Blue

Volume XI
and Gold
November
No. 4 2006

Board of Governors
Norris Kantor, Esq.
Chair
Mr. Jeffrey Forlines
Vice Chair
Dr. Louis Aikens
Mr. John "Jack" E. Caffrey
Ms. Anne Crowe
Dr. Lyn Guy
The Reverend Garry D. Moore, Sr.
Mr. James J. Palmer, III
Mr. Jack D. Stafford
Dr. Norman Mirsky
Faculty Representative
Mr. Daniel L. Frost
Classified Staff Representative
Mr. Kevin Pruitt
Student Representative
Administrative Staff
Dr. Albert Walker
President
Dr. Don Smith
Interim Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Provost
Ms. Shelia Johnson
Vice President for Financial and
Administrative Affairs
Mr. John Cardwell
Vice President for Student
Affairs
Dr. Thomas E. Blevins
Dean of the Virtual College and
Information Technology and the
School of Teacher Education;
Professor, English/Education
Dr. Tracey Anderson
Director of Institutional
Research and Effectiveness
Mr. David Lord
Director of Human Resources
Mr. Jim Nelson
Assistant to the President/
Director, Institutional/Media
Relations
Ms. Dedriell Taylor
Interim Director of Multicultural
Affairs
Blue and Gold
A quarterly publication for alumni
and friends of Bluefield State
College. This project is underwritten
by the Federal Title III/BRACE
Program.
2 NOVEMBER 2006 BLUE AND GOLD
A Message from the President
For 111 years, Bluefield State College has fulfilled
a noble purpose--creating opportunities for our gradu-
ates through the education they receive here. Indeed,
many of our students receive offers from
business/industry organizations even before they gradu-
ate. That’s because these entities recognize that the
academic preparation provided here is demanding,
focused, and relevant. BSC graduates are well pre-
pared, and they are a valued addition to any workforce.
Albert L. Walker Recently, the College received some very good
President
news, again validating the strength of our curriculum
and programs. Our enrollment has increased nearly 5%
over year ago, same semester totals. The enrollment gain comes at a time when
this region’s high school graduating classes are shrinking and many institutions of
higher education are not enjoying enrollment increases. Thus, our growth is partic-
ularly encouraging.
In addition to the quality of our faculty, the strength of our academic programs,
and the collective commitment of our employees and graduates to support stu-
dents’ success, there are other very important reasons more and more students are
selecting BSC.
Now, students can choose from a variety of attractive, affordable housing
options. In recent months, the campus has undergone numerous enhancements-
adding to our information-delivering capability, parking capacity, facility mainte-
nance and improvement, and aesthetics. We’re a picturesque College with a tradi-
tion-rich history and we’re a friendly, student-oriented community. We genuinely
care about our students and we’re grateful for their trust, as expressed by their
enrollment at this College.
Board of Governors News
by Norris Kantor, Esq., Chair
Responding both to the legislatively mandated
changes within West Virginia’s public higher education
systems and to the opportunities that have emerged
from those changes, transformation has become a
watchword at Bluefield State College.
The Bluefield State College Board of Governors
has encouraged the College to improve accessibility to
its course offerings through an expanded evening class
schedule, along with a growth in the number of online
Norris Kantor
courses that are available. The College has responded-
Chair
with 1,061 students enrolled in more than 60 online
courses during the Fall 2006 Semester. Indeed, more
than 60 students are now taking complete degree programs online.
Earlier this year, the Board approved an initiative (subsequently implemented
by the College) that offers the in-state resident tuition rate to out-of-state students
residing in counties that are contiguous to West Virginia’s borders. Despite a
steady decline in the size of regional high school graduation classes, I am happy
to report that preliminary figures show that Bluefield State College’s enrollment
