Volume X 219 Rock Street, Bluefield, WV 24701 Number 4

July 2005

A Message from the President

- 2 -

Within each challenge are

the seeds of opportunity.

Certainly, during the 2004-05

academic year, Bluefield State

College encountered several

obstacles--operating effective-

ly despite reduced state fund-

ing and complying with leg-

islative mandates that have

resulted in reshaping the

College. Throughout this

period, the College’s commit-

ment to educational excellence has remained constant. It

has been the spirit of tough-minded optimism, resilience,

and ingenuity that has helped to sustain BSC. Your sup-

port during these times has been invaluable and much

appreciated.

The recent commencement program in which more

than 470 Bluefield State College students received their

diplomas was a vivid reminder of our wonderful institu-

tion’s reason for being. An audience of 5000 students and

their relatives, faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and

friends witnessed the landmark occasion during which

these students entered the company of scholars.

As we prepare for the start of a new academic year,

several developments will undergird BSC’s future.

Scholarship support has been augmented substantially

through the College’s partnership with the Tom Joyner

Foundation and the response of many alumni and friends.

Housing options for our students have increased, permit-

ting BSC to serve students from a much broader region.

Students and faculty have performed with distinction in

numerous academic settings, regionally and nationally.

The College and community have expanded the scope of

their collaboration, brokering many “town/gown” partner-

ships that benefit all who are involved.

Thus, as I look toward the challenges that await us, I

do so with a renewed sense of confidence that is strength-

ened by the knowledge that Bluefield State College has,

for 110 years, overcome the obstacles and hurdles that

have appeared in its path.

In closing, I am thankful for your support and I am

grateful for the opportunity to share with you the stories of

achievement that are included between the covers of this

issue of the “Blue & Gold.”

Albert L. WalkerPresident

From the Bluefield State College Board of GovernorsJohn Barnes, Chair

With my second (consecutive one

year) term as chairman of the

Bluefield State College Board of

Governors drawing to a close, it’s an

appropriate time to look back at the

College's accomplishments, then look

ahead to its challenges.

I believe the College will experi-

ence significant enrollment growth in

the short term future. With the addi-

tion of several very attractive student

housing options, students from a

much larger region can now attend

BSC. A focused marketing and

recruiting effort will attract hundreds

of talented students from all parts of

West Virginia and surrounding states.

BSC’s academic programs are

designed to help students acquire

knowledge and skills that lead to ful-

filling and productive careers. The

numerous academic accomplishments

of the College’s students and the

scholarly activities of faculty under-

score the excellence of the programs

of study at BSC.

Throughout my years as a mem-

ber of the original Board of Advisors

beginning in 1999 and now the Board

of Governors, it has been a privilege

to work with a diverse and skilled

group of Board members, all of whom

have been and still are committed to

strengthening the College’s ability to

serve current and future students. I

am grateful for the work of this Board

during my terms as its chair.

As state appropriations for higher

education continue to decline, one of

the most compelling challenges facing

BSC revolves around the need to

expand its base of support. Students,

employees, alumni and this Board,

along with the community, have ral-

lied effectively to help the College

through particularly trying times.

Now, the same commitment of time,

talent, energy, and input from each of

these groups is essential if the College

is to grow stronger in its devotion to

the same ideals and traditions of

excellence in the years to come.

As a Board, we are grateful for

your input and insight, and we look

forward to working with you in the

years to come.

- 3 -

More than 470 Bluefield State

College students received degrees

during the 108th commencement

exercises at the Brushfork Armory.

Nearly 5000 people attended the

program.

Dr. Yvonne Thornton, a well

known physician and author, deliv-

ered the commencement address.

Her late mother, Itasker (Edmonds)

Thornton, was a student at BSC in

the 1930s. “My mother was not

able to complete the work for a

college diploma because of eco-

nomic hardship, but she recog-

nized and stressed to her daughters

the importance of a college

degree,” Dr. Thornton noted.

Dr. Thornton challenged and

encouraged the Class of 2005.

“Bluefield State College plants the

seeds of knowledge, tills the soil,

and nurtures the students,” she said.

“As graduates of Bluefield State, you

are now able to compete with any-

body, anywhere, any time, and at any

level.”

The audience of family members

and friends of graduates and commu-

nity residents also received greetings

from BSC President Dr. Albert Walker,

Board of Governors’ Vice Chairman

Norris Kantor, Alumni Association

President Dr. Louis Aikens, Student

Government President Eli Sharpe,

Faculty Senate President Professor

Lionel Craddock, and Staff Council

President Peggy Turnbull.

Kenneth F. Cooper (4.0 grade

point average/Regents Bachelor of

Arts program) was recognized as the

College’s 2005 valedictorian.

Dr. Bernadette Dragich, Professor

of Nursing, was named the “Bluefield

State College Foundation Outstanding

Faculty Award” recipient for 2005,

and Dr. Steve Bourne (BSC Class of

1974), Professor of Business, was

awarded the first James H. Shott

Endowed Chair in Business.

BSC graduating senior Ronnell

Thompson was selected to receive the

“Brian Delp Service Leadership

Award.”

Dr. Walker also presented an

honorary doctorate degree

posthumously to Mrs. Itasker

(Edmonds) Thornton. Dr.

Thornton accepted the honorary

doctorate on behalf of her late

mother.

Five members of the BSC

Class of 1955 returned to their

alma mater to participate in the

program on the golden anniver-

sary of their graduation. BSC

Alumni Association President Dr.

