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Featured photo: Student Jennifer Cornett and donor Lois Mikrut share a laugh at the Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon. Photo by Rich Keen. A full gallery of photos from the event is available.
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On Thursday, November 20, the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation hosted the fall 2025 Scholarship Appreciation Luncheon. This event gathered more than 200 supporters, donors, graduates, students, community partners, and Blue Ridge team members to celebrate a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives and communities.
Over the past decade, Educational Foundation donors have funded more than $6.4M in student scholarships.
Dr. Chad Merrill, executive vice president and chief operations officer, welcomed attendees, including Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk, to the luncheon.
“To our students: thank you for choosing Blue Ridge as the starting point for your academic and career journeys. Your drive and resilience inspire us every single day, and it is a joy to honor your hard work and achievements,” said Dr. Merrill. “To our donors: your generosity and steadfast commitment make a profound difference. In a time when our region is still rebuilding and recovering from last year’s hurricane, your support is more essential than ever.”
First Bank served as the College’s Student Success Sponsor. Chris Youngblood, senior vice president for First Bank, reiterated the importance of investing in education before inviting everyone to enjoy their lunch.
As the meal came to an end, Executive Director of the Blue Ridge Community College Educational Foundation Jamie Wiener explained the mission of the foundation, which offers scholarship and emergency aid. Wiener then introduced student speaker Allison Whitmire.
Whitmire, a nursing student, shared her reasons for choosing Blue Ridge.
“The first was everything I kept hearing about the excellence of this school, not just in reputation but in the lived experiences of students who came before me. From the updated modalities like state-of-the-art simulation equipment and immersive learning environments to the day-to-day guidance from faculty who truly care, Blue Ridge offered a richness of education that I knew would prepare me for the kind of nurse I hope to become,” said Whitmire.
She also offered heartfelt thanks to the donors for their philanthropy.
“Your generosity allows students like me to focus on learning, growing, and preparing to serve our community with compassion, skill, and integrity,” said Whitemire. “To everyone who contributes to this program, including our donors, our leaders, our faculty, and the people who make Blue Ridge what it is, thank you. Your investment creates a ripple effect that reaches far beyond us as students. It touches every patient we will ever care for.”
Following Whitmire’s speech, Peyton Holland, executive director of the National Technical Honor Society, delivered an inspiring and energetic keynote address. He urged scholarship recipients to pursue clarity in their identity and the impact they hope to make, to act with courage, remain committed to their goals, and consistently demonstrate strong character. Holland also emphasized the power of community in creating positive change.
“What we in this room can do together when we are aligned around those four Cs—clarity, courage, commitment, and character—can change lives, stories, and communities now and hundreds of years down the road,” he said.
Wiener closed the event with gratitude to Blue Ridge educators, board leadership, students and donors.
“To our donors, your generosity and belief in our mission have made a profound impact, not only on our scholarship recipients but on so many lives represented in this room today. With each gift you make, you are leaving a legacy that has a ripple for generations to come,” Wiener said.
Each year, Educational Foundation donors support student success by funding classroom equipment and supplies, more than 200 local scholarships, emergency financial aid, and more. More information about the Foundation and how to support its mission is available online at www.blueridge.edu/foundation.