No Bulldog Barks Alone: UGA Student Builds Community Through Dawg Camp 

For Brady Hawkins, a first-year student from Watkinsville, Ga., college is not just about classes, it is also about connection. As a student in the Moorehead Honors College with a double major in marketing and international affairs and a minor in French, Hawkins has wasted no time getting involved at the University of Georgia. But one experience stands out among the rest: Dawg Camp. 

“I did Dawg Camp Discovery last summer,” said Hawkins. “It is a fun way to get acclimated to UGA while learning about their traditions and resources.” 

After attending as a camper, Hawkins knew he wanted to return the following year as a counselor. In this role, Hawkins will lead a small group of incoming students through activities designed to ease the college transition.  

“Students get to build close connections before they arrive on campus,” he explained. “Being a counselor means I get to help new students build those close bonds before they even unpack their dorm.” 

The experience is not just meaningful for new students; it is transformative for counselors too.  

“This group is a really strong community,” Hawkins said. “When I am around people who care this much, it pushes me to level up too. I’ve grown as a leader and as a teammate.” 

Beyond Dawg Camp, Hawkins is active in many corners of campus life. He is a brand strategist for the Talking Dawg agency, which he has been a part of since his junior year of high school. 

He was also vice president of the Russell Community Council, where he planned events for the more than 1,000 residents in their hall. He coordinated with other members on his team to bring their ideas to life and host unforgettable events.  

“Putting in that effort is really rewarding,” he said. 

Brady summed up his appreciation for the connections he has made on campus with one of his favorite mottos: “No Bulldog barks alone.” 

As he looks to the future, Brady is already thinking about what’s next. As he continues in his career at UGA, he hopes to get more involved with University Transitions. Once he graduates, he hopes to make a difference on a global level, working for the United Nations. 

Until then, Brady remains focused on building community—one camper, classmate, and counselor at a time.