Louis Aikens, a member of the

BSC Class of ’54, also adminis-

tered the alumni oath to all mem-

bers of the graduating class of

2005, providing each new gradu-

ate with a complementary mem-

bership to the Alumni Association

for the year.

More than 470 Graduate During BSC’s 2005 Commencement

Dr. Yvonne ThorntonKeynote Speaker

Dr. Bernadette DragichBSC Foundation Outstanding

Faculty Award

Ronnell ThompsonBrian Delp Service

Leadership Award

Dr, Steve BourneJames H. Shott Endowed

Chair in Business

Five members of the BSC Class of 1955 re-turned to their alma mater on the 50thanniversary of their graduation. They includ-ed (seated, left-to-right) Ramonia Longs,Mildred Washington (standing, left-to-right)William Anderson, Dr. Ruth Payne Brown, andWilliam Presson.

- 4 -

Spring Semester Has Begun - Enrollment Management Update

Each semester, Bluefield State

College welcomes many new students

who are “diamonds in the rough.”

They have the ability for academic

excellence but, for a variety of rea-

sons, they may not have tapped that

potential. During their years at BSC,

these students discover the fact that

they can succeed in the classroom.

They are transformed into scholars

who ultimately earn college degrees,

then begin successful careers.

At Bluefield State College, our

courses are challenging, but our facul-

ty and staff are committed to provid-

ing the support and concern that will

help students develop the knowledge

and skills that will serve them well

after graduation. As a small college,

we know most of our students by

name and we care about their future.

Certainly, as a new academic year

approaches, there are several exciting

developments at the College — the

growing number of very attractive

student housing options and the

accompanying opportunity to serve

students from a much larger geo-

graphic area, the scholarship support

available for our students, and the

news that our students continue to

compete and excel in national and

international academic competitions.

Amid these developments we

maintain a commitment to work with

our students and help them along the

way as they gain confidence and skill,

then move on to a productive, fulfill-

ing life after graduation.

John CardwellExecutive Director of

Enrollment Management

With an emphasis on ensuring

that West Virginia high school stu-

dents who can succeed in college

actually make it to college, College

Summit will conduct a four-day work-

shop at Bluefield State College,

August 4-7. The workshop at BSC is

one of eight conducted by College

Summit at West Virginia colleges and

universities during the summer

months.

“We’re proud to be partnering

with colleges and universities to help

West Virginia students bridge the gap

between high school and post-second-

ary education,” noted Randy

Shillingburg, Director of

Development for College Summit

West Virginia. “At our workshops,

students complete an on-line college

application, receive quality one-on-

one college counseling, and write a

personal statement they can utilize for

scholarships or as an entrance essay

for college.” Shillingburg also said

students at the workshop will receive

resources and encouragement to

strengthen the belief that they are

“college capable” along with the

training to help them gain an under-

standing of how to get to college.

“We have so much potential talent

in West Virginia that remains uncov-

ered. Our mid-tier students just need

someone who cares, someone who

believes in them, and someone who

will provide accurate information

regarding access to college,” com-

mented Sarita A. Johns-Gattuso, exec-

utive director of the West Virginia

Access Center for Higher Education

(WVACHE). “West Virginia College

Summit is the capstone for the

WVACHE program, helping those

students who don’t know they are col-

lege material realize that they, too,

can go to college and be successful.

We are delighted to be hosting West

Virginia College Summit at Bluefield

State College this summer.”

College Summit is a comprehen-

sive college transition system that

includes intensive summer workshops,

a curriculum guide to lead students

through the high school-to-life transi-

tion, and on-line tools to help students

and educators manage the transition

process. Additional information about

College Summit can be obtained by

calling College Summit West Virginia

(304-346-1981) or visiting the website

www.collegesummit.org

BSC to Host “College Summit” Workshop to Help WestVirginia Students Enroll in College

Fall Semester

Registration August 18 and 19, 2005

Classes StartAugust 22, 2005

For additional information,call (304) 327-4065

- 5 -

More than 50 years ago, Carl

and Selba Meadows Boyd enrolled

in Bluefield State College. Fifty

years ago, they were married and

continued their studies at the

College on the “terraced hills.”

In May, they returned to donate

$100,000 to their alma mater to

help another generation of

students attend BSC.

From their Philadelphia resi-

dence, the Boyds traveled to

Bluefield, presenting the first of

ten annual $10,000 gifts to the

College through the Tom Joyner

Foundation Partner School Pro-

gram. As a Tom Joyner

Foundation Historically Black

College of the Month (May 2005),

BSC is benefiting from the Tom

Joyner Foundation’s national pro-

motion to raise funds to support stu-

dent scholarships at the College.

“The generosity of Carl and Selba

Boyd is tremendously appreciated and

has set a wonderful example for other

graduates and friends of the College

to follow,” noted Deirdre Guyton,

BSC’s Director of Alumni Affairs and

chairperson of the Tom Joyner

Foundation initiative.

“When we were students here, the

faculty and students became our ‘fam-

ilies’ away from home,” Carl Boyd

recalled. After a successful career of

40+ years as a clinical researcher,

Boyd retired recently.

“I owe so much to the College,”

Selba Boyd added. “Without

Bluefield State, Carl and I would

never have met and married. We’ve

returned to Bluefield State to give

something back to the College.”

As high school seniors, Carl

(from Tazewell County High School)

and Selba (from Elkhorn High

School) attended a program at BSC.