(continued on page 3)
Bluefield State College Brings its Nationally Accredited
Teacher Education Program to Beckley
Bluefield State College’s entire
teacher education program is now
available in the greater Beckley
region. The program has held
National Council for Accreditation of
Teacher Education (NCATE) accredi-
tation since 1991.
Dr. Thomas Blevins, Dean/BSC
School of Education, noted,
“Bluefield State College is offering all
courses specific to its education pro-
gram, and all 100-level and 200-level
courses needed to meet degree
requirements are offered by New
River Community and Technical
College. This arrangement provides
easy accessibility to the program for
students residing in the Beckley area.”
Additionally, many of the program’s
Board of Governors
Continued from page 2
has GROWN by 5%. The border
county tuition initiative has played a
major role in that growth.
Bluefield State College continues
to rank among the most academically
respected institutions of higher educa-
tion in the state, with 14 nationally
accredited programs of study, consis-
tently high state licensure passage
rates for our nursing and radiologic
technology graduates, and success in
national and international competi-
tions involving our engineering tech-
nology students. And our students,
faculty, and staff are making a posi-
tive difference in the lives of others,
as documented in this issue of the
Blue and Gold.
Your Board is grateful for your
support, input, and interest. It is also
important to note that a reduction in
the total number of students enrolled
at Bluefield State has come about
because of legislatively mandated
changes that created New River
core courses are available online join fine institutions including
through either BSC or NRCTC, he Concord University and Appalachian
added. Bible College in offering our teacher
Blevins observed that a projected education program in Beckley,” he
decline in the number of elementary said. “There will always be a need
education teachers in the field will for well prepared teachers who are
enhance career prospects within the passionate about their profession, and
profession for program graduates. there’s room in the Beckley market
“Elementary school teachers who are for each of our institution’s pro-
‘baby boomers’ will be retiring in grams.”
greater numbers in the next few Additional information concern-
years,” he explained, “and students ing the BSC teacher education pro-
earning degrees through BSC’s gram in Beckley can be obtained by
teacher education program will be contacting Dr. Blevins at 304-327-
prepared to enter the profession and, 4059 or tblevins@bluefieldstate.edu
if they choose, continue their studies or Dr. Elisabeth Steenken/Director of
in an education specialization for Teacher Education at BSC, 304-327-
which there are teacher shortages.” 4176 or bsteenken@bluefieldstate.edu
“We are gratified to be able to
Community and Technical College. Thus, we are seeking additional fund-
This reclassification of students from ing from the State Legislature, and
BSC to NRCTC has resulted in a $1.3 your support for this endeavor is most
million reduction in the amount of appreciated. We look forward to
federal Title III funding Bluefield working with you in the months and
State College will receive this year. years ahead.
B.S.C.A.A. Elects New Officers
The Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc. held its election of
officers during the weekend of October 6-7, 2006. Officers were
installed by Mr. Frank Parks during a ceremony on the campus of the
College. Officers will serve two-year terms, beginning on January 1,
2007.
President Joseph F. Lewis
1st Vice-President Mildred H. Washington
2nd Vice-President Carl P. Boyd
Recording Secretary Gloria P. Stanford
Corresponding Secretary Deirdre Guyton
Financial Secretary Thomas H. Mack
Treasurer King Harvey, Jr.
Sergeant-at-Arms R.D. Clemons
Chaplain Ora P. Johnson
Immediate Past President Louis L. Aikens
BLUE AND GOLD NOVEMBER 2006 3
“Meet BSC” DVD Produced - - Available On-Line
A new seven-minute DVD, “Meet
BSC,” provides a fast-moving,
