bluefield state college - blue and gold - volume xi number 3

Blue and Gold Volume XI August No. 3 2006

As Bluefield State College prepares for the start of

its 112th academic year, I sincerely believe the institu-

tion is poised to achieve new milestones on a path of

excellence. Our Board of Governors, students, faculty,

staff, alumni, and friends have provided a synergy that

has created confidence and a continuing belief in the

College’s commitment to “Making Education Possible.”

Bluefield State College is proud of its recognition

for producing graduates who have become leaders in

their chosen fields in the region, the nation, and the

world. I am grateful for the commitment and dedica-

tion of the faculty and staff. These traits are critically

important components in achieving the College’s goals and objectives. In a state

and national climate of increasing costs and diminished resources, it is the human

capital of our faculty, staff, and administrators that makes the institution secure.

As we look toward planning, implementing, and initiating new programs and

projects, the support of our alumni and friends will be invaluable. The commit-

ment of resources and input from our alumni and friends demonstrates their will-

ingness to invest in Bluefield State’s promising future-sustaining our legacy of pro-

ducing leaders.

Within the pages of this publication are stories of successful graduates, aca-

demic achievements, ambitious projects, and a belief in our future of continued

service to students and community. Thank you for your interest, consideration,

encouragement, and support.

A Message from the President

2 JULY 2006 BLUE AND GOLD

Albert L. WalkerPresident

Board of GovernorsNorris Kantor, Esq.

Chair

Mr. Jeff ForlinesVice Chair

Dr. Louis AikensMr. John E. "Jack" CaffreyMs. Anne CroweDr. Lyn GuyMr. Edward Knight, IIIThe Reverend Garry D. Moore, Sr.Mr. James J. Palmer, IIIMr. Jack D. StaffordDr. Norman Mirsky

Faculty Representative

Mr. Daniel L. Frost Classified Staff Representative

Mr. Eli Sharp Student Representative

Administrative StaffDr. Albert Walker

President

Dr. Don SmithVice President for

Academic Affairs and Provost

Ms. Shelia JohnsonVice President of Financial and

Administrative Affairs

Mr. John CardwellVice President of Student

Affairs

Dr. Thomas E. BlevinsDean of the Virtual College and

Information Technology and the

School of Teacher Education;

Professor, English/Education

Dr. Felica Wooten BlanksExecutive Director of

Institutional Development and

Advancement; Director

of Title III

Dr. Tracey AndersonDirector of Institutional

Research and Effectiveness

Mr. David LordDirector of Human Resources

Mr. Jim NelsonAssistant to the President/

Director, Institutional/Media

Relations

Blue and GoldA quarterly publication for alumni

and friends of Bluefield State

College. This project is underwritten

by the Federal Title III/BRACE

Program.

Board of Governor’s Newsby Norris Kantor, Esq., Chair

A barometer for the success enjoyed by Bluefield

State College is contained in the pages of each edition

of the Blue and Gold. This issue is filled with new suc-

cesses and achievements, and it is particularly encour-

aging for your Board to work with the students, faculty,

staff, and administration of the College as it accepts

challenges and creates opportunities.

Recently, you have read stories detailing BSC’s

approval to add new academic degrees like the

Bachelor of Science program in Radiologic Sciences.

Progress continues as the College moves toward the

introduction of a Master’s Degree program in Business

Administration.

BSC’s students continue to achieve world class success in autonomous robot-

ics, exceed state and national averages on licensure examinations, and augment

their involvement in cutting edge research.

Concurrent with these developments, Bluefield State College has invested in

its community. Thus summer, BSC has hosted a College Summit and has estab-

lished a Student Success Center. Both initiatives are designed to help students

enroll in college, then succeed once they have begun their collegiate experience.

(continued on page 9)

Norris KantorChair

BLUE AND GOLD JULY 2006 3

Approximately 380 Bluefield

State College students received

degrees during Saturday’s 109th com-

mencement exercises at the Brushfork

Armory. Nearly 5000 people attended

the program. Former United States

Secretary of Education Dr. Rod Paige

addressed the Class of 2006, as well

as their families and friends, BSC

alumni, College representatives, and

other attendees.

Dr. Paige encouraged the gradu-

ates to use their skills, talents, and

education to enhance the community

and the world. He was introduced by

Dr. Albert Walker, BSC President.

The audience of family members and

friends of graduates and community

residents also received greetings from

Dr. Walker, BSC Board of Governors’

chairman Norris Kantor, BSC Alumni

Association President Dr. Louis

Aikens, BSC Student Government

President Eli Sharp, Faculty Senate

President John White, and Staff

Council President Carol Baldwin.

William Carl VanStavern (4.0 grade

point average) was recognized as the

College’s 2006 valedictorian, and

Janet Kay Shelton (3.92 GPA) was

honored as salutatorian. BSC senior

Heidi Bolden was selected to receive

the “Brian Delp Service Leadership

Award.”

Five members of the BSC Class

of 1956 returned to their alma mater

to participate in the program on the

golden anniversary of their gradua-

tion. Dr. Aikens also administered the

alumni oath to all members of the

graduating class of 2006, providing

each new graduate with a complemen-

tary membership to the Alumni

Association for the year.

Cover Photo: William Carl

VanStavern, BSC's valedictorian for

2005-06, was the bearer of the

ceremonial mace at the College's

2006 commencement exercises.

