In honor of the largest graduating class in the history of the College, Blue Ridge Community College hosted two in-person graduation commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 14. This spring, 299 graduates earned 321 credentials, including 218 degrees, 97 certificates, and six diplomas, according to a news release from BRCC.
During her opening remarks to the graduates, BRCC President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood lauded them for persevering to reach the milestone day.
“You’ve gained the tools and the know-how to make things happen,” she said. “You’ve shown the determination to achieve. Now, there is no limit to what you can accomplish. You did the hard work, and now you will have the credentials to prove it.”
Commencement speaker and Blue Ridge Trustee Jim Rasmussen concluded his address with a challenge to practice gratitude.
“A thankful mindset helps us have a more positive impact on others. A thankful mindset helps us see a brighter future. A thankful mindset helps us reach for that brighter future,” he said.
During the ceremonies, two individual graduates were honored for earning prestigious academic awards. Grant Billingsley was honored for his selection as Blue Ridge Community College’s Academic Excellence Award winner, and Paralee Cox was recognized for earning the North Carolina Community College System’s Dallas Herring Achievement Award.
Leatherwood also expressed pride in those who worked to instruct and support the graduates along their journeys.
“This is a proud moment,” she said to the graduates, “and not just for you, but for your friends, your family, your scholarship donors, and your instructors. They invested in you, believed in you, hoped for you, and cheered for you.”
A link to the graduation ceremony video will be available by Tuesday, May 17. For more information, visit blueridge.edu/graduation.
The list of student graduates included:
Buncombe County
Catawba County
Clay County
Cleveland County
Cumberland County
Haywood County
Henderson County
Hoke County
Jackson County
Montana
Polk County
Rutherford County
Transylvania County
Wake County
Watauga County
Yancey County
