Bluefield State College - Blue and Gold - Volume XIII Number 1

Blue and GoldVolume XIII January

No. 1 2008JanuaJanua20082008

It was with a feeling of pride and humility that Irecently accepted the opportunity to serve BluefieldState College as chair of the institution’s Board ofGovernors. During my term as a member of the Board,my appreciation for the work of the Board and the mis-sion of the College has grown significantly. The Boardhas benefited from the leadership and vision of formerchairs Norris Kantor and John Barnes, and I look for-ward to the challenges and opportunities that awaitBluefield State College in the months and years tocome.

First, let me say that it is an honor to work withBoard members who are dedicated to the success of the institution. Their commit-ment to the students, faculty, staff, alumni, and residents of the region and state aresteadfast, and the continuing success of the College is a result of the positive, con-structive input of each of these constituencies.

(continued on page 5)

It’s customary during the holiday season to countour blessings. At Bluefield State College, we have beenblessed most recently on several fronts. First, the stead-fast encouragement of the BSC family has been ananchor of stability as the College has approached timesof continual change.

Our Board of Governors, the Higher EducationPolicy Commission, and several key state elected offi-cials have also offered guidance, insight, and invaluablesupport.

We are also thankful for the continuing and grow-ing opportunity to serve our students, community, state,

and nation. Our enrollment growth is made possible by a dedicated faculty andstaff, along with students and families who select Bluefield State College to contin-ue their education. This investment of trust is not something we take for granted.

As we entered the holiday season, we offered numerous opportunities for thecommunity to join our students, faculty, and staff in a variety of educational andentertaining activities. The annual “Battle of the Bluefields” saw Bluefield StateCollege and Bluefield College compete at the Ned Shott Gymnasium, with eachschool winning one basketball game.

A variety of cultural programs gave the College and community other opportu-nities to work together in a mutually beneficial “town/gown” relationship. TheBlue Chicory Players presented “Defying Gravity,” a wonderful play that enter-tained and challenged its audience. Then, the holiday concert performances of theBluefield State College Jazz Ensemble and the Bluefield State College CommunityChoir helped to usher in the yuletide season.

As we enter a new semester and year, we continue to embrace challenges,looking for the opportunities that are imbedded within each of them. We are grate-ful for your interest, your input and your help.

A Message from the President

2 JANUARY 2008 BLUE AND GOLD

Dr. Albert L. WalkerPresident

2007-2008Board of Governors

James J. Palmer, III, Esq.Chair

Norris Kantor, Esq.Vice Chair

Ms. Anne CroweMr. Jeffrey ForlinesDr. Lyn GuyLarry Morhous, Esq.John H. Shott, Esq.Mr. Sylvester MyersGloria Stephens, Esq.Ms. Angela Lambert

Faculty RepresentativeMr. Daniel L. Frost

Classified Staff RepresentativeMs. Ashley Froy

Student Representative

Administrative StaffDr. Albert Walker

PresidentDr. Don Smith

Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost

Ms. Shelia JohnsonVice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs

Mr. John CardwellVice President for Student Affairs

Dr. Thomas E. BlevinsDean of the Virtual College and Information Technology and theSchool of Teacher Education; Professor, English/Education

Dr. Tracey AndersonDirector of Institutional Research and Effectiveness

Ms. Karen HarveyDirector of Institutional Advancement & Planning

Mr. Jim NelsonAssistant to the President/ Director, Institutional/Media Relations

Ms. Sapphire CuregDirector of Multicultural Affairs

Ms. Leah TaylorDirector of Human Resources

Blue and GoldA publication for alumni and friendsof Bluefield State College. Thisproject is underwritten by theFederal Title III/BRACE Program.

Board of Governors’ Newsby James J. Palmer, III, Esq., Chair

James J. Palmer, IIIChair

BLUE AND GOLD JANUARY 2008 3

Among the many encouragingtrends that have emerged as BluefieldState College’s enrollment continuesto grow is the steady increase in thenumber of freshmen choosing to fur-ther their education at BSC. TheCollege’s “first-time freshman class”(the number of students who areentering college for the first time)during the Fall 2007 Semester hasgrown by more than 14% over theprevious year’s freshman class.

Bluefield State College wel-comed 308 new freshmen whenclasses began last August, anincrease of 38 over 2006 figures, andnearly 50 more than the Fall 2005first-time freshman class. That’s agrowth of 19% over the past twoyears.

A considerable portion of thegrowth has come in the number ofstudents enrolling after graduatingfrom area high schools that have tra-ditionally been “feeder” institutionsfor BSC. Additionally, the recentlyestablished “border county” initiativethat creates a discount that makestuition less than traditional out-of-state, but more than in-state, hasproven attractive to students fromseveral southwestern Virginia coun-ties.

A growth in financial support isalso permitting us to begin awardingacademic scholarships in greaternumbers and we’re enjoying more

success when we talk to outstandingstudents about continuing their edu-cation at Bluefield State.

Our Director of Admissions,Kenny Mandeville, recentlyobserved, “Students and their fami-lies are realizing that a degree fromBluefield State College opens thedoor for some outstanding careeropportunities. Our academic pro-grams have ‘real world’ relevance infields that include technology, busi-ness, computer science, research,education, and allied health.”

Our enrollment growth is partic-ularly encouraging at this time,because it’s taking place despite asignificant drop in the size of thisregion’s high school enrollment. Atalented faculty, dedicated staff ofemployees, and helpful alumni andfriends are working together to makethis success possible. We are grate-ful for your support.

Enrollment Growth Continues with Freshman Class

John CardwellVice President for

Student Affairs

Bluefield State College has beenselected again as one of “America’sBest Colleges” and one of “America’sBest Black Colleges” by US News &World Report. The publication basesits annual selection of America’s out-standing institutions of higher educa-tion on a variety of factors, includingacademic programs, faculty qualifica-tions, students’ success, support, etc.BSC was listed among the best col-leges/comprehensive in the nation.The publication recently released itsfirst-ever ranking of “America’s BestBlack Colleges,” and included BSC inits “first tier,” or top-level ranking.