“I saw Carl, who was a spokesman for

his school, and I told my friends, ‘“He

is going to be my husband,’” Selba

Boyd re-called. Meeting her future

husband shortly after the program,

she entered BSC in the fall of

1953. As sophomores in

December, 1954, they were mar-

ried. “I worked several jobs and

we moved into married students’

housing,” Carl Boyd stated.

While they were undergraduates,

the couple welcomed the arrival of

their first and second children.

“In addition to the faculty and stu-

dents, the community of Bluefield

also looked out for us,” he contin-

ued. Working as a waiter at a

popular Bluefield restaurant, he

remembered, “Often, customers

increased the size of the tips they

left for me because they knew I

was going to school and raising a

family.”

Each year, they return to BSC,

sharing memories and photographs

with other alumni. Although the size

of their gift to the College this spring

was substantial, they prefer to deflect

the spotlight to their alma mater.

“God has really been good to us,”

Carl Boyd said. “With the help of

others along the way, we’ve had what

we needed throughout our lives. Now,

we have the opportunity to give back

to assist students who will need a lit-

tle help to achieve their goals.”

Bluefield State College Alumni Carl and Selba Boyd OpenDoors of Opportunity for Future BSC Students

BSC Student Nancy Rausch Selected for TomJoyner Foundation/Nationwide InsuranceSummer Internship

Bluefield State College student Nancy Rausch has been selected to participate in the

prestigious Tom Joyner Foundation/Nationwide Insurance summer internship program at

Nationwide’s worldwide headquarters in Columbus, OH. The Nationwide “On Your

Side” Internship Program selects one student from each of the Tom Joyner Foundation’s

2005 featured institutions. Successful candidates must be rising college juniors or sen-

iors, possess a grade point average of at least 3.0, and major in a business/business relat-

ed or computer science field.

Nancy Rausch

BSC alumni Carl & Selba Boyd (left) recentlymade a $100,000 donation for scholarships toBSC through the Tom Joyner FoundationPartner School Program. Barbara Dunn-Harrington (third from left), a Tom JoynerFoundation representative, and Dr. AlbertWalker (right), BSC President, received thegift during a brief ceremony at the College.

- 6 -

The Student Support Services

(SSS) program at Bluefield State

College will receive federal funding

for another four-year cycle, beginning

September 1, 2005. Carolyn Kirby,

SSS Interim Director at BSC, recently

received official notification of the

grant renewal from the U.S.

Department of Education. Grant fund-

ing for next fiscal year will exceed

$340,000, permitting BSC to continue

to offer educational assistance to eco-

nomically disadvantaged and/or first-

generation college students, and stu-

dents with a physical or learning dis-

ability.

“We’re gratified that the U.S.

Department of Education has

approved our grant application,”

Kirby noted. “The Student Support

Services program at BSC helps 265

students each year to move toward

successful completion of their post-

secondary education.” SSS helps stu-

dents in the program at BSC improve

their class performance, stay in col-

lege, and graduate, and provides a

wide range of services that includes

tutoring/mentoring, advising (academ-

ic, career, and financial),

seminars/workshops, cultural travel,

and personal counseling. During the

most recent reporting year, students in

the program exceeded national aver-

ages for retention (matriculating suc-

cessfully from freshman to sophomore

years) and maintaining good academic

standing.

Student Support Services is one of

three Federal TRIO programs offered

at BSC. The others are the Veterans

Upward Bound and the Educational

Opportunity Center programs.

Kirby expressed special apprecia-

tion to members of the SSS staff—

Educational Outreach Counselors

Carol Baldwin and Heather Simmons,

and Administrative Secretary Michelle

Noe. “We are extremely pleased as a

staff that we can continue to provide

the program’s very timely services to

students at Bluefield State College,”

Kirby noted. “Student Support

Services has helped thousands of stu-

dents during the past 30-plus years at

BSC and we look forward to helping

many more in the next four years.”

Student Support Services Program Notified Federal GrantRenewal for Four More Years, Receives $340K in First Year

The Bluefield State College Alumni Association (BSCAA) has

announced its scholarship recipients who will attend BSC during the 2005-06

academic year. Each of the 15 students will receive a $1000 scholarship.

They include Mychal Guyton, Danny Dillow, Josephine Falasinnu, Whitney

Hatfield, Jennifer Hornick, Marviene Johnson, Erica Marcus, Abdul Nasiru,

Joseph Greenfeder, Kelvin Hayden, Bryant Haywood, Denise Hurst,

Shamatee Mitchell, Jacqueline Parrish, and Brenda Wade.

Scholarship recipients must be fulltime students at BSC and maintain at

least a 2.0 grade point average.

The BSCAA was established more than 75 years ago and now has 15

local chapters throughout the United States. A primary emphasis of the

Alumni Association is to provide scholarships to deserving BSC students. To

date, the BSCAA has awarded more than 800 scholarships and approximately

$750,000 in scholarship support. Applications and/or additional information

regarding the BSCAA scholarship program can be obtained by calling (304)

425-6756.

B.S.C.A.A. Awards Scholarships

Kalling All Kappas!

Alpha Tau Chapter ofKappa Alpha Psi Fraternity,Inc. will be celebrating its70th Anniversary in the fallof 2005 on the campus ofBluefield State College.

If you are interested in par-ticipating or have sugges-tions for planning activi-ties, contact:

Mychal Guyton at guyton85@hotmail.com

Deirdre Guyton at dguyton@bluefieldstate.edu

or

call (304) 327-4569

Pictured are Student SupportServices staff members (seated,

left to right) Michelle Noe(Administrative Secretary), CarolynKirby (Interim Director), (standing,

left-to-right) and EducationalOutreach Counselors Carol

Baldwin and Heather Simmons.

