BRCC celebrates largest graduating class in college's history
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
Gregory Banks, Nursing
Ellie Burris, Associate Degree Nursing
Kristy Darkes, Interpreter Education
Jessica Garcia-Lopez, Associate Degree Nursing
Rhiannon Hanners, Associate Degree Nursing
Emilee Harper, Teacher Preparation
Sydney Interlicchia, Emergency Medical Science
Ryan Kay, Horticulture Technology
Russell Knox, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Frank Lambert, Fire Protection Technology
Kamya Latson, Esthetics Technology
Brianna Lloyd, Esthetics Technology
Darion Lovette, Welding Technology
Lauryn McDaris, Human Services Technology
Sara Mitchell, Interpreter Education
Justin Morgan, Fire Protection Technology
Jasmine Muckelvene, Esthetics Technology
Brenna Paxton, Interpreter Education
Skye Ray, Visual Arts
Isaac Renegar, Automotive Systems Technology
Jared Russell, Information Technology-Computer Programming & Development
Aimee Schott, Nursing
Virginia Todd, Business Administration-Basic
Carlos Torres, Business Administration, Business Administration-Leadership Studies
Catawba County
Sarah Armstrong, Esthetics Technology
Clay County
Miranda Trapp, Office Administration
Cleveland County
Brianna Plummer, Associate Degree Nursing
Cumberland County
Klijah Mitchell, Interpreter Education
Haywood County
Anna Cleaveland, Esthetics Technology
Zachary Ohs, General Occupational Technology-Pre-Paramedic
Henderson County
Michael Absher, Business Administration-Public Administration
Norman Allen, II, Criminal Justice Technology
Sydney Allison, Associate Degree Nursing
Payton Allman, Early Childhood Education-Preschool
Lisbet Alvarez, College Transfer
Michelle Anderson, Teacher Preparation
Nelly Arzate-Garcia, Business Administration-Graphic Design
Moira Asheland, Accounting & Finance
Jolie Bakken, College Transfer
Heather Barker, Visual Arts
William Barnwell, College Transfer
Brennan Bastian, College Transfer
Isaac Bayne, Fire Protection Technology
Caroline Bellamy, Esthetics Technology
Grant Billingsley, College Transfer
Matthew Blevins, College Transfer
Araceli Bradford, Manicuring & Nail Technology
Carin Bradley, Business Administration-Graphic Design
Christopher Bradley, Welding Technology
Tiffany Bradley, Associate Degree Nursing
Christopher Branche, Automotive Systems Technology
Hannah Brennan, College Transfer
Davis Brinson, Welding Technology
James Burgess, Horticulture Technology-Landscape
Cameron Burrell, Criminal Justice Technology
Lyle Cadorette, Information Technology-Network Management
Desire Campbell, Esthetics Technology
Jayden Carter, College Transfer
Jeremy Carter, Interpreter Education-Fundamentals of ASL
Carl Caudle, Jr., Brewing, Distillation, & Fermentation
Evelin Chimalpopoca Mancilla, College Transfer
Nicole Cid-Hernandez, College Transfer
Kevin Colin-Solano, Theatre
Marissa Connelly, Film & Video Production Technology
Paralee Cox, Surgical Technology
Savannah Crist, Cosmetology
Jacob Dagenhardt, College Transfer
Matana Dalton, Business Administration, Business Administration-Leadership Studies
Michael Dalton, College Transfer
Shanterria Davis, Esthetics Technology, Manicuring & Nail Technology
Mikenna DiChistofaro, College Transfer, Early Childhood Education-Preschool
Breanna Dobbins, Associate Degree Nursing
Amber Dobbs, College Transfer
Glenn Dudas, Automotive Systems Technology
Madalynn Elliott, College Transfer
Hunter Elms, Associate Degree Nursing
Candace Fowler, Nursing
Lori Franklin, Accounting & Finance-Payroll
Vincent Franklin, College Transfer
Chelsea Fritog, Human Services Technology
Glenda Galsim, Associate Degree Nursing
Greta Gessler, College Transfer
Sara Gibbens, Associate Degree Nursing
