bluefield state college - blue and gold - volume xi number 1

Blue and GoldVolume XI, No. 1 December 2005

More than three years ago, I was selected to

serve as president of Bluefield State College.

Since then, I have seen this wonderful institution

of higher education face numerous challenges,

embrace several opportunities, and show resolve

and resilience as it moved forward.

As the 2006 regular session of the West Virginia

Legislature approaches, I have talked to several

state legislators, each of whom has been impressed

by Bluefield State College’s academic excellence

and its ability to make a very positive difference in

the lives of its students.

For 110 years, Bluefield State College’s commitment of “making education

possible” has opened doors of opportunity for our graduates and their families, as

well as the region, state, nation, and world that benefit from the work of those who

studied here. It is particularly heartening to learn of the achievements of our alum-

ni and employees that are included within the pages of this publication.

Thanks for your interest in Bluefield State College. We are grateful for your

support and input.

A Message from the President

2 NOVEMBER 2005 BLUE AND GOLD

Albert L. WalkerPresident

Board of Governors

Mr. Norris Kantor, Esq.Chair

Mr. Jeff ForlinesVice Chair

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

Faculty Representative

Mr. Daniel L. Frost Classified Staff Representative

Mr. Eli Sharp Student Representative

Administrative Staff

Dr. Albert WalkerPresident

Dr. Don SmithInterim Vice President for

Academic Affairs and Provost

Ms. Shelia JohnsonVice President, Financial and

Administrative Affairs

Mr John CardwellExecutive Director, Enrollment

Management; Interim Vice

President of Student Affairs

Mr. Jim NelsonAssistant to the President/

Director, Institutional/Media

Relations

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

Mr. David LordDirector of Human Resources

Blue and Gold

A quarterly publication for alumni

and friends of Bluefield State

College. This project is supplement-

ed by the Federal Title III/BRACE

Program.

Board of Governor’s NewsThe Bluefield State College Board of Governors received news of the reap-

pointment of three members and the appointment of one new member on October

27. In a letter to West Virginia Secretary of State Betty Ireland, Governor Joe

Manchin confirmed the reappointments of Norris Kantor, Dr. Lyn Guy, and Anne

Crowe, as well as the appointment of James J. Palmer, III to the BSC governing

board. At its November 17 meeting, the Board elected Norris Kantor as chair, and

Jeffrey Forlines as vice chair.

Mr. Palmer replaces John Barnes, recently retired from the Board. He had

served as a member of the Board since its establishment (initially as an advisory

board, later becoming a governing board) in 1999. Mr. Barnes had also served as

Board chairman since 2003. Other members of the 2005-06 BSC Board of

Governors include Dr. Louis Aikens, Mr. John E. Caffrey, the Reverend Garry D.

Moore, Sr., Mr. Jack Stafford, Mr. Eli Sharp (student representative), Mr. Daniel L.

Frost (classified staff representative), Dr. Norman Mirsky (faculty representative).

Mr. Edward Knight, III, chair of the New River Community and Technical College

Board of Governors, serves as an ex-officio member of the BSC Board.

The Institutional Board of Governors, established by state statute, oversees the

operation of Bluefield State College. The Board’s duties include determining, con-

trolling, and supervising all financial affairs of the institution; developing a master

plan for the Institutional Compact and submitting an annual report to the West

Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (HEPC); submitting a budget

request to HEPC; reviewing all academic programs at the institution every five

years; exercising exclusive authority to approve teacher education programs at the

institutional level; administering personnel pursuant to uniform rule; administering

grievances; appointment and dismissal of the President, and evaluating the

President every four years. Other duties involve entering into consortium agree-

ments, delegating power to the President, abiding by existing rules regarding

acceptance of advanced placement credit, acquiring legal fees, setting tuition and

fees, and rescinding delegation of power to the President when necessary.

BLUE AND GOLD NOVEMBER 2005 3

Their “blueprint” for success is a

“footprint.” Foot Strategies, LLC

recently announced plans to bring

together into one downtown

Bluefield, West Virginia location a

variety of business and educational

entities with a focus upon revolution-

izing the measurement, design, manu-

facture and shipping of custom-made

shoes and orthotics. Their manufac-

turing and sales center in the

Bluefield State College Research and

Development (BSC R&D)

Corporation Building is projected to

create more than 200 jobs within the

next three years.

Partnering with the Center for

Applied Research and Technology

(CART) at BSC and the BSC R&D

Corporation, and in conjunction with

relationships at the state and local

level, Foot Strategies will implement,

market, and utilize new technologies

to redesign the entire process

involved in the orthotic process.

“Our strategy is to develop the

most sophisticated foot scanning and

integrated manufacturing system in

the world, in conjunction with BSC

and CART,” noted Steve Kamalic,

Foot Strategies’ president. A foot

scanning system developed by CART

will permit the direct manufacture of

a commercially deployable, dynamic

imaging system that can be used for

the design, fabrication, and fitting of

custom orthotics, he explained.

Kamalic was extremely enthusiastic

about the partnership with BSC,

CART, and BSC R&D. Kamalic

added “We brought an idea to BSC

R&D and they filled in the blanks,

focused on our needs and brought in

the experts to make this a reality.”

“CART will integrate optical laser

scanning sensors and intelligent com-

munication systems on a portable,

three-dimension foot-scanning plat-

form,” added Bruce Mutter, CART's

director. CART will also integrate a

web-based communication system to

transmit measurement, viewing, print-

ing, milling, and lasting data files via

the Internet.

Through West Virginia’s econom-

ic development program, Foot

Strategies will hire, train, and re-edu-

cate a staff drawn from the local work

force. The company anticipates hir-

ing 35 employees in the first phase of

operations, with its staff expected to

grow to more than 200 over three

years. Plans call for the establishment

of a manufacturing center, distribution

center, and sales-based call center.

