UNG honors Blue Ridge scholarship recipients

Nunez spoke of moving from California to Georgia in the past few years and pursuing her lifelong passion for art. After painting her first mural at the Highland Outdoor Ministry Skate Park in Blue Ridge, she was inspired to enroll at UNG this fall with the goal of earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in visual arts degree.

"Growing older has only made me realize how short life is, and if you really love something, you should pursue it," Nunez said. "My dream is to paint big walls around the world, to help others bring their visions to life, to build the connections and inspire others to create the art they would like to see in the world. I would like to thank the donors and UNG for supporting an artist's dream and reassuring me that it's never too late to create the life you want."

Rice, a sophomore from Turtletown, Tennessee, pursuing an associate degree in agriculture, said the in-state tuition waiver for counties close to the Georgia border and scholarships have made his education more accessible. He expressed gratitude to donors for showing their faith in the students to make a difference in their communities.

"I have been able to afford college and live here in an area that I love so much. People have always viewed this region of Georgia with great potential ever since they put State Route 515 back here. But what they see as potential, we see as home," Rice said. "This entire region is growing by leaps and bounds, and many students like me are getting our education here and want to make a difference right here - some as nurses, some as teachers, and some like myself, we don't know what we're going to do yet."

Ponders, a First-Generation college student from Ellijay, Georgia, pursuing an associate degree in business administration as he prepares for a career in construction management, noted how UNG is changing the trajectory of his life and family. In a rural area where graduating high school usually means heading straight into the workforce, Ponders is blazing a different path.

"I never imagined myself just following along with the societal norms," Ponders said. "Ever since I can remember, I've dreamed of making an impactful difference within my family and the north Georgia community."

Thanks to mentors like Dr. Nathan Price, interim campus lead of the Blue Ridge Campus and associate professor of political science and international affairs, Ponders is thriving as part of a caring community. His experiences inside and outside the classroom give him confidence about what comes next.

"As I've networked and learned here at UNG, I've pushed myself further and further out of my comfort zone and into a whole new world I couldn't imagine two years ago," Ponders said.

Sutton, a sophomore from Blairsville, Georgia, pursuing an associate degree in behavioral sciences, said having professors who care so much about him learning what he needs to know has been transformative.

"It's almost like a tight-knit family," Sutton said. "We all appreciate the love and support that you give for us to experience this."

Dilbeck, a junior from McCaysville, Georgia, also pursuing an associate degree in behavioral sciences, started her time at UNG in the Blue Ridge Scholars, which is now know as the Emerging Leaders program. As Student Government Association vice president, she has been able to gain leadership and event planning experience. When college has gotten tough, scholarship support has made the difference.

"You have pushed me to keep going even when I did not think I could do it," Dilbeck said.

Price, who has worked at the Blue Ridge Campus since it opened with 19 students in 2015, said the campus has grown to 256 students this fall and has served more than 1,900 students in a little over a decade.

"Even though it was modest beginnings, we are already starting to see the impact we have made," Price said.

Lori Bramlett, assistant director of enrollment services at the Blue Ridge Campus, is a 1995 UNG graduate and was also one of the campus's original employees.

"Through tonight's scholarships, we aid our students in their educational pursuits so they can achieve their dreams," Bramlett said.

UNG President Michael P. Shannon, himself a First-Generation college student, encouraged students to keep pushing when they face adversity during their university journey.

"When it gets tough, this is worth it," Shannon said. "We are all here to support you."