Additionally, BSC continues toenjoy enrollment growth, with anoverall increase of more than 4% dur-ing the 2006-07 academic year.

“We’re gratified by the enroll-ment increases,” noted BSC PresidentDr. Albert Walker. “Our focus uponquality academic programs, 14 ofwhich are nationally accredited,affordability, faculty qualifications,and a student-centered climate aresome of the reasons we have grown.We look forward to the future.”

“We offer the degree programsbusiness is buying,” added JohnCardwell, BSC’s Vice President forStudent Affairs. An education atBluefield State College is an outstand-ing investment for individuals seekingto acquire knowledge and skills thatwill be relevant in the job markettoday and in the foreseeable future.”

Nearly two-thirds of BSC’s full-time faculty hold terminal degrees

and the College has achieved nationalrecognition for its recent success instudent engineering technology com-petitions, allied health sciences gradu-ates’ licensure passage rates, andentrepreneurial initiatives.

BSC Named One of "America's Best Colleges"and "One of America's Best Black Colleges"

Cover -- The Blue Chicory Playersat Bluefield State College present-ed "Defying Gravity" by JaneAnderson, November 29-December 1. "Defying Gravity" isa surrealistic look at the explosionof the space shuttle Challenger in1986. The cast includes AndrewA. Lawrence, Karen Harvey,Shamatee Mitchell, Nick Mosko,Susan Gore, Becky Dale, and JodyNeal.

4 JANUARY 2008 - BLUE AND GOLD

Bluefield State Collegeand the Bluefield City Boardof Directors honored localresidents Sylvester and JaniceMyers during a series ofevents, November 13-14.The Bluefield City Boardpresented a resolution, salut-ing the Myers’ commitmentto excellence and service,during the Board’s November13 meeting, and the Collegefeatured presentations by Mr.and Mrs. Myers during an“Executives-in-Residence”program on its campus,November 14.

Their visit to the Collegeincluded Mr. Myers’ presen-tation to engineering technol-ogy students and Mrs. Myers’ presen-tation to students from the School ofBusiness. At a midday luncheon intheir honor, the Myers receivedBluefield State College medallionsfrom Dr. Albert Walker, BSC presi-dent.

Mr. Myers’ recently publishedbook, From Coal Fields, to Oil Fieldsand Beyond; A Life in Pursuits of AllI Could Be, is an inspirational tale ofhis rags to riches journey from achildhood in a McDowell County coalcamp to the presidency of his interna-tionally known construction cost-esti-mating management firm with officesat four locations in the United States.In his book and during his commentsat BSC, he told of his days in the seg-regated Army during the Korean War,his work in the Army Corps ofEngineers, and he detailed an opportu-nity that took him to Saudi Arabia fora construction project with the gov-ernment there. That preparation, plushis commitment to continuing hiseducation, led him to start his ownconstruction management and costengineering company. At 75, the

Bluefield State College alumnus isstill going strong.

Mrs. Myers is an alumna ofAntioch College in Washington, D.C.,completing additional graduate workin Public Administration at GeorgeWashington University in Washington,D.C.

While in Saudi Arabia, sheworked with the U.S.-Saudi ArabianJoint Economic Commission asSenior Administrative Assistant to theDirector. The Commission was estab-lished to promote programs of cooper-ation between the countries in thefields of industrialization, trade, man-power training, agriculture, scienceand technology. It operated more than20 U.S. Government projects with a$100 million annual budget. Mrs.Myers worked in a coordinativecapacity on a daily basis with seniorU.S. and Saudi officials.

In 1988, after Mrs. Myersreturned with her husband to theUnited States from the Middle East,she co-founded S.C. Myers &Associates, Inc. (SCMA) inWashington, D.C. Currently, she pro-

vides management support tothe President/CEO of SCMAand edits the corporation’snewsletter, SCMANewsnotes.

“S.C. Myers andAssociates is a highlyrespected firm because of itsproven ability to get to thetruth in disputes betweenarchitects, contractors, andthe government,” notedFrank Hart, Dean of BSC’sSchool of EngineeringTechnology and ComputerScience. “Sy and Janice havesucceeded because they arecommitted to excellence inall that they do.”

At the luncheon intheir honor, Mrs. Myers added, “Theopportunity to share our story withstudents at Bluefield State College is‘icing on the cake’ for us. We want togive back, share our personal experi-ence and inspire others to achieve.”

Mr. Myers added, “My 45 yearcareer has been a joy. I would nottake anything for our journey, thechallenges and the satisfaction. Thekey to my success was hard work, andtoday has been like a surprise birthdayparty for me.”

Sylvester & Janice Myers Honored as Bluefield State College's "Executives-in-Residence"

Pictured (foreground/left-to-right) at a Bluefield City Board meeting are Karen Harvey (BSC's Director/Institutional Advancementand Planning), Mrs. Janice Myers, Mr. Sylvester Myers, and

Dr. Albert Walker (BSC President).

BSC Alumnus Sylvester Myers


Bluefield Consortium Professional Development SchoolsReceives $50K Grant Award from WV Department ofEducation & the Arts and the Benedum Foundation

A $50,000 grant awardfrom the West VirginiaDepartment of Education & theArts and the BenedumFoundation will provide a valu-able and substantial boost to theBluefield ProfessionalDevelopment Schools (PDS)consortium. The Bluefield PDSfocuses upon enhancing thepreparation of teacher educationcandidates, strengtheninginstructional services to stu-dents, and providing collabora-tive professional developmentactivities.

“This grant is the largestaward ever received by ourPDS and will underwrite a vari-ety of initiatives involvingmembers of our consortium,”observed Dr. Betsy Steenken,BSC Teacher EducationProgram Director and thegrant’s project director. MontcalmElementary and Montcalm High

School recently joined WhitethornPrimary, Bluefield Middle, Bluewell

Elementary, Princeton Primary,and Bluefield Intermediateschools and BSC in the consor-tium.