Production could begin as early as

Spring 2006, according to an organi-

zational timeline. Plans also include

at least one major medical conference

to be held in the area each year.

Dr. Leonard Horowitz, a Board-

certified podiatrist who is Foot

Strategies’ Medical Director, added, “I

am most excited about the prospect of

combining BSC’s scientific skills with

the farsightedness of Bluefield, WV’s

business community to produce the

engine for new jobs in our ‘Four

Seasons Country.’”

“The mission of the BSC

Research and Development

Corporation is to serve as a catalyst

for aggressive community and eco-

nomic development through high

quality education and productive busi-

ness development, and by fostering

diverse employment opportunities,”

added Gerald James, Director of

Projects and Planning/BSC R&D

Corporation. “This project is a won-

derful example of local, county, and

state government partnering with

business and higher education to

bring new technology, processes, and

products to the marketplace.”

James expressed special apprecia-

tion to Dr. Albert Walker, Dr. Felica

Blanks, Bruce Mutter, Norris Kantor,

Joe Hunnicutt, Mark Henne, and Janet

Bailey for their assistance throughout

the project development process,

along with Foot Strategies’ officials

Steve Kamalic, Dr. Lenny Horowitz,

and Dr. David Tsui.

“Foot Strategies, LLC” Partners with BSC-Based Organizations to Establish Technology-Reliant Orthotics Design and Production Center

In Memoriam

Dr. Helmut NienstadtProfessor of Mathematics

Dr. Helmut Nienstadt, amember of the Bluefield StateCollege faculty for nearly 17years, passed away on October31, 2005. He began teachingat BSC in 1986, serving on sev-eral committees, and he wasinvolved in grant writing andcommunity service initiatives.

Prior to his arrival at BSC,Dr. Nienstadt served as a facul-ty member at several institu-tions of higher education,including the University ofConnecticut, WesternConnecticut State College,State University of New York(Oneonta), and Pan AmericanUniversity. He held a Ph.D.from Yeshiva University and amaster's degree from SanFrancisco State College, follow-ing his graduation from theUniversity of California-Berkeley.

Bluefield State College is growing

and changing as a baccalaureate insti-

tution, with an emphasis on meeting

the evolving and emerging opportuni-

ties of education, business and indus-

try.

Expanded student housing options

permit more students from outside the

immediate area to attend BSC. Our

students’ social and recreational

options have been enhanced, as well.

With a steadily growing percentage of

minority students, we serve the sec-

ond most diverse student body among

all colleges and universities in West

Virginia.

Academically, new degree pro-

grams, majors, and specializations

have been developed. Among these

are a four-year Radiologic Technology

specialization and a Pre-Medicine

specialization. New minors have been

developed, and can be added to exist-

ing degrees, including Biology,

Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Forensic

Science, Geography, History,

Literature, Mass Communication,

Mathematics, Psychology, Sociology

and Writing. Within the Computer

Science degree there are now three

different tracks: Programming,

Networking, and Information

Technology. Each has been designed

to equip our students with the knowl-

edge and skills that will prepare them

for productive, fulfilling careers.

BSC is still the most affordable

public college in the region and com-

bines leading-edge technology and

technique in the classroom with

smaller college friendliness and con-

cern for each student.

Bluefield State College continues

to position itself as a distinctive

choice among area colleges by

emphasizing strengths in allied health

and technology-related degrees.

While these are high-cost programs,

BSC remains committed to seeking

the resources to provide our students

with the most cost-effective education

possible.

4 NOVEMBER 2005 - BLUE AND GOLD

John CardwellExecutive Director of

Enrollment Management

BSC Evolves to Meet Students’ Education Needs

The Accreditation Board for

Engineering and Technology (ABET)

has reaccredited engineering technolo-

gy programs at Bluefield

State College through

September 30, 2011. ABET

very recently released

announced the decision fol-

lowing its thorough evalua-

tion of the programs that

included its representative

team’s site visit and recom-

mendation.

“Bluefield State

College elects to participate

in this accreditation

process,” noted Professor

Frank Hart, BSC

Dean/School of Engineering

Technology and Computer Science.

This process, which is conducted by

approximately 1500 ABET volunteers

from the professional community, is

designed to advance and assure the

quality of professional education.” A

list of accredited programs is pub-

lished annually by ABET on its web-

site: www.abet.org

“Bluefield State

College is extremely proud

and gratified that our engi-

neering technology pro-

grams have met the rigor-

ous standards required for

ABET accreditation,”

added Dr. Albert Walker,

BSC President. “This vali-

dates the quality of the

programs, the excellence of

our faculty, the relevance

of the programs’ academic

content, and the very high

caliber of our engineering technology

graduates.”

Engineering Technology Programs at Bluefield State CollegeReaccredited by ABET through 2011

The Bluefield State College programs to receive ABET

reaccreditation include:

Architectural Engineering Technology (AS)

Architectural Engineering Technology (BS)

Civil Engineering Technology (AS)

Civil Engineering Technology (BS)

Electrical Engineering Technology (AS)

Electrical Engineering Technology (BS)

Mechanical Engineering Technology (AS)

Mechanical Engineering Technology (BS)


From the theatrical stage to the

biomedical research laboratory, the

School of Arts and Sciences offers

the widest array of academic oppor-

tunities at Bluefield State College.

The School offers the following

diversity of programs: Humanities

(with English and Pre-Law special-

izations), Social Science (with

Geography, History, Political

Science, Psychology, and Sociology

concentrations), Applied Science

(with Pre-Medicine, Radiologic

Sciences, and Interdisiplinary spe-

cializations), Criminal Justice

Administration (with Corrections and

Law Enforcement majors), and the

nontraditional Regents Bachelors of

Arts (with various areas of empha-

sis). Minors are available in biology,

chemistry, criminal justice, forensic

science, geography, history, litera-

ture, mass communications, mathe-

matics, psychology, sociology, and

writing.

