Among the most meaningful and

tangible ways that a college's mission

can be validated is through enrollment

growth. As chairman of the Bluefield

State College Board of Governors, I am

particularly pleased to note that BSC's

enrollment has increased for the fifth

consecutive year.

The overall growth of more than 3%

is impressive, especially because it

comes at a time when area high schools'

graduating classes are becoming smaller.

The College has also enjoyed substantial

enrollment growth (nearly 50%) in

"metro (border) county" students, as well

as international students. The 62 interna-

tional students attending BSC during the

fall 2008 semester more than quadruples

the number (13) of international students

enrolled at BSC one year earlier.

BSC's Offices of International Initiatives,

Multicultural Affairs, and Student Affairs

are to be commended for their outstand-

ing work in this regard.

(continued on page 4)

2008-2009

BOARD OF

GOVERNORS

Norris Kantor, Esq.

ChairJames J. Palmer, III, Esq.

Vice ChairMs. Anne Crowe

Dr. Lyn Guy

Larry Morhous, Esq.

Mr. Sylvester Myers

Mr. Larry Ratliff

Gloria Stephens, Esq.

Ms. Angela Lambert

Faculty RepresentativeMr. Daniel L. Frost

Classified Staff RepresentativeMr. Erik Guyton

Student Representative

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

Dr. Albert Walker

PresidentDr. Don Smith

Vice President for AcademicAffairs and Provost

Ms. Shelia Johnson

Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs

Mr. John Cardwell

Vice President for Student AffairsDr. Thomas E. Blevins

Dean of the Virtual College and Information Technology and the School of Teacher Education; Professor, English/Education

Dr. Tracey Anderson

Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Ms. Karen Harvey

Director of Institutional Advancement & Planning

Mr. Jim Nelson

Assistant to the President/ Director, Institutional/Media Relations

Ms. Sapphire Cureg

Director of Multicultural Affairs

BLUE AND GOLDA publication for alumni and friends of

Bluefield State College.

This project is underwritten by theFederal Title III/BRACE Program.

Bluefield State College enters 2009

filled with hope and optimism. Our

belief that the College is positioned to

reach even loftier heights this year is

based upon the foundation of fact, not

wishful thinking.

For example, BSC enrollment for

the Fall 2008 Semester continued to

grow, reaching its highest level in four

years. Preliminary figures for our Spring

2009 enrollment also show signs of con-

tinued growth.

BSC was selected as this region's

best institution of higher education in a

recent “Best of the Best” vote of

Bluefield Daily Telegraph readers, and

the College was named one of America’s

Best Colleges for the eighth consecutive

year by US News & World Report.

Our students’ achievements on a

state and national level continue to be

outstanding. Our Student Government

Association President has been named

Vice Chair of the State Advisory Council

of Students, and BSC students have per-

formed with distinction at regional and

national Model United Nations confer-

ences this academic year.

On a local level, BSC students and

staff are outstanding ambassadors for the

College, with their spirit of volunteerism

helping to make our community a better

place. Last semester, BSC students and

faculty volunteered many hours to

repaint the Martin Luther King Bridge,

and our nursing students and faculty

invest their time and talent to assist area

residents in a variety of programs, at the

Wade Center in Bluefield and throughout

the region. The College welcomes local

public school students to campus five

times each year for countywide academic

competitions.

This semester, Bluefield State

College hosted a wide range of Black

History Month programs and, on April

10, the College will coordinate a daylong

“Festival of Cultures” to cultivate a

greater appreciation for multiculturalism

and diversity.

We appreciate your interest in, and

support for, Bluefield State College and

we sincerely hope you enjoy reading this

edition of the “Blue & Gold.”

Dr. Albert L. Walker

President

Board of Governors’ News

by Norris Kantor, Esq., Chair

Norris Kantor, Chair

- 2 -

A Message from the President

The inaugural “Disability Awareness

Day” program at Bluefield State College

featured six informational booths and

attracted 55 registrants. The initiative was

organized by Deborrah Pittman, (pictured

left) advisor for the BSC student organiza-

tion “People First,” in conjunction with

the College’s Human Resources office and

the office of Multicultural Affairs. People

First is an organization for students, facul-

ty, and staff at the college who have an

interest in disability issues.

“We are gratified by the response to

the initial ‘Disability Awareness Day’ pro-

gram,” Pittman (BSC Professor &

Department Head/Computer Science)

said. “Among the registrants were 10

people who indicate they have a disability

and 21 individuals who have friends or

family members with a disability. The

event provided a wonderful means for

promoting services, resources, and sup-

port options for differently-abled per-

sons.”

Among the participating groups,

agencies, and offices were the West

Virginia Division of Rehabilitation

Services, F.UN. (Friends Unlimited), the

Disability Mentoring Day/U.S. Forestry

Service Lab, BSC’s Multicultural Affairs

office, Human Resources office, and

Student Support Services office, and

People First.

When several Bluefield

State College students

approached the City of

Bluefield recently, volunteer-

ing to paint the Dr. Martin

Luther King Bridge, the

City’s leadership and

Bluefield Beautification

chairperson Gail Satterfield

were already looking for a

way to get the project done.

With the Beautification

Commission providing the

paint and BSC students com-

mitting dozens of hours of

their time and talent, the rail-

ing along both sides of the

bridge now bears the fresh

clean look of a new coat of

paint. “The Bluefield State

College chapter of Phi Beta

Lambda (PBL) was consider-

ing a community service

project,” explained Howard

Coston, a BSC business administration

major and President of PBL. “Many

members of the College community drive

across the MLK Bridge each day and we

wanted to improve its appearance.”

A few months ago, the Bluefield

Beautification Commission had proposed

the bridge repainting project. “We

received approval from the City to pro-

ceed, but City employees were so busy it

was difficult for them to find the time

to begin,” Satterfield recalled.

“Several weeks ago, Mr. Coston and

Ms. Diane Belcher (BSC School of

Business adjunct faculty member) pro-

posed the project and things began to

happen.”

“Several students got involved,

and we received help from the Black

Student Association and Student

Government Association at the

College, along several volunteers from

the community,” Coston continued.

“This project could not have been

completed without the help of every

person who picked up a paint brush to

help,” he added. “Everyone worked

hard and we were uplifted by the

appreciation of the community.”

“The neighbors really got excited

the project, and last Sunday, several

residents brought sandwiches and bot-

tled water to the students,” Satterfield

said. “The Bluefield State College

community really helped. We want the

students to share their ideas for other

beautification projects, as well.”

BSC Students and Volunteers Give the M.L.K.

Bridge a Fresh Coat of Paint

Howard Coston (foreground) President/Bluefield State

College chapter-Phi Beta Lambda and Diane Belcher

(BSC School of Business adjunct faculty member)

participated in a recent community improvement project

in which members of the College community painted the

Dr. Martin Luther King Bridge in Bluefield.

“Disability Awareness Day” at BSC Attracts

More Than 50 Registrants and Six Organizations

Deborrah Pittman, advisor of BSC’s

“People First” student organization, is

pictured during the College’s first

“Disability Awareness Day” program.