Photo by Samantha Craig

More than 380 Students ReceivedDegrees During BSC's 2006 Commencement

Sandra “Kay”

Thompson, assistant pro-

fessor of nursing at

Bluefield State College,

has been named the

recipient of the BSC

Foundation’s

“Outstanding Faculty

Award” for 2006.

Thompson, who has

been a member of the

College’s nursing faculty

for 25 years, was chosen

by her peers to receive

the BSC Foundation

award, which was pre-

sented during the 2006

commencement exercis-

es. She has made

numerous health-related

presentations at profes-

sional conferences and

has been an active com-

munity volunteer.

She was previously cho-

sen to receive the “BSC

Outstanding Clinical

Faculty Award” by a vote

of students in the nursing

program. Thompson has

developed the course,

“Introduction to

Community Health

Nursing,” and she holds

membership in several

professional organiza-

tions including Sigma

Theta Tau International

nursing honor society.

Sandra "Kay" Thompson Named BSC Foundation’s“Outstanding Faculty Award” Recipient for 2006

Sandra "Kay" Thompson (right), assistant professor of nursing, wasrecognized as the BSC Foundation's "Outstanding Faculty Award"recipient for 2006. Dr. Albert Walker, BSC President (left) made the

announcement during the College's commencement exercises.

BSC senior Heidi Bolden (right) receivedthe “Brian Delp Service LeadershipAward” from Amanda Delp Williams

(left), sister of the late Brian Delp.

4 JULY 2006 - BLUE AND GOLD

The School of Engineering

Technology and Computer Science

offers learning opportunities in the

following programs: Architectural

Engineering Technology, Civil

Engineering Technology, Electrical

Engineering Technology, Mechanical

Engineering Technology, Mining

Engineering Technology and

Computer Science (with Program-

ming, Networking, and Information

Technology options). Four of these

programs (Architectural Engineering

Technology, Civil Engineering

Technology, Electrical Engineering

Technology, and Mechanical

Engineering Technology) enjoy

national accreditation at both the

associate and baccalaureate level by

the Technology Accreditation

Commission of the Accreditation

Board for Engineering and

Technology.

Our students enjoy a spirit of

competition, and this spirit carries

through from classroom and laborato-

ry experiences to extra-curricular

activities. They have won regional,

national and international competi-

tions against major universities while

representing the School and Bluefield

State College. Many “real world”

experiences are provided in their aca-

demic assignments. These furnish

clear expectations of what is encoun-

tered in industry. Employer and grad-

uate surveys provide evidence of

acceptance in industry and of contin-

ued growth after employment.

Our faculty members possess

diverse backgrounds of education and

experience. They average 10 years of

industrial experience and 17 years of

teaching experience. They hold

degrees from 28 different colleges and

universities. They have received

numerous awards, both in industry

and at BSC. Students recognize the

enthusiasm of these faculty members

through industry-like assignments and

care for their professional develop-

ment.

Laboratories in the School are

filled with state-of-the-art equipment

and interfaced with computers. Some

of these laboratories receive industry-

sponsored donations of equipment and

software that keep us abreast of the

technology as it is developed. These

donations are the result of confidence

found in the experiences the students

enjoy.

Employment opportunities are

plentiful, and our graduates are com-

fortable in the industry and business

environment. Placement records

show our graduates are hired by

national and regional employers.

Several continue their education in

graduate schools, and a good track

record exists with regional graduate

schools.

CART

The Bluefield State College

Center for Applied Research and

Technology, Inc. (CART) provides

leadership in applied engineering

research and development. Such lead-

ership serves to enhance research,

contract development, grant, and

research contract administration serv-

ices for the Bluefield State College

School of Engineering Technology

and Computer Science.

CART is a state-chartered not-

for-profit corporation serving

Bluefield State College as an

approved cooperative organization.

The Center serves to enhance the

competitive position of research and

development; help promote the gener-

al economic development of the

region; expedite and simplify the

acquisition and utilization of research

contracts; improve technology trans-

fer, and; link applied scientific

research and technological advance-

ments to economic development of

the State of West Virginia.

Spotlight on the BSC School of Engineering Technologyby Frank Hart, Dean, School of Engineering Technology

JustinShrewsburyRecognized asOutstandingFreshman

Justin Shrewsbury, from Lashmeet,

West Virginia, has been selected as

the outstanding freshman in the

School of Engineering Technology

and Computer Science at BSC for

2006. He received the Claude B.

Dalton Award in recognition of his

outstanding academic performance.

Justin is majoring in Mechanical

Engineering Technology.

Professor Dalton taught math-

ematics to engineering technology

and computer science students for

over 20 years at Bluefield State

College. He was recognized for

being able to reach a broad cross

section of freshman in mathematics.

Graduates frequently attest to the

fact that Professor Dalton made a

difference in their success in col-

lege.

Justin Shrewsbury


CART is getting ready for

another “Grand Challenge.” The

Center for Applied Research and

Technology (CART) at Bluefield

State College will enter the

Defense Applied Research

Projects Agency (DARPA) 2007

grand challenge event. The U.S.

Department of Defense-spon-

sored competition named the

“DARPA Urban Challenge,” will

feature autonomous ground

vehicles executing simulated

military supply missions safely

and effectively in a mock urban

area.

