Amazing Student: Cory Amick
As an Army ROTC cadet and student ambassador for the College of Education, Cory Amick is learning firsthand the leadership skills that will take him into service for our country. After that, he'll put his physical therapy education to work by helping others recover from injury.
Hometown:
Milton, GA
High School:
Milton High School
Degree objective:
B.S.Ed. in Exercise and Sports Science
Other degrees:
Minor in Military Science
Expected graduation:
Spring 2019
University highlights, achievements, awards and scholarships:
College of Education Student Ambassador, Top Cadet in class for UGA Army ROTC (2015-2016, 2016-2017), Department of the Army Superior Cadet Decoration Award (2016, 2017), Cadet Command Sergeant Major of Bulldawg Battalion (2017), Intramural Co-ed Inner-tube Water Polo Champion (2017), Intramural Men's Ultimate Frisbee Champion (2017)
During my time so far at UGA, Army ROTC has made a huge impact on my daily life as a student. ROTC provides me with structure as well as discipline in my schedule. The training I receive guides me toward becoming a better leader and a better person. Countless early morning workouts after late nights of studying have shown me the type of commitment it takes to be a cadet and a student at the same time. The memories I have made thus far in the Bulldawg Battalion will stick with me forever.
As a student ambassador for the College of Education, I have had the unique opportunity to be the first face that prospective students meet when they come on visits, as well as a liaison between the students and faculty of the college. Being a student ambassador continues to provide me with relationships and experience that will further my development as a student and leader.
Outside of ROTC and academics, being involved in campus ministry has led me to very meaningful relationships. Joining and becoming a leader and student discipler at the University of Georgia Wesley Foundation has blessed me with many special memories. Leading a small group of freshmen my sophomore year allowed me to build lasting friendships with some of the most powerful students on this campus. Monday nights at the Wesley building and Wednesday nights in Tate Grand Hall are still highlights every week for me.
In the little free time I do have, playing on intramural teams with some of my best friends has allowed me to keep my competitive drive that so many of us lose after the completion of high school sports. Winning a championship never gets old!
Family Ties to UGA:
My Dad graduated from the University of Tennessee and did his best to raise my sister and me to follow in his footsteps. However, my sister chose UGA and I followed her to Athens shortly after. Proud to say I now bleed red and black. Sorry Dad!
I chose to attend UGA because…
Leaving high school, I knew that UGA had some of the best academics in the nation, as well as a stellar reputation for its student life. UGA offered me a spot as a contracted scholarship cadet in its Army ROTC program that allowed me to pursue my dream of serving my country while also getting a degree. I also could not ignore the football team; they played a role in drawing me in as well. Go Dawgs.
After being in Athens for close to two-and-a-half years now, I can say my favorite thing about UGA is the people that make up the Bulldog Nation.
My favorite things to do on campus are…
… going to the dining halls. Being a third year on meal plan allows me to connect with and get to know younger students, and more importantly, provides me with the best meal plan in the nation. Some of my fondest memories have occurred at the "long tables" in Bolton or at Snelling in the late hours of the night. Don't forget to go to the Niche!
When I have free time, I like…
I love spending time with my nine housemates. Living with so many guys has been a huge blessing as we walk through the college experience together. Public relations, advertising, entertainment media studies, management information systems, civil engineering, exercise science; we truly cover a large spectrum of the university. Whether it is a weekend adventure or simply playing our homemade card game "Ultralight Bean" on a weeknight, time with the boys is truly special.
The craziest thing I've done is…
Flying over Sanford Stadium in a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter my freshman year was truly an experience I will never forget. The Army ROTC program provided our entire battalion with the opportunity of a lifetime. The rush from looking out through the open doors of a Blackhawk thousands of feet in the air changed my perception on flying. UGA's campus is beautiful from above!
My favorite place to study is…
I am a big advocate of both the MLC reading room and the main floor of the science library. The reading room is quite serene and the science library is a life saver for us STEM majors.
My favorite professor is…
… Dr. Audrey Haynes. I had Dr. Haynes for political science and she found a way to interest me in a subject that I had no desire to learn. Her passion for students and understanding of her field is truly admirable. Dr. Haynes also shared my end of semester spoken word video on her Facebook page; I was honored.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would love to share it with…
… Bob Goff. Bob is the author of one of my favorite books, "Love Does." In his book, Bob tells countless stories of what love can do, relating each story back to how he believes Jesus loves us. Bob is a big fan of something called "whimsy" that I think everyone needs more of in their life. One of my favorite quotes of his is, "I want to go barefoot because it's holy ground; I want to be running because time is short and none of us has as much runway as we think we do; and I want it to be a fight because that's where we can make a difference. That's what love does." An afternoon with Bob would be an afternoon well spent.
If I knew I could not fail, I would…
… love to hike the Appalachian Trail post-graduation. Backpacking is a hobby of mine and having the assurance of completing the 2,200 miles on foot in one attempt would be amazing to have.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to…
… own a house on Copper Mountain in Colorado. Being able to walk off my front porch and onto the slopes would be a dream. I love hiking and snowboarding, so the mountains are my special place.
What is your passion and how are you committed to pursuing it?
I'm passionate about serving my country as well as helping people get back on their feet after an injury. ROTC allows me to train my leadership and decision-making skills in order to be an effective officer in the Army after graduation. Pursuing my degree in exercise science gives me a foundation of kinesiology and physiology so that I can be better prepared to succeed in a DPT program and one day help my patients/clients.
After graduation, I plan to…
I, along with others in my Army ROTC class, will earn commissions from the United States Army as second lieutenants. My service obligation to our country is eight years, differentiating depending on whether I receive active duty, Army Reserves or Army National Guard. Although I am not sure which branch I will receive, I hope to serve either as an armor or medical services officer.
I also plan to pursue my doctorate in physical therapy in order to fulfill my passion of helping people recover from injury.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will be…
My freshman year a tragedy occurred when four students lost their lives in a car crash off campus. In the following days, the campus came together as a whole to remember the lives they each lived. I will never forget the vigil that was held at Tate Plaza that consisted of thousands of students gathering in remembrance of the friends that were lost. Seeing the UGA body love and care for one another since then has been a part of my college experience that will stay with me forever.