- 3 -

“Festival of Cultures” at BSC on

April 10 Will Create Opportunity to

Gain Better Understanding of the World

A “Festival of Cultures” at Bluefield

State College on April 10 will offer a

dynamic opportunity for residents of the

region to join the College community and

gain a greater understanding and apprecia-

tion of the world. The day-long program,

organized and coordinated by the

College’s Office of Multicultural Affairs,

will permit attendees to experience other

cultures through music, dance, arts, lec-

tures, and food. The

festival was envisioned

by Dr. Sapphire Cureg,

BSC’s Director of

Multicultural Affairs.

The festival

begins at 10 a.m. with BSC students and

administrators, along with community

leaders, extending a welcome to guests.

Displays for vendors, food, arts and crafts,

and international entertainment will be

accessible in the Ned Shott Physical

Education Building on campus.

At noon, the highly acclaimed “Latin

Ballet of Virginia” will perform several

Latin dances at the Basic Science

Auditorium. The “Solazo Band,” featur-

ing music from South America, will be

next on stage. “Music and dance touch

the soul of the individual,” Cureg said.

“These groups will manifest how their

dance and music preserve and provide

insights into the life and times of their

cultures.”

Later that afternoon, several BSC stu-

dents will offer dramatic theme-appropri-

ate readings at the Hebert Gallery in the

Harris-Jefferson Student Center.

The programs and performances are

offered, free of charge.

Food and crafts will be

on sale.

The project is

presented by Bluefield

State College with

financial assistance from the West

Virginia Humanities Council, a state affili-

ate of the National Endowment for the

Humanities. Any findings, conclusions or

recommendations expressed in this festi-

val do not necessarily represent those of

the National Endowment for the

Humanities.

Individuals and organizations inter-

ested in learning more about the Festival

of Cultures are encouraged to contact Dr.

Cureg by phone (304) 327-4512 or by e-

mail scureg@bluefieldstate.edu.

- 4 -

Additionally, the Board is very

pleased with the achievements of the

College’s academic programs. The engi-

neering technology, nursing, radiologic

technology, business, and teaching pro-

grams receive regional, state, and national

acclaim for their success.

The Board of Governors was very

interested in the presentation of BSC

Alumni Association representatives, who

proposed that serious consideration be

given to the reestablishment of student

housing on campus. Toward that end, the

Board is moving forward with plans to

conduct a feasibility study that will identi-

fy a wide range of factors that must be

evaluated, and the Board pledges to pro-

ceed in a prudent fashion.

My four-year term as a member of

the Board of Governors will terminate on

June 30th of this year. Prior to this term, I

had served a four-year term on the Board

of Governors, and, under West Virginia

law, June 30th will conclude my service

as a member of the Board of Governors. I

previously served four-years on the Board

of Advisors, which means that I have

served 12 consecutive years on either the

Board of Advisors or the Board of

Governors. These 12 years of service

have been a rewarding experience, and I

have grown to appreciate the splendid fac-

ulty and classified staff, as well as the

President and the other officers of the

College. During these years a number of

changes have occurred, some of which we

thought would be disastrous, such as the

removal of the College’s community and

technical programs and having same

transferred to NRCTC. However, with

the cooperation of the administration, fac-

ulty and classified staff, as well as that of

the students, the College is once again on

a growth pattern and will continue to be

one of the better, if not the best, four-year

College in the State and will continue to

provide an excellent education for its stu-

dents. Thus, while I am saddened by the

fact that I will no longer be a participant

in the life of the College, I will continue

to make myself available to assist the

College in any way that I can, and I fur-

ther wish the administration, faculty, staff

and students nothing but the best.

Board of

Governors’ News

continued from page 2

The Honorable Eustace Frederick,

who served for 14 years as a member of

the West Virginia House of Delegates,

died on November 6, 2008. After retir-

ing as a coal company executive in

1992, Frederick was appointed to the

legislature by then-Governor Gaston

Caperton, and he won re-election for

seven consecutive terms prior to his

retirement in 2008.

He was a steadfast supporter of

Bluefield State College and was a mem-

ber of the West Virginia Coal

Association’s “Coal Hall of Fame.”

He also received the “Robert

Francis Hamilton Award” from the

Greater Bluefield Chamber of

Commerce in recognition of his commit-

ment to community service.

In Memory of

Delegate Eustace Frederick

Honorable Eustace Frederick

Bluefield State College’s celebration of Black History Month included several notable programs. On February 11, the

United States Air Force Band ensemble “Nighthawk” presented a concert that featured music from the jazz and blues of the Harlem

Renaissance through Motown and beyond. On February 18, Bluefield State College alumnus Ernest “Ernie” Smith spoke about his

experiences as a young student and student-athlete, including his years as a player in the former Negro Professional Baseball League.

On February 19, Bluefield State College student Janie Walker delivered an original dramatic interpretation of Rosa Parks, recounting

the events that led up to Mrs. Parks’ historic arrest in 1955 for refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus. The con-

cluding program spotlighted the energy and talents of the Kusun Ensemble from Ghana. The ensemble performed Pan African and

traditional West African music and dance and attracted a large audience of area public school students, BSC students and employees,

and community residents.

Bluefield State College Celebrates Black History Month

�Ernest “Ernie” Smith

�Janie Walker

United States

Air Force

Band

“Nighthawk”

Kusun Ensemble

from Ghana

�

�

Dr. Patricia A. Mulvey, Professor of

History at Bluefield State College, was

inducted posthumously into the Pi

Gamma Mu Hall of Fame. Dr. Mulvey’s

induction as an “Honoree Superior” rec-

ognized her service to the society, and

took place during the recent triennial

national convention of Pi Gamma Mu, the

international honor society in social sci-

ence.

Dr. Mulvey helped establish the

Bluefield State College chapter/Pi Gamma

Mu in 1994 and served as a chapter spon-

sor until her death in December, 2007.

She took many students to the society’s

regional and international conferences,

and was a contributor to the society’s

journal.

The BSC chapter of Pi Gamma Mu

was one of only eight colleges and univer-

sities selected for inclusion in the national

organization’s Roll of Merit, in recogni-

tion of its service activities and student

participation during the 2007-08 academic

year. The recognition was noted in the

society's professional journal,

International Social Science Review.

Dr. Patricia Mulvey Inducted Posthumously

Into Pi Gamma Mu Hall of Fame

Dr. Patricia Mulvey

- 5 -

Faculty & Staff Accomplishments

Dr. Tesfaye Belay, Associate

Professor Biology, and BSC student

Elisha Martin represented the College at

the annual Biomedical Research

Conference for Minority Students (ABR-

CMS) in Orlando, Florida. ABRCMS is

the largest multidisciplinary student con-

ference in the United States.

Dr. Thomas Blevins (BSC Class of

1971) Dean of the Virtual College,

Technology and the School of Education;

Professor of English and Education; Dr.

