everything I needed to succeed," Furey said. "I've also really enjoyed interacting with the professors, because they genuinely care about their students and the courses they teach." Furey's college experience was not easy. Because of his muscular dystrophy, Furey faced several medical obstacles along the way. "I was on my way to take a final exam when I went into respiratory failure," he said. He was placed on a ventilator and spent months in an intensive care unit, forcing him to withdraw from UNG in 2011. He returned in 2014 and earned his associate degree a year later. A longer commute to the Dahlonega Campus prompted Furey to suspend his education for a few years. He thought about returning in late 2019, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted the plan. When courses transitioned to fully online, Furey saw a beacon of light. He registered for a full load of classes in fall 2020 and earned his computer science degree  this fall. "I've been working on getting my degree for a while, so it really feels like I've reached the end of a long journey," Furey said. "I will take a well-deserved break for a couple of weeks during the holidays. Then I plan to apply for software engineering jobs at a few companies and government agencies." "Thanks to the UNG faculty and staff, I got an internship this semester with Mass Mutual as an information security consultant," he said. "Now, I have a full-time job lined up for January." UNG also honored 95 Bachelor of Science in Nursing students with a pinning ceremony Dec. 18 after the final commencement. These nurses will be able to help fill the gap of the current national nursing shortage. "These graduates are prepared to provide the care and compassion people need in these difficult times," Dr. Carolynn DeSandre, dean of UNG's College of Health Sciences and Professions said. "We are grateful for the impact they will make in their communities." This press release was produced by University of North Georgia. The views expressed here are the author's own.