The School of Arts and Sciences

builds the academic foundation for

BSC degrees and the structure for

graduate and advanced professional

degrees. The developmental courses

taught in the School make education

possible for all. The mentor and

research experiences in the capstone

courses provide students with the

professional development and the

competitive edge they need to suc-

ceed.

The School provides the region

with cultural enrichment through the-

atre and musical productions, art

exhibits, guest speakers, and travel

opportunities. The School faculty

continue to share their diverse

expertise through professional pre-

sentations, books, research publica-

tions and documentaries.

From the School of Arts and Sciencesby Dr. Martha Eborall, Interim Dean

Three years ago, Dr. Tamara

Meade accepted an invitation to help

cultivate Brushfork Elementary

School students’ writing skills. The

success of the collaboration

with Ms. Jenny Hill's fourth

grade class has resulted in

the extension of their part-

nership.

Meade, an Associate

Professor of English at

Bluefield State College, vis-

its Ms. Hill’s class on a regu-

lar basis, where students

incorporate the principles of

writing they've learned into

essays that are well organ-

ized, effectively constructed,

and interesting. “These stu-

dents have embraced the chal-

lenge, and they are develop-

ing skills that will serve them

well for the rest of their

lives,” Meade observed. Prior to the

Thanksgiving break, students com-

posed essays that detailed three things

for which they were thankful, then

they shared their narratives with class-

mates.

Three years ago, Hill contacted

Bluefield State College to request help

in improving her students’ writing

skills. “I was very impressed that Ms.

Hill would seek help and was equally

impressed that she asked Bluefield

State College for that help,” Meade

(who teaches writing composition at

BSC) recalled. “Jenny wanted me to

show her students how to proceed

through the writing process more

completely.” Although the students at

BSC and at Brushfork represented

two distinctively different age

groups, many principles involved in

the writing process remained the

same. “Jenny and I have talked

about how to modify these princi-

ples so that they are tailored to the

needs and skills of her students,”

Meade continued.

“The students have built a founda-

tion for written communication,”

Hill said. “They have learned how

to move from pre-writing through

the entire writing process. They

will have their work published in a

booklet, and they have enjoyed the

experience.”

“The entire exercise has been

energizing,” Meade summarized.

“These young students have an enthu-

siasm for learning and they enjoy

writing. I believe they look forward

to our sessions. I know I do.”

Brushfork Elementary School and BSC “Partner” to Develop Fourth Grade Students’ Writing Skills

Students in Ms. Jenny Hill's 4th grade class atBrushfork Elementary School are pictured with Dr.

Tamara Meade (back row, left) and Ms. Hill (back row,right) during a recent writing skills workshop. Dr.

Meade visits Ms. Hill's class on a regular basis, help-ing students develop their creative writing skills.

The Bluefield State College

Alumni Association, New York

Chapter, is honored and pleased to

host the BSCAA 2006 National

Reunion in Atlanta, Georgia, on July

27-30, 2006. Some very exciting,

educational, and fun activities have

been planned. We are looking for-

ward to seeing you there.

The deadline for the $85 registra-

tion fee is June 13, 2006. The fee for

children (12 and under) is $40. The

registration fee is $95, children $45

after June 13 and on-site. Requests

for refunds must be received no later

than June 26, 2006. Please make your

check payable to BSCAA—New York

Chapter and mail to BSCAA—New

York Chapter, P. O. Box 301225,

Jamaica, NY 11430.

The Renaissance Hotel rate for a

single/double room is $104 and a

suite is $159. Based on availability,

this rate may be extended 3 days prior

and/or 3 days after scheduled arrival

and departure dates. Please remember

to make your

hotel reserva-

tions on or

before

Tuesday, June

27, 2006.

After the cut-

off date,

Tuesday, June

27, 2006, the

hotel will

review our

reservations

and release the

unreserved

rooms for gen-

eral sale. You are entitled to one

self-parking space per room reserved.

Reservations can be made by calling

800-266-9432.

BSC Alumni Association’s 2006 Reunion Informationby Deirdre Guyton, Director of Alumni Affairs


Homecoming 2005 RecapAn ambitious 12-event schedule

marked Bluefield State College’s

2005 homecoming, October 3-8.

Utilizing the theme “Peace, Love, and

Happiness,” BSC’s weeklong program

began with homecoming court elec-

tions.

Amy McPherson, Vice

President/Student Government

Association, was elected “Miss BSC,”

and Matt Faubion, a member of the

BSC baseball team, was voted “Mr.

BSC.” McPherson is also a member

of Gamma Beta Phi and Gamma Mu

national honor socities, and she is

treasurer of Delta Chi Omega sorority.

Faubion is a member of Delta Mu

Delta and Phi Beta Lambda honor

societies. Other members of the 2005

homecoming court included Michelle

East (Miss Congeniality), Josh

Sizemore (Mr. Congeniality),

Angenetta Lane (Miss Senior),

Corneta Monroe (Miss Junior), Anita

Hylton-Curto (Miss Sophomore) and

Cherish Blackwell (Miss Freshman).

Well known area educator and

administrator Janet Williams (BSC

Class of 1974) delivered the

Founder’s Day address to wrap up an

active week that also included a cam-

pus carnival and picnic, homecoming

parade, golf outing, and homecoming

dance.

Amy A. McPherson (Miss BSC 2005), Dr. Albert Walker, Heidi Bolden (Miss BSC 2004)

are pictured during the College’s 2005 Homecoming program.

Several former BSC athletes met in Washington, DC earlier this year to

discuss plans for establishing a Bluefield State College Hall of Fame.