Brian Perkins, a faculty mem-ber at Bluewell ElementarySchool, is the public schools’chair of the consortium. SandyPuckett, a retired school admin-istrator, serves as the consor-tium’s liaison, visiting eachschool and sharing informationthroughout the year.

“New leadership directed atmaking the most of PDS oppor-tunities has led to the awarenessof new possibilities, bringingback energy and new ideas,”Steenken explained. “The mis-sion of developing quality edu-cators is the focus through com-munication and increasedunderstanding between BSCand its public school partners.

There is a renewed sense of collabora-tion and optimism.”

Representatives of Bluefield State College's partnerschools in the Bluefield Professional Development

Consortium were honored during a recent ceremony atthe College. They included (left-to-right) Todd

Browning (Bluefield Middle School), Ashley Pettus(Montcalm Elementary), Sharon Reed (Bluewell

Elementary), Elizabeth Hollifield (Princeton Primary),and Lori Comer (Whitethorn Primary) and BSC presi-dent Dr. Albert Walker (representatives of PDS partner

schools Montcalm High School and BluefieldIntermediate School were unable to attend).

Additionally, the Board and theBSC community are extremely grate-ful for the support of our legislativerepresentatives, state leadership, andthe Higher Education PolicyCommission. The collaborative ener-gies of these individuals and groupswere invaluable in the decision toaward the College a special appropri-ation that significantly offset fundinglost as an unintended consequence ofhigher education legislation enacted afew years ago.

On a more locally-focused front,

Bluefield State College’s continuingenrollment growth is extremelyencouraging. Students and employersare endorsing the College’s mission,career-focused academic programs,affordability, and commitment to edu-cational excellence.

As we begin a new semester andnew year, it’s appropriate to saluteBluefield State College’s rich heritageas a Historically Black College. Theresiliency of the institution’s leader-ship, students, employees, and sup-porters during and following the years

of its establishment in 1895 are out-standing profiles in courage. BlackHistory Month activities at theCollege in February will give all of usa time for reflection as we honor lead-ers--both nationally and locally--fortheir spirit of strength and sacrifice.

Finally, on behalf of the Board ofGovernors, I encourage each of you tosupport your College with your input,insight, and resources. We wish eachof you a happy, healthy, and fulfillingnew year.

Board of Governors’ News(continued from page 2)


Aaron Saunders has never met astranger. His outgoing manner andgenuine interest in the “sales” dynam-ic, along with the work ethic helearned at home, have helped thefriendly Bluefield State College gradenjoy a successful career as an entre-preneur, corporate executive, bankboard chairman, and commercial realestate owner/broker.

After graduating from GrahamHigh School in 1972, he choseBluefield State College to continuehis education. “My parents, siblings,and uncles attended BSC, and mymother worked at the College,” herecounted. “Bluefield State let mestay close to home. The tuition wasaffordable, and it was a good fit for asmall town guy like me.”

He enrolled in the teacher educa-tion program and was proceedingtoward his degree when a conversa-tion with former Dean of CareerDevelopment and Placement WandaMoore led to a shift in his career path.“Dean Moore saw me on campus oneday and mentioned that CarterMachinery in Bluefield was lookingfor a part-time employee,” he said. “Iapplied for the position and was hiredas a warehouse employee.” Thisspurred his interest in business, andwhen he met a Carter Machinerysalesman, he decided to take morebusiness courses at BSC.

“I arranged my academic scheduleso I could complete my classes bynoon,” he continued. “I continued towork at Carter Machinery even after Igot my bachelor’s degree in 1976 andlearned a tremendous amount duringmy time there.”

Aaron’s love of tennis also helpedopen doors in the business arena. “Ibegan playing tennis when I was inhigh school and spent a lot of time atthe Bluefield city tennis courts,” headded. “I met several individuals whowere doctors, lawyers, and businessleaders.” One of those men, “Spud”Hancock, became Aaron’s tennis dou-bles partner. Spud was also theregional sales manager for Parker-Hannifin (a world leader in the manu-facture of motion and control tech-nologies and systems). “At theBluefield Coal Show, he introducedme to Bill Eaton, Parker-Hannifin’sregional sales manager, who invitedme to travel to Greensboro, NorthCarolina for a job interview. Just afew moments after I had returned toBluefield following the interview, Mr.Eaton called and said, Don’t takeanother job. We want to hire you.”As a salesman, Aaron followed SpudHancock into his sales territory, learn-ing more about the sales dynamicwith each call. Locally, investmentcounselor Ron Campbell also servedas a mentor for the rising young exec-utive.

In 1987, Aaron’s climb up thecorporate ladder accelerated. “I waspromoted by Parker-Hannifin andmoved to Greensboro, then receivedfive promotions in six years, movingto Minneapolis, then to California,”he continued. “When the opportunityarose to buy a Parker-Hannifin distrib-utorship in Phoenix, I decided to pur-chase it.” He owned and operated thedistributorship for 12 years.

He agreed to serve on the ArizonaGovernor’s Small Business Counciland he joined the “Phoenix 100”Rotary Club, whose membershipincluded former US presidential nom-inee Barry Goldwater and USSupreme Court Justice Sandra DayO’Connor.

At that time, he decided to expandhis business interests to include realestate and banking. “I understood theimportance of diversification in edu-cation and business,” he said,“because it provides protection andthe concurrent opportunity for growthin a variety of areas. I could also lookfor synergies among my ventures.” Hejoined the Board of Directors ofValley Bank (Arizona) and soonworked with the bank’s chief financialofficer and chief executive officer tostart Gold Canyon Bank. “There weresimilarities in all of my activities--each involved a balance sheet and‘profit-and-loss’ statement, heexplained. “Each included the salesdynamic in some fashion. I hadalways enjoyed being in a setting at aplant or business, asking questions,learning what the owner/operatorwants and needs. Frank Sinatra oncesaid, of himself, ‘I’m an old saloonsinger.’ Well, I’m an old peddler. Ineverything I’ve done over the past 30years, I have always relied on listen-ing, learning, and selling.”

