North Georgia College & State University SGA President Pickens Receives Potts Leadership Award
Atlanta — August 8, 2012
North Georgia College & State University SGA President Patrick Pickens
This year’s recipient of the Regent Willis J. Potts Student Advisory Council (SAC) Leadership Award is Patrick Pickens, the second-term Student Government Association president at North Georgia College & State University (NGCSU) in Dahlonega, a unit of the University System of Georgia.
“Pickens is very committed to the student body of North Georgia College & State University and the institution’s success, as well as the University System as a whole,” said Tonya Lam, USG SAC advisor.
The Cumming, Ga. resident is a rising senior majoring in chemistry and biology. Pickens is also conducting undergraduate research in biochemistry, while serving on several campus-wide committees, including the Campus Consolidation Implementation Committee for NGCSU and Gainesville State College.
“I am incredibly blessed to receive an award named for Regent Potts–someone that leaves a lasting impression upon first meeting him. His leadership in the state of Georgia is something that I strive to emulate and look up to”, said Pickens. “NGCSU has provided me with an environment that cultivates leaders and pushes students to their utmost potential.”
The award is in its third year, and this marks the second time a NGCSU student has been selected for the honor. The award was established in 2009 by SAC, an advisory council composed of student government association presidents at all USG institutions. The SAC membership named the award in honor of Potts’ leadership, service and commitment to University System students.
Each year the membership of the SAC anonymously votes for one its members that has attended at least three SAC conferences or sponsored events and exhibited strong leadership in the organization. The student must also demonstrate knowledge about the USG, its policies and operations. And finally, the student must be open, honest, respectful of others and enthusiastic in the engagement of all SAC activities and conferences.
The Student Advisory Council was formed in 1968 and provides a forum for communications between University System students, the chancellor, the board, state officials and the public. The council promotes better student government at institutions and discusses issues affecting USG students.
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