A year ago, an autonomous

ground vehicle (“Scorpion-fox”) out-

fitted by Team CART of BSC, work-

ing alongside Preferred Chassis

Fabrication, Inc. of Tucson, Arizona,

moved through six rounds of qualify-

ing in the DARPA event, advancing

from the original field of more than

200 entrants, to reach the round of the

final 48 teams, coming within one

round of earning a spot in the Grand

Challenge, a 200-mile race through a

rugged desert and mountain course

that tested the vehicles’ ability to

navigate themselves independently

through and around a variety of ter-

rain challenges.

The 2007 DARPA Urban

Challenge will take place in a yet to

be disclosed metropolitan setting,

adding another dimension to the

event. “We’re certainly looking for-

ward to this new event,” noted CART

Director Bruce Mutter. “In the

past, we’ve lacked the financial

resources of many DARPA

teams, but we’ve still been able

to combine ingenuity and cre-

ativity to more than hold our

own with the best industrial and

academic organizations in the

Grand Challenge. Additionally,

the competition is an inspiring

‘real world’ applied research

experience for our students and

helps them visualize the limit-

less potential for their future

careers in engineering technolo-

gy.”

DARPA will award prizes for the

top three autonomous ground vehicles

that compete in a final event where

they must safely complete a 60-mile

urban course in fewer than six hours.

First prize is $2 million. To succeed,

vehicles must autonomously obey

traffic laws while merging into mov-

ing traffic, navigating traffic circles,

negotiating busy intersections, and

avoiding obstacles.

Center for Applied Research & Technology at BSCto Enter DARPA’s “Urban Challenge” in 2007

The CART "Scorpion Fox" team is pictured in Tucson, Arizona, with its autonomous

ground vehicle, during qualifying activities for the 2006 DARPA "Grand Challenge."

Students in the Bluefield

State College School of

Engineering Technology under-

stand that the school’s academ-

ic requirements are demanding,

but they recently found that the

experience can be fun, as well.

More than 100 area students,

primarily from BSC, participat-

ed in the 17th annual

Engineering Technology

Olympics at the Bluefield City

Park.

The event combines aca-

demic and athletic competition,

with students vying for first

place in categories including

balsawood bridge building, a

great boat race, concrete cylin-

der toss, digital logic, basketball,

softball, tug-of-war, field math,

horseshoes, and more. A mid-

day cookout was included, as

well.

“The Engineering Technology

Olympics gives our students a

chance to relax, enjoy the com-

petition, and see their faculty in

an outside-the-classroom set-

ting,” noted Frank Hart, Dean of

the School of Engineering

Technology. “It’s a highlight of

our semester every spring.”

In the annual BSC Engineering Technology Olympics’softball competition at the Bluefield City Park, hittersare required to run the bases in a counterclockwisedirection. The “Olympics” helps area students in

engineering and technology majors to relax and com-pete in athletic and academic events.

More than 200 Scholar-Athletes Participate in BSC’sEngineering Technology Olympics


Join Bluefield State College FoundationFour-Day Bahamas Cruise - January 4-8, 2007

Aboard Carnival’s “Celebration”Hosted by BSC’s President and First Lady,

Drs. Albert and Kulwinder WalkerThis four-day cruise gives you a full weekend of excitement in both Freeport and Nassau. Notonly will you have lots of fun snorkeling, swimming, sightseeing and snapping up duty-free bar-gains, but in Nassau you have time for some of the exciting Caribbean nightlife!

Deposit: $200 per personBecause availability is limited, contact AAA Travel as soon as possible.

Final payment: November 1, 2006

For Full Details Contact Your Cruise Professional:

AAA Travel622 Commerce StreetBluefield, WV 24701

304-327-8187 or 800-642-5878

FREEPORT

Bahamas Nordic WalkingTranquility Shores Beach

Kayak and SnorkelLucayan Country ClubGarden and City Tour

Freeport Dolphin Encounter

NASSAU

Blue Lagoon IslandGlass Bottom Boat

Ardastra ZooGarden and City Tour

Nassau Historical HighlightsAthol Island Snorkel

Cable Beach Golf ClubPearl Island Snorkeling

Powerboat to Blackbeard’s Cay with Stingrays

SHORE EXCURSION OPTIONS:


The Bluefield State College

Foundation’s “Outstanding Classified

Employee” awards for 2006 were pre-

sented to Tom Harrison and Deidi

Rose during the annual “BSC

Employees Appreciation Day” pro-

gram at the College. Both Harrison,

the College’s Director of Career

Planning and Placement, and Rose,

the College’s point of contact for sev-

eral Enrollment Management pro-

grams, received plaques and BSC

Foundation monetary awards of $500

at the ceremony.

By a vote of their peers, BSC

retirees Clifford Neal and Darlene

Buchanan were awarded “Classified

Emeritus” status, with all appropriate

rights and privileges.

Bluefield State College held a

retirement reception recently to honor

Alvin Lester (Professor and Depart-

ment Head/Civil Engineering

Technology), Remona Finney

(Assistant Registrar), and Dr. Alma

Bennett (Assistant Professor/Speech).

“These individuals have served this

institution with distinction and excel-

lence for a combined total of nearly

70 years, as skilled and caring mem-

bers of the College community, and

we extend our best wishes to both

upon the occasion of their retire-

ment,” BSC President Dr. Albert

Walker noted.

BSC Foundation Outstanding Classified Employees And 2006 Retirees Honored

BSC staff members Deidi Rose (left)and Tom Harrison were selected toreceive the Bluefield State College

Foundation's "Outstanding ClassifiedEmployee Awards" for 2006.

