Blue Ridge event celebrates scholarships

The University of North Georgia (UNG) honored 32 students with about $15,000 of scholarships and celebrated the philanthropy that made those scholarships possible at the sixth annual Tomato Sandwich Supper held Sept. 28 at UNG’s Blue Ridge Campus.

“Congratulations to our students. Thank you to our generous donors,” UNG President Michael Shannon said. “Thank you for changing these students’ lives. We are a beacon here. We bring opportunity.”

Scholarship winners included:

• Georgia Mountain Opportunities Scholarship: Easton Chancey, Hallie Dilbeck, Alex Edwards, Irena Faber, Ian Haggerty, Laney Hensley, Mark Hartman, Emily Holmes, Tancy Lua-Bedolla, Mileidi Martinez-Garcia, Anna McClure, Maria Jancinto Ramirez, Joshua Taffin, Taylor Thompson, and Kaeden Twiggs.
• South State Bank Scholarship: Nola Chester, Whitney Childers, Mollie Corum, Lily Davenport, Hunter DeMar, Tyler Ensley, Hayden Marcum, Jeffrey Perlin, Torrie Reed, Isaiah Rudd, and Tristan Siler.
• G. “Bob” Howe Memorial Scholarship: Gracey Greene.
• Sandra H. Mercier Education Scholarship: Anna Rhodes.
• Claude Williams & Virginia Quintrell Merit Scholarship: Ashlyn Burger, Madison Mitchum and Melody Wade.
• Blue Ridge GeoScience Scholarship: Dylan Shope.

Wyatt Nicholson, a sophomore from Haslet, Texas, pursuing an associate degree in business administration, serves as Student Government Association (SGA) vice president at UNG’s Blue Ridge Campus. After being familiar with the area from family vacations in previous years, Nicholson has thrived at UNG.

“I feel so cared for in the most comforting way,” Nicholson said. “This community has embraced me and made me feel at home.”

Greene, a freshman from Blue Ridge, Georgia, pursuing an associate degree in kinesiology, expressed her gratitude for both the community at the Blue Ridge Campus and the scholarship she received.

“It’s a big blessing,” Greene said. “I hope God blesses you the way you’ve blessed me.”

Torrie Reed, a sophomore from Ellijay, Georgia, pursuing a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education, serves as SGA elections chair.

“We are truly a family on the Blue Ridge Campus,” Reed said. “Being able to work and live at home makes college affordable.”

Jacqueline McKee, coordinator for Academic Success Services at the Blue Ridge Campus, recalled her initial frustration at being accepted to the Blue Ridge Campus instead of another UNG campus as an undergraduate student. At that point, the campus was still at a temporary site. In 2020, UNG opened the stand-alone Blue Ridge Campus and plans to open its campus expansion in fall 2024.

McKee completed her bachelor’s degree in human services delivery and administration at UNG and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in human services delivery and administration. She can see now how important starting her college journey in Blue Ridge was.

“I was in exactly the place I needed to be, and I had no idea how this place would change my life,” McKee said.

Earlier in her time as a graduate student, she served as Personal Enrichment, Action and Knowledge Series (PEAKS) coordinator. PEAKS is a collaborative program of the Institute for Healthy Aging, the Blue Ridge Campus and the community. It offers free weekly presentations and workshops designed for adults 55 and older to create and connect a community of lifelong learners and doers. Now, McKee gets to help students like herself.

“It is an honor to be able to plant a tiny seed,” McKee said. “I’m so glad I get to share my story with them and help them figure theirs out.”