Bluefield State College, the

Galileo Magnet High School in

Danville, Virginia, and the Virginia

Bioinformatics Institute (VBI) at

Virginia Tech, recently received a

$250,000 grant to support a forward-

looking initiative for education in

cyberinfrastructure. The funds from

the National Science Foundation

(NSF) will be used over a period of

two years to develop and implement

the new course, broaden access of

high school and undergraduate stu-

dents to computer-related technolo-

gies, and encourage trained students

to pursue careers in informatics-relat-

ed projects.

Cyberinfrastructure is a relatively

new term for research environments

in which advanced computational,

data acquisition and management

services are made available to

researchers through high-performance

computer networks.

Frank Hart, Dean, School of

Engineering Technology and

Computer Science at Bluefield State

College, and a collaborator on this

grant, commented, “We are very

pleased to be part of what we see as a

groundbreaking educational project

for our students and faculty. Initiatives

of this type have the potential to drive

economic development in our region

by making sure that we are providing

our students — future members of the

workforce — with the right balance of

skills in key high-technology areas.”

BSC faculty members Dr. Martha

Eborall (Associate Professor of

Biology and Interim Dean, School of

Arts & Sciences), Bruce Mutter

(Associate Professor of Architectural

Engineering Technology), and Lionel

Craddock (Associate Professor of

Computer Science) will lead BSC’s

involvement in the project.

National Science Foundation Awards $250K Grant to Initiative Involving BSC, VA Tech, and Galileo Magnet (Danville, VA) High School

Frank Hart, Dean, School of Engineering Technology and

Computer Science

A “Breast Cancer Expo” was pre-

sented by first year students in

Bluefield State College’s Associate

Degree Nursing Program on October

26 in Beckley.

Patient information and testimoni-

als were available, and proceeds from

a fund-raising activity at the event

were given to the “Relay for Life”

and to the “West Virginia Breast

Cancer and Cervical Screening

Program,” according to Debbie Vest, a

member of the College’s Associate

Degree Nursing faculty.

“This is a wonderful way for

these students to utilize their educa-

tion in a practical setting and, at the

same time, benefit the community,”

Vest noted.

Beckley CampusAssociate DegreeNursing “BreastCancer Expo”

Sara Lynn Bulford, a junior atBluefield State College, wascrowned Miss Southern WestVirginia 2006. This 20-year oldBluefield, West Virginia student ismajoring in Business Administrationwith a specialization in accountingand management. She will be rep-resenting the southern part of thestate as she advances to competefor the Miss West Virginia title inJune. For more information visit theSouthern West Virginia Pageant siteat www.southernwvpageants.org

BSC’s Sara Bulford Selected as“Miss Southern West Virginia”


Dr. Steve Bourne, the

first recipient of the

“James H. Shott Endowed

Chair in Business” at

Bluefield State College,

was honored recently dur-

ing a luncheon program

that attracted community

leaders, BSC faculty and

staff, and members of the

honoree’s family.

Dr. Elaine Scott, Dean

of the BSC School of

Business, introduced pro-

gram speakers, including

John C. Shott, who reflect-

ed upon the life entrepre-

neurial accomplishments

of his father, the late James

H. Shott (for whom the

Endowed Chair in

Business is named). “When I think of

my dad,” Shott noted, “I know he

must have been one heck of a good

businessman. Steve, my father would

have been very pleased with your

selection as the first (endowed) chair.”

Bourne is a tenured full professor

in College’s School of Business and

has taught at the College for 27 years.

Additionally, he has 20 years’ experi-

ence as a management consultant and

is a labor arbitrator and member of

the Federal Mediation and

Conciliation Service Roster for West

Virginia and Virginia. A year ago,

Bourne was one of three finalists for

the Faculty Merit

Foundation of West

Virginia’s “Professor of

the Year” award, and in

1993 he received the BSC

Foundation “Outstanding

Faculty Award.” He is

active in campus gover-

nance and planning, hav-

ing served on the BSC

Board of Governors and

the College Council.

Bourne expressed

appreciation for the sup-

port of his family, the

Shott Foundation, and his

colleagues. “This is a

working chair and will

advance the School of

Business,” he said. “This

year’s project is the estab-

lishment of a Masters in Business

Administration (MBA) program. Our

goal is to have the program in place

by the start of next year’s fall semes-

ter.” Bourne’s appointment as

endowed chair is for a three-year

term.

Bourne Honored as First Recipient of James H. Shott Endowed Chair in Business

Dr. Steve Bourne (right) was the guest of honor at a recent program that commemorated his selection as the first

recipient of the "James H. Shott Endowed Chair in Business" at Bluefield State College. He is pictured with Dr. Debbie

Halsey-Hunter, former Dean of the BSC School of Business.

For the sixth consecutive year,

Bluefield State College has been

selected as one of “America’s Best

Colleges” by US News & World

Report. The publication bases its

annual selection of America’s out-

standing institutions of higher educa-

tion on a variety of factors, including

academic programs, faculty qualifica-

tions, students' success, support, etc.

BSC was listed among the best col-

leges/comprehensive in the nation.

“Our focus upon quality academic

programs — 15 of which are national-

ly accredited — affordability, faculty

qualifications, and a student-centered

climate are some of the reasons we

have grown,” noted BSC President

Dr. Albert Walker. “We look forward

to the future.”

“We can offer the degree pro-

grams business is buying,” added

John Cardwell, BSC’s Executive

Director of Enrollment Management.

“We’ve been able to utilize a variety

of initiatives to expand opportunities

for students to earn their degrees, and

the response at the May 2005 com-

mencement program--500 graduates

and 5000 people in attendance--

demonstrates how many lives

Bluefield State College has been able

to touch.”

The College has achieved national

recognition for its recent success in

student engineering technology com-

petitions, allied health sciences gradu-

ates’ licensure passage rates, and

entrepreneurial initiatives.