Thomas Gilmore, Human Services Technology, College Transfer, Human Services Technology
Sandy Gonzalez-Villanueva, College Transfer
Emily Guevara, Business Administration-Basic
Jason Gunn, Fire Protection Technology
Aidan Hackett, College Transfer
Morgan Hart, Teacher Preparation
Kimberly Hembree, Accounting & Finance
Jeremiah Higginbotham, College Transfer
Alexandra Hradilova, College Transfer
Justin Huggins, Associate Degree Nursing
Michelle Huggins, Accounting & Finance
Caren Hutchinson, Interpreter Education-Fundamentals of ASL
Sergio Islas, Office Administration
Danielle Jeffery, College Transfer
Chloe Johnson, Cosmetology
William Johnson, Welding Technology-Basic Welding
Matthew Jones, Film & Video Production Technology
Ian Kantner, College Transfer
Joshua Karpee, Mechanical Engineering Technology
Rachel Karst, Associate Degree Nursing
Anthony Kross, College Transfer
Ryan Lagadi, Information Technology-Support & Services, Accounting & Finance-Bookkeeping I
Jacob Lamar, Computer-Integrated Machining
Nohely Lara Villa, College Transfer, Business Administration-Basic
Dharma Larto, College Transfer
Kimberley Laughter, College Transfer
Emma Ledbetter, College Transfer
Josue Ledezma-Martinez, College Transfer, Business Administration-Basic
Jessica Lemieux, Business Administration-Banking & Finance
Isabella Lepore, Esthetics Technology
Jonathan Little, Associate Degree Nursing
Brianna Lopez, Early Childhood Education-Preschool
Giselle Lopez, Cosmetology
Natalie Lopez-Luis, College Transfer
Kevin Maldonado Velazquez, College Transfer
Dawn Maniscalo, Accounting & Finance-Bookkeeping I
Dominique Marzan, Esthetics Technology
Gloria Mata, College Transfer
Jonathan McCarty, Accounting, Accounting & Finance-Bookkeeping II, Accounting & Finance-Payroll
Hailey McCrain, College Transfer
Shannon McDermott, College Transfer
Heather McDugald, Esthetics Technology
Hannah McIntyre, College Transfer
Stephanie McKinney, Esthetics Technology
Molly McMinn, College Transfer
Wanda McMinn, Accounting & Finance
Natalie Mendoza, Esthetics Technology
Emily Messer, Surgical Technology
Kaitlyn Mizer, Early Childhood Education
Daisy Moffitt, College Transfer
Soemy Morales-Miranda, Manicuring & Nail Technology
Aiden Nelsen, College Transfer
Ella Neve, College Transfer
Cristina Nieto-Lopez, Early Childhood Education
Dustin Norris, College Transfer
Sofia Olguin, College Transfer
Vanessa Orihuela-Rico, College Transfer
Aliz Ortiz-Lopez, College Transfer
Nicholas Oursler, College Transfer
Galadriel Patrick, College Transfer
Taylor Peace, Associate Degree Nursing
Makayla Phillips, College Transfer, Accounting & Finance-Core
Austin Pierce, Computer-Integrated Machining
Gray Pinkston, College Transfer
Joseph Pittman, Welding Technology
Seneca Price, Associate Degree Nursing
Amber Pridmore , College Transfer
Elizabeth Prince, Human Services Technology
Hannah Queen, College Transfer
Angel Ramirez, College Transfer
Jordan Rector , College Transfer
Citlali Resendiz Trejo, Associate Degree Nursing
Kolby Rice, College Transfer
Candice Rogers, Office Administration
Richard Rorvig, Associate in General Education
Sidney Rowland, College Transfer
Quinekwa Rudisill, Esthetics Technology
Erin Rummel, Business Administration
Ashley Saltz, Teacher Preparation
Jasmine Santana, College Transfer
Jessica Saunier, Esthetics Technology
Syd Shawver, Welding Technology
William Shepherd, Jr., Pharmacy
Noah Shumway, College Transfer
Benjamin Sitton, Automotive Systems Technology
Jared Sitton, College Transfer
Jillian Smith, College Transfer
Jennifer Soto-Landaverde, College Transfer
Gabrielle Spearman, College Transfer
Emily Stafford, Office Administration-Medical Office
Katheryn Stowe, College Transfer
Jennifer Szad, Business Administration-Graphic Design
