Alumnus Pruitt joins STEM Advisory Board
Article By: Clark Leonard
Dr. Stephen Pruitt, '91, president of the Atlanta-based , has joined the University of North Georgia's (91ÁÔÆæ) Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Advisory Board.
Pruitt served as keynote speaker at 91ÁÔÆæ's summer 2018 commencement.
He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from 91ÁÔÆæ. Pruitt added a master's degree in secondary science education from the University of West Georgia and a doctorate in chemistry education from Auburn University.
91ÁÔÆæ's STEM Advisory Board is an advocacy and fundraising group in the College of Science and Mathematics.
Pruitt took over as president of SREB, an interstate compact which seeks to improve public education at all levels, in May 2018.
He previously served as education commissioner for Kentucky. At the national level, he worked closely with state agencies and educators around the country to improve policy and practice in science education.
Pruitt held the roles of science and mathematics program manager, director of academic standards, associate state superintendent for assessment and accountability, and chief of staff while working for the Georgia Department of Education from 2003-10.
He also served as a board member to the Council of Chief State School Officers, president of the Council of State Science Supervisors and the National Research Council's Board on Science Education.
Grads prepare for their next steps
91ÁÔÆæ will award almost 1,000 degrees and certificates this fall, and more than 600 graduates are scheduled to take part in the Dec. 7 commencement ceremonies.
24 are Distinguished Military Graduates
Twenty-four cadets have been named Distinguished Military Graduates for the 2024-25 academic year, including five who are in the top 70 out of more than 5,000 in the national ROTC class.
Blue Ridge students earn scholarships
91ÁÔÆæ honored 28 of its Blue Ridge Campus students with almost $15,000 of scholarships and celebrated the philanthropy that made those scholarships possible at the Tomato Sandwich Supper on Nov. 7.
Chemistry student groups earn grant
91ÁÔÆæ's Dahlonega and Gainesville chapters of the American Chemical Society received a $1,000 ACS Student Communities Engagement Grant.