His diversified portfolio nowincludes operations in distribution andfinance, real estate, hydraulic pneu-matic manufacture, and marketing.“I’ve been blessed to be able to studysuccessful people and learn what hasmade them successful. My goal hasbeen to use what I have learned,” headded.


Aaron Saunders Credits BSC for Helping HimEnjoy Successful Career

Aaron SaundersBluefield State CollegeAlumnus, Class of 1976

Elizabeth “Betty” Robertson, who was awarded “Faculty Emeritus” status at BluefieldState College in 1975, also died in December, 2007. She was a recipient of the Town ofAthens, West Virginia’s “Elder Citizen Award.” She was a Mercer County public schoolteacher for many years, teaching a night class at Bluefield State College in 1967 whenshe accepted a fulltime faculty position at the College. She continued to serve after herretirement as a teacher in the first Developmental Learning Laboratory at BSC in 1971.

Dr. Patricia Mulvey, a member of the BSC faculty for more than 28 years, passed awayjust before Christmas. Dr. Mulvey, a Professor of History, was a very active campus andcommunity volunteer and she served as a co-sponsor of the Bluefield State College chap-ter of Pi Gamma Mu, International Honor Society in Social Sciences. She also partici-pated in several Faculty Development of Curriculum in International Studies (FACDIS)conferences.

Dr. William Brothers, who retired from Bluefield State College as Vice President andDean of Students in 1988, died during holiday season. He served BSC for 22 years,coming to the College in 1966. He was appointed to the position of Interim President ofBSC in 1978. During his years at the College, he was also the Registrar and Director ofAdmissions. His career in education also included eight years as a teacher in RoanokeVirginia and several years as a teacher and administrator in Tazewell County, Virginia.


In Memoriam

Dr. Patricia Mulvey

Dr. William Brothers

Elizabeth Robertson

Bluefield State College Speakers Bureau

The Bluefield State College Speakers Bureau was created to be a resource for civic, non-profit, educational, andservice organizations across West Virginia. Respected speakers from a variety of fields are available to deliver presen-tations on a wide range of interesting topics, including, but not limited to:

The Speakers Bureau is an excellent and easy way to provide programs of substance, offering relevant learningopportunities. Presentations are designed to inform and stimulate audiences in an entertaining and educational man-ner. More information is available on the Bluefield State College website at www.bluefieldstate.edu

Homeland Security Theatre and Storytelling Social Capital Criminal Justice & Corrections Women's Issues Planned Giving International Topics High Energy Physics Marketing

American Presidents Ancient Art Mining Arts in Education Fishing Information Literacy BSC Research & Development Corporation Competing in Today's Job Market


Spotlight on the Bluefield State CollegeSchool of Engineering Technology and Computer Scienceby Frank Hart, Dean

LEADING CHANGE - GIVING BACK

Our graduates are educated andprepared to continue to learn and con-tribute to the economy. They are pre-pared to lead change and to give back.We help define change. We mustchange how we give back. When col-lege rankings are presented, onemeasure of quality is the percentageof alumni who give back to the col-lege.

Feedback from ET and CS gradu-ates is important in shaping our cur-ricula. Collectively, our gradsdescribe work and life conditions ourstudents will encounter.

We live in an information world.The pace of change in increasing.We must change.Change will not be easy.Globalization will not stop.Technology will not slow down.We must be associated with risk.Giving back makes us better and opens doors for others.Education in Engineering Technology and Computer Science will create value and add to the economy.Employers appreciate the work

ethic of BSC graduates. This workethic is required for industry to com-pete in this global economy. Our topnotch faculty members enjoy an aver-

age of ten years of industrial experi-ence; good work ethic is an expecta-tion of students with this faculty. Thiswork ethic attribute leads to our grad-uates accepting responsibility, accept-ing change, and being competitive inthe work place. Our graduates addvalue to the industry, to the economy,and to the quality of life of others.

Our ET and CS programs havelong enjoyed external recognition byindustry. We have not enjoyed a simi-lar level of financial recognitionthrough state appropriations. We arenot competitive when attempting torecruit replacement faculty for ourprograms. We are not competitivewith funding for student activities.However, our students have a recordof success when competing with peersfrom other institutions. It is difficultto measure the value added in theseevents, but often these type experi-ences add more than just the knowl-edge acquired from taking anothercourse. We desire to build the lead onour competitors (other ET and CSprograms), then let them catch up,then build the lead again. Industrymust do this; we must too.

Although the State of WestVirginia provides funding to BluefieldState, that funding represents approxi-mately 25 percent of the collegebudget. Shortfalls in budget haveimpacted the School of EngineeringTechnology and Computer Science.Based on FY 2008 appropriations, theaverage state appropriation per FTE atpublic baccalaureate institutions inWest Virginia (excluding WVU andMarshall) was $5,010; the state appro-priation for BSC was $3,619/per FTE.This shortfall places our students at adisadvantage. In-kind contributionsfrom industry over a sustained periodof time have really made a differencefor our programs. Sustained support

(giving) from our ET and CS alumnican make opportunities happen.

To continue the quality of educa-tion our graduates have enjoyed, yourfinancial support is needed. TheSchool needs donations to create stu-dent scholarships, to fund studentprojects and professional develop-ment, to recruit the best students, andto endow new professorships. Thesedonations come primarily from alum-ni, industry and friends of theCollege. Several industries matchyour donations.

Your contribution means the dif-ference between our students receiv-ing an education that is adequate andone that is outstanding. It is impor-tant that our graduates give back, or“pass it on” to the next generation ofstudents. Your support is needed nowmore than ever to sustain our progressand improve program offering to stu-dents.

Karen Harvey is our new Directorof Institutional Advancement, and sheis interested in reaching you. You canmake a pledge or make a payment onan existing pledge or request informa-tion on donating gifts by visiting thewebpage: http://www.bluefieldstate.edu/Advancement/give.htm.Donors can click on the icon on thispage and make their gift via PayPal orany variety of credit cards and candesignate the School/program/purposefor which they want to designate theirdonation.