Tamara Meade Ferguson, Dean of

School of Arts & Sciences and Assistant

Professor of English; and, Dr. Patricia

Hilton, Professor of Education, presented

an adolescent literacy workshop to area

classroom teachers as part of a RESA I

grant funded by the WV Higher Education

Policy Commission. Dr. Blevins has also

been appointed to the ect (Educational

Communication and Technology)

Foundation Board. The ect Foundation

raises and grants funds to deserving junior

scholars in the field.

Dr. Sapphire Cureg, Bluefield State

College’s Director of Multicultural

Affairs, participated in a recent study

abroad site tour of Mexico. As BSC’s

representative, Dr. Cureg joined a contin-

gent of higher education professionals

from West Virginia Higher Education

Policy Commission (HEPC) colleges and

universities during the seven-day tour.

Professor James Harrison and Dr.

Tesfaye Belay recently attended a pre-

pharmacy symposium at the new Bill

Gatton College of Pharmacy. The one-

day program gave invited college faculty

an opportunity to learn more about, and

tour, the College of Pharmacy, located on

the campus of East Tennessee State

University.

Allen Jonas, retired Professor of Art,

was one of several artist featured at the

Group Exhibition: The Best of Summer

at the Art Store in Charleston, West

Virginia. He taught at Bluefield State

College from 1969 until 1994.

Dr. Bob Vicars, Professor of

Business (Management), was recently

notified by the Institute of Certified

Professional Managers that he has been

approved for 2009 recertification as a

Certified Manager (CM). In addition to

meeting education and management expe-

rience requirements, CMs must pass three

rigid examinations administered in dis-

tinct segments. CMs must also meet

ongoing professional development stan-

dards and demonstrate ability to apply

real-world skills and techniques. CM des-

ignation has long been a mark of manage-

ment competence and credibility.

District Elder Samuel Moore Delivers

BSC Founder’s Day Speech

More than 30 years after graduating

from Bluefield State College, District

Elder Samuel Moore returned to his alma

mater, delivering the featured address at

the College’s annual Founder’s Day pro-

gram. A professional educator and pastor,

he reflected upon his experiences as stu-

dent at BSC, then challenged and encour-

aged the near-capacity audience in the

College’s Harris-Jefferson Student Center.

“In the 1970s, many students believed

that there was an undercurrent to under-

mine the fabric of Bluefield State

College,” he recounted. “Certainly, those

concerns proved to be well founded.

However, as I return here, I am encour-

aged that we are seeing this fabled institu-

tion grow toward what it should be.”

One of only 50 persons in the United

States to receive the prestigious Milken

Foundation Award for excellence in teach-

ing in 2001, Moore credited his education

at Bluefield State College as a significant

factor in his success. “Bluefield State

College prepared me well for those things

I would face in life,” he continued. He

serves as pastor of the Full Gospel

Assembly in Huntington, West Virginia.

Addressing alumni, students, BSC

employees, and community leaders,

Moore exhorted audience members to

remain true to their dreams. “Never give

up your hope,” he advised. “Place more

importance on developing character than

upon gaining influence. If you develop

character, influence will follow.”

The Founder’s Day Luncheon is an

annual feature of BSC’s homecoming

activities.

District Elder Samuel Moore returned to

his alma mater to deliver

BSC’s Founders Day speech.

- 6 -

In Memoriam - BSC Employees

The Bluefield State College was

deeply saddened by the recent deaths of

several members of the College family.

Former BSC

President Dr. Jerold

Dugger passed

away on September

28, 2008. He

served as President

of Bluefield State

College from 1978-

1988, and was a

Regents Professor

at the University of West Virginia College

of Graduate Studies, 1988-1993. Upon

his retirement in 1993, he and his wife

Evelyn moved to Lewiston, ID, where he

remained active in community affairs for

many years.

William

Goodman, an

associate professor

of accounting,

died last

September. A

member of the

BSC faculty since

1987, Goodman

was also the

organizer of the well-known Volunteer

Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at

the College. He also played a major role

in helping BSC earn a 10 year accredita-

tion from the North Central Association of

Colleges and Schools in 1992, and he was

a very active volunteer within his church

and community.

Gregory W.

Shrewsberry, 46,

Dean of the

Bluefield Campus

of New River

Community and

Technical College

and previously

Director for the

Center for

Economic Enhancement and Occupational

Skills Development at Bluefield State

College, died on October 16, 2008. He

was the President of Bluefield Civitan

Club, was a member of Bluefield Elks

Lodge #269 and the Bluefield Salvation

Army and Bluefield Union Mission.

Mrs. Mary Crockett Bowen Bricker, a

former BSC facul-

ty member, died

on November 19,

2008. Ms.

Bricker was a life-

long educator,

teaching for many

years at both

Bluefield College

and at Bluefield State College. She was

also a guidance counselor at Tazewell

High School for many years.

Nancy Carol Ruble Lester, a former

Bluefield State

College business

office employee,

died on June 21,

2008. She joined

the BSC staff in

1995 and retired in

2002 as an

Accounting Clerk

II.

Mrs. Mabel C. “Yie” Hill, a former

secretary to the

Executive Assistant

to the President,

died on February

23, 2009. She was

employed at BSC

from 1977 until

1985.

Mrs. Bricker’s photo provided bySandra Bennett at Thistle Cove Farm

Mrs. Hill’s photo provided byLibby Burton Callahan

Dr. Jerold Dugger

Greg Shrewsberry

Mary Bricker

Bill Goodman

Nancy Lester

Mabel “Yie” Hill

- 7 -

For the eighth consecutive year,

Bluefield State College has been selected

as one of “America’s Best Colleges”

(2009 edition) by US News & World

Report. The publication bases its annual

selection of America’s outstanding institu-

tions of higher education on a variety of

factors, including peer assessment, fresh-

man retention rate, graduation rate, class

size, student/faculty ratio, and average

alumni giving rate. BSC was listed

among the best baccalaureate colleges in

the nation.

Additionally, BSC enrollment contin-

ues to increase, with preliminary enroll-

ment figures that are approximately 3%

ahead of enrollment totals on the same

date, one year ago.

“We’re gratified by the enrollment

increases,” noted BSC President Dr.

Albert Walker. “Our focus upon quality

academic programs, 14 of which are

nationally accredited, affordability, faculty

qualifications, and a student-centered cli-

mate are some of the reasons we have

grown. We look forward to the future.”

For several years, Bluefield State

College has offered one of the most

affordable in-state tuition rates of all pub-

lic four-year colleges and universities in

West Virginia.

BSC Named “One of America’s Best

Colleges” by US News & World Report

for Eight Consecutive Year

BSC Selected

"Best of the Best"

In Local

Newspaper Poll"

During a recent poll of Bluefield

Daily Telegraph and Princeton Times

readers, Bluefield State College was

selected as the region’s best institution

of higher education. “This endorsement

is particularly meaningful to us because

we are well aware of the other wonder-

ful colleges and universities throughout

our service area,” noted Dr. Albert

Walker, BSC President. “Thus, to be

selected as the “Best of the Best” is

quite an honor.”

- 8 -

As we swing into the

spring semester, 2009, we

have a New Year and a new

President of the U.S. with

many new opportunities as

well as many challenges.