Jay Taylor, Welding Technology-Multiple Plate Welding
Samantha Taylor, College Transfer
Marianna Tinoco, Criminal Justice Technology
Cielo Vera, Film & Video Production Technology
Madylin Vess, College Transfer, Nursing
Brittany Waldroup, Accounting & Finance-Bookkeeping I
Jansen Walker, Associate Degree Nursing
Elizabeth Wall, Business Administration-Graphic Design
April Ward, Associate Degree Nursing
Alex Watson, Associate Degree Nursing
Theodore Whitsett, Associate Degree Nursing
Kassidi Wilkie, Associate Degree Nursing
Jordan Williams, Welding Technology
Matthew Williams, Business Administration-Marketing & Retailing
Luke Wilson, College Transfer
Heath Wines, College Transfer
Kami Yates, College Transfer
Dakota Youngblood, Mechatronics Engineering Technology
Justin Youngblood, Automotive Systems Technology-Auto MAST Level I
Samantha Zaldaña, Early Childhood Education-Teacher Preparation
Jennifer Zaragoza-Solano, College Transfer
Hoke County
Amy Figgs, Office Administration
Bianca Harold, Interpreter Education
Jackson County
Faith Potts, Interpreter Education
Montana
Aimee Murdock, Interpreter Education-Fundamentals of ASL
Polk County
Paula Aguilera-Johnson, Business Administration
Audrey Aveline, Esthetics Technology
Daniel Barrett, Information Technology-Network Management
Brittany Britton, College Transfer
Bethany Bruce, Early Childhood Education-Career Entry
Ashley Bryant, Early Childhood Education-Preschool
Tequilla Cribb, Esthetics Technology
Lacey Hannah, Manicuring & Nail Technology
Akaisha Hayes, Business Administration
Bethany Koniarczyk, Associate Degree Nursing
Michael McEntee, Criminal Justice Technology
John Overton, Film & Video Production Technology
Eric VanAntwerp, College Transfer
Shelby Wells, Associate Degree Nursing
Rutherford County
Lora Bailey, Office Administration-Office Specialist
Anastasia Brownfield, Associate Degree Nursing
Jordan Chapman, Criminal Justice Technology
Transylvania County
Jenna Aiken, College Transfer
Biancamaria Arredondo-Walsh, Office Administration
Jennifer Boldin, Information Technology-Data Management
Vicki Brogden, Office Administration-Medical Office
Lucas Brooks, Information Technology-Support & Services
Talyn Clark, College Transfer
Derek Clement, Associate Degree Nursing
Cole Combs, Computer-Integrated Machining-CNC Milling Operator, Computer-Integrated Machining-CNC Turning Operator
Claire Dysart, Associate Degree Nursing
Matthew English, Computer-Integrated Machining
Natalie Fletcher, Visual Arts
Justine Folston, Automotive Systems Technology-Chassis Technician, Automotive Systems Technology-Driveline Performance, Automotive Systems Technology-Electrical/Electronic Technician, Automotive Systems Technology-Engine Performance, Automotive Systems Technology-Mobile Equipment Technician
Heather Goede, Information Technology-Computer Programming & Development
James Gravely, Information Technology-Network Management
Richard Grissom, Associate Degree Nursing
Joshua Hoxit, Horticulture Technology
Karie Jones, Nursing
Miles Loomis , Welding Technology-Basic Welding
Makenna Mann, Associate Degree Nursing
Garrett Norris, Welding Technology
Madison Riffe, Associate Degree Nursing
Vanessa Roberts, Accounting & Finance-Payroll
Victor Sims, Computer-Integrated Machining-Machinist Entry
Cindy Suarez-Alarcon, Criminal Justice Technology
Baxter Swicegood, College Transfer
Sydney Tomlin, College Transfer
Abby Warren, College Transfer
Langston Wilkes, Horticulture Technology
Wake County
Christopher Clark, College Transfer
Watauga County
Rhiannon Shuman, College Transfer
Yancey County
Emma Benfield, College Transfer
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: BRCC celebrates largest graduating class in college's history