Columbia State dual enrollment student Nicolas Matzirakis was recently appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point.

During his time at Columbia State, the Williamson County native earned 51 college credit hours.

“Dual enrollment is a grand opportunity for students to become adjusted to college-level work and complete a degree in a shorter timeframe,” said Dr. Dearl Lampley, Columbia State vice president for Williamson Campus and external services. “Nicolas took full advantage of the dual enrollment opportunities at Columbia State. We are so thankful that we could be Nicholas’s first step on the pathway to higher education.”

Columbia State has helped me get to West Point in many ways, Matzirakis stated.

“Inside the classroom through dual enrollment I’ve been able to enhance my transcript and take classes through calculus III and differential equations, which as far as going to a service academy, mathematics helps tremendously,” he said. “Outside of the classroom, Columbia State has allowed me to engage in internships where I served as a technologist with Audi, Nashville. There were plenty of opportunities at Columbia State that helped me along my path to West Point.”

Matzirakis reported June 28 to West Point where he will spend four years undergoing rigorous leadership, academic, physical, moral and ethical training to become a successful leader in the armed forces.

“Nico is a force of nature in a good way,” said Reuben Dickenson, congressional district coordinator for West Point admissions. “He is determined, energetic, personable, outgoing – all great character aspects that West Point will help further develop."

Following his time at West Point, Matzirakis will be commissioned as a second lieutenant and will begin a five-year service obligation as an active duty Army officer.

“Being nominated to a service academy is a great accomplishment in and of itself,” said Sam Nienow, service academy coordinator for Congressman Mark Green. “Most years, congressional members and senators only nominate 10 people and then even less of those get accepted.”

The U.S. Military Academy at West Point's mission is "to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of duty, honor, country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the U.S. Army." 

To learn more about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, visit www.WestPoint.edu 

To learn more about dual enrollment at Columbia State, visit www.ColumbiaState.edu/DE