We in the BSC School of

Education continue to meet

our challenges through

growth as well as mainte-

nance. For those who do

not know, teacher education

is a very regulated and

micro-managed industry

both at the state and federal

level. Our maintenance

continues to focus on our

national accreditation

through NCATE where we

have major activities due each year. Our

growth continues to stress our outreach

to local public schools and to our stu-

dent candidates by immersing them in

clinical activities and experiences within

the schools. We have several notable

achievements to report as major activi-

ties for this academic year.

�A Professional Development

Schools grant for 2008-09 of $40,000

was funded by the WV State Legislature

and the Department of Education & the

Arts. There are currently seven partner

schools: Bluefield Intermediate,

Bluewell Elementary, Bluefield Middle,

Whitethorn Primary, Princeton Primary,

Montcalm Elementary and Montcalm

Middle. Over 2,600 Mercer County pub-

lic school students benefit from funding

and extra classroom help from BSC stu-

dent observers and student teachers,

because of these partnerships.

�There are currently over 200 stu-

dents enrolled in teacher education at

BSC, and 70 current candidates are

admitted to the teacher education pro-

gram. Twenty-six candidates are student

teaching in the spring semester.

�A new education student organi-

zation is the West Virginia Education

Association BSC Student Chapter with

36 members of WVEA student group.

Thirty students attended the WVEA

Conference in Charleston on October

17-18, 2008.

�Classroom management training

was presented to student teachers on

Saturday, January 24th by Fred Farris,

Linda Pennell, public school teachers

from Raleigh County.

�Kappa Delta Pi, International

Honor society in Education, is pleased to

announce that Melanie Claypool, Donna

Cruise, Jayne Ford, Todd Graham, Tia

Johnson, Alice Jones, Katie King,

Danielle Lee, Jennifer McCarty, Rhonda

Neely, Michelle Oates, Christy Odham,

Allison Pettus, Stephanie Richardson,

Stacie Ruble, Susan Sheppard, Shelly

Smith, and Shari Wimmer have been

invited and inducted into its membership

through the Phi Lambda Chapter of

Bluefield State College. Dr. Patricia

Hilton is the faculty sponsor of the Phi

Lambda chapter. The Society inducts

only those individuals who have exhibit-

ed the ideals of scholarship, integrity in

service, and commitment to excellence

in teaching and its allied professions.

Selection as a member of Kappa Delta

Pi is based on high academic achieve-

ment, a commitment to education as a

career, and a professional attitude that

assures steady growth in the profession.

�BSC has submitted annual reports

to the West Virginia Department of

Education (WVDE) and to the

American Association of

Colleges of Teacher

Education (AACTE) and the

National Council for

Accreditation of Teacher

Education (NCATE).

�BSC has partnered

with Concord University and

the WVDE Regional Service

Agency (RESA I) to conduct

a summer grant workshop for

60 public school teachers in

McDowell, Raleigh,

Summers, and Mercer

Counties. A follow-up day-

long workshop was held at

Concord University in

February with BSC faculty

Dr. Tom Blevins, Dr. Tamara Meade-

Ferguson, and Dr. Patricia Hilton pre-

senting.

�BSC has just submitted a new

program report to the National Science

Teachers Association (NSTA) and

NCATE for national peer review of its

General Science 5-9 program. This

work was completed by Dr. Martha

Eborall, BSC Faculty Science Program

Coordinator, and Dr. Tom Blevins, Dean

of the School of Education.

Bluefield State College is looking

forward to being allowed to offer gradu-

ate programs and, in anticipation of that

future approval, is working to develop

several Master’s Degree proposals.

Meanwhile, the School of Education is

working with the School of Arts and

Sciences to develop several secondary

specializations.

This has been a busy and productive

year and we look forward to the oppor-

tunities and challenges of 2009.

Spotlight on the Bluefield State College

School of Education

by Dr. Thomas Blevins and Dr. Betsy Steenken

Dr. Thomas Blevins (left), Dean of the

School of Education, and Dr. Betsy Steenken,

Director of Teacher Education

CommencementCommencement

May 16, 2009May 16, 2009

10:00 a.m.10:00 a.m.

Brushfork NationalBrushfork National

Guard ArmoryGuard Armory

Dr. Lucie Refsland, a New River

Community and Technical College mathe-

matics professor who also supervises

Bluefield State College student teachers

in the BSC teacher education program in

Lewisburg, has been named West

Virginia’s 2008 “Professor of the Year.”

The Carnegie Foundation for the

Advancement of Teaching and the

Council for Advancement and Support of

Education (CASE) announced that Dr.

Refsland was selected for the honor from

nearly 300 top professors in the United

States. She received the award at a lunch-

eon in Washington, D.C. on November

20, 2008.

Dr. Lucie Refsland --

West Virginia’s 2008

“Professor of the Year”

Students in the Bluefield State

College Bachelor of Science in Nursing

(BSC BSN) program are helping many

of this region’s younger and more senior

residents enjoy the benefits of healthy

living. As part of the BSC BSN pro-

gram, a “Community Nursing

Practicum” course is designed for stu-

dents to gain “real life” nursing experi-

ences outside the clinical setting. This

semester, BSN students are working

with elementary school students at the

Wade Center and helping more senior

adults through a variety of health educa-

tion initiatives at the West Virginia

Manor.

Now in its third year at the Wade

Center, BSC’s BSN program offers

innovative, interactive programs once a

week for students in grades 1-5. “The

first year, we renovated one of the Wade

Center’s classrooms and it’s now desig-

nated as the ‘health education room,’”

explained Beth Pritchett, BSC Associate

Professor of Nursing & BSN Program

Director. A grant from the George

Cruise Foundation has underwritten the

purchase of supplies this year and has

permitted the purchase of a “Brick by

Brick” program that includes the compo-

nents “Respect Yourself,” “Respect

Others,” and “Respect the World,” as

well as the “Eddie Eagles” gun safety

program.

BSC students serve pizza to the stu-

dents in the program. “Our (BSN) stu-

dents served pizza during the first two

Tuesdays, then the BSC/WV Teacher

Education Association bought and

served pizza, and later the BSC Black

Student Association served the pizza,”

Pritchett added. Funds for the pizza

have been donated by several BSC stu-

dent organizations, BSC employees, and

the BSC Foundation.

Additionally, BSN students present

health education programs to residents at

West Virginia Manor. Students provide

lunch for the residents, then deliver the

program and offer blood pressure

screenings.

“Our students are working with two

‘vulnerable’ populations, both within

close proximity of the College,”

Pritchett said. “Two of the outcomes

embedded in the BSN program empha-

size the need for advocacy skills, espe-

cially for disadvantaged individuals, and

the need to develop and implement

health education programs for diverse

populations in a variety of settings. Our

students have really enjoyed these clini-

cal experiences, and they have learned a

great deal about community nursing.”

BSC Bachelor’s Degree Nursing

Program Provides Meaningful

Help to Community Residents

Dr. Lucie Refsland

- 9 -

Bluefield State College is aug-

menting its students’ access to, and

understanding of, technology on sever-

al fronts. During the 2008-09 academ-

ic year, BSC has upgraded its electron-

ic classrooms and computer laborato-

ries while concurrently expanding the

number of online courses available to

students.