informative look at Bluefield State
College. Designed for prospective
students, the video was produced this
summer by Motion Masters, a well
known multimedia organization.
“Our goal,” noted Kenny Mandeville,
BSC’s Director of Admissions, “is to
deliver information about the College
to students in an interesting, dynamic
format.”
The DVD features current BSC
students, recent graduates, and faculty,
and provides video and interviews of
BSC classrooms, laboratories, tv and
radio studios, athletics, and student
life. Additionally, students can gain
insight about degree programs at the
College, along with career opportuni-
ties.
“The video is available online at
BSC Takes Part in National Initiative to Salute America’s
Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Following U.S. House of
Representatives passage of a resolu-
tion to make the week of September
10, 2006, National Historically Black
Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
week, Bluefield State College joined
more than 100 fellow HBCUs in
saluting the educational opportunities
created by member institutions. “The
resolution gave HBCUs a chance to
recognize their institutions’ accom-
plishments in education and in their
communities,” noted Dr. Albert
Walker, President/Bluefield State
College.
Charles Greene, executive direc-
tor of the White House Initiative on
Historically Black Colleges and
Universities, says the resolution is
important. The difference this time is
the resolution will be permanent. “It’s
an annual occurrence, but it is an
important part of the initiative… and
4 NOVEMBER 2006 - BLUE AND GOLD
the BSC home page,” added Dawn
Surbaugh, Admissions Counselor
Senior, “and students can receive a
free copy by contacting us at
“Meet BSC” Video
“Our goal is to deliver infor-
mation about the College to
students in an interesting,
dynamic format.”
Kenny Mandeville
Director of Admissions
bscadmit@bluefieldstate.edu.”
Additionally, Bluefield State’s in-
state tuition for the 2006-07 year
($3,649 per year/$1,824.50/semester)
it will state the value that HBCUs
have,” Greene noted.
“For some time, Congress and the
President have supported HBCUs and
this continues to go on because it is
important that HBCUs are recognized
for their economic and educational
role for the future,” said Greene, a
HBCU graduate of Virginia Union
University.
During HBCU Week, the White
House Initiative on HBCUs held a
National HBCU Week Conference on
September 10-16 and on the first day,
Congress’s Resolution was issued and
a proclamation was made by the
President honoring HBCUs.
Former President Jimmy Carter
signed an executive order in 1980 to
establish a federal program aimed at
overcoming the effects of discrimina-
tion while supporting HBCUs’ mis-
sion in providing quality education,
is the most affordable of all public,
four year colleges and universities in
West Virginia,” observed John
Cardwell, Vice President for Student
Affairs. “It’s 11.4% lower than the
average tuition among these colleges,
and it represents an even greater sav-
ings when compared to regional pri-
vate, accredited four-year college
tuition levels,” he explained.
“We have 14 nationally accredited
programs of study, and each of our
programs is designed to prepare stu-
dents for a fulfilling, productive
career where opportunities exist
regionally and nationally,” Cardwell
continued. “We’re excited because
we’ve just become much more afford-
able for many out-of-state students
who might have wanted to come here,
but hesitated in the past because of
the cost.”
according to the White House
Initiative on HBCUs conference regis-
tration brochure. Each president since
has issued an executive order on
HBCUs.
President Bush signed the execu-
tive order in 2002. This year, he
issued a proclamation during HBCU
Week.
Cover Photo
Autumn leaves provided a
colorful background for BSC
student Sarah Wellman
(sophomore, Princeton, West
Virginia), pictured beside
one of the College’s histori-
cal markers in front of
Conley Hall during a sunny
early November afternoon.
BSC Active in New River Clean Up Project