BSC Named One of “America’s Best Colleges”for Sixth Consecutive Year

BSC’s Faculty and Staff AccomplishmentsDr. Felicia Wooten Blanks,

Executive Director of Institutional

Development and Advancement and

Director of Title III, received the

Education Award at the 3rd annual

West Virginia Minority Business

Development Awards ceremony in

Charleston, West Virginia.

Dr. Alma Bennett, Assistant

Professor of Speech, presented a

paper at the Popular Culture

Association/American Culture

Association regional conference in

Jacksonville, Florida in October.

Dr. Bernadette Dragich,

Professor of Nursing and “George M.

Cruise Endowed Chair of Nursing,”

was a featured presenter at the recent

38th Biennial Convention of the

Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma

Theta Tau International, in

Indianapolis, Indiana. Dragich made

a presentation during the symposium,

“Leader’s Role in the Creation of a

Caring Environment.” The sympo-

sium explored theoretical constructs

from nursing education and feminist

literature with a focus upon develop-

ing a model of caring in nursing edu-

cation.

Dr. Cravor Jones, Director of

Counseling Center, received his

Ph.D., majoring in counselor educa-

tion, from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg,

Virginia in May 2005.

The fourth regional fishing book

by Dr. Michael Smith, Associate

Professor of English, was recently

published. Fishing the Greenbrier

Valley: An Angler’s Guide includes

information to enhance the fisher-

man’s appreciation for, and under-

standing of, the challenges and oppor-

tunities embodied in the sport

throughout the lakes and streams of

the Greenbrier Valley region. Smith

has also written books that serve as an

angler’s guide for regions that include

the Roanoke Valley, New River

Valley, and Shenandoah Valley.

Dr. James Voelker, Associate

Professor of Political Science, attend-

ed a teaching institute designed to

examine the political and scientific

ramifications of nuclear nonprolifera-

tion. The “2005 Summer Institute on

Teaching Nonproliferation” at

Washington & Lee University attract-

ed an international audience of 35

researchers and educators. The work-

shop was designed to help instructors

prepare course materials related to

weapons of mass destruction and non-

proliferation.

Dr. Anthony Woart, Director of

the Minority Health Institute and a

member of the BSC faculty, was

extended special recognition at the

Minority Access National Role

Models Conference in Las Vegas,

Nevada in September. He also served

as an expert panelist who considered

the topic, “Searching for Solutions in

Campus Laboratories.”


Center for Applied Research & Technology at BSC Receives$43K Grant from Rahall Transportation Institute

The Center for Applied

Research and Technology (BSC-

CART) at Bluefield State

College will receive more than

$43,000 through an agreement

with the Marshall University

Research Corporation on behalf

of the Nick J. Rahall, II

Appalachian Transportation

Institute (RTI). The agreement

may be renewed annually through the

year 2010.

The grant underwrites BSC-

CART’s costs related to providing

campus coordination services for the

Rahall Appalachian Transportation

Institute. The Institute was established

at Marshall University through a $12

million grant funded by the U.S.

Department of Transportation’s

Research and Special Program

Administration as a University

Transportation Center (UTC). RTI is

one of 33 UTC’s funded by the

Department of Transportation and

includes BSC among three col-

laborative institutions of higher

education.

Among CART’s duties are the

coordination of all activities

related to the program at BSC,

acting as a liaison between the

Rahall Transportation Institute

and its staff at Marshall and

other collaborative institutions,

and representing RTI at various public

and private meetings.

Additional information about

CART-related initiatives can be

viewed on the web at

www.cartlink.org


Four Seasons Country residents

have responded with generosity to

assist Hurricane Katrina victims now

living in the area. Through a program

established by the Minority Health

Institute at Bluefield State College,

more than 1500 articles of clothing,

250 food items, and $500 in monetary

donations have been received and are

being distributed to individuals and

families displaced by the hurricanes

and now living in the area. Dr.

Anthony Woart, Director of the

Minority Health Institute, reported

that there are eight victims of the hur-

ricane now residing in Princeton or

Bluefield.

“Hurricane Katrina was a natural

disaster that has psychological and

physical implications,” Woart noted.

“People from all walks of life have

responded liberally to the opportunity

to help, and we will continue to serve

as a ‘Katrina Relief Donations Center’

for the foreseeable future, even after

federal and state programs of this type

have ended.”

“This has been a wonderful

opportunity for the Minority Health

Institute and for the residents of this

area to help the community of which

the College is a part,” Woart added.

Additional information can be

obtained by contacting Dr. Woart

(304) 327-4393 or (304) 327-4154 at

the BSC Research and Development

Corporation.

Area Residents’ Generosity Helps Hurricane Katrina Evacuees through Relief Program Initiated by Minority Health Institute of BSC

Two months and nearly 4000

pairs of white socks after they

launched their effort, second year stu-

dents in the Bluefield State College

Associate Degree Nursing (ADN)

program have sent those socks to dia-

betics displaced by the recent series of

hurricanes in the southern United

States and Mexico. The socks can

improve these victims’ ability to avoid

dangerous, diabetes-related foot ill-

nesses.

“Each year, our second year stu-

dents launch a service project that

addresses adult health challenges,”

noted Sandra Wynn, Interim ADN

program director. “This project focus-

es on a chronic illness, diabetes.”

Major complications facing diabetics

include foot ulcers, a heightened risk

for foot infections, and even amputa-

tions. The students collected 3992

pairs of brand new socks, which have

been shipped to hurricane victims in

the south and in Mexico.

“This threat is particularly acute

for diabetics affected by hurricanes,

because of the unclean living condi-

tions that can develop after disasters

of this magnitude,” Wynn observed,

adding that the American Diabetes

Association had launched a campaign

to collect and distribute diabetes med-

ications to Hurricane Katrina vic-

tims—an initiative that gave rise to

the BSC students’ project to collect

white cotton socks.

