Blue Ridge Community College proudly recognizes its EMS graduates, joined by their instructors. Front Row (left to right): Virginia Purdy (Lead Paramedic Instructor), Brandy Weatherly, Hannah E. Treglia, Marissa L. Livingston, Haley M. Hrabar, Veronica M. Hanks and Priscila L. Casas. Back Row (left to right): Jeffrey W. Corn, Kanan Banks, Matthew T. Schultz, Casey Elliott (EMS Clinical Coordinator) and Daniel Wesley (EMS Program Director). Photo by Rich Keen.

Blue Ridge Honors Public Safety Graduates in Combined Dec. 10 Ceremony

Published December 10, 2024

Featured photo: Blue Ridge Community College proudly recognizes its EMS graduates, joined by their instructors. Front Row (left to right): Virginia Purdy (Lead Paramedic Instructor), Brandy Weatherly, Hannah E. Treglia, Marissa L. Livingston, Haley M. Hrabar, Veronica M. Hanks and Priscila L. Casas.
Back Row (left to right): Jeffrey W. Corn, Kanan Banks, Matthew T. Schultz, Casey Elliott (EMS Clinical Coordinator) and Daniel Wesley (EMS Program Director). Photo by Rich Keen.

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Blue Ridge Community College hosted a combined Public Safety Training graduation ceremony on Dec. 10 to honor 17 graduates now ready to serve the public. The event honored students who completed the August 2023 to December 2024 Paramedic cohorts and the July 2024 to December 2024 Firefighter Academy. Training and serving public safety professionals across Western North Carolina has long been an important role of the College.

Blue Ridge President Dr. Laura B. Leatherwood commended the graduates for their chosen career paths and remarked that the community needed these professions more than ever this year.

“In the aftermath of the hurricane, our nation witnessed the importance of Western North Carolina’s first responders in real-time,” said Dr. Leatherwood. “Across our community and region, Blue Ridge alumni and faculty were among the heroes who answered the call, providing life-saving care and extraordinary leadership during search and rescue efforts.”

The afternoon ceremony included a keynote by Cornelius D. Huff, mayor of the Town of Inman, South Carolina, and a presentation of class awards. Remarks were also given by class representatives and faculty of each program.

Learn more about the Public Safety Training programs of Blue Ridge Community College at www.blueridge.edu/public-safety.

Paramedic Graduates
Kanan Banks
Priscila L. Casas
Jeffrey W. Corn
Christopher T. Dotson
Veronica M. Hanks
Haley M. Hrabar
Marissa L. Livingston
Matthew T. Schultz
Hannah E. Treglia
Brandy Weatherly*

Firefighter Academy Graduates
Jeremiah Callahan
Grant M. Faulkner
Christian T. Hansen
Jonah Jakubielski
Justin Q. Laughter
William Pettit*
Juan P. Rodriguez

*Class Representative

Blue Ridge Community College congratulates its Fire Training graduates on Dec. 10, 2024.
Blue Ridge Community College congratulates its Fire Training graduates, pictured with their instructors. Front row, left to right: Michael Ostrander (Instructor), Christian T. Hansen, Justin Q. Laughter, Jeremiah Callahan, Jonah Jakubielski, and Frankie Laughter (Instructor). Back row, left to right: Grant M. Faulkner, Juan P. Rodriguez, and William Pettit.