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North Georgia begins True Blue tradition
Practice to celebrate the colleges successes
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Bonita Jacobs, left, president of North Georgia College & State University, talks with Jill Rayner, the school’s director of financial aid and veterans success. Rayner is wearing one of the school’s True Blue T-shirts to promote school spirit as part of an effort started by Jacobs. - photo by Tom Reed

When Bonita Jacobs moved into her new office at North Georgia College & State University, the first thing she noticed was an abundance of green.

North Georgia's school colors are blue and white.

The new president's reaction? Make every Friday a "True Blue" day — and redecorate her new home.

"A little paint around the green ceiling will help," she said. "I just want to add some symbols to this office. We have a lot of wonderful icons for this campus. ... I want to display those and make them a part of the ambiance of the president's office."

In addition, the university's public relations office created T-shirts promoting Jacobs' mission.

The shirts are royal blue with "True Blue" and the North Georgia logo on the back. All faculty and staff were given shirts at a convocation ceremony.

The shirts were paid for by North Georgia's foundation account.

"The saying evolved from a discussion we had about core values at the institution," said Kate Maine, director of university relations. "It seemed to embody all those values we try to embody as faculty and staff."

Jacobs said she wanted to celebrate the accomplishments of students, alumni, cadets and athletes at North Georgia.

"The motive is not so much for everyone to wear blue but to have a celebration of huge successes," she said.

With a student retention rate near 81 percent and one of the state's highest grade-point averages, North Georgia has a lot to celebrate, Jacobs said.

She hopes the encouragement of school spirit will increase attendance at academic and athletic events.

True Blue days garnered a lot of interest from students and faculty, even though there have only been two Fridays in the school year thus far.

Students, even though they don't have True Blue shirts, are encouraged to wear blue to promote school spirit and pride.

"There's a difference in spirit and pride. Spirit is a manifestation of pride," Jacobs said. "I've never seen a campus with more pride than North Georgia. It's a beautiful part of the country, but it's more than that. Students become part of a community. They feel very valued, and I think that contributes to why we have such a strong alumni."