Zach Blankenship Named 2024 Graduate of the Last Decade

Valdosta State University recently honored Zach Blankenship of Savannah, Georgia, with its 2024 Graduate of the Last Decade Award. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Minor in Computer Science in 2021.

VALDOSTA — Valdosta State University recently honored Zach Blankenship of Savannah, Georgia, with its 2024 Graduate of the Last Decade Award.

“This honor inspires me to devote more of my energy towards others,” he said. “I attribute my position in life to the self-discipline and genuine relationships I've been able to nurture throughout my career. God has placed and will continue to place people in my path. This award is kindling to the fire that is my spirit, establishing a deeper appreciation for my current connections, and motivating me to make the most of my future interactions.”  

Blankenship earned a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics and a Minor in Computer Science in 2021.

VSU: What are some highlights from your Valdosta State experience?  

BLANKENSHIP: Watching the football team win a National Championship in 2018, going to a regional for baseball in 2019, being able to replay my senior year despite COVID restrictions. 

VSU: Tell us how you currently spend your time.

BLANKENSHIP: I play professional baseball. The vast majority of my time is spent up at the field playing and training. This year, that looked like 30 different cities and being blessed enough to play in front of more than a million fans over a 10-month span. The organization I work for, Fans First Entertainment, does a great job helping us connect us to community events — hospital visits, youth camps, building playgrounds, all alongside our daily interactions with fans. I love how we are always put in a position to uplift others.

We have a small player-led group on game weekends at the field. I attend Eleven22 online because I love hearing Joby Martin preach the gospel. 

My hobbies are in the weight room. I was never the most talented, so I found comfort in the fact I could work harder. There is in fact a way to work smarter, however. Becoming a strength coach lets me stay around the team comradery, while also helping those after me in their journey of strength. 

VSU: What advice do you have for current Valdosta State students? What do you wish someone had told you when you were in college?  

BLANKENSHIP: Life is about relationships; those strong connections open a lot of different doors and expose different avenues. Cherish the time you have with every individual because you never what path you or them will be on in 20 years. 

You don't have to have everything planned out. Continue to put in the work and nurture your surroundings.