“The goal,” noted Dr. Thomas

Blevins, Dean of BSC’s Virtual

College, Technology and the School of

Education, “is to provide the technolo-

gy and technology services that will

enable students, faculty, and staff to bene-

fit from the most current educational

experience.”

On its Bluefield Campus, the addition

of new electronic classrooms in

Dickason Hall and the Basic Science

building and the renovation of a com-

puter laboratory in the Instructional

Technology Center mean BSC now

has nine distance learning classrooms.

There are also nine computer labora-

tories open to students across the

campus,” Dr. Blevins continued.

Additionally, the College is offer-

ing 33 online courses this semester.

“By the conclusion of this academic

year, we will have taught more than 60

fully online courses,” Blevins added.

Technology Enriches Bluefield State

College Students' Academic Experience

William Vernon Adams, Sr.

Mary M. Addair

Kenneth R. Brady

Jerry Davis Connelly

Kenneth Aaron Cordle

Martha Kay Stasheen Duncan

Kandi St. Clair Fields

Henry Grady Frazier, Jr.

David Monroe Godfrey, Sr.

Robert W. Grigsby

Carolyn Ann Hayes

Richard Lane Hill

Elizabeth Marie Hubbard

Susan Leigh Johnson

Linda Sue Linkous

Sandra Hamlet Lockley

Macie E. Lugo

Misty Jean Jusk

Harry Lee Miller, II

JoAnn Miller

Jonathan David Miller

Dennis Allen Nash

John T. Osborne

Luanne Pugh

Peggy K. Ratliff

Beatrice Redd

John Adam Reed

Evans E. Riley

Paul J. Taylor

Three Bluefield State College stu-

dents are collaborating to tackle a signifi-

cant challenge, designing a software pro-

gram customized to meet the information

system needs of the Wade Center so that

staff and volunteers

can maintain more

complete records of

worship service atten-

dees and extract sta-

tistics that are useful

for ministry and

reporting purposes.

The BSC stu-

dents-Josh Baker, Lee

Whitteker, and Larisa

Crews-are completing

the initiative as a

project in Dr. Lynn

Adams’ “Software

Engineering” class.

They recently present-

ed a demonstration of

the software for Wade

Center leaders.

“Our goal is to

help the Wade Center

record consistent,

complete, and organized data by design-

ing a customized and centralized data-

base,” Baker explained. “We will also

make it easier for the Wade Center to add,

edit, and manage membership information

with a newly designed user-friendly soft-

ware program.”

Currently, the Wade Center uses a

Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to record

information and attendance for each mem-

ber. However, the system makes it diffi-

cult to organize, aggregate, and extract

specific information that could be very

useful in ministry and service efforts.

“Searching the spreadsheet for specific

information is difficult and time-consum-

ing,” Whitteker added.

“Our team is creating a secure data-

base that will provide more complete and

organized information,” Crews said. The

BSC student team is building a custom

software application to manage the data-

base and automate the task of searching

the data and producing useful statistics.

The students also plan to reconfigure the

Wade Center's network to improve securi-

ty and permit greater ease of communica-

tion.

The project is

one of several under-

taken by BSC

“Software

Engineering” class

students with a focus

upon helping area

community business-

es and nonprofit

organizations. “By

selecting real organi-

zations with real

needs, training stu-

dents to work in

teams, and designing

and implementing

complete software

programs, we

accomplish at least

two clear purposes,”

Dr. Adams stated.

“First, the students

are better trained to

enter the work force. Second, the com-

munity benefits by obtaining real working

computer programs that help them

improve their efficiency and productivity.

This approach also produces a more inter-

esting and stimulating learning environ-

ment.”

BSC Student Team Designs Software Program

for the Wade Center

BSC software engineering students and Dr. Lynn Adams are pictured

with Wade Center staff members during a demonstration of the

students’ information system project, designed for the Center.

In MemoriamIn Memoriam

BSC Students and AlumniBSC Students and Alumni

- 10 -

- 11 -

At first glance, Greg

Michaelson’'s academic major, civil

engineering technology, and his

interest in history and politics, have

little in common. Upon further

review, though, the Bluefield State

College student has displayed the

ability to combine the subjects in

award-winning fashion. Michaelson

won the prestigious “LEIMUN

Award of Excellence” at the 2008

Lake Erie International Model

United Nations conference earlier this month in Cleveland, Ohio.

“It was quite an honor,” Michaelson observed after returning

to the BSC campus following the conference, which attracted

more than 400 students from approximately 20 colleges and uni-

versities. “Bluefield State College’s MUN team was a wonder-

fully diverse group, with students from The Gambia, Serbia, and

Poland. My role was a little different than that of my teammates

at this event. I was on an historical council, revisiting issues and

conflicts from years ago, then debating them as if they were cur-

rently unfolding.”

Bluefield State College stu-

dent Essa Darboe, a sophomore at

Bluefield State, majoring in Business,

won the prestigious “AMUN

Outstanding Delegation Award” at

the recent 2008 American Model

United Nations International confer-

ence in Chicago, Illinois. The con-

ference featured over 8,000 students

representing more than 140 colleges

and universities from throughout the

world.

“Each college is assigned countries to represent chosen by a

lottery each year,” explained John White, BSC MUN advisor.

“Essa had the most fortunate opportunity of representing his

home country of The Gambia in West Africa. Over 20 other stu-

dents from Bluefield State joined him in representing The

Gambia as well as Burkina Faso.”

Darboe, a sophomore Business major at BSC, was not the

only BSC student to receive recognition. Betsy Plumley, a junior

majoring in Social Science, also received recognition for her

position paper submitted to the conference.

Jonathan Murray, President of

the Bluefield State College Student

Government Association, has been

elected to a one-year term as Vice

Chair for the State Advisory Council

of Students (ACS). Murray collabo-

rate with Matthew James, Chair/State

ACS, during a recent presentation to

the West Virginia Senate and House

Education Committees, along with

the chancellors of the West Virginia

Higher Education Policy

Commission and the Community & Technical College System of

West Virginia last October. “We discuss the issues that are most

important among students at the state’s public two-year and four-

year colleges and universities,” Murray said. “We talked about

things like textbook affordability, gas prices and their impact

upon students’ pursuit of a college education, and funding for

higher education.”

“It’s an honor to have been elected to serve students from the

state's public colleges and universities, and to represent Bluefield

State College in this capacity,” he added. The State ACS

includes student representation from each of West Virginia’s pub-

lic baccalaureate and community and technical colleges.

BSC Student Receives “Award

of Excellence” at Lake Erie

International Model United

Nations Conference

Jonathan Murray, BSC SGA

President, Elected Vice-Chair/

WV Advisory Council of

Students

BSC Student From the Gambia

Eagerly Anticipates U.S.

General Election

BSC Student Essa Darboe

Receives Award at AMUN

International Conference

Greg Michaelson

Essa Darboe

State College student Sulayman "Saul" Njie (left) is pictured

with U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller during Njie's one month

internship in the Senator's office earlier this year. With his

family's experience in politics in The Gambia, Njie is very

interested in the American political process.