Time passes. We lose touch withour BSC family. Reconnect with usby emailing [email protected] or other faculty members. TheSchool of Engineering Technologyand Computer Science is doing well.Help us recruit the best students.“Crow” about your education.Continue hiring our grads. Give back.

Frank HartDean, School of Engineering

Technology and Computer Science


I’d like to encourage all alumniand friends to consider making a giftthat will make a difference in the livesof our students. We’ve made it easierthan ever with the recent introductionof online giving. Visit the Advance-ment web page at http://www.blue

fieldstate.edu/Advancement/index.htmand just click the “Make a Donation”button. A gift of any amount will beappreciated.

Fans of eBay and internet shop-ping will recognize the link to PayPal,which makes online transactionssecure and simple. Those who alreadyhave PayPal accounts know the ropes;those who don’t will find clearinstructions. All can be assured thattheir financial information remainsconfidential - we only receive the gift,not the details of the checking orcredit card account. Donors whochoose to give this way don’t evenhave to establish PayPal accounts tomake their gifts, although that optionis available.

Donors can designate a gift to a

particular School, scholarship fund, orother use by specifying that in the“Item” box that appears in the firstscreen. Unrestricted gifts are especial-ly welcome, too, as those funds canbe used to meet emergencies, unex-pected opportunities or obligations, orneeds for which there are no dedicat-ed funds. An unrestricted gift can bemade by writing “Annual Fund” inthe “Item” box on the PayPal screen.Please be sure to complete the addressinformation so that we can expressour thanks and send a receipt for taxrecords.

We’d like to hear donors’ feed-back on how this option works, too.Please send a note to me at [email protected] or call304-327-4031. Thank you!

From the Office of Institutional Advancementby Karen Harvey

Karen HarveyDirector of Institutional Advancement

CONSOL, Inc.recently made a $25,000donation in support ofBluefield State College’smining engineering tech-nology program. GeraldKowzan, CONSOL’sManager of HumanResources, made thepresentation to Dr. AlbertWalker, BSC President,Roger Owensby, BSCDepartment Chair ofMining EngineeringTechnology, Frank Hart,Dean/BSC School ofEngineering Technologyand Computer Science,and Dr. Don Smith, BSCVice President, Academic Affairs/Provost, during a briefceremony at the College.

Since 1980, CONSOL has supportedBSC’s mining engineering technology

program on a continuingbasis. This most recent giftbrings to more than$250,000 the total amountof CONSOL’s contribu-tions to the program.Nearly 100 BSC studentshave benefited fromCONSOL’s scholarshipsupport over the past 27years, and more than 60BSC graduates haveaccepted employment withCONSOL.

CONSOL also makesavailable special scholar-ships for minorities andwomen. These scholar-ships are granted individu-ally as students are recruit-ed and choose careers inthe mining industry.

CONSOL, Inc. Presents $25,000 Scholarship Donation to BSCMining Engineering Technology Program

CONSOL, Inc. recently made a $25,000 donation in support of BluefieldState College’s mining engineering technology program. Pictured (left-to-right) during a brief ceremony at the College when the CONSOL gift was

received are: Roger Owensby, BSC’s Department Chair of MiningEngineering Technology, Dr. Albert Walker, BSC President, Gerald

Kowzan, CONSOL’s Manager of Human Resources, and Dr. Don Smith,BSC Vice President, Academic Affairs/Provost.


Bluefield State College’s Musical Heritage

Harlem Renaissance composer Maceo Pinkard was born in Bluefield, WV in 1897, attending classes at BluefieldColored Institute (which was subsequently renamed “Bluefield State College”) in the “19-teens.” After moving toNew York City, his “Oh, You Darktown Regimental Band” was published in 1920 by the first Black-owned musicpublishing company, Pace and Handy. Among his most famous compositions are “Sweet Georgia Brown,” “ThemThere Eyes,” and “Sugar.” In 1926, he became one of the first composers to join the American Society of Composers,Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP).

Teddy Weatherford, according to “Answers.com,” was “one of the greatest jazz pianists that no one has everheard of.” He was born in Pocahontas, Virginia and raised in Bluefield, West Virginia, attending Bluefield ColoredInstitute in the early 1900s. Weatherford learned to play the piano in New Orleans and soon became an impressivevirtuoso. In Chicago, he worked with several top jazz orchestras, including those led by Jimmie Wade and ErskineTate (during the same time that Louis Armstrong was also a member of Tate’s Vendrome Orchestra. He spent most ofthe remainder of his life in Asia (leading a band at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Bombay), dying in India at age 41.

The legendary Duke Ellington appeared in concert on two occasions in Bluefield. In April, 1955, the Alpha ZetaLambda Chapter of Alphi Phi Alpha fraternity brought Ellington and his band to the city to entertain more than 500guests. According to the New York Amsterdam News, it was noted that guests traveled from as far away as NewJersey and Tennessee to attend the event. The concert took place on Ellington’s birthday, so his fraternity brothersrolled out a cake and wished him a “happy birthday.” In 1966, he returned to Bluefield to perform at the CityAuditorium. On this occasion, a capacity audience of more than 1600 turned out for the program.

Eugene Wayman Jones, a Bluefield State Teachers College graduate (Class of 1938) wrote the lyrics to the“Bluefield State College Hymn.” He later became head of the Department of Social Sciences, Monongalia HighSchool. His “A Cappella Choir” from Monongalia HS entertained at the White House. He founded the PhiladelphiaCotillion Society and Guild in 1949.

Dr. Cortez Reese, a music professor at Bluefield State College (1947-1972), also directed the BSC choir. His col-lection of wire audio recordings from southern West Virginia included numerous African American folk music andspiritual songs. A CD, “Work and Pray,” includes vocals by former BSC President Dr. Henry Lake Dickason, alumnaMemphis T. Garrison, and school physician Dr. P.R. Higginbotham. His 1000-page doctoral dissertation (Universityof Southern California, 1955) includes songs collected by alumnus Dr. Louis Aikens and former BSC librarian AlbertaCalvin. The Reese collection also included railroad songs that helped to make the laborious work on the railroad moretolerable.