“The students really embraced the

idea,” Wynn continued. “They

received support from churches, the

region, and the College community.

This project helps our students assist

people whose lives have been impact-

ed by this disaster, and at the same

time, it is a vivid reminder to our stu-

dents that diabetics need to keep their

feet protected.”

BSC’s Second Year Nursing StudentsCollect Nearly 4000 Pairs of White Socksfor Diabetics Displaced by Hurricanes

Bluefield State College’s 2005

Radiologic Technology graduates

have achieved a 100% passage rate on

the American Registry of Radiologic

Technologists’ certification exam.

BSC RadTech program director

Melissa Haye has also confirmed that

100% of the students who sought

employment after graduation in May,

2005 are employed in their field.

“They are employed in areas includ-

ing general radiography, MRI,

radiation therapy, and computerized

tomography,” she said.

The BSC RadTech program is

accredited by the Joint Review

Committee on Education in

Radiologic Technology (JRCERT),

having received official notification

that it had been awarded continuing

national accreditation of eight years

from JRCERT in October, 2001.

RadiologicTechnologyGraduates Achieve100% Passage Rate


The recently augmented biomed-

ical research capabilities at Bluefield

State College and the addition of Dr.

Tesfaye Belay as a member of BSC’s

faculty have paved the way for the

College to conduct research focusing

on methods of early detection and

prevention of sexually transmitted dis-

eases (STDs).

Dr. Belay, who recently joined the

BSC faculty after conducting post-

doctoral research at Georgia State

University and Clark Atlanta

University, has designed a research

initiative that considers the effect of

stress on the infection and transmis-

sion of chlamydia genital infection.

In addition, Dr. Belay intends to

expand community-based research to

increase public awareness and knowl-

edge of STDs, focus upon factors that

contribute to the transmission of

STDs, develop strategies to prevent

the spread of STDs.

Assisted significantly through a

grant from the West Virginia Idea

Network for Biomedical Research

Excellence (WV-INBRE) and the

Minority Health Institute at BSC, the

College has established a biomedical

research laboratory and is now a par-

ticipant in a statewide higher educa-

tion research network. “Through this

research laboratory, we can now pro-

mote basic biomedical research,

acquire extramural grant support, and

disseminate information on our

research findings to the scientific

community,” Dr. Belay continued.

His research initiative will also

help to prepare, motivate, and support

BSC students--particularly underrep-

resented minority students--to become

involved in research. “Additionally, a

plan is underway to seek funding to

provide opportunities to high school

students who can gain summer

research experience at the College in

the near future,” he explained.

Biomedical Research at BSC Focuses on Prevention andEarly Detection of Sexually Transmitted Diseases

Dr. Tesfaye BelayAssistant Professor of Research

Well known Bluefield photographer Mel Grubb (left) and

BSC President Dr. Albert Walker visit during Grubb’s photo exhibit

at the Hebert Gallery, Harris-Jefferson Student Center.

SpringSemester

Registration January 12 and 13, 2006

Classes StartJanuary 17, 2006

For additionalinformation,

call (304) 327-4065

www.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.

Greetings! This has been an exciting year. As we close out this calendar year, I con-

tinue to be both delighted and saddened. In the area of delights, I am of the opinion that

we have accomplished some significant things during 2005.

First of all, our $100,000 obligation to the College for the renovation of Hatter Hall

has finally been completely paid, largely due to the consistent work of our Hatter Hall

Committee. This committee has worked tirelessly in managing several fund raising activ-

ities directed at members of the Alumni Association who responded exceptionally well.

Both the committee and the responding members are due our sincerest thanks and con-

gratulations.

Secondly, our Scholarship Committee successfully completed the distribution of

grants to BSC students for the 2004-05 academic year. While $15,000 was appropriated for this program and approx-

imately 30 students applied, many of whom did not qualify, 15 grants were awarded. Three of the awardees declined

the grant, leaving a total of twelve students who received grants of $1,000 each.

Another delight resulted from a meeting of former athletes of BSC, who met during the past summer in a “get

together” in the Washington, DC area. Included in the many discussions, the idea of a BSC Hall of Fame was dis-

cussed. Subsequently, a committee was formed and that committee is in the process of developing plans for the start

of a BSC Hall of Fame. You will be hearing more of this at a later date.

In another instance, after a request from the coaches of the men’s and women’s basketball teams, we were suc-

cessful in encouraging members of the Association to contribute to a fund set up to provide a “meal program” for the

team members.

While these are just some of the delights, we continue to struggle with, and I am personally saddened by our

membership situation. As I have stated before, for some reasons (and I wish I knew what they were) graduates of the

1960’s through 2005 have not, with a few exceptions, joined the Association. Consequently, what we have is essen-

tially a black Alumni Association and that should at least be disturbing to some of you as it is to me. I am again

extending my hand to those hundred of graduates and soliciting their membership in an organization that with proper

backing could be a more tremendous asset to our College. It continues to be amazing that a little effort from a lot of

people can go a long way. Become a part of the solution.

Dr. Louis Aikens

�


1960s

Ruth Payne Brown, Ph.D.,(1955) attended and represented theEpsilon Omega Chapter of the AlphaKappa Alpha Sorority at itsLeadership Conference. The confer-ence, “The Spirit of Leadership” washeld August 2-7, 2005 in ParadiseIsland, Bahamas. Dr. Brown, aGolden Soror, was also recentlyelected as Vice President forOperations for Epsilon Omega chap-ter in Baltimore. She was initiatedinto the Beta Omicron chapter, AlphaKappa Alpha at Bluefield StateCollege and served as its Presidentas well as Dean of Pledges duringher tenure as a student.