Jonathan Murray

From the Office of Institutional Advancement

by Karen Harvey, Director of Institutional Advancement

A philosophical, some would say

spiritual, belief is that things and events

are in themselves neither good nor bad,

they simply are. Our attitudes toward

them are what attribute goodness or bad-

ness. Many are familiar with the old

Chinese tale of the man who had the good

fortune to receive the gift of a horse.

Unfortunately, he fell off while riding it

and broke his leg. Fortunately, the injury

kept him out of the army.

Unfortunately, all his companions

were conscripted and he was alone. And

so on.

What does that have to do with fundrais-

ing? It’s all how we look at it. We can

bemoan the current economic decline and

feel too poor to share anything with oth-

ers, or we can be grateful for what we

have and express that through giving to

others who have less.

In the last fiscal year, there were

approximately 200 donors who made gifts

to the Bluefield State College Foundation.

That is a small fraction of the number of

individuals whose lives have been

improved through the education they

gained at BSC. The families of those indi-

viduals benefit, too, as do the communi-

ties where they live and work.

The question is, how do we reach

those individuals and families? Many, I

believe, would give if they were simply

asked. In discussions with Dr. Walker and

Director of Institutional and Media

Relations Jim Nelson, we concluded that

the Blue and Gold is BSC’s strongest con-

nection to our alumni, friends and com-

munity. Until now, it has never carried a

gift solicitation other than the implied

message of this column. We considered

whether readers would take offense at

being asked to give, since in the past the

only communication some received from

the College were solicitations. Although

some may object to the fundraising mailer

inserted in this issue (and are welcome to

let me know that), I have to believe that

folks are willing to give what they can to

help our students continue their education.

Donors can specify Schools, pro-

grams or specific scholarships that they

wish to support by indicating that on the

mailer. Our website, www.bluefieldstate.edu/advancement/index.htm also pro-

vides access and directions for online giv-

ing. There is strength in numbers. If

enough of us give what we can, the schol-

arship funds for our students will continue

to provide the means for them to pursue

an education. Unfortunately, we all

feel the pinch of market conditions.

Fortunately, together we can still make a

difference.

Karen Harvey can be reached at 304-

327-4031 or kharvey@bluefieldstate.edu.

Karen Harvey

Director of Institutional Advacement

& Planning

BSC Receives Grant Awards for Several Initiatives

Bluefield State College received sev-

eral grants for research and service proj-

ects since the beginning of the 2008-09

academic year. The grant awards include:

CONSOL, INC. -CONSOL, Inc.

recently made a $25,000 donation in sup-

port of Bluefield State College’s mining

engineering technology program. Since

1980, CONSOL has supported BSC's

mining engineering technology program

on a continuing basis. "The support pro-

vided by CONSOL makes a very positive

difference in the lives of our students,"

noted Frank Hart, Dean/BSC School of

Engineering Technology & Computer

Science. “This most recent gift brings to

more than $275,000 the total amount of

CONSOL’s contributions to the program.”

Nearly 100 BSC students have benefited

from CONSOL’s scholarship support over

the past 27 years, and more than 60 BSC

graduates have accepted employment with

CONSOL.

RAHALL TRANSPORTATION

INSTITUTE-The Center for Applied

Research and Technology (BSC-CART) at

Bluefield State College will receive more

than $48,000 through an agreement with

the Marshall University Research

Corporation on behalf of the Nick J.

Rahall, II Appalachian Transportation

Institute (RTI). The grant supports BSC-

CART’s effort to provide campus coordi-

nation services for the Rahall Appalachian

Transportation Institute. The Institute was

established at Marshall University through

a $12 million grant funded by the U.S.

Department of Transporation’s Research

and Special Program Administration as a

University Transportation Center (UTC).

WV DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

& HUMAN SERVICES OFFICE OF

MINORITY HEALTH-The Bluefield

State College Minority Health Institute

recently hosted a “Mobilization Training

Conference” in partnership with Kanawha

and McDowell REACH WV Coalitions.

Conference costs were underwritten

through a $140,000 grant received by the

BSC Minority Health Institute from the

West Virginia Department of Health and

Human Resources Office of Minority

Health. “This was a first-of-its-type con-

ference, highlighting racial and ethnic

approaches to community health across

West Virginia,” noted Dr. Anthony Woart,

Director/Minority Health Institute, author

of the grant and director of the confer-

ence.

WV HIGHER EDUCATION POL-

ICY COMMISSION-A coordinated

effort to promote understanding of, and

respect for, multiculturalism at Bluefield

State College received a momentum-creat-

ing boost recently. The West Virginia

Higher Education Policy Commission

(HEPC) announced its decision to award a

$10,000 Social Justice Initiatives grant to

the College. Dr. Sapphire Cureg, BSC’s

Director of Multicultural Affairs, wrote

(continued on page 13)

- 12 -

and submitted the grant. “This grant will

help to underwrite the planning, program-

ming, and implementation of diversity ini-

tiatives and multicultural learning experi-

ences during the current academic year,”

she said. The plan includes specific

emphasis upon cultural immersion and

community outreach, as well as celebrato-

ry and heritage remembrance/community

education and relations.

WV DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

& HUMAN SERVICES RESOURCE

DIVISION OF TOBACCO PREVEN-

TION-A $50,000 grant aimed at reducing

the rate of tobacco use among lesbian,

gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT)

adult tobacco users in southern West

Virginia has been awarded to the

Bluefield State College Minority Health

Institute. The grant from the West Virginia

Department of Health & Human

Resources' Division of Tobacco

Prevention, follows a $5,000 grant

received last year for the prevention of

tobacco use among pregnant women and

minority students in southern West

Virginia, according to Dr. Anthony Woart,

Director of the Minority Health Institute

and Professor of Sociology at BSC.

BSC Receives

Grant Awards

(continued from page 12)

Scholarship recipients from Bluefield

State College, along with the individuals

and organizations whose generosity pro-

vided those scholarships, were recognized

during the annual BSC Scholarship

Recognition Dinner, last October at Gary

Bowling’s House of Art in Bluefield. John

Rinehart, Bluefield State College

Foundation president, and three BSC stu-

dents shared with the audience of more

than 150 how opportunities created

through scholarships have changed their

lives.

Dr. Albert Walker, BSC president,

recognized the scholarship donors in

attendance, noting that their willingness to

give has been invaluable in providing the

600+ scholarships that were awarded this

academic year.

BSC students Erik Guyton, Joseph

Perhealth, and Howard Coston also dis-

cussed the importance of the support they

received through the scholarship program

at the College.

John Cardwell, Vice President for

Student Affairs, and Karen Harvey,

Director/Institutional Advancement and

Planning, expressed their gratitude for the

scholarship opportunities created by the

donors’ generosity, and they saluted the

students and their families for their com-

mitment to academic excellence.

Elizabeth Pruett received a plaque of

appreciation for her volunteer efforts in

behalf of the BSC Foundation and its ini-

tiatives, and Mrs. Carla Delp was recog-

nized for her assistance in procuring sup-

port that resulted in a second endowed

scholarship that has been established

through the “Brian Delp Humanitarian

Award.”