Bluefield State CollegeCommunity Choir

Bluefield State CollegeJazz Ensemble


BSC Receives Social Justice Grant Award from WV Higher Education Policy Commission

The coordinated effort to promoteunderstanding of, and respect for,diversity at Bluefield State Collegereceived a momentum-creating boostrecently. The West Virginia HigherEducation Policy Commission(HEPC) announced its decision toaward a $9600 Social Justice

Initiatives grant to the College.Dr. Sapphire Cureg, BSC’s

Director of Multicultural Affairs,wrote and submitted the grant. “Thisgrant will help to underwrite the plan-ning, programming, and enacting ofdiversity initiatives and multiculturallearning experiences during the cur-rent academic year,” she said. Theplan includes providing students,employees and the community-at-large with access to systematic andformal cross-racial and cultural oppor-tunities that include training, lectures,seminars, and workshops.

“We will celebrate eight ‘HeritageMonth Remembrances,’ partner withtwo area middle schools, conduct a‘Community Cross-Cultural

Education Day,’ work with faculty tointegrate the themes of multicultural-ism and/or diversity into their offer-ings, and provide on-campus culturalsensitivity training,” Cureg added.

“We are grateful for the supportof the Higher Education PolicyCommission, and we are confidentthat their investment in these initia-tives will cultivate a greater apprecia-tion for diversity and multiculturalismat Bluefield State College,” she stated.

Additional information regardingthe activities of the BSC Office ofMulticultural Affairs can be obtainedby contacting Dr. Cureg by phone304-327-4512 or by [email protected].

Dr. Sapphire CuregDirector of Multicultural Affairs

A three-member delegation,including students from the BluefieldState College chapter of theAssociation for the Study of AfricanAmerican Life and History (ASALH)participated in the recent ASALHnational conference in Charlotte,North Carolina. The five-day confer-ence, whose theme was “FromSlavery to Freedom--Africans in the

Americas,” included a variety of ini-tiatives designed to promote, research,preserve, interpret, and disseminateinformation about Black life, history,and culture to the global community.

BSC students Marviene Johnsonand Mychal Guyton, and BSCProgram Manager Terry Thompsontook part in the activities, includingthe African American Heritage Tourof Charlotte, North Carolina, and theannual ASALH banquet, honoring Dr.John Hope Franklin, the James B.Duke Professor Emeritus of History atDuke University. ASALH is the old-est organization in the world dedicat-ed to the study and promotion ofBlack history.

“The most memorable part of thetrip, for me, was meeting Dr.Franklin,” Guyton said. “His impactupon American and African Americanhistory is well documented. Just

being in his presence was motivatingand inspiring. I realized during ourconversation that I was talking to ‘living history.’”

“I was inspired during this con-vention to encourage young people toseek higher education,” Johnsonadded. “I left the meeting proud to bea member of such a wonderful organi-zation. I am grateful for our ASALHchapter at Bluefield State College andDr. Howard Wade (BSC AssociateProfessor of History and BSCASALH chapter president) for makingit possible for me to experience anunforgettable event.”

“I have never attended a confer-ence that brought together such adiverse group of people from all overthe country,” Thompson noted. “Therecognition extended to Dr. Franklinduring the closing banquet was veryrichly deserved.”

BSC Delegation Attends "Association for the Study of AfricanAmerican Life & History" Conference in Charlotte

Dr. John Hope Franklinwas honored at theASALH conference.


The Bluefield State College Alumni Association haspresented scholarships to 15 BSC students for the 2007-08year. They include (front row, left-to-right) AdizatouMaiga, Stacy Nicholson, Shawnta Ware, Ashley Collins,and BSCAA scholarship committee member VelmaBradshaw; (second row, left-to-right) Howard Costen, EvaGrose, Olusolape Adenupe, Saul Sarr, Catrice Robinson,and BSCAA scholarship committee chairman Ergie Smith,and; (third row, left-to-right) BSC scholarship committeemember Thomas Mack, and scholarship recipientsEdmond Smith and Sasha Simmons.

Not pictured are BSCAA scholarship recipients RachelEllis, Erik Guyton, Marviene Johnson, Abdul Nasiru andcommittee members Ora Johnson, Virginia Hebert, andSue Guyton.

BSC Alumni Association Scholarship Recipients Honored

BSCAA Cruise The Columbus, Ohio chapter of the BSC Alumni

Association presents the “Egypt and EasternMediterranean Cruise” with Royal Caribbean CruiseLines, 12 days/11 nights, April 20, 2009. An initialdeposit of $550 for double, $1,100 for single, is requiredon or before February 22, 2008 to secure reservations,with the final balance due on or before January 12, 2009.Rates (Inside Cabin--$3,035, Outside Cabin--$3,425, andBalcony Cabin--$3,805) are per person and includecruise, port charges, airfare from Columbus, Ohio, gov-ernment fees, taxes and transfers. Passport required.

For more information, please contact MildredWashington at 614-837-6632.

Save the Date!BSCAA ReunionJuly 24 - 27, 2008Columbus, Ohio

More information coming soon!

Aaron Saunders feature(continued from page 6)

He is now moving toward establishing a business basein the Bluefield area. “I love this region,” he said.“There’s such a willingness to work among the peoplehere and, with the right opportunities available, the areacan thrive again. Bluefield State College can, and should,play a primary role in the process.”


When you read this article, hopefully, each of you will have had a wonderfulThanksgiving Holiday and Christmas and can look forward to a Happy and Prosperous NewYear. There were probably as many things and as many ways for giving thanks as there arealumni, and I pray that each of those included life, hope, and prosperity.

With life and a lot of other blessings in this festive time of year, I am thankful toBluefield State College for allowing me the privilege of becoming one of its students. Manystudents with no other college opportunity available were given work scholarships and otheraid to attend Bluefield State. A number of these individuals have gone on to make outstand-ing contributions to this nation and carry on the name and tradition of Bluefield StateCollege.

