Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. Laura Leatherwood, left, presents the College’s Academic Excellence Award to graduating student Grant Billingsley, right. (Photo courtesy of the Blue Ridge Community College Marketing and Communications Department.)
Blue Ridge Community College Class of 2022 graduate Grant Billingsley will receive the College’s Academic Excellence Award during the spring commencement on May 14. Billingsley was selected in January to represent Blue Ridge as part of the statewide academic program.
Academic Excellence Awards recognize and encourage scholarship among the students of the North Carolina Community College System. Students are honored who have set the highest possible goals and attained the pinnacle of academic success.
A 26-year-old graduating with an Associate of Arts degree, Billingsley credits Blue Ridge’s flexibility with his success.
“Even though working a full-time job and taking a full course load have been very difficult, I have been successful in my studies thanks to the faculty at Blue Ridge Community College,” he said.
Billingsley overcame his challenging schedule and went on to graduate with a 3.9 Grade Point Average. He said the College’s online offerings were critical in helping him succeed.
“Blue Ridge’s program offered the flexibility I needed to succeed in spite of my crazy schedule,” he added.
According to Billingsley, the instructor who made the largest impact on his life was Arts and Sciences adjunct instructor Eric Williamson. Billingsley described Williamson as genuinely passionate, knowledgeable, and inspiring.
After graduating from Blue Ridge Community College, Billingsley plans to continue his education at a university and work toward a psychology degree.