The Gainesville State College Humanities and Fine Arts Division recently sponsored a drive for troops from the 310th PSYOP Company from Fort Gilliam who are serving in Afghanistan.

Volunteers filled 36 boxes with toiletries, snacks, magazines, books and DVDs that will be sent to the soldiers. They were sent 373 holiday cards and letters.

And thanks to the generosity of faculty, students and staff at the college, the cost of shipping, which was more than $750, was also paid for.

The drive was initiated in honor of the son of a GSC faculty member. Jacob Worthington, son of Leslie Worthington, assistant professor of English, is a soldier in the U.S. Army and is attached to the unit in Afghanistan.

Nathan P. Turk graduated from the Army ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course, also known as Operation Warrior Forge, at Fort Lewis, Tacoma, Wash.

Although continued military training and leadership development is included in the curriculum, the primary focus of the course is to develop and evaluate each cadet's officer potential. Cadets in their junior and senior year of college must complete the leadership development course, and upon completion of the course, the ROTC program and graduation from college, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army, National Guard or Reserve.

Turk is a student at North Georgia College & State University in Dahlonega. He is the son of Milton G. and Vikki A. Turk of Flowery Branch.