Pictured (left-to-right) are Dr. AlmaBennett, Professor Alvin Lester, andMs. Remona Finney, during a recentretirement reception in their honor.

They served with distinction at BSC fora combined total of nearly 70 years.

The National Aeronautics and

Space Administration (NASA) has

announced its approval of a $15,000

grant proposal in support of the

Emerging Leaders Program at

Bluefield State College. Dr. Felica

Blanks, Executive Director of


Advancement at BSC, submitted the

proposal.

According to Dr. Blanks, “BSC

received this grant through our part-

nership with the NASA West Virginia

Space Grant Consortium. This grant

will enhance our efforts to provide

leadership training opportunities as

well as scholarships for students par-

ticipating in the program.”

“Additionally, the overall grant

will allow other state institutions,

including West Virginia State

University and West Virginia

University, to launch initiatives to

replicate our Emerging Leaders

Program.”

Four years ago, the BSC Office of


Advancement received grant support

from NASA that established an

Emerging Leaders Institute to offer a

holistic approach for preparing

African-American students for future

opportunities in science, math, and

technology-oriented fields. The pro-

gram also provided a support system

to address the academic, social, cul-

tural, and personal development needs

of African-American students who

enroll in NASA-related programs at

BSC.

“We are very pleased that NASA

continues to assist our leadership pro-

gram. With continued support, we will

be able to foster a new generation of

multicultural academicians within the

fields of science, technology, engi-

neering and mathematics,” Blanks

said.

BSC Office of Institutional Development & AdvancementReceives $15K NASA Grant Award

Dr. Felica Wooten BlanksExecutive Director of InstitutionalDevelopment and Advancement


A creative, proactive approach

designed to help students succeed as

freshmen, then make a smooth transi-

tion into their sophomore year of col-

lege has taken flight at Bluefield State

College, and the response to the pro-

gram has been extremely encouraging.

A Student Success Center, under-

written by a $7500 mini-grant from

the West Virginia Higher Education

Policy Commission, has been estab-

lished at BSC, whereby several coor-

dinated activities have been initiated

with a goal of improving the

College’s freshman-to-sophomore

retention rate for first time, full-time

students.

“We have been able to implement

a wide range of activities to help these

students,” noted John Cardwell,

BSC’s Vice President for Student

Affairs. Approximately 300 freshmen

and transfer students will take part in

the program over the summer months.

“Students come to campus for a

three-hour session, where they receive

a more comprehensive advising expe-

rience,” he added. “Through this pro-

gram, participating faculty advisors

have already received training that

helps them evaluate students’ career

goals, academic strengths and chal-

lenges, and personal situations likely

to impact their academic success.

Students who look to be more ‘at risk’

after the advising session will be

assigned to a mentor (faculty, staff, or

student) who will work closely them

during their first semester of college.”

Participating students learn about

financial aid and Student Support

Service opportunities, receive web

self-service module training, tour the

campus, and begin the college adjust-

ment process, he said.

“Additionally, faculty who take

part in advising through the Student

Success Center can then share their

understanding with their peers, help-

ing to augment the quality of advising

across the campus,” he observed.

“At the end of the summer, each

freshman and transfer student going

through this program will be brought

back to the College for an orientation

session, Cardwell stated. “The

Student Success Center represents the

expansion of a college-wide commit-

ment to retention.”

John CardwellVice President for

Student Affairs

Student Success Center Working Effectively

The Bluefield State College ath-

letic department recently announced

the establishment of the “Humanitar-

ian Athletic Award,” a scholarship in

memory of the late Brian A. Delp, a

BSC student-athlete who lost his life

while assisting a stranded motorist

four years ago. Samuel and Carla

Delp, parents of the honoree, partici-

pated in a brief press conference at

the College, during which the scholar-

ship was announced.

“Brian was an exceptional per-

son,” noted BSC athletic director

Terry Brown. “He was a humanitari-

an, a leader, and an excellent student

athlete.” Scholarship applicants must

be BSC student-athletes, two-year let-

ter winners, and they must maintain at

least a 2.5 grade point average,

according to Brown. Student-athletes

must be nominated by a member of

the BSC Athletic Committee, and

nominations/applications must be sub-

mitted by April 1.

BSC Establishes “Humanitarian Athletic Award” in Memory of Former Student-Athlete Brian Delp

Pictured (left-to-right) are BSC athletic director Terry Brown, Mrs. Carla Delpand her husband, Mr. Samuel Delp, during a recent ceremony announcing

the establishment of the ‘Humanitarian Athletic Award,’ a scholarship in memory of the Delps’ son, the late Brian Delp, a BSC student-athlete who

lost his life four years ago while assisting a stranded motorist.

BLUE AND GOLD NOVEMBER 2005 9

About 40 students from selected

high schools in southern West Virginia

participated in the second annual four-

day “College Summit” workshop at

Bluefield State College, June 29-July

2. With an emphasis upon ensuring

that West Virginia high school stu-

dents who can succeed in college

actually make it to college, College

Summit’s presentation at BSC was

one of a series conducted by the

organization at West Virginia colleges

and universities during the summer

months.

During their workshop, students

were housed at the Upperclassman II

in Bluefield. They completed an on-

line college application, received one-

on-one college counseling, and wrote

a personal statement they can utilize

for scholarships or as an entrance

essay for college. They also received

resources, training, and encourage-

ment to strengthen the belief that they

are “college capable.”