- 7 -

BSC’s Collaboration with Regional Public Schools

1 - College Tech Prep: This program, now in its fourth year, has brought approximately 8000 high school 10th

grade students to the Bluefield campus of BSC. Students identify career cluster areas of interest, “attend” college

classes in that academic area, learn about financial aid and admission processes, and enjoy lunch in the Student

Union. The aim is to solidify the students’ goal of continuing their education after high school.

2 - College Day programs: BSC hosted this year’s “College Day,” during which approximately 600 seniors

from four Mercer County High Schools (Bluefield, Princeton, PikeView, and Montcalm) visited the College, met

admissions personnel from area colleges, asked questions and receive information about programs of study that

are of interest to them. Also, the program provided financial aid information, along with a “how to” of applying

for admission, scholarship availability, etc.

3 - Partner in Education: BSC works closely with the students and faculty at Brushfork Elementary as our part-

ner in education through a Mercer County Board of Education program. College employees speak to elementary

school students, assist in obtaining grants (recently BSC helped Brushfork Elementary obtain a Macintosh com-

puter grant for training and software), and help faculty.

4 - Associate Degree Nursing Students: BSC ADN students present health education programs to area Head

Start students, cultivating healthy lifestyles for these students.

5 - MathCounts: BSC faculty and staff coordinate and host the regional MathCounts competition, during which

area middle school students compete in a program designed to cultivate excellence in mathematics. Winners

advance to the state competition. Last year, teams from eight area schools took part.

6 - Model United Nations: BSC hosts and directs a regional Model United Nations program. This spring,

approximately 70 middle school students and 60 high school students competed in the two-day event on BSC’s

Bluefield campus. The program is designed to cultivate an appreciation for world issues, human rights initia-

tives, critical thinking skills, and public speaking ability among the students.

7 - Neighborhood Youth Sports Program: Now in its fourth year, the NYSP program at BSC provides a five-

week schedule of programs for disadvantaged area youth (age 10-16), with a combination of athletic and aca-

demic activities. Two meals per day and limited transportation are provided and approximately 200 students

from Mercer, McDowell, and Tazewell Counties will take part. Students receive a free physical exam and

instruction in healthy lifestyles.

8 - Bluefield Consortium of Professional Development Schools: BSC works with Bluewell Elementary,

Bluefield Middle, and Bluefield Intermediate Schools, focusing upon strengthening the preparation of teacher

education candidates, enhancing instructional services to students, and providing collaborative professional

development activities. The Consortium was created in early 2003.

9 - Kids Club: Organized by BSC nursing students and faculty, Kids Club is a month-long program, one day a

week each spring, during which area elementary school students receive after-school attention and instruction in

healthy lifestyles. Students also receive free pizza.

10 - Mercer County Schools Academic Competitions: Served as host site for Mercer County Schools’ annual

Battle of the Books (two programs), Reading Bee, Math Field Day, and Spelling Bee academic competitions.

- 8 -

As someone who is 78 years

“young,” The Reverend Robert Day

wasn’t the most youthful of the 400+

students to receive diplomas at

Bluefield State College’s May 14

commencement exercises, but he was

among the proudest. That’s because

his walk across the graduation stage

completed a journey toward a college

degree that began more than 50 years

earlier. Day has packed a lot of living

into his years and, in fact, it’s his var-

ied life experiences that helped him

significantly as he progressed toward

a bachelor’s degree in the Regents

Bachelor of Arts (RBA) program at

BSC.

“I’ve been a paratrooper, a mine

foreman, and, for nearly 40 years, a

pastor,” he recalled during a recent

visit to BSC’s Bluefield campus.

“I’ve taken courses at vocational/

trade schools, and I enrolled in col-

lege for the first time in 1947.” Day’s

very interesting life story began in

McDowell County in 1926. “I was

born on Belcher Mountain,” he

recalled. “My father and grandfather

were both in law enforcement in

McDowell County and both were

killed in the line of duty.”

He attended Welch and

Baileysville High Schools, leaving

school in his junior year to enlist in

the Army. After World War II, he

enrolled in Concord and, one year

later, transferred to Bowling Green

(KY) University. Because of family

health issues, he left school and

returned to the region, enrolling in a

trade school in Pineville. After work-

ing in the coal mines for two years, he

became a mine foreman.

Moving to Columbus, OH in 1953,

he joined the Air Force Reserves.

“Four years later, I made the most

important decision of my life,” he

noted. “I accepted Jesus Christ as my

savior and was called to preach.” As a

Church of God pastor, Day preached

in Marianna, WV (near Pineville),

then continued preaching at churches

in New Haven, CT for seven years,

Florida for five years, Mill Creek,

WV for ten years, and Sophia, WV

for 12 years before retiring in 1998.

That’s when he thought about return-

ing to college.

“My wife, Betty Jo, had earned a

degree from Southern West Virginia

Community and Technical College

and she kept encouraging me to get

my degree,” he explained. “I enrolled

in the RBA program at Bluefield State

about six years ago because it permit-

ted me to receive college credit for

my work and life experiences, but I

left the program shortly thereafter.”

Returning to the BSC RBA pro-

gram last fall, Day earning his bache-

lor’s degree this spring. “It was

tremendously satisfying to walk

across the stage and reach out to get

my diploma. It meant I’ve had com-

pleted something I started in 1947.”

