John Blessing never imagined going to college. In high school, he had given up on getting anywhere in life because he believed he was going to be poor forever. Then he heard a sobering statistic in his junior year.
"It said 94 percent of people who are poor will stay in that economic bracket," Blessing said. "I wanted to change that."
His sister pointed him toward University of North Georgia (UNG). The teenager then Googled how to apply to college, but was nervous about his success.
After UNG accepted him, Blessing has remained true to his word. The Gainesville, Georgia, resident was an unstoppable force on UNG's Gainesville Campus.
In 2015-16, Blessing was named a Newman Civic Fellow, a national award that recognizes individuals who demonstrate leadership and problem-solving abilities within their communities.
A year later, he was a semifinalist for the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship. With the help of Dr. Anastasia Lin, assistant vice president of research and engagement, he applied for the highly selective scholarship, which pays up to $40,000 a year to sophomores pursuing an associate degree who are seeking to transfer to a four-year program and earn a bachelor's degree.
"I was torn about applying for it because you have to transfer," Blessing said. "And UNG gave me a chance."
He did not win the award, but the outcome spurred him forward. Once he earned his associate degree, he elected to pursue a bachelor's degrees in history and political science with a focus on prelaw, both of which he earned in May 2020. He also applied for other scholarships.
It led to a banner spring 2019 semester for Blessing.
In February 2019, he was selected as a Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation Scholar. The nationally competitive scholarship awards up to $30,000 for undergraduate students to attend graduate school in preparation for careers in government or public service. Between 55 and 65 scholarships are awarded annually out of more than 600 applicants.
Blessing is UNG's first Truman Scholar.
"I'm excited because it would be such an opportunity for me and an opportunity for UNG to stand out as an up-and-coming campus," Blessing said. "We can show other students this is the place to be."
Blessing also is the first UNG student to be selected for the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program. About 15 students are selected every year.
Funded by the U.S. State Department, the six-week summer program is designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs, and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue such careers.
Students receive a $3,200 stipend along with having tuition, travel, and housing costs covered. They spend time in Washington, D.C., learning about the Department of State and taking classes at Howard University.
UNG is no stranger to Rangel. UNG alum Jacob Dietrich '15 was also a Rangel Fellow. He received graduate funding for his degree at Georgetown.
Blessing can barely believe the number of things he has accomplished at UNG. He has founded three student organizations, including the United Students Organization, the Philosophy Club and the Guild of Tabletop Games.
Blessing's involvement in student groups is only part of his resume. He worked with Dr. Dwight Wilson and UNG student Lana Goitia on an undergraduate research project focused on the topic of constitutional democracies. He also has maintained a 4.0 GPA, which earned him the HOPE scholarship along with others.
He attributes his success to UNG taking a chance on him.
"The opportunity that UNG has given to me, I cannot thank them enough," he said.