“In West Virginia, we have so

much talent that remains uncovered,”

commented Sarita A. Johns-Gattuso,

executive director of the West Virginia

Access Center for Higher Education

(WVACHE). “Our mid-tier students

just need someone who cares, some-

one who believes in them, and some-

one who will provide accurate infor-

mation regarding access to college,”

West Virginia College Summit is the

capstone for the WVACHE program,

helping those students who don’t

know they are college material to

realize that they, too, can go to col-

lege and be successful, she added.

College Summit is a comprehen-

sive college transition system that

includes intensive summer workshops,

a curriculum guide to lead students

through the high school-to-life transi-

tion, and on-line tools to help students

and educators manage the transition

process. “We’re grateful for the sup-

port provided by the Upperclassman

II, the participating high schools, col-

lege personnel, and College Summit

staff and administrators,” Johns-

Gattuso observed.

“College Summit” Workshop at BSC Will Help Approximately 40 West Virginia Students Enroll in College

Sarita Johns-GattusoExecutive Director/WVACHE

For the sixth consecutive year, sum-

mer recreational and sports camps

have given many disadvantaged chil-

dren the type of positive, productive

activities that are invaluable as they

grow and mature.

It is encouraging that the College

has also received a growing amount

of support from individuals within the

legislative and executive branches of

state government. Certainly, the

momentum exists for continued suc-

cess. Your interest, input, and support

are vital for continued growth. Your

Board sincerely appreciates your

interest and invites your involvement

in helping to chart the future of

Bluefield State College.

Board Chair’sColumncontinued from page 2

Dr. Brian Noland (left), the new Chancellor/WV Higher EducationPolicy Commission, is pictured with BSC President Dr. Albert Walker, who welcomed the Chancellor during his recent visit to the campus.


Barb Bancroft’s kept them laugh-

ing and learning. As a featured speak-

er during the George M. Cruise

Nursing Conference, sponsored by

Bluefield State College’s

School of Nursing and Allied

Health, Bancroft’s presenta-

tion, “Shampoos, Tattoos, and

Barbecues,” provided a capaci-

ty audience of health care pro-

fessionals with an update on

current issues in infectious dis-

eases.

The executive director of a

Chicago-based continuing edu-

cation firm for health care pro-

fessionals, Bancroft covered

topics including global warm-

ing and travel, bioterrorism,

food-borne illnesses, and

infectious agents and their

relationship to acute and

chronic disease. She also dis-

cussed innovations in vaccine

delivery. “Within ten years,

vaccines can be grown in foods

like potatoes, tomatoes,

bananas and spinach, and you can be

vaccinated by eating a fruit or veg-

etable,” she noted.

Dr. Elaine Scott, Interim

Dean/BSC School of Business, was

also a featured speaker. Her topic was

“Ten Steps to Financial Security for

Health Care Providers.”

Cruise Nursing Conference Attracts Capacity Audience

Barb Bancroft (center), a nationally recognized speaker on health care,addressed a capacity audience during the recent George M. Cruise

Nursing Conference in Princeton. She is pictured with Dr. Betty Rader(left), Interim Dean/Bluefield State College School of Nursing and AlliedHealth, and Dr. Bernadette Dragich (right), Professor of Nursing and the

"Cruise Endowed Chair Of Nursing" at BSC.

Often, leaders who make a posi-

tive difference in their communities

do so in a quiet, understated way. On

May 22, nine of these unsung heroes

were recognized during the first

“Spirit of Bluefield Awards

Ceremony,” sponsored by the BSC

Foundation and the College’s Office

of Institutional Development and

Advancement.

“The purpose of this event was to

recognize and honor members of the

Bluefield community who most fully

demonstrate the spirit of community

service by fostering a sense of

‘belongingness’ as well as supporting

and promoting the their region and/or

Bluefield State College,” noted

Dedriell Taylor, BSC’s Director of

Development/Research.

Bluefield attorney Norris Kantor

received the “Spirit of Bluefield

Award for Outstanding Leadership.”

Kantor is actively involved in numer-

ous civic endeavors and also serves as

chairman of the BSC Board of

Governors.

Other Community Award recipi-

ents included: Government-The

Reverend Garry Moore (Mayor, City

of Bluefield, WV); Education-Dr.

Felica Blanks (Executive Director,

Institutional Development and Ad-

vancement and Administrator, Title III

- BRACE at BSC); Civic

Involvement-Mr. Blaine Braithwaite

(President, South Bluefield

Neighborhood Association), and;

Volunteerism-Mrs. Sue Guyton

(retired educator).

BSC students who were recog-

nized during the program included:

Government-Eli Sharp; Education-

William Aliff; Civic Involvement-

Mychal Guyton, and; Volunteerism-

Weston Monk.

Five Regional Leaders and Four Bluefield State CollegeStudent Leaders Honored at “Spirit of Bluefield AwardsCeremony”


BSC’s Faculty and Staff AccomplishmentsJohn Cardwell has been elected

as the new state representative for the

West Virginia ACT state organization.

Cardwell, Vice President for Student

Affairs, was elected to a three-year

term. He will serve as the state orga-

nization’s primary point of contact

with institutions and/or organizations

that elect to participate in its work,

and he will be the designated recipi-

ent of information from, and assis-

tance by, the state organization.