The College must continue to be vested deep in its historic tradition in order to pro-vide hope and prosperity to individuals with less access to the American dream. In my view, the task for the collegeand city in the next decade is to develop a coalition to return the city and the college to their original prominence. In1952 when I enrolled in the college, the downtown area was buzzing with shops, restaurants, hotels, movie houses andother business ventures. The college atmosphere was a wonder to behold and afforded the students an opportunity forlearning and socialization on par with all the other institutions of higher learning. Now that the downtown buzzing andthe campus atmosphere are gone, the college and the city can work together to rectify the situation.

A partnership between the city and college in the future would provide economic strength and attractiveness withthe potential to provide a bonanza of growth and development for the college, city, and the state. Given the historicalrole the normal school (which became Bluefield State College) played in the developmental history of West Virginia,the state must also exercise its responsibility to preserve the history of the state. When great minds work together,amazing things are accomplished, and I look forward to experiencing the emotions of the results. May the spirit of theseason bring you peace and a Happy and Prosperous New Year.

Joseph F. LewisPresident

From the Desk of Joseph F. LewisPresident, Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc.

Joseph F. LewisBSCAA President

Attention GraduatesNow is the time to join the Bluefield State College Alumni Association. Annual dues are $30 and LifeMembership is $300. Please complete the information below, detach, make checks payable to BSCAA andmail to:

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

Name Class of

Address

Telephone

E-mail


BSC’s Faculty and Staff AccomplishmentsDr. Tom Blevins, (BSC Class of

1971) Dean of the Virtual College andTechnology/Dean of the School ofEducation, took part in several highereducation-related initiatives through-out the summer. In June, he partici-pated in the National Council forAccreditation of Teacher Education(NCATE) Board of Examiners (BoE)Chair Refresher Course and he servedas a Consultant-Evaluator/PeerReviewer for the Higher LearningCommission of the North CentralAssociation of Colleges and Schools’focused visit to Tiffin University,Ohio, to approve six new onlinedegree programs. In July, Blevinsattended the BlackBoard conferencein Boston, Massachusetts and he par-ticipated in the Association forEducational Communications andTechnology (AECT) SummerLeadership Executive Board meeting,delivering a presentation on AECT

accreditation committee activitieswith NCATE. Blevins has also chairedthe Technology Committee efforts thissummer to finalize technology ordersand installations for the new ErmaByrd Higher Education Center locatedin Beaver, West Virginia.

Marcy East, Bluefield campusbookstore assistant, married JeffSwecker on September 1, 2007.

The artwork of Allen Jonas, aformer Bluefield State College artprofessor who retired in 1994, wasdisplayed at two major art exhibits inWest Virginia--the “Exhibition 280” atthe Huntington Museum of Art, and“Life Size,” at the Art Store inCharleston. Two of Jonas’ works,“Last Chance,” and “The Sky isFalling,” were included in Exhibition280, a juried art show that started in1953.

Carolyn Kirby, Student ServicesSpecialist, and her husband, Doug

Kirby, have announced the birth oftheir daughter, Jacqueline Faith, bornOctober 1, 2007.

David Sexton, (BSC Class of1988) database administrator, and hiswife Kim have announced the birth oftheir daughter, Aurora Briar, bornDecember 14.

Dr. Michael Smith’s recentlypublished book, Fishing Virginia’sHighlands, is now available. Smith,Associate Professor of English, hasalso written books that serve as anangler’s guide for regions that includethe Roanoke Valley, New RiverValley, Shenandoah Valley andGreenbrier Valley.

Dr. Jim Voelker, AssociateProfessor of Political Science, wasamong 20 faculty members selectednation wide to participate in the U.S.Institute of Peace 2007 College andUniversity Faculty Seminar, July 10-15, at the Institute headquarters inWashington, D.C. The U.S. Instituteof Peace is an independent,Congressionally-funded organizationwith the unique mission of nonparti-san research, innovative educationalprogramming, and direct peace build-ing efforts around the world. Thepurpose of the faculty seminar was toincrease participants’ knowledge ofglobal conflicts and to help them inte-grate peace study concerns into theircourses and programs of study.Earlier last summer, Dr. Voelker wasnamed 2007 Educator of the Year bythe Bluefield, Virginia Rotary Clubfor his work coordinating a number ofliteracy education projects sponsoredby the Rotary Club locally.

Check out theBSC website

atwww.bluefieldstate.edu

Three Veteran Employees Retire

Bluefield State College recently honored three retirees whose careersincluded a combined 80 years’ service to the College. They were Rita Hill(English Professor), Lois Brown (Accounting Clerk III), and Hilda Cochran(Information Systems Specialist).

Hill joined the BSC faculty in 1966 and was once the chair of the for-mer Department of Humanities. Brown was a College employee for 20years and Cochran for 18 years. Both are Bluefield State College graduates.

“Each of these retirees served the College with distinction and a com-mitment to excellence,” noted Dr. Albert Walker, BSC’s president. “Wewish them continued success and fulfillment in their retirement.”

Lois BrownAccounting Clerk III

Rita HillProfessor of English

Hilda CochranInformation Systems

Specialist


1980sH. Todd Comer (1989) has been

appointed Facility Manager for ProgressRail Services at Raceland Car Shop,Raceland, Kentucky.

SusanEngland-Lord,Assistant Professorof WVU Extensionfor WyomingCounty was hon-ored at theNational

Association of Extension 4-H Agentsconference in Atlanta, Georgia, October21-25, 2007. She received a National25-year Service Award at a banquet onOctober 25. This award is presented toan NAE4-HA member with 25 years ofservice to Extension youth programming.The 25 Years of Service award is basedon work with professional associationsand Extension committees, professionalimprovement, professional accomplish-ments, personal interests, and communi-ty contributions.

Stacy Fowler (1989) received hismaster of science degree in civil engi-neering from the University of CentralFlorida in May, 2007.