Justin Nichols (photo on left), Richard Sizemore (photo on right, left of canoe), and Travis Arehart were among a large
number of Bluefield State College students who joined more than 200 volunteers during the “New River Clean Up Project,”
on September 23. Dr. Michael Smith, Associate Dean/School of Arts and Sciences at BSC, who chairs a New River
Watershed Roundtable (NRWR) committee, coordinated this region’s river clean up initiative in the Foster Falls area.
tive on September 23 at Foster Falls, according to Smith.
This region’s portion of the oldest
near the Shot Tower and I-77. More The NRWR clean up initiative
river in North America received a
than one million people visit the park was part of the “Adopt-A-Stream”
makeover, courtesy of an effort coor-
each year, and the greatest number program, and took place at the same
dinated by a Bluefield State College
come through Foster Falls. time as the “Clean Sweep North
faculty member and involved a team
“The New River is such a beauti- Carolina” effort that has already
of more than 200 volunteers that
ful river and it’s enjoyed by many, enhanced the New River from Boone,
included several BSC students.
many people,” Smith said. “Every NC to the North Carolina/Virginia
Dr. Michael Smith, Associate
organization and individual involved state line. “We hope to make this an
Dean/School of Arts and Sciences at
in this clean up rendered very positive annual activity,” Smith said. “There
BSC, chairs a New River Watershed
and meaningful assistance in an eco- are also clean up efforts planned
Roundtable (NRWR) committee
logically important community serv- along the New River in the
focused upon cleaning up the New
ice project.” The New River has been Blacksburg and Radford areas.
River. The BSC community joined
littered with all types of debris and Ultimately, this can grow into some-
interested participants from through-
trash, including tires, bottles, cans, thing that can restore the entire New
out the region in this one-day initia-
and refrigerators, in recent years, River system.”