Day’s success has inspired several

other individuals to consider the RBA

program as well. “Our pastor in Man,

WV learned what I’ve done and he’s

now back in college,” Day said, “and

a parent of one of my instructors at

Bluefield State has also decided to

enroll in the RBA program.”

“My message to other older stu-

dents is this,” he summarized. “It’s

never too late to go back to college. If

I can do it, so can you. It’s one of the

most fulfilling things you can do for

yourself and your family.”

Regents Bachelor of Arts Program at BSC Helps 78-Year Old Student Earn Bachelor's Degree

Reverend Robert Day

B.S.C.A.A. Columbus Chapter

presents

HAWAII

with Norwegian CruiseLine on the Pride of

Aloha

8 Days - 7 NightsNovember 6-13, 2005

Inside Cabin Category I$2,003

Outside Cabin Category F$2,143

Outside Cabin Category E$2,203

Rates are per person, doubleoccupancy, and include cruise,roundtrip airfare from Columbusor Cleveland, air tax, portcharges, government fees andtransfers. To add a two-nightpost-cruise at the MarriottWaikiki, add $188 per person.

Deposit Policy: An initialdeposit of $450 is required tosecure reservations and assigncabin numbers. Final balance isdue July 23, 2005.

For more information, contact

Mildred Washingtonat (614) 837-6632.

- 9 -

BSC’s Faculty and Staff AccomplishmentsAnita Barilla (BSC Class of

2002) was promoted from Executive

Secretary for the Institutional and

Development Office to Administrative

Assistant to the President in March

2005. She received a certificate in

fund raising management from the

Center of Philanthropy at Indiana

University in November 2004. She is

also a Weight Watcher’s Group

Leader in Bluefield and Princeton,

West Virginia.

Carol Baldwin (BSC Class of

1991) has been elected Chair of the

Bluefield State College Staff Council.

Eleanor Barnett (BSC Class of

1990) was promoted from Accounting

Assistant II to Supervisor of Accounts

Receivable in the Business Office in

March 2005.

Dr. Thomas Blevins (BSC Class

of 1971), Dean of Technology and the

Virtual College and Professor of

Education and English, will be chair-

ing the NCATE visit to Virginia State

University November 3-7 and will be

a North Central visitor in mid-

November to a state college in North

Dakota. In July he will attend a Web

CT conference in San Francisco.

Joyce Brown, was promoted

from Administrative Secretary Senior

to Records Officer in the Registrar’s

Office.

Softball coach Todd

Buckingham was the recipient of the

2005 West Virginia Intercollegiate

Athletic Conference (WVIAC) coach

of the year award.

Daniel “Frosty” Frost (BSC

Class of 1989), Educational Outreach

Counselor/Veterans Upward Bound

program at Bluefield State College,

has been selected for inclusion in the

2005 edition of Madison’s Who’s Who

Registry of Executives and

Professionals. He was also re-elected

to serve as the classified representa-

tive to the Bluefield State College

Board of Governors for 2005-2006.

Dr. Patricia Hilton, Bluefield

State College Professor of Education,

has been recognized for leadership

and mentoring excellence by Kappa

Delta Pi, International Honor Society

in Education.

J. Alvin Lester (BSC Class of

1970) Bluefield State College

Professor/Department Head of Civil

Engineering Technology, has been

selected for inclusion in Who’s Who

Among America’s Teachers, 2005. His

inclusion in the publication makes

Lester a multiple year honoree.

Dr. Melinda Maher, Director/

Institutional Research and Assessment

at Bluefield State College, delivered a

pair of presentations at the

Association for Institutional Research

Forum in San Diego, California. The

event attracted more than 1300 insti-

tutional researchers, planners, and

decision makers from higher educa-

tion institutions around the world.

Bonita Mitchell (BSC Class of

2002), Educational Outreach

Counselor for the Educational

Opportunity Center at Bluefield State

College, has been selected for inclu-

sion in the 2005 edition of Madison’s

Who’s Who Registry of Executives and

Professionals.

Dr. Norman Mirksy was elected

to serve as the faculty representative

to the Bluefield State College Board

of Governors.

Roderick Neal, Associate

Professor of Psychology, participated

in the Drug Court Planning Initiative,

Skills Based Training Program, devel-

oped and presented by the Bureau of

Justice Assistance, U.S. Department

of Justice in collaboration with

National Drug Court Institute. He

also coordinated a workshop for

approximately 70 teacher education

students titled “Educating All of One

Nation.” The workshop was held at

Concord University, Dr. Raphael

Heaggans, Director of Multicultural

Affairs and Dr. William White,

Director of Undergraduate Leadership

Studies at Mountain State University,

BSC alumni helped facilitate the

workshop.

Dr. Garrett Olmsted’s fame as

an authoritative source on the Celtic

culture, religion, and arts has prompt-

ed a television production company in

England to invite the BSC Professor

Social Sciences to travel to England

this summer. Olmsted will be work-

ing with Oxford Television in its pro-

duction of four one-hour programs

that will be telecast on the British

Broadcasting Company (BBC) and

the History Channel.

David Sexton (BSC Class of

1985, 1987, 1988) Database

Administrator, graduated with Master

of Science in Strategic Leadership

from Mountain State University.

Dr. Michael Smith, Associate

Professor of English, participated on a

panel of outdoor writers in the 11th

annual Virginia Festival of the Book

in Charlottesville in March.

