How a 19th-century agricultural branch became Georgia's military college

History · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: In 1873, a small group of 177 students began classes in a repurposed U.S. Mint building. Today, this institution has transformed from a local agricultural branch into a massive, multi-campus university and one of only six senior military colleges in the United States.

The University of North Georgia (UNG) traces its roots to 1873, when North Georgia Agricultural College opened in Dahlonega. Founded through funds from the Morrill Act, the college was the brainchild of local congressman William Pierce Price, who convinced the University of Georgia to establish a branch in his birthplace. The inaugural class consisted of 177 students—98 men and 79 women—making it the first coeducational college in the state.

The institution's identity has shifted significantly over the decades. While it began with an agricultural focus, the name was shortened to North Georgia College in 1929. The university's military character, though present since its inception due to land-grant requirements, expanded notably following the National Defense Act of 1916. Following a period as a two-year junior college starting in 1932, the school was reinstated as a four-year institution in 1946, bolstered by veterans using GI bill benefits.

The modern UNG is a product of a 2013 merger between North Georgia College & State University and Gainesville State College. Now the sixth-largest public university in Georgia, it operates five campuses: Dahlonega, Oakwood (Gainesville), Watkinsville (Oconee), Blue Ridge, and Cumming. The university maintains a significant military presence, with over 600 students participating in the ROTC program annually, and holds the official designation of 'The Military College of Georgia.'

Beyond its military traditions, the university is a complex academic network. It offers over one hundred bachelor's and associate degrees, alongside thirteen master's and one doctoral degree. Its campuses serve diverse needs, from the Dahlonega campus's focus on pre-professional programs to the Cumming campus's mission to provide access to previously underserved local residents.

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