Dr. Ervin Griffin, Sr. Accepts

Presidency at Halifax Community College
Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. (class of 1971) has been chosen to be the president of
Halifax Community College in Weldon, North Carolina. Griffin had served as president
of West Virginia State Community and Technical College for the past six years.
Under his presidency, WVSCTC received maximum accreditation (five years) from
the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association in April 2004, enroll-
ment (fulltime equivalency) increased by 111%, and the College added numerous new
degree programs in response to business/industry needs.
Griffin earned a baccalaureate degree from Bluefield State College, a master’s degree
Dr. Ervin V. Griffin, Sr. from Western Illinois University, and a doctorate from Virginia Tech. He also completed
postdoctoral studies in College Management at Carnegie Mellon University and the
Millennium Leadership Institute, sponsored by the American Association of State Colleges and Universities.
“I have been wonderfully blessed by the people who have helped me throughout my career,” Griffin said. “I
have particularly fond memories of several instructors at Bluefield State College. They instilled in me an understand-
ing of the benefit of hard work and perseverance.”

BLUE AND GOLD NOVEMBER 2006 5

BSC Students Develop Campaign Proposal to Market
Rish Equipment’s Komatsu Dozers and Excavators
Three weeks into the guide during their
semester, Bluefield State three-week preparation
College students in the period, the students
“Integrated Marketing learned the value of a
Communications” class teamwork approach to
expected to have ad- marketing. Then, they
vanced through seven presented their propos-
chapters in their textbook. als to Nester, who sub-
Instead, they were finaliz- sequently presented
ing marketing plans the students’ work to
designed to help Rish Jay Mullen, Rish VP
Equipment increase sales of Sales.
of massive heavy equip- “The students came
ment for construction up with some great
industry giant Komatsu. BSC students in this semester’s “Integrated Marketing Communications” class ideas,” Nester said.
recently developed and presented marketing plans designed to help Rish
The students’ proposals Equipment increase sales. Students include (seated, left-to-right) Alethia Gore,
“They have a true
have been approved by Adizatou Maiga, Jennifer Bennett, Andrea Browning, Whitney Morris (stand- grasp of marketing,
Rish officials and will ing, l-to-r) Aaron Starling, Montoya Kemp, Alan Felts, Nicole Redmond, Andy and their suggestions
now be presented to Peery, Phillip Taylor, Adam Fulford, Matthew Burdette, Josh Westmoreland, provide a practical
Komatsu, International Kerry Harper, and Libby Shafer (not pictured—J.V. Flanagan, Katrina Hall, approach to getting the
and Joshua Hart).
executives. ‘biggest bang’ for our
Lee Nester, (class of ing the primary decision makers. We advertising buck.”
2004) a current Rish Equipment wanted to show current and potential “Our students really embraced
employee, approached Dr. Elaine customers that they were important.” this project,” noted Mann. “This chal-
Scott (Dean/BSC School of Business) To achieve that goal, the team didn’t lenge demanded a great amount of
at the start of the fall 2006 semester, used radio or television advertising. time and effort, but it gave our stu-
seeking marketing students’ input in “We used functional marketing tools, dents a dynamic ‘real world’ experi-
developing and implementing adver- hard hats and similar items to give to ence that is invaluable. It was a
tising strategies that would increase customers. We developed a new logo rewarding, energizing experience.”
sales of Komatsu bulldozers and exca- that stressed branding, image, and
vators by 5%. The challenge was local awareness. We proposed adver- BSC Named One of
handed to Susan Mann, marketing tising at FedEx Field (home of the “America’s Best
instructor, who pitched the opportuni- Washington Redskins of the NFL),
ty to her “Integrated Marketing and we pitched the concept of a golf Colleges” for 7th
Class.” “The students saw this as an tournament for current, past, and
awesome opportunity to put together potential customers,” he added.
Straight Year
real, tangible marketing strategies that The bulldozer team took a differ- For the seventh consecutive
would be pitched to a major manufac- ent tact. “We understood that the coal year, Bluefield State College has
turer,” she said. industry, particularly in West Virginia, been selected as one of “America’s
After the class was divided into was a very important market,” Best Colleges” by US News & World
two teams—one to develop a cam- recounted Alan Felts “That’s why we Report. The publication bases its
paign for marketing excavators and used a more regional media mix— annual selection of America’s out-
another to market bulldozers—the stu- Metro News, West Virginia Media, standing institutions of higher educa-
dent teams were told to plan their pro- and advertising on special events like tion on a variety of factors, including
posals based on $96,000 budgets. Josh NCAA basketball’s ‘March Madness’ academic programs, faculty qualifi-
Westmoreland, a member of the exca- telecasts, the Super Bowl telecast, and cations, students’ success, support,
vator team, detailed his group’s focus. promos during the ‘We Are Marshall’ etc. BSC was listed among the “Best
“Excavators are not mass marketed,” movie.” Colleges/Comprehensive” in the
he explained. “We keyed in on reach- Using the course textbook as a nation.