The program was organized and

directed by the BSC Office of Institutional

Advancement and Planning.

BSC Donors and Scholarship

Recipients Recognized at Scholarship

Appreciation Dinner

The Bluefield Performing Arts Center at Bluefield High

School can now present concerts that are “twice as grand,” after

receiving the donation of a concert grand piano from Bluefield

State College. Steve Hopta, Chairman of the Bluefield High

School Foundation, represented the Bluefield Performing Arts

Center in accepting the piano during a brief ceremony at BSC.

“We now have two concert grand pianos, giving us the

added dimension of hosting dual piano concerts,” Hopta noted.

“Don Kensinger (music professor emeritus/Bluefield State

College), Dr. Albert Walker (BSC President), and Mrs. Shelia

Johnson (BSC Vice President/Financial & Administrative

Affairs) worked with us through the process. This piano has a

wonderful tonal quality and is a great asset to the Performing

Arts Center, Bluefield High School, and the community.”

Kensinger added, “This is a wonderful example of how

Bluefield State College, the Bluefield Performing Arts Center,

and Bluefield High School can work together for the mutual ben-

efit of the community.”

BSC Donates Grand Piano to Bluefield Performing

Arts Center at Bluefield High School

Pictured with the concert grand piano donated by

BSC to the Bluefield Performing Arts Center are

Don Kensinger (seated), music professor

emeritus/Bluefield State College, and

Steve Hopta (standing), chairman of the

Bluefield High School Foundation.

- 13 -

From the Office of Alumni Affairs

by Deirdre Guyton, Director of Alumni Affairs

Happy New Year from the Office of

Alumni Affairs!

We are embracing the challenges of

the “NEW ERA.” We see that our newly

elected President ran on the platform that

change is imminent. Here at Bluefield

State College, change is imminent and is

occurring as well.

In the issues ahead, this office will be

highlighting Association chapters and

introducing you to fellow Bluefieldians

(alumni) who have attributed their success

to being a graduate of Bluefield State

College. Imminent change. What a won-

derful thing! When we talk about change,

we have to talk about “Pride.”

Pride is, depending upon context,

either a high sense of the worth of one’s

self and one’s own, or a pleasure taken in

the contemplation of things. The word

PRIDE looks simple but it serves different

purposes in life. In a nonprofessional

term, it means pleasure or satisfaction

taken in achievement or the opposite as

arrogant or disdainful conduct. In our day-

to-day life, pride at times drains our ener-

gy but then again, we really need it to

excel.

I have attended several conferences at

a number of HBCUs and have watched

the students as they proudly walk their

campus. No one can exactly pinpoint the

reason they are statuesque when walking,

but I never heard a negative comment

uttered. One said that there is just some-

thing about the college--I cannot put my

finger on it, but I love my college. When

I ask alumni, they tell me it is the memo-

ries and the love they share during the

times they were here. As I listen to them

talk, there is always one faculty member

who comes to mind--Othello Maria

Harris-Jefferson. Mrs. Jefferson seemed

to be a tough instructor for she always

expected her students to be the best they

could be. Tough but, yes she took pride in

her work and Bluefield State College.

Muhammad Ali’s famous quote, “I

am the greatest. Not only do I knock ‘em

out, I pick the round,” is the ultimate

quote to leave with you. Therefore, I ask

the question, “How many students, alum-

ni, faculty and staff can without a doubt

show pride in their institution? What

makes you ‘proud’ of Bluefield State

College?”

This past summer we celebrated a

reunion of old classmates, teammates,

friends and administrators in Columbus,

Ohio. It was during that time, that the

Athletic Club inducted its first member

into the Athletic Hall of Fall at Bluefield

State College. Dr. Alonzo Paul Moss.

With assistance from Mr. Orlando

Henderson, Jr., I would like to take this

opportunity to introduce Dr. Moss to you.

Alonzo Paul Moss was born May 16,

1911 as the sixth of seven sons and one

daughter born to strict iron worker, Robert

Moss and his wife Ida Byrd Moss in

Springfield, Ohio. Moss attended Fulton

Elementary School, Central Junior High

School and Springfield High School

where he was a star athlete and honor stu-

dent. As a young man, Moss sang bass in

the Second Baptist Chorus with Coretta

Scott (King), then a student at nearby

Antioch College, Gertrude Carter, and

Prof. Charles Wallace. Moss attended

Bluefield State College in 1931 and grad-

uated in 1935 with a Bachelor of Science

in Education. While at BSC, he was an

All-American Tackle in the CIAA and

also played basketball. Dr. Moss met and

married Evelyn Harmon from Princeton,

WV. To this union was one son, Michael

A. Moss.

Upon his returned to Springfield in

1936, Dr. Moss started working for the

YMCA, eventually becoming branch

manager. As such, he was responsible for

raising $300,000.00 for a new facility, the

Center Street YMCA, which opened in

1950. During this time, he knew boxing

champion Davey Moore, musician Johnny

Lytle and mentored young Crud Ayers, the

father of future NBA coach, Randy Ayers.

In 1960, in order to revive East

Baltimore’s YMCA’s, Moss’ friend and

mentor, Willis “Doc” Miller, recruited him

to come to Baltimore and integrate camp-

ing programs as the assistant camping

director. He headed Camp Mohawk, later

called King’s Landing, again raising

money, mentoring children and helping

parents in neighborhood organizations

formed to encourage participation in

camping. He expanded programs at

Cherry Hill and Turner Station and helped

form the King's Landing Mother’s Club.

That club founded the city’s Martin

Luther King, Jr. Memorial Breakfast in

1968. All told, Moss spent 30 years with

the YMCA.

Integrating and supervising five coun-

ty branches, Moss also served for 16 years

on the Baltimore Department of City

Services Advisory Board, the Maryland

Food Bank, and for more than a decade

on the University of Maryland-Board of

Regents. After retirement, Moss coordi-

nated community programs for the

Community College of Baltimore and vol-

unteered in local prisons.

Moss’ first wife, Evelyn, died in an

accident on the Pennsylvania Turnpike

shortly after moving to Baltimore. Their

son, Michael Moss, is a college athletic

administrator. Moss married Elizabeth

(Bettye) Murphy Phillips of the Afro-

American Newspaper in 1963 and helped

raise three more children.

Dr. Moss was honored by Alpha Phi

Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and community

leaders in Springfield and Baltimore, MD.

Blessed and is worthy of being the first

inductee into the BSC Athletic Hall of

Fame, Moss, 98 years young now lives in

Ellicott City, Maryland.

Congratulations, Dr. Moss!

Deirdue Guyton

Director of Alumni Affairs

Dr. Alonzo Paul Moss

- 14 -

ASSOCIATION HIGHLIGHT

1950s

Charles R. Scott (1958) recently

wrote a book, “The Power of the Mighty

is Balance: A Poetic Philosophical

Rendition,” published by AuthorHouse.

1980s

Deborah Lynn Burgess (1986) is

employed at Bert Fish Medical Center

and received a promotion to Information

Services Director.