Dr. Bernadette Dragich,

Professor of Nursing, was one of the

co-authors for the instructor’s

resource manual for Maternal and

Child Nursing (second edition), pub-

lished by Prentice Hall Health. She

has also contributed to the Ball and

Bindler (2003) Pediatric Nursing

Companion website for Prentice Hall.

She will be presenting a workshop,

“Drug Endangered Children: What

the Pediatric Health Care Provider

Needs to Know,” at the WV Annual

Statewide Prevention Conference in

November in Charleston, West

Virginia.

Marviene Johnson, Administra-

tive Secretary Senior for the School

of Education, received an associate of

science degree in general business

from New River Community and

Technical College in May 2006.

Dr. Patricia Mulvey, Professor

of History, was among 12 participants

from West Virginia colleges and uni-

versities to attend the recent John A.

Maxwell Scholar-Diplomat Program,

“The UN Today: Millennium Goals

and Reform Agendas,” in Washington

D.C. The three-day event was spon-

sored by the West Virginia Consor-

tium for Faculty and Course Develop-

ment in International Studies

(FACDIS).

Lisa K. Neel, Purchasing

Assistant III, received a bachelor of

science degree in applied science

from Bluefield State College in May

2005.

At a recent West Virginia Library

Association conference, Archivist

Peggy Turnbull was a co-presenter

on a program that considered chil-

dren’s use of websites for reference

purposes. The program, “Smokey the

Bear, Canine Heroes, and Ben’s

Birthday: Collection Development

for Children’s Web-based Reference

Resources,” was a featured activity at

the WVLA “Spring Fling” in

Flatwoods, West Virginia.

Dr. Jim Voelker, Associate

Professor of Political Science, was

honored for his work on several local

and international literacy projects,

including the Books for Africa

Project, through which a number of

BSC faculty donated new and used

textbooks. The Bluefield, Virginia

Rotary Club named Voelker a Paul

Harris Fellow at its annual banquet in

June. A $1,000 donation by the local

club was made in his name to the

Rotary Foundation of Rotary

International to further the organiza-

tion’s service and humanitarian

projects.

� Air Transportation -- British Airway to LondonLondon to Seville - Iberia

� 8 nights first class hotels

� Breakfast Daily

� 3 Dinners

� All Entrance Fees

$250 Deposit by September 1, 2006Price is $2200.00 per person double occupancy

$350 single supplement

Final Payment is due October 25, 2006

We are holding only 20 seats.

For information contact John White

[email protected]

304-327-4157

New Year’s Eve Excursion to Spain

Visit -- Seville, Costa Del Sol and Madrid

December 28, 2006 - January 6, 2007

John M. Hairston, Jr., NASA’s

new acting Assistant Administrator for

Education, has traveled many miles

since the days of his youth when he

attended a two-room school in Wilcoe

(WV). However, he credits the edu-

cational foundation he received in

McDowell County public schools and

at Bluefield State College with pro-

viding a firm foundation for his career

in education.

Hairston directs the external pro-

grams directorate at NASA’s Glenn

Research Center. “My responsibilities

include designing, developing, and

initiating educational programs for K-

12 and higher education,” he

explained during a phone interview on

June 15, his first day in his new posi-

tion. “Our course content should be

relevant to academia and to NASA

career-related professions.”

The career educator and admin-

istrator credits his parents--Fern

Delores Hairston and the late John M.

Hairston--with developing his appre-

ciation for the importance of educa-

tion. “My parents said I’d be the first

member of our family to graduate

from college,” he recalled. “They

didn’t know how I’d do it, but they

believed that I would.”

“I grew up in Wilcoe, near

Gary,” he continued. “It was a com-

munity that cared.” While attending a

two-room elementary school with a

pot-bellied stove supplying heat in the

winter, Hairston was taught by Mrs.

Leslie Robinson. “I remember that

she often told me, ‘You’ll be a star.’”

Upon graduation from Gary District

High School, the 17-year old Hairston

seriously considered enlisting in the

Marine Corps. His father, though,

had other ideas. “My dad had been

wounded in the war, and the military

was not what he wanted me to do,”

Hairston explained.

He enrolled at nearby Bluefield

State College. “The dietician at the

College had an extra room at her resi-

dence, so I stayed there when I started

out at Bluefield State,” he said. His

memories of BSC are fond ones. “I

fell in love with the school and gradu-

ated in three-and-a-half years.

Bluefield State was a nurturing

school--they didn’t throw you to the

wolves. I remember the faculty, peo-

ple like (the late) Mrs. (Othello

Harris-Jefferson. They were very

hard, but fair.”

Hairston earned a master’s

degree from Cleveland State

University, then completed several

courses at Harvard’s John F. Kennedy

School of Public Policy. “Actually, I

found that my academic challenges at

Cleveland State weren’t as difficult as

my undergraduate courses. Bluefield

State had prepared me well,” he

observed.

“The support I received from my

family and my teachers in McDowell

County and at Bluefield State was

invaluable,” he summarized.

After 27 years as an educator

and administrator in the Cleveland

City School System, Hairston joined

NASA in 1991. “At 48 years of age, I

decided to change careers. I prayed

about it and made the move,” he said.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed the expe-

rience.”

He has received numerous

awards including NASA’s Exceptional

Achievement Medal and NASA’s

Medal for Outstanding Leadership.