Tammy Tabor transferred from

Administrative Secretary Senior for

the School of Arts and Science to the

Education Department at Bluefield

State College

Sandra Kay Thompson,

Bluefield State College Assistant

Professor of Nursing, has been select-

ed for inclusion in Who’s Who Among

America’s Teachers, 2005.

Dr. Albert L. Walker, President

of Bluefield State College, has been

appointed to the board of directors of

the West Virginia Humanities Council.

Sandra Wynn (BSC Class of

1999), Assistant Professor of Nursing,

has been selected as an honored mem-

ber of the Empire Who’s Who Registry

of Executives and Professionals,

2005-2006.

- 10 -

Veteran employees Kathy Hill and Sarita Gattuso (BSC Class of 1990) have been named the Bluefield State

College Foundation’s “Outstanding Classified Employees of the Year.” They were honored during the annual BSC

employee appreciation ceremony in May. Each received a $500 award from the Foundation.

Hill serves as administrative assistant for the Academic Affairs and Student Affairs offices. BSC President Dr.

Albert Walker noted, “Kathy is quietly confident and she has been a source of stability at the College for more than

20 years. In addition to her many responsibilities, Kathy is the College’s point of first contact for many students,

parents of students, and employees, and she is a calming, reassuring presence.”

Gattuso is executive director of outreach programs, which includes the Educational Opportunity Center and the

West Virginia Access Center for Higher Education. A BSC employee for more than 10 years, she serves as a mem-

ber of the recruitment and hiring committees, College Summit, and West Virginia Advisory Board. “She is a recog-

nized speaker and presenter at multistate and national meetings and she has helped hundreds of students realize their

dreams of earning a college degree,” Walker observed.

Vivian Sidote (BSC Class of 1994) was awarded “staff emeritus” status during the annual Employees

Appreciation. She retired from BSC in December, 2004 after 35 years as an employee in West Virginia higher edu-

cation in 2004, with the last 32 of those years spent at BSC. She held a variety of positions including Secretary,

Administrative Secretary, Executive Secretary, and Administrative Assistant to the President.

BSC’s Classified Employees ReceiveSpecial Recognition

Kathy Hill Sarita Gattuso Vivian Sidote

Dr. Robert Moore Retires after 30 Years of Service

Dr. Robert Moore was honored in

May upon the occasion of his retire-

ment. Moore, a Professor of

Education and former president of

BSC, served the College for more

than 30 years as an educator and

administrator. He taught within the

Division of Physical Education and

Recreation, then served as division

chair. After four years as Assistant

Dean of Teacher Education and Chair,

Division of Education and Physical

Education, he accepted the position of

Dean of Curriculum and was actively

involved in curriculum for eight years.

He later served as Vice President and

Dean of Academic Affairs for two

years, then became Vice

President/Dean, Community and

Technical College for two years.

In 1993, Dr. Moore accepted the

presidency of Bluefield State College

and directed the institution for nearly

nine years. He retired as president in

June 2002 and returned to a faculty

position. He was active in community

and civic initiatives throughout his

30+ years at BSC.

Dr. Robert Moore

- 11 -

A Message from Doris J. PayneChairperson, BSC Alumni House Advisory Council

Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALLBLESSINGS FLOW!

$100,000 Financial Obligation to BSCPAID IN FULL (May 2005)

THANKS to all Contributors for your Financial Support!!!Without your AWESOME support we would not have been successful.

Hatter Hall Advisory Council Minnie Marshall, Co-chair

PPRROOCCLLAAMMAATTIIOONN

In honor of Chairperson Doris J. Payne for her tireless efforts

toward the establishment of Hatter Hall as an Alumni House

WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne graduated magna cum laude from BSC, Class of 1951, where she wascrowned Academic Queen, and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne traveled hundreds of miles over the hills of West Virginia and through the val-leys of Virginia, Ohio, Maryland, Pennsylvania and by way of the streets of Washington, D.C. to meet withalumni in the interest of Hatter Hall, and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne became chairperson of the Hatter Hall Advisory Council accountable for theoverall responsibility of establishing Hatter Hall as an alumni house, (1996), and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne collaborated with BSC former President Dr. Robert E. Moore to list Hatter Hall,the President’s home, on the National Register of Historic Places to encourage its preservation, (1999),and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne conducted a full-pledged campaign to raise a $100,000 obligation to a match-ing grant written by Dr. Felica Blanks, BSC Director Title III Program, (2000), and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne worked in conjunction with Sheila Johnson, Vice President of Financial andAdministrative Affairs to ensure the restoration and renovation of Hatter Hall, (2001), and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne generated ideas for three fund raising projects that rekindled and promoted aspirit of unity in the BSC family, (2001), and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne worked in tandem with the fiscal officers of the BSC Foundation to keepabreast of all monies collected and disbursed for Hatter Hall, (2001-), and;WHEREAS, Doris J. Payne continued the positive relationship with BSC President Dr. Albert Walkerregarding the Hatter Hall initiative between the College and the Association,

NOW, therefore be it resolved that the members of the Hatter Hall Advisory Council hereby express appre-ciation to our stalwart leader who never wavered from her dedication and commitment to make Hatter Hallof the BSC Alumni House.

And be it further resolved that a copy of this proclamation be placed in the BSC Archives and in HatterHall.