1960s

Gloria Jackson-Gibson (1968)retired from the Alexandria (Virginia)City School System after 36 years ofservice in the field of education. Hercareer began in the Newark (NewJersey) City Schools where shetaught social studies and English.She earned a master's degree inspecial education from Trinity College

and while teaching in Alexandria, twoeducational initiatives afforded herthe opportunity to visit and observeschools in Cuba and Durban, SouthAfrica.

Betty Crews Graves (1961)competed in the Northern Virginia,state and national Senior Olympics.She won gold and silver medals inregion and state and a fourth place inbowling at nationals in Pittsburgh,Pennsylvania. She also participatedin the Mrs. Virginia Senior Pageantand won three awards. She retiredfrom the Fairfax County School sys-tem in 2001.

King Harvey, Jr. (1961) wasappointed to the CapitalImprovement Program (CIP) ReviewCommittee and to the GrievancePanel for a three-year term. He ispresident of the North LakeCommunity of over 800 homes inRoanoke, Virginia.

The Reverend Konnie G.Robinson (1966) was honored withthe Citation Award by the EasternRegional Conference of the NationalSorority of Phi Delta Kappa, Inc. inApril 2005. In June 2005 he celebrat-ed his “Twentieth PastoralAnniversary” at the Union ChapelBaptist Church in Winston-Salem,North Carolina. He is a retired highschool guidance counselor from theForsyth County School system inWinston-Salem, North Carolina.

1970s

Cathy Hoops Blevins (1976)received the Newspaper in EducationAward for her innovative approach tousing a newspaper in her civicsclasses at the 30th annual FallConference of the Southwest VirginiaReading Council. She is a teacher atGraham Middle School in Bluefield,Virginia.

James S. Hoge (1977), generalmanager and president of Z88.3, agroup of not-for-profit Christian radiostations in Orlando, Florida, receivedtwo awards (Large Market of the

Year and Rob Gregory Award) fromthe Gospel Music Association.

Vernon Oakes, (1970) presidentand founder of Oakes Management,Inc. in Washington, D.C., has accept-

ed an invitationto serve on theBoard ofDirectors of theWest VirginiaAccess Centerfor HigherEducation

(WVACHE). He recently announcedthe establishment of the BluefieldHigh School Alumni Scholarship.The Community Foundation of theVirginia's manages this newly estab-lished scholarship fund.

1980s

Catherine A. Hendrickson(1983) was promoted from InventorySpecialist to Senior InventorySpecialist for the internal auditdepartment at Home Depot. She isresponsible for the Baltimore/Washington, DC market of 75 stores.

J. Gregory Spry (1983/1984) isemployed as a Production Supervisorat Cardinal IG, a new state-of-the-artinsulating glass manufacturing facilityin Vinton, Virginia.

1990s

C. David Gilmore (1993) is anAssistant Professor of NuclearMedicine at Massachusetts Collegeof Pharmacy and Health Sciences inBoston. He is also the clinical coor-dinator for the program which hasclinical affiliates with the HarvardMedical School hospitals in Boston,Massachusetts.

Robert Head (1990) received afirst place award in poetry for hiswork, “The Resurrection of Osceola”from the West Virginia Writers, Inc. inJune 2005.

(Continued on page 14)

Alumni UpdatesRequested

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

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

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

state.edu

Alumni Updates


Cynthia Leigh Higgins (1997)was promoted to Vice President-Internal Audit and Compliance Officerat First Century Bank, N.A., inBluefield, West Virginia.

Eric Hontz (1997) and his wife,Amy, announce the birth of theirdaughter, Riley Marie, born October15, 2004. He is a certified personaltrainer at Cross Court Athletic Club inEaston, Maryland.

Patricia Mullens (1995), a nurs-ing faculty member at CabarrusCollege of Health Sciences Concord,North Carolina, received the 2005“Educational Excellence Award.” Theaward is presented to the facultymember who exemplifies excellencein teaching and excels in the collegelearning environment.

Selena Smith (1996) received amaster degree in health administra-tion from Pfeiffer University. She isemployed by Blue Cross Blue Shieldof North Carolina in Winston-Salem,North Carolina.

Samantha Keene Williams(1998) received a Masters ofEducation degree in Curriculum andInstruction from Averett University,

Danville, Virginia in April 2005. She isemployed by the Pittsylvania CountySchool System as a sixth grade sci-ence teacher.

2000s

Samantha G. Berry (2005) mar-ried Jason E. Choate (2003) onAugust 20, 2005. She is employed atPrinceton Community Hospital as aradiologic technolgist and he is a ser-geant in the West Virginia AmyNational Guard’s 1st 150th ArmorBattalion in Brushfork, West Virginia.

Scott Britton (2000) andAmanda England (2001) announcetheir engagement and an August 2006wedding is planned.

Van Dillon (2002) received aMasters of Divinity degree from theCandler School of Theology of EmoryUniversity. He was appointed by theBaltimore-Washington Conference ofthe United Methodist Church to serveas the parish coordinator of the WestMorgan Parish.

Ryan S. Farmer (2004) married

Amy Adkisson in January 2005. He isa staff engineer for Civil andEnvironmental Consultants, Inc. inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Rebecca A. Johnson (2000)married George A. Shupe on June 4,2005. She is employed as a laborato-ry technician at Clinch Valley MedicalCenter in Richlands, Virginia.

Melissa Dawn Leedy (2002)married Kennith Leslie Cumbow onOctober 22, 2005.

Kimberly Ann Long (2002) mar-ried Stephen A. Barnes on May 7,2005. She is employed as the region-al property manager for A.J. Dwoskin& Associates, Inc. in Fairfax, Virginia.

Heather Sue Meadows (2004)married Kevin David Clay on August12, 2005. She is employed by theCitizens Conservation Corps as theIntelligent Transportation SystemsCoordinator.

