At Volunteer State Community College, we’re fortunate to have faculty who don’t just teach—they inspire, mentor, and make a real difference both for students and in the wider community. Professor of History Grady Eades is a wonderful example of that, and we’re proud to celebrate his recent recognition with the Hillcourt Bronze Medal.
The Hillcourt Bronze Medal was created in 2024 by the “Green Bar Bill” Hillcourt Foundation to honor individuals who have made meaningful contributions to preserving and sharing Scouting history. Named after William “Green Bar Bill” Hillcourt, one of the most influential leaders in Scouting, the award recognizes passion, service, and leadership. Grady is among the first to receive this honor, making the recognition even more special.
A lifelong Scouter, Grady earned his Eagle Scout rank in 1990 and spent several summers on staff at Boxwell Reservation (1990–1997)—an experience that sparked a deep connection to the camp and its history. Today, he keeps that history alive as the volunteer manager of VirtualBoxwell.org, author of For the Good of the Program: A Century of Middle Tennessee Scouting at Boxwell 1921–2021, and a frequent speaker at libraries and community events. He also continues to give back directly as an Assistant Scoutmaster for Troop 406 in Hendersonville, where his son is a Scout.
That same passion and care are clearly felt in Grady’s Vol State classroom. Students regularly describe him as supportive, engaging, and thoughtful in how he approaches history:
“My favorite instructor so far. Provided plenty of support and information for the course.”
“Professor Eades does a great job encouraging us to dig deeper while keeping lessons interesting and well-organized.”
“His class was interactive, welcoming of different viewpoints, and really helped us grow as learners.”
Grady Eades’ Hillcourt Bronze Medal is more than a personal achievement—it reflects the kind of faculty we’re proud to have at Vol State: educators who care deeply about students and use their expertise to add value to the community beyond our campus.
We’re proud to celebrate Professor Eades and grateful for the impact he continues to make every day.