6 NOVEMBER 2006 - BLUE AND GOLD

“Team CART” at BSC Qualifies for Entry into
’07 DARPA “Urban Challenge”
“Team CART” at Bluefield State around a variety of terrain challenges. more than hold our own with the best
College has just received notification Team CART (Center for Applied industrial and academic organizations
that it has been accepted for entry into Research and Technology) has always in the competition. In fact, the
the Defense Applied Research included Bluefield State College stu- Scorpion-fox project legacy continues
Projects Agency (DARPA) 2007 dents from several academic disci- under Track A. Additionally, the
Urban Challenge. Team CART is the plines, along with Dr. Robert Riggins Grand Challenge was an inspiring
only West Virginia-based applicant to (BSC Professor of Electrical ‘real world’ applied research experi-
qualify for entry. The Department of Engineering Technology) and CART, ence for our students and helped them
Defense-sponsored Urban Challenge Inc. Vice-President Operations and visualize the limitless potential for
competition is the sequel to DARPA’s team leader, Bruce Mutter. “This time their future careers in engineering
2005 “Grand Challenge,” and will around, our vehicle is named the technology.”
again feature autonomous ground “Elise-fox” and is built around Lotus The Urban Challenge will present
vehicles that will independently navi- car platforms by a team composed of a highly complex and demanding trial
gate through and around a variety of College faculty, local research associ- that will put this field of robotic vehi-
terrain and traffic challenges. ates, and industrial engineers, students cles to the test, according to event
In all, there were 78 organizers. The Urban
teams accepted into Track B Challenge will feature
of the competition, joining fully autonomous ground
11 Track A entrants. Teams vehicles conducting sim-
that have qualified to com- ulated military supply
pete in the Urban Challenge missions safely and
fall into one of two tracks. effectively in a mock
Track-A teams were selected urban area. In the final
from proposals submitted to event, on November 3,
DARPA and will receive up 2007 robotic vehicles
to $1 million in technology will attempt to complete
development funds. Track B a 60-mile course through
was an open enrollment traffic in less than six
opportunity; teams do not hours, operating under
receive any funds from “Team CART” poses with “Elise-fox” the autonomous ground their own computer-
DARPA but compete equally vehicle it is producing for the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge. based control. To suc-
with Track A teams to quali- ceed, vehicles must obey
fy for the final event. and alumni, and international consult- traffic laws while merging into mov-
A year ago, an autonomous ant expertise from the automotive and ing traffic, navigate traffic circles,
ground vehicle (“Scorpion-fox”) out- image processing communities,” negotiate busy intersections, and
fitted by Team CART of BSC, work- Mutter said. avoid obstacles.
ing alongside Preferred Chassis The 2007 DARPA Urban DARPA’s Urban Challenge has
Fabrication, Inc. of Tucson, Arizona, Challenge will take place in a yet to been successful in attracting enthusi-
advanced through six rounds of quali- be disclosed urban setting in the west- asts from around the world to develop
fying in the DARPA event, progress- ern United States, adding another autonomous vehicle technology that
ing from the original field of more dimension to the event. “We’re cer- will some day protect the lives of
than 200 entrants, reaching the final tainly excited about the opportunities American men and women on the bat-
48 team level and moving to within presented by the Urban Challenge and tlefield. Operation of autonomous
one round of earning a spot in the our chances to meet them,” noted vehicles in the Urban Challenge will
Grand Challenge, a 200-mile race Mutter. “At the Grand Challenge, we test the ability of robots to operate
through a rugged desert and mountain lacked the financial resources of many safely and effectively in populated
course that tested the vehicles’ ability DARPA teams, but we were able to areas.
to independently navigate through and combine ingenuity and creativity to