Craig Havens (1981) is the boyshead basketball coach at Bluefield HighSchool.

Christopher P. Jackson (1985) isthe Senior Pastor of the SimpsonvilleFirst Free Will Baptist Church.

1990sAndy Babish (1995), PE, is the

State Materials Engineer for the VirginiaDepartment of Transportation.

Steve Belcher (1999) graduatedfrom the WestVirginia School ofOsteopathicMedicine with thedegree of Doctor ofOsteopathicMedicine, May

2007.Scott Graves, Ph.D. (1998) has

accepted a position at Bowling GreenState University as an AssistantProfessor of School Psychology.

Eric Hontz (1997) and his wifeAmy have announced the birth of theirsecond child, Camden, born on February24, 2007. Eric is currently employed byInquiries Incorporated (a pre-employ-ment and background investigation firm)as a Compliance and On-LineInvestigations Manager.

Charlene Lawson (1993) received aMasters of Arts in Mathematics degreefrom the University of Virginia onAugust 18, 2007. She is a teacher atGalax High School in Galax, Virginia.

Kevin Long (1999) and his wife,Shannon, announce the birth of theirdaughter, Alexa Rebekah, born October1, 2007. He is employed as an applica-tion specialist with Konica MinoltaBusiness Solutions in Greensboro, NorthCarolina.

Julie Anne Mandeville (1998) mar-ried Christopher S.Fleming onOctober 6, 2007.She is employed asa case manager forthe law firm ofPhillips & Webster,Seattle,

Washington.Charity McDaniel (1992) graduat-

ed with a Master’s degree in EducationalLeadership and Policy Studies fromVirginia Tech. She is the assistant prin-cipal at Richlands Middle School.

Micheal Proffitt (1995) was electedfor a third consecutive year asSecretary/Treasurer for The Mercer

County Fireman’s Association. He is alsoa 25 year veteran of the BramwellVolunteer Fire Department, serving as a1st Lieutenant and a telecommunicatorwith the Mercer County E911 inPrinceton, West Virginia.

2000sHeather Meadows Clay (2004) is

an Associate Applications DeveloperAnalyst at Chesapeake Energy’s EasternDivision Headquarters, in Charleston,West Virginia. She is currently pursuinga Master of Science degree in SoftwareEngineering from West VirginiaUniversity.

Adam Culver (2002) and his wifeJessi have announced the birth of theirson, Kyle Julian, born on December 14.

Kenneth Fain (2001) is a CivilDesigner II for ColeJenest & Stone, P.A.in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Lisa Fenton (2006) is the ExecutiveOffice Manager and Human ResourceManager for Singer Associates FireEquipment in Manassas, Virginia.

Kim Gammon Graves (2000) isemployed as a Registered Nurse at St.Vincent Children’s hospital in Toledo,Ohio.

Kellie Jo Guella (2002) isemployed with the Social SecurityAdministration. She married BrianBlankenship July 22, 2006.

Kory Hedrick (2007) is a CivilDesigner I for ColeJenest & Stone, P.A.in Charlotte, North Carolina in theHealthcare division.

Robin (Boothe) Johnson (2006)and Kerry Jay Johnson (2004) haveannounced the birth of their son, TannerKerry Johnson, born October 20, 2007.

Jennifer Rose Kennedy-Brown(2000) and Michael Brown (2001) haveannounced the birth of their son, JacobMichael Brown, born September 6,2007.

W. Larry Lockhart, Jr. (2000) hasbeen promoted to Project Manager of theHealthcare division for ColeJenest &Stone, P.A. in Charlotte, North Carolina.He passed the Principals and PracticeExamination in April 2007 as aRegistered Professional Engineer.


Alumni UpdatesRequested

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

Karen GordonBluefield State College219 Rock StreetBluefield, WV 24701

or FAX to 304-327-4581or [email protected]

Alumni Updates

219 Rock Street Bluefield, WV 24701

Address Service Requested

STD MAIL ANon-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PaidPermit #139

Bluefield, WV 24701

Give Online!

Now you can make a giftand make a difference

through BSC's website:

www.bluefieldstate.edu/Advancement/index.htm

Alumni Updatescontinued from page 15

Carolyn Bridgett Morrison (2001)graduated from theWest VirginiaSchool ofOsteopathicMedicine with thedegree of Doctor ofOsteopathicMedicine, May,

2007.Feleesha Nester, (2005) married

Patrick Moran on April 29, 2007. She isemployed as a paralegal for KathrynBayless in Princeton, West Virginia andwas selected for inclusion in Madison’sWho’s Who of Professionals, havingdemonstrated exemplary achievement anddistinguished contributions to the businesscommunity, 2007-2008.

Amy Hillary Oliver (2001) recentlyearned certification in Multi-categoricaleducation for LD, BD, and MI. She alsohas Social Studies 5-9 and Elementary K-

6 multi-subject certification. She receiveda masters degree in Reading fromMarshall University in 2006, PreK-Adult.She is a reading specialist in McDowellCounty at Fall River Elementary.

Hayley E. Shaffer (2003) received a

Bachelor of Science degree in RadiologicSciences from Florida Hospital College ofHealth Sciences on August 16, 2007. Sheis employed by Carillon New RiverValley Medical Center in Radford,Virginia.

Corey D. Allison, Sr.Langston (Butch) Bowles, Jr.

Bishop Harold D. BeaverRonald “RB” BompusCuyla Sword Brown

Thomas James BurtonLinda Chambers

Bertha Branch Mitchell DavisAldie Delp

Peggy Morgan GreenJames Scott Herndon

Juanita Hogan Hill

Florestine HollandFloyd Lacy Jackson

William “Specks” JohnsonMcDaniel Marsh

Ruth Vance PattersonWilliam B. Patterson

Thomas W. RobertsonAlice Tyson Scruggs

Joseph Fitzgerald Street, Sr.Earl Joseph WilliamsHarriette S. Wright

In MemoriamBSC Students and Alumni

Documents

Bluefield State College - Blue and Gold - Volume XIII Number 1