Duly adopted the 13th day of June 2005Hatter Hall Advisory Council

Dr. Ruth Payne Brown, Dr. Ervin Griffin, Ora Johnson, Warner Baxter, Lola Harris, Minnie Marshall,Carl P. Boyd, Virginia Hebert, Dr. Maposure Miller, Edward Coleman, G. Jackie Holley, Leonard Pitts and Elsie Shaw

- 12 -

UPDATE: Replicas of Hatter Hall/Alumni HouseAn architectural miniature

Designed by - Hatter Hall Advisory CouncilBluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc.

Produced by - Shelia’s, Inc.Charleston, South Carolina

Project Director - Ruth Payne Brown, Ph.D.

Add your name to the Owners Scroll that will be displayed in Hatter Hall in October, 2005. Thereplica will be showcased in the Bookstore and Hatter Hall for your perusual.

A Final OpportunityTo purchase a replica of Hatter Hall, please remit your $100 tax-deductible contribution. Makechecks payable to BSC Foundation/Alumni House. Replica of Hatter Hall should be written inthe “memo” section of your check. Mail to:

Ray Guy, Fiscal ManagerBluefield State College Foundation

Bluefield State College219 Rock Street

Bluefield, WV 24701

Your replica will be shipped expeditiously and your cancelled check will be your receipt.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!REVERENCE FOR THE PAST, ENSURES THE FUTURE

Dr. Albert Johnson, Jr.Sylvester MyersHoward WadeMayme SwansonWilliam L. Williams, Jr.Clara CookeNansie S. WardThomas MackMargaret DowdellOrlando HendersonEdward ColemanDr. Robert E. Moore

Dr. Mildred V. ThompsonFred McKenzieE. Ray WilliamsBarbara PattersonDr. Thomas E. EavesJ. Leroy SmithDr. Blanche J. SkirnickJames WrightThomas ParhamPhilip HortonDr. Albert WalkerJulia Smith

Paul Tuffin, Esquire

FUND-RAISING PROJECT GOAL - 100STATUS - MAY 2005 - 85

COMMENDATIONS TO OUR MOST RECEPT SUPPORTERS!

- 13 -

Nearly 25 years ago, Anthony

Harris was an all-conference basket-

ball star, providing offensive fire-

power and defensive tenacity for

Bluefield State’s title-contending

teams. In the years since his gradua-

tion from BSC, Harris uses the same

high energy approach to cultivate his

students’ love for learning at Mount

View Middle School and, in the

process, develop the teaching skills

of Jill Lockhart, a Bluefield State

teacher education major involved in

student teaching at the McDowell

County school.

Harris, an eighth grade social

studies teacher at Mount View

Middle School, attracted the attention

of Dr. Betsy Steenken, Assistant

Professor of Teacher Education at

BSC. ”The first time I walked into

his classroom, I knew he was one of

those wonderful teachers who makes

learning exciting,” Steenken recalled.

“His students love his class and his

personality, and at the same time,

have great respect for him.” Recently,

Steenken invited Harris to visit her

“Child and Adolescent Growth and

Development” class at BSC. “I want-

ed my students to hear from someone

who had taught for more than 20

years and was still enthusiastic and

energized about his profession,” she

said. “He cares about his students

and is very interested in their social

and emotional development, as well

as their academic progress.”

Harris was a two-time all-West

Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic

Conference player during his under-

graduate years at BSC, recovering

from a knee injury to lead the Big

Blues to the cusp of the WVIAC title

game in his senior year.

“I thought bringing Mr. Harris to

our classroom provided a great

opportunity for future teachers to

meet a wonderful teacher who is also

an alumnus of our College. He loves

Bluefield State and has said many

times that he owes much of his suc-

cess to the education he received here

and the faculty who touched his life

while he was a student. He makes us

all proud of our profession and he

reminds us of why we wanted to

become teachers,” she concluded.

McDowell County Faculty Member Anthony Harris Returns tohis Alma Mater to Help a New Generation of Teachers

Anthony Harris

Bluefield State College Honors College

students Jesse Farmer (kneeling), (stand-

ing, left-to-right) O’Neil Carty, Abdul

Nasiru, Tabitha Pack, Danielle Hawes,

Zeshan Qayyum and Dr. Mindy Maher

(BSC’s Institutional Research and

Assessment Director) surround a space-

suit-garbed NASA host during their recent

tour of the Kennedy Space Center. BSC

Honors College students take part in aca-

demic enrichment, community service, and

leadership development initiatives each

year.

Honors CollegeLaunches LifeEnrichment Initiative

- 14 -

1950sRuth

PayneBrown(1955) wasawarded theDoctorate ofPhilosophy(Ph.D.) inEducation,Policy,

Planning and Administration on May22, 2005 from the University ofMaryland-College Park (Maryland).The title of her dissertation was “The

Transition of a Historically Black

College to a Predominately White

Institution.” Bluefield State Collegewas the focus of Dr. Brown’sResearch. She is the immediatePast President of the BSC AlumniAssociation as well as the correspon-ding secretary of the Hatter HallAdvisory Council and as the Projectdirector of the Hatter Hall FundRaising Project.

1960sBetty Ann Crews Graves (1960)

was a contestant in the Ms. Virginia

Senior America Pageant in McLean,Virginia in May, 2005. In June, sherepresented seniors age 65 and overin the National Senior Olympicsgames in bowling, basketball, andtable tennis.

1990sRoger Lee Andrews, Jr. (1996)

received a master of social workdegree from Radford University inMay 2004. He is employed by theState of Virginia in Marion and is cur-rently working on his professionallicensure.

Jay Budner (1996) is employedby Mercer Oliver Wyman as aTraining and Development Manager,North America in New York, NewYork. Mercer Oliver Wyman is aleader in financial services strategyand risk management consulting.