Steven P. Dalton (1985) received

the Princeton Chamber of Commerce’s

Eagle Award of Excellence. He was the

Chamber’s treasurer for 15 years. He is

a partner at the Brown Edwards & Co.

Thomas Jessee (1988), the women’s

head basketball coach at the University

of Tampa, recently won his 300th colle-

giate basketball team. His “Lady

Spartans” tied for the Sunshine State

Conference regular season title, won the

conference tournament, and qualified for

the NCAA Division II national tourna-

ment. He is a former basketball player

and women's head basketball coach at

Bluefield State College.

Charles “Buster” Large (1981) is

the boy’s basketball head coach at

Bluefield High School.

Sylvester Myers (1986) has been

appointed to the Association for

Educational Communications and

Technology Foundation's Board of

Directors. He serves as chair of the

Accreditation Committee. The AECT

Foundation raises funds for scholarship

assistance to deserving junior scholars in

the field of educational communications

and technology. Mr. Myers was also

presented the “Distinguished West

Virginian Award” during a ceremony at

Tamarack. The award was signed by

West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin III.

K.L. “Kenny” Young (1982) was

recently recognized upon the occasion of

his retirement as a Supervisory Special

Agent with the Norfolk Southern

Railway Police Department. Kenny’s

career in law enforcement includes 40

years, combined, with the Bluefield City

Police Department and the NS Railway

Police Department.

1990s

David M. Kidd (1995) has received

his Virginia license as a Professional

Engineer. He is employed by Virginia

Tech University as a building codes

engineer.

L. E. Younger Jr. (1990) received

two awards, 2007 Teacher of the Year

and 2008 Virginia FBLA Advisor of the

Year at George Wythe High School.

2000s

Diane Artrip (2008) married

Christopher Rice (2007) on September

27, 2008. She is employed by the city of

Hinton as a deputy city clerk and he is

employed by CSX railroad.

Lola Jones Baker (2008) was

recently inducted into the North

Greenville (NC) University Athletic Hall

of Fame. She later transferred to

Bluefield State College and became a

two-time collegiate All-American at

BSC. She was the West Virginia

Intercollegiate Athletic Conference’s

Player of the Year in 1993 and ’94.

Ashley LeAnn Caldwell (2006)

married Stephen Gratton Slade on

August 9, 2008. She is employed at

Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital in

Roanoke as a radiologic technologist.

Twana Panky Cobbs (2001) and

her husband, Robert, announce the birth

of their son, Robert Cobbs, Jr. on August

2, 2008.

Van Dillon (2002) and his wife,

Jennifer, announce the adoption of their

second son, Victor Alexander Dillon,

from Vladivostok, Russia. Van is the

senior pastor of the Hedgesville United

Methodist Church of Hedgesville, West

Virginia.

Latasha N. Dowell (2007) is

employed at Bland

Correctional Facility

as a Counselor II. She

was recently promoted

as the Director to the

Pup Program, the reha-

bilitative use of dogs

in a correctional facili-

ty, and is currently

pursing a master’s degree in Counseling

at Mountain State University.

Stephanie Hale (2007) married

James Davis on August 23, 2008. He is

employed at Wells Fargo Insurance

Services, Inc.

Stephanie Hill (2006) married

Heath Lilly (2008) on December 6,

2008. She is employed by Healthcare

Therapy Service in Beckley, West

Virginia and he is employed by Massey

Energy as a mining engineer.

Leah Hypes (2007) married Evan

Bowling on September 27, 2008. She is

an associate accountant with Brown,

Edwards & Company, LLP in Roanoke,

Virginia.

Todd Jamrose

(2008) has entered his

first year of studies at

West Virginia School of

Osteopathic Medicine,

in Lewisburg, West

Virginia.

Brandi La Dawn

Shaver (2005) married Douglas Allen

Fain on December 1, 2007. She is

employed by BB&T Bank in Bluefield,

Virginia.

Brandon Stables (2004) married

Brandi Jones on June 14, 2008. He is

employed by Jenmar Corporation of

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a technical

sales representative.

Garret Whittaker (2007) married

Emilie Blizzard on July 5, 2008. He is

employed by CMS in Princeton.

Rick Worley (2006) was recently

promoted to Assistant Vice President,

National Bank. Rick currently manages

the bank's Westgate office in Bluefield,

VA. He began his career at the bank in

1997, most recently serving as Branch

Manager at the Westgate office.

Alumni Updates

Requested

If you have received awards, pro-

motions, accomplishments, recog-

nition, have married or recently

welcomed an addition to your fam-

ily, please let us know. Mail your

news to:

Karen Gordon

Bluefield State College

219 Rock Street

Bluefield, WV 24701

or FAX to 304-327-4581or e-mail

kgordon@bluefieldstate.edu

Alumni Updates

Latasha N.

Dowell

Todd Jamrose

- 15 -

219 Rock Street Bluefield, WV 24701

Address Service Requested

STD MAIL A

Non-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage Paid

Permit #139

Bluefield, WV 24701

The 23rd annual Klingensmith Cup Golf Tournament will be played on Monday, May 18,

2009 at the Wolf Creek Golf Course in Bastian, Virginia. This annual event is sponsored by

Bluefield State College’s School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science. All BSC fac-

ulty, students, and employees are invited to join in the fun with the many BSC graduates. This

tournament allows participants to demonstrate their golf skills and provides a unique setting to

renew old acquaintances and to network with others having common interests.

The tournament format is set-up as a 4-person “captain’s choice” event and play begins with a

shotgun start at 8 AM. When play is completed, be prepared for an excellent barbecue lunch and

the awarding of prizes and trophies for the winners. Most prizes are awarded through drawing

numbers from a golf cap.

To enter, please send a check for $25 by May 9, 2009. In the past, entry fees have been col-

lected on the day of the tournament and this has caused delays due to last minute team changes. Please take the time to send in your

entry fee with your teaming preferences by May 9, 2009, to:

Stevie Steele, Tournament Chair

Anderson and Associates

100 Ardmore Street

Blacksburg, VA 24060

The $25 entry fee is used to purchase prizes and to pay for lunch and drinks. Receipts are provided. Cart and greens fees are not

included in the entry fee and are to be paid directly to Wolf Creek Golf Club on tournament day. For this tournament, Wolf Creek

offers us a special low rate of $22 per person covering cart and green fees charges. We encourage participants to enter this tourna-

ment as four-person teams if possible. Singles will be grouped into teams of four as required to fit the tournament format. If you are

a single entrant but have playing partner preferences, please identify them when sending in your entry fee.

Please respond as soon as possible to Stevie Steele ASAP if you plan to participate. Guests are welcomed. You can contact to

Stevie via e-mail at: Stevie Steele (steeles@andassoc.com). We look forward to another great tournament.

KLINGENSMITH CUP COMMITTEE

STEVIE STEELE, CHAIR

MEMBERS: JOHN BELCHER, JOE KOWALESKI, LANCE MORGAN, JOHN PELTS, DON SHILLINGBURG

The 23rd Annual Klingensmith Cup Invitation Golf Tournament