Twenty-four University of North Georgia (UNG) cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates (DMG) for the 2024-25 academic year, including five who are in the top 70 out of more than 5,000 cadets in the national ROTC class. 

UNG's DMGs are: Benjamin P. Anderson, Wyatt E. Blount, Levi J. Bohannon, Asher H. Brinke, Jacob D. Buchholz, Brandon A. Clark-Davidson, Jaden X. Clark-Davidson, Sawyer C. Davis, Joseph E. DiSarli, Charles S. Forbes, Grace C. Gooden, Dylan P. Green, Justin P. Howard, Colt P. Hyams, Paul A. King, Andrew C. Moreshead, Charles M. Newsome, Izabella K. Power, Aiden J. Quinn, Derek J. Roach, John B. Robinson, Blaine A. Rogers, Tyson A. Rumley, and Lawson J. Willard.

"We are extremely proud of the excellence our DMG cadets have displayed during their time in the Corps of Cadets. This honor is a testament both to their hard work and the great job of our cadre in developing them," Col. Ed Bankston, professor of military science, said. "We look forward to seeing their continued success as leaders in our Army." 

DMGs are commissioning cadets who finish in the top 20% of Army ROTC graduates on the national Order of Merit List by achieving superior grade-point averages, strong performance in the Army Combat Fitness Test, and proving their worth as exceptional leaders in their college ROTC training. The DMG designation will remain on their Army record throughout their military career. 

Howard, a senior from Dallas, Georgia, pursuing a degree in finance, serves as deputy brigade commander for operations. He ranks No. 18 nationally among graduating ROTC cadets for 2024-25. Robinson (No. 20), Brinke (No. 32), DiSarli (No. 41), and Brandon Clark-Davidson (No. 66) are also in the top 70 cadets nationally in their class. 

"It's difficult to fully grasp, especially considering the number of cadets who competed," Howard said. "But I can confidently say that the Corps of Cadets has been instrumental in shaping my path to success. The mentorship, training and discipline I've received have given me the skills and confidence to compete at the highest level. I owe much of that to the Leadership Development Program." 

Rumley, a senior from Monroe, Georgia, pursuing a degree in criminal justice with a concentration in forensics, is the brigade commander for UNG's Corps of Cadets.  

"UNG pushes us to be the absolute best that we can be. From the day we get here, they tell us we're going to perform and be the best at Advanced Camp," Rumley said. "Seeing my peers ranked this highly makes me proud. It's about peer leadership and pushing each other." 

Rumley's goal is to be in the Army's aviation branch. He transferred to UNG during the pandemic with plans to transfer to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point or the Air Force Academy. 

"I fell in love with the program here and earned a three-year Army ROTC Scholarship," Rumley said. "The Corps of Cadets has made me who I am today." 

Buchholz, a senior from Brunswick, Georgia, pursuing a degree in biology with pre-medicine advising, is the Second Battalion commander for the Corps of Cadets. He serves as commander of Scabbard and Blade national honor society.  

Buchholz's aim is to branch into the Medical Service Corps and eventually apply for medical school and become an orthopedic surgeon for the Special Forces. He said his goals are grounded in a pursuit of servant leadership. 

He knows UNG has given him a solid foundation. 

"UNG is the best leadership lab of anything you could do in this world. It's challenged me academically and with my personal skills, interacting with others and making decisions on the fly," Buchholz said. "It showed me how much I have in the tank when I think I'm done. It pushed me farther than I ever thought I could go." 

Gooden, a senior from Smithfield, Kentucky, pursuing a degree in communications with a concentration in organizational leadership, earned a commission as a second lieutenant in the Georgia Army National Guard from Georgia Military College and transferred to UNG to complete her four-year degree. Gooden originally wanted to be a police officer before deciding on the Army. 

"I've observed a lot of the ways the cadre here interact. It's made me realize how I want to lead my soldiers," Gooden said. "They've taught us the most effective ways to be a leader in the military." 

Moreshead, a senior from Atlanta, Georgia, pursuing a degree in strategic and security studies with a concentration in international affairs and a Russian minor, said his father's service as a Ranger and in Special Forces inspired him to serve. He pointed to an internship in the country of Georgia, Poland and Armenia and a Project Global Officer opportunity to learn the Russian language in Latvia as two of the highlights of his time in the Corps of Cadets. He encourages others to see how the Corps can develop them. 

"Get out there. Be involved. Get active and introduce yourself and meet people. Connections go a long way," Moreshead said. "UNG's alumni network is very powerful, and it's helped me a lot."