He was appointed to the Dr. Martin

Luther King Ohio State Commission

and was presented a Congressional

Record Commendation from

Congressman Louis Stokes.

“Bluefield State College alumni

are everywhere in the world, and

they’re doing well,” he said.


BSC Graduate John Hairston, Jr. NamedNASA Agency Administrator

John M. Hairston, Jr.NASA’s Assistant Administrator

Fall Semester

Registration August 17 - 18, 2006

Classes StartAugust 21, 2006

Full-time Tuition In-state -- $1,824*

Out-of-state -- $3,880*

Metro Rate(Counties Bordering West Virginia)

$2,860*

*per semester, plus lab fees

For additional information,

call (304) 327-4065www.bluefieldstate.edu


Attention Graduates

Now is the time to join the Bluefield State College Alumni Association. Annual dues are $30 andLife Membership is $300. Please complete the information below, detach, make checks payable toBSCAA and mail to:

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

Name Class of

Address

Telephone

E-mail

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

As this is being written, plans are proceeding at a rapid rate for the biennial Bluefield

State College Alumni Association reunion in Atlanta, GA. At each reunion, BSC gradu-

ates have the opportunity to get together, share memories, and enjoy the fellowship of oth-

ers with whom they have the common bond of a love for Bluefield State College. The

next edition of the Blue and Gold will provide a pictorial narrative of the highlights of the

Atlanta reunion.

Additionally, within the pages of this Blue and Gold, you will see the Bluefield State

College Alumni Association's scholarship recipients for the 2006-2007 year. Your Alumni

Association is justifiably proud of its role in helping these most deserving young men and

women realize their dream of a college education at BSC. In fact, one of the missions of

the Alumni Association involves fund raising (approximately $15,000 this year) for scholarships.

Obviously, the larger our membership, the greater the potential to increase our scholarship support. Thus,

once again I am inviting you to consider the benefits and opportunities of membership in the Bluefield State College

Alumni Association. You can enjoy many activities like our reunion and, at the same time, help many students attend

and graduate from our alma mater. Please consider completing the application below and joining your Alumni

Association.

Dr. Louis Aikens

�


1950s

Orphus Taylor (1954) has beennamed Assistant Mayor of theSpringfield (OH) City Commission.Taylor, who received a master'sdegree from Wright State University

and is retiredfrom the DaytonPublic Schoolsas a school psy-chologist, wasthe top vote get-ter in the CityCommissionelection. Shealso serves asliaison to the

Clark County Board of Health,Transportation CoordinatingCommittee, Human Relations Board,Coalition of NeighborhoodAssociations, Mediation Board, andSenior Advocacy GroupEmpowerment. She is a past recipi-ent of several awards including theNational Council of Negro WomenPlaywright of the Year, ThomasJefferson Democrat of the Year,Democrat Hall of Fame, and ClarkCounty Democratic Party Chairman'sAward.

1960s

Robert L. Hawthorne, II, (1965)retired as an educator after 38 years.Thirty-four years were spent as a

central officeadministratorand as an ele-mentary schoolprincipal.Through theEducationPolicyFellowshipProgram, hestudied and vis-

ited educators and students in ninecountries. He is a member of theKappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

1970s

Mitchell Estep (1979) was hon-ored at the 2005 Iaeger High Schoolfootball banquet for 25 years of dedi-cation as the school’s head footballcoach. Under his direction, the teamhas advanced to ten playoff seasons,with 168 wins and 105 losses.

CAPT Norm Holcomb, CHC,USN (1972) has been retained onactive duty beyond his mandatoryretirement date, following more than30 years of military service. TheNavy informed him that "an immedi-ate need exists for your expertise."In addition to holding a bachelor’sdegree from Bluefield State, CAPT.Holcomb has earned Mastersdegrees from Duke University,University of the South, EasternConnecticut State University, SalveRegina University, California StateUniversity, and Troy State University,and he has earned a doctorate fromVanderbilt University. He hasreceived more than 30 militaryawards and decorations and hasserved the United States through fivewars/conflicts.

Elena Romeo (1975) has beenelected President of the Palm BeachCounty (FL) Library Association. Shereceived a Master of Science in

Library Science in 1988 from theUniversity of Tennessee. She isdirector of Palm Springs PublicLibrary in Palm Springs, Florida.

1980s

E. Scott Browning (1982) waspromoted to branch manager at theBluefield office for First CommunityBank, N.A. He is a graduate of theWest Virginia School of Banking andworks with various community organ-izations.

1990s

Michael S. Bales, Jr. (1997)serves as the Grants Accountant forthe Southwest Virginia CommunityCollege in Richlands (VA).

Heather Diane Blackwell (1996)married Dwayne A. Duncan (1994)on August 17, 2006. She isemployed as an accountant withSmith Services, Inc.

Kevin DeWitt (1997 and 1989)was appointed Assistant AreaEngineer for construction of six coun-ties for the Department ofTransportation in Georgia.

Frank (Chuck) Dorsey (1993)won an Ruth L. Kirschstein NationalResearch Service Award from theNational Institute of Health. Hereceived a Ph.D. in molecular sci-ence from the University ofTennessee. He is employed at the St.Jude Children’s Hospital in Memphis,Tennessee where his research focus-es on understanding the molecularmechanisms in cancer developmentand treatment.

Cassandra Martin (1992) isemployed by the Salvation Army asthe Divisional Accounting Manager.

