Allison Gustafson

Student

Allison Gustafson - 2020 Outstanding Graduate for the Arts & Letters Division at Bay College

Each year, Bay College selects an Outstanding Graduate from each of the six divisions at the college. The graduate is selected by their instructors for their academic excellence, leadership and community service.

Allison Gustafson was selected as the 2020 Outstanding Graduate for the Arts & Letters Division, with the award being sponsored by Bink’s Coca-Cola Bottling Company, the Bay Faculty Association, and the Bay College Foundation.

In May, Allison earned an Associate in Arts Degree from Bay College, and she will also be receiving her high school diploma from Rapid River High School next month. She plans on attending Michigan State University in the fall to pursue a degree in Pre-Law with a minor in Environmental Science.

Allison’s instructors at Bay College describe her as a dedicated student and an excellent writer who pushes herself to do her very best. Allison’s academic accomplishments exceed expectations. Since she was a freshman in high school, Allison has been pursuing her associate’s degree at Bay College through the dual enrollment program at Rapid River High School. As a result, she earned her Bay College degree a month prior to graduating from Rapid River High School as the valedictorian.

Allison stated, “With a lot of hard work and support from Bay, my school, and my family, I have taken enough classes in the last four years to obtain a degree. My experience with dual enrollment has been wonderful. I greatly appreciate the opportunities Bay has given me to take courses not offered at my small high school. Dual enrollment has been an incredible opportunity that has given me a head start on my career path. I would love to see more high school students take advantage of this program. I chose Bay because when I first started taking classes I was only 13. I was unable to drive and living at home. Bay offers excellent online classes, which were the best option for me. Since then, I have taken several classes on campus, and those were a great experience as well. Bay has done so much to help me succeed. All of the staff are encouraging, friendly, and want you to do well. I have always felt supported. Bay has given me an incredible opportunity to get a head-start on my college education while still in high school.”

Allison in involved in her high school Key Club and is a member of the Youth Advisory Committee of Delta County. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with her two border collies, Skye and Nala.

Visit www.baycollege.edu/awards to watch a short video of Instructor Jennifer McCann presenting the Outstanding Graduate Award for the Arts & Letters Division to Allison along with her acceptance speech for this great honor.