Rita Holcomb (1999) graduatedcum laude from Bluefield StateCollege in May 2005 with a RegentsBachelor of Arts degree with anemphasis in psychology. She is theProgram Assistant for the Center forWorkforce and BusinessDevelopment for New RiverCommunity and Technical Collegeand Kids Kollege Coordinator and isa member of the Gamma Beta Phi.

Edward Luers (1992) was pro-moted to the rank of Corporal withthe Maryland State Police and reas-signed as a Shift Leader on theGovernor Protection Detail.

James E. Smith (1998) is theowner of Residential DesignServices, Inc. He is also workingwith a writer in the UK to produce hisown film.

2000sBrandy Bailey-Hoover (2000) is

employed with the department ofhealth and human resources inSummers County, and works withjuvenile petitions for youth and aidsin family support services.

Ryan S. Farmer (2004) marriedAmy C. Adkisson on April 23, 2005.

He is employed with Civil andEnvironmental Consultants Inc. as astaff engineer.

Vicky L. Hodges (2004) is asocial worker at Bland Department ofSocial Services as a Foster Care/Adoptions specialist.

J. W. Kiser (2003) was promotedto assistant vice president/loan offi-cer at First Century Bank, N.A.

Larry McKinney (2002) isemployed with Belvac in Lynchburg,Virginia, as a a Mechanical EngineerII.

Arnold Mollette (2002) is serv-ing in the United States Navy as aMarine Corps Cpl. and practicedcombat training procedures, whileassigned to Marine Aviation LogisticsSquadron 12, homebased at MarineCorps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan.

Shawn Nunn (2002) marriedTony Matney on February 19, 2005.He is employed by MagneticTechnologies Corporation inWytheville Virginia, as a ElectricalDesign Engineer.

Cody L. Pearson (2003) is serv-ing in the U.S. Army as an KiowaWarrior(OH-58D) pilot.

Eric Deshawn Strain (2001) isemployed in the Information SystemsDivision of the Virginia TechUniversity Bookstore as a DatabaseAnalyst/Computer Programmer.

Alumni UpdatesRequested

If you have received awards, pro-motions, accomplishments, recog-nition, have married or recentlywelcomed an addition to yourfamily, please let us know.

Mail your news toKaren GordonCollege and Media RelationsBluefield State College219 Rock StreetBluefield, WV 24701

by FAX to 304-327-4581or by e-mail to kgordon@bluefield

state.edu

Alumni Updates

In Memoriam

Norman BaileyLloyd Bond

Jacqueline D. Carrington

Edward Elston, Jr.Ann Carlene Froe

Willis GravelyRandall Arland Hill

Dorothy Hendricks LesterLloyd Edward Mabe

Verona Simpson PolkSallie M. Jones

Cynthia J. Stephens

Dr. Ruth Payne Brown

- 15 -

From the Desk of Dr. Louis AikensPresident, Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc.

Within this issue of the “Blue & Gold” is information regarding the 15 very deserv-

ing recipients of Bluefield State College Alumni Association (BSCAA) scholarships for

2005-06. We consider it a privilege to assist each of these students, and hundreds of stu-

dents over the past three decades, through our scholarship program.

Indeed, a primary emphasis of the Alumni Association is to provide scholarships for

young men and women to enable them to attend Bluefield State College. Each BSCAA

member, like many BSC graduates who read this column, has gained insight, understand-

ing, and knowledge from the experience of attending the “College on the terraced hills.”

As we move toward the start of a new a new academic year, I encourage you to join

your College’s Alumni Association. We welcome the talent, energy, and input you can

provide. If you are a graduate of BSC, this is your Alumni Association. You can be a

vital part of the future of this organization, and your support can be invaluable by

enabling students to receive the support needed to attend this wonderful College.

Please take a moment to review and complete the BSCAA membership application

on this page, then join us in this very worthwhile endeavor. You can make a very posi-

tive difference in the lives of another generation of Bluefield State College's students

through your Alumni Association!

Dr. Louis Aikens

Attention Graduates

Now is the time to join the Bluefield State College Alumni Association. Annual dues are $30 andLife Membership is $300.

Please complete the information below, detach, make checks payable to BSCAA and mail to

Mildred Washington, Chairperson450 W Columbus St.Pickerington, OH 43147

Name Class of

Address

Telephone

E-mail

219 Rock StreetBluefield, WV 24701

Address Service Requested

STD MAIL ANon-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PaidPermit #139

Bluefield, WV 24701

www.bluefieldstate.edu

19th Annual KlingensmithCup Invitational GolfTournament

The 19th annual Klingensmith Cup Golf

Tournament was held on May 16, 2005 at Wolf Creek

Golf Club in Bastian, Virginia. BSC graduates, faculty,

students, and employees participated in the annual

event, which was sponsored by Bluefield State

College’s School of Engineering Technology and

Computer Science.

This year’s winners of the four-golfer “captain’s

choice” event were Jerome Wolkoff, Rodney Mitchem,

Bill Roach and Rick Brown. The Belcher team won a

drawing for cart and green fees at the Greenbrier Resort.

Prizes donated by BSC graduates’ employers, were

awarded to all participants. Robert Faulds served as

tournament director.

This tournament allows participants to take part in

some friendly competition and it also provides a unique

setting to renew old acquaintances and network with

others having common interests.

StudentHousing

For information concerning housing

for BSC students visit

www.bluefieldstate.edu/

StudentHousing.html