Richard Lee Toler, DO, (1992)graduated from the West VirginiaSchool of Osteopathic Medicine withthe Degree of Doctor of OsteopathicMedicine, May 27, 2006.

(continued on page 15)

Alumni UpdatesRequested

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

Mail your news to:Karen GordonCollege and Media RelationsBluefield State College219 Rock StreetBluefield, WV 24701

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

Alumni Updates

Orphus Taylor

Robert L.Hawthorne


Alumni Updates continued from page 14

Stacy Burress Tramel (1999)and her husband, Keith, announce thebirth of their second child, BraxtonCole, born June 12, 2006.

2000s

Samantha Elise Burgess (2005)married John Roman Vaught on April29, 2006. She is employed byConcord University.

Jessica L. Stone (2005) marriedEdward S. Barrett on August 13,2005. She is employed by Lively and

Associates, CPA in Princeton (WV).Ronnell Thompson (2005) made

his debut with People’s Theatre inOrlando (FL). Ronnell had the leadrole of Dap Dunlap in Spike Lee’sstage version of “School Daze.” (Setin the late 1980’s, “School Daze”examines the tensions, biases, andfrustrations of middle-class blackyouth at a southern college campus. Apolitically aware student [Dap] and apopular fraternity leader have varyingviews on their own identities.)Ronnell also played the role of HokeColeburn in “Driving Miss Daisy” forBluefield State’s first theatre produc-

tion in many years. He is an elemen-tary teacher at Sunrise Elementary inOrlando as a fourth grade teacher.

In Memoriam

Harry L. Hicks, Jr.David “Crockett” Michael, II

Keisha Powell Vest

Bluefield State College Alumni Association

scholarship recipients for the 2006-2007 academic

year have been announced. Each of the 16 stu-

dents will receive a $1000 scholarship from the

Alumni Association. Recipients must be BSC stu-

dents, having passed at least 12 hours per semes-

ter while maintaining a grade point average of 2.0

or better.

Each year, the BSCAA awards $15,000-

$25,000 in scholarships through funds contributed

by 13 local Alumni Association chapters through-

out the United States. Since its establishment, the

BSCAA has contributed more than $1 million in

scholarship support.

The recipients of this year’s awards are

Olusolope Adenupe, Aaron Birchfield, Rashida

Dickerson, Mychal Guyton, Danny Dillow, Toya

Hairston, Jennifer Hornick, Marviene Johnson,

Brenda Martin, Abdul Nasiru, Shamatee Mitchell,

Stacy Nicholson, Catrice Robinson, Kayla Rose,

Saul Sarr, and Brenda Wade.

BSC Alumni Association Scholarship Recipientsfor 2006-2007 Announced

Front row (left-to-right): Velma Bradshaw, Virginia Hebert, BrendaMartin, Jennifer Hornick, Toya Hairston, Brenda Wade, and Sue

Guyton. Second row (left-to-right): Ora Johnson, Catrice Robinson,Shamatee Mitchell, Olusolope Adenupe, and Marviene Johnson.

Third row (left-to-right): Rashida Dickerson, Stacy Nicholson, SaulSarr, Abdul Nasiru, Danny Dillow and Mychal Guyton. Not pictured

are Aaron Birchfield and Kayla Rose.

B.S.C.A.A. scholarships are available each Marchin the Office of Institutional Development and Advancement.

Additional information about the BSCAA scholarship programcan be obtained by contacting Ergie R. Smith, Jr.,

118 Ovenbird Circle, Princeton, WV 24740; Phone: 304-487-6756.

219 Rock StreetBluefield, WV 24701

Address Service Requested

STD MAIL ANon-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PaidPermit #139

Bluefield, WV 24701

www.bluefieldstate.edu

Recruiters from 62 employers spoke to 380 current and former students during the 18th annual Spring Job Fair at

Bluefield State College, April 13, 2006. The event is a collaborative project involving BSC, Concord University,

Bluefield College, New River Community and Technical College, Southwest Virginia Community College, and

Wytheville Community College. It is designed to provide an opportunity for students, recent graduates, and other

individuals pursuing career interests to meet and discuss options with potential future employers.

“This year’s event attracted a record number of job seekers, as well as the second highest number of employers

and recruiters in the 18-year history of the program,” noted Tom Harrison (Class of 1975) BSC’s Director of Career

Services. “The Job Fair brings employment opportunities to students approaching graduation, along with recent

graduates. It also provides a laboratory-type learning experience for freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who get to

meet and talk to prospective employers.”

Bluefield State College’s Student Support Services (SSS) program worked with the College’s Career Services

program to assist students from BSC and NRCTC to benefit more fully from the opportunities created by the Job

Fair. The SSS workshops “Life After Graduation” and “Job Search Strategies” preceded the Fair, and a “Career

Portfolio Development” program was offered shortly after the Job Fair. Each student taking part in the Job Fair

received a vendors’ map, noting the location of each recruiting organization, as well as the academic areas of empha-

sis sought by each recruiting organization.

Harrison observed that approximately a dozen students who met with prospective employers at prior Job Fairs

returned this year in the role of recruiters for the organizations with which they are now employed. He also

expressed special appreciation to each collaborating institution for its assistance. “Many people worked together to

make this event successful,” he said.

Six College Job Fair at BSC Attracts Record Number of Participants

bluefield state college - blue and gold - volume xi number 3

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