Jennifer Boothe (2001) marriedStephen Johnson on October 14,2005. She is a database technicianfor the Admissions Office at BluefieldState College.

In Memoriam

Charles Edward BeckettLloyd E. Bond

Robert D. CartwrightVirginia Thompson Craig

Richard L. GainerEugene Ray Hager

Leroy HighJohn Douglas Kidd

Jerry Michael McConnellDavid Lee Sammons

Arthur F. ThomasDebra Meadows ThomasAlan “Scotty” Tucker, Sr.

Alumni Updatescontinued from page 13

Alumni ObituariesThe Bluefield State College community was deeply saddened by news of the

death of several alumni listed on this page. Among those passing away recently

were Willis C. Gravely (Class of 1936), Dr. Mary W. Martin Claytor (Class of

1949) and Ms. Hattie Holley Heath (Class of 1922).

Mr. Gravely was a Magna Cum Laude graduate of BSC, who managed the

debate team and sang in two college choirs. He enjoyed a distinguished career as

an educator, and he was a founding member of the BSC Alumni Association’s

Cincinnati chapter and a life member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He composed

the poem, “The Big Blues,” which has been placed among the historical papers dis-

played in Hatter Hall.

Dr. Claytor, after graduating from BSC, earned her Masters and Ph.D. degrees

from West Virginia University and The Ohio State University. She taught in public

schools in West Virginia and Ohio and was a leading developer of the Columbus

Public School Counseling System.

Ms. Heath, 103, was the most senior alumna of Bluefield State College. She

began teaching at an elementary school for African-American children in Tazewell

County, also serving as principal, mentor, and role model. In 1966, she was named

“Teacher of the Year” by the Jeffersonville Women’s Club. In 1999, the Tazewell

Town Council designated July 10 as “Hattie Holley Heath Day,” in recognition of

her lifelong commitment to education and community.


BSC Men’s Basketball ScheduleJanuary 5 Salem International Salem, WV 7:30 p.m.January 7 West Virginia State Institute, WV 7:30 p.m.January 12 Concord University Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.January 14 University of Charleston Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.January 16 Ohio Valley Parkersburg, WV 7:30 p.m.January 19 Alderson & Broaddus Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.January 21 West Virginia Wesleyan Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.January 26 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV 7:30 p.m.January 28 Glenville State University Glenville, WV 7:30 p.m.

February 2 West Virginia Tech Montgomery, WV 7:30 p.m.February 4 Fairmont State College Fairmont, WV 7:30 p.m.February 10 Wheeling Jesuit Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.February 11 West Liberty State Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.February 16 Concord University Athens, WV 7:30 p.m.February 18 Davis & Elkins Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.February 20 West Virginia Tech Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.February 23 West Virginia State Bluefield, WV 7:30 p.m.February 25 University of Charleston Charleston, WV 7:30 p.m.February 28 WVIAC Tournament TBA TBA

BSC Women’s Basketball ScheduleJanuary 5 Salem International Salem, WV 5:15 p.m.January 12 Concord University Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.January 14 University of Charleston Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.January 16 Ohio Valley Parkersburg, WV 5:15 p.m.January 19 Alderson & Broaddus Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.January 21 West Virginia Wesleyan Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.January 26 Shepherd University Shepherdstown, WV 5:15 p.m.January 28 Glenville State Glenville, WV 5:15 p.m.

February 2 West Virginia Tech Montgomery, WV 5:15 p.m.February 4 Fairmont State Fairmont, WV 5:15 p.m.February 6 District of Columbia Bluefield, WV 6:30 p.m.February 10 Wheeling Jesuit Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.February 11 West Liberty State Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.February 16 Concord University Athens, WV 5:15 p.m.February 18 Davis & Elkins Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.February 20 West Virginia Tech Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.February 23 West Virginia State Bluefield, WV 5:15 p.m.February 27 WVIAC Tournament TBA TBA

Panama Canal Cruise12 Day - 11 Night

“Brilliance of the Seas”

The Columbus chapter of the Bluefield State

College Alumni Association presents a 12 day/11 night

Panama Canal cruise. The Royal Caribbean Cruise

Lines cruise liner, “Brilliance of the Seas,” will depart

from Miami, Florida on November 20, 2006, with ports

of call including Aruba, Curacao, Panama, and Costa

Rica. Rates begin at $2082 (per person, double occu-

pancy, including cruise, port charges, airfare from

Columbus, government fees, taxes, and transfers). An

initial deposit of $550 per person is required to secure

reservations and assign cabin numbers.

Final balance is due by August 11, 2006.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting

Ms. Mildred Washington (614) 837-6632.

219 Rock StreetBluefield, WV 24701

Address Service Requested

STD MAIL ANon-Profit Organization

U.S. Postage PaidPermit #139

Bluefield, WV 24701

www.bluefieldstate.edu

Charles “Tommy” Richmond has been named the out-

standing freshman in the School of Engineering

Technology and Computer Science at Bluefield State

College. He will receive the “Claude B. Dalton Award” in

recognition of his outstanding academic performance.

Richmond, from Daniels, West Virginia, is majoring in

Civil Engineering Technology.

The award was established in honor of the late Claude

B. Dalton, who taught mathematics to engineering tech-

nology and computer science to BSC students for more

than 20 years. “He was regularly recognized for his abili-

ty to reach a broad cross-section of freshmen in mathemat-

ics,” noted Frank Hart, Dean/BSC School of Engineering

Technology and Computer Science. “Graduates often

attribute a significant measure of their success in college

to their experience as students of Professor Dalton.”

Raleigh County’s CharlesRichmond Named OutstandingFreshman at BSC’s School ofEngineering Technology andComputer Science

bluefield state college - blue and gold - volume xi number 1

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