BLUE AND GOLD NOVEMBER 2006 7

Spotlight on the BSC School of Nursing and Allied Health
by Dr. Betty Rader, Dean, School of Nursing and Allied Health
Dr. Betty Rader
Each year’s graduating class from
the Bluefield State College School of
Nursing and Allied Health continues
to enhance the School’s tradition of
excellence and service. The three
programs--Associate Degree in
Nursing, Bachelor of Science in
Nursing, and Radiologic Technology--
have achieved national accreditation
by satisfying the high standards of
quality required by those accrediting
bodies.
As evidence of the caliber of
career-appropriate education delivered
within the School, the Associate
Degree class of 2005 achieved a
92.54% passage rate on the National
Council Licensure Examination-RN,
and the Radiologic Technology class
of 2005 achieved a 100% passage rate
on the American Registry of
Radiographic Technographers’ certifi-
cation exam. Both passage rates
exceeded state and national norms.
Additionally, graduates enjoy a 100%
job placement rate. In fact, most stu-
dents have job offers as soon as they
graduate.
Earlier this year, the School began
offering a new bachelor’s degree pro-
gram in Radiologic Sciences. This is
West Virginia’s first “two-plus-two”
bachelor’s program in Radiologic
Sciences. It permits students who
complete the School’s associate pro-
gram in Radiologic Technology to
take the licensure examination and
begin working as a radiologic technol-
8 NOVEMBER 2006 - BLUE AND GOLD
ogist then enter the bachelor’s pro-
gram while they continue to work.
COMMUNITY SERVICE. . . .
The Associate Degree in Nursing
(ADN) program is offered at BSC
campuses in Bluefield and Beckley,
and at both locations, students are
extremely involved in community
service projects. Each year, Beckley
campus ADN students present a
Health Promotion Fair and a Breast
Cancer Expo. Bluefield campus ADN
students, during the 2005-06 year, col-
lected more than 2,000 pairs of white
socks that were sent to Hurricane
Katrina victims who suffer from dia-
betes. Earlier this year, Bluefield
State College nursing students collab-
orated with an interdisciplinary team
to develop and present an afternoon-
long workshop designed to help area
children and their families combat
childhood obesity.
Our baccalaureate nursing stu-
dents have painted, tiled, and com-
pletely renovated a classroom at the
Wade Center in Bluefield. The room
now serves as a community education
classroom in which our BSN students
present health-related workshops and
programs.
During the 2005-06 year, students
in the BSC Radiologic Technology
program invested more than 400
hours of volunteer work in a variety
of community service activities. They
helped organizations including hospi-
tals, schools, fire departments, the
Red Cross, and assisted living facili-
ties. Students must work at least 20
hours in a volunteer capacity in a pro-
gram or initiative that is either health
care-related or college-related.
OUR FACULTY. . . .
The diversity and experience of
our faculty contribute to the rich tap-
estry of our students’ academic expe-
rience. Over 60% of the faculty with-
in the School have earned advanced
practice certification as Nurse
Practitioners or Clinical Nurse
Specialists. For the past three years,
the Bluefield State College
Foundation’s “Outstanding Faculty
Award” recipient has come from the
School of Nursing and Allied Health.
Additionally, many faculty members
hold membership on boards of exam-
iners and/or accreditation bodies.
ADDITIONALLY. . . .
During the 2006 spring semester,
the “George M. Cruise Nursing
Conference” brought to this region a
nationally recognized health care
speaker, Barb Bancroft. She
addressed a capacity audience of
health care professionals at the local
conference, sponsored by the School
of Nursing and Allied Health.
As West Virginia seeks to offset a
statewide shortage of nurses and
school nurses, the School of Nursing
and Allied Health continues to be a
vital part of the solution. The School
Nurse program is delivered via dis-
tance education to several remote
counties in the state, and a significant
percentage of ADN, BSN and
Radiologic Technology students
accept employment in West Virginia
after they graduate.
IN SUMMARY. . . .
Health care takes place in a
dynamic social and professional envi-
ronment with constantly changing
needs. As a state and regional leader
in nursing and allied health education,
the Bluefield State College School of
Nursing and Allied Health is commit-
ted to anticipating and responding to
those changing needs. The School
draws upon the insight and experience
of its students, faculty, and alumni to
build upon its foundation of excel-
lence in teaching, practice, and public
service.
“Understanding Advanced Directives” Classes Offered by
BSC Baccalaureate Nursing Students at BRMC and PCH
Advanced Directives—written and BSC. This program will benefit ment that is kept at the hospital in the
documents that express an individ- the community by alerting them to the event they would require treatment at
ual’s wishes regarding organ donation, importance of having their end-of- life BRMC.”
medical power of attorney, living wishes spelled out in a legal docu- At BRMC, a student team that
wills, and end-of-life deci- included Aleah Clark, Ben
sions permit a person’s Wilson, Marie Green, Katie
requests to be observed during Coffey, Teresa Scott, Cammie
life’s most difficult times. Williams, Billy Davis, Chastity
Bluefield State College Walker, Tammy Sauls, and
Baccalaureate Nursing stu- Merrilee Carson explained
dents recently “team taught” organ donation, “Physician
the program “Understanding Orders for Scope of
Advanced Directives” at Treatment,” the West Virginia
Bluefield Regional Medical “Do Not Resuscitate Act,”
Center and Princeton Living Wills, Medical Power of
Community Hospital. Student Attorney, and related advanced
teams later repeated their pres- directives. “Our students
entation at BRMC and PCH detailed how Advanced
for three more weeks. A team of Bluefield State College students presented a Directives ensure that you
series of Advanced Directives classes at Bluefield
Tim Harclerode, BRMC’s Regional Medical Center and Princeton Community know the options and choose
Vice President/Patient Care Hospital. Team members pictured during their initial what’s best for you and your
Services, observed, “We are presentation at BRMC include (left-to-right) Aleah Clark, family, then put it in writing”
very pleased to have a good Ben Wilson, Marie Green, Katie Coffey, Teresa Scott, explained Betty Blevins, BSC
Cammie Williams, Billy Davis, Chastity Walker, Tammy
working relationship with the Associate Professor of Nursing.
Sauls, and Merrilee Carson.
nursing faculty and students

BSC Nursing Students Help Develop and Present Childhood

Obesity Workshop for Area Youth at the Wade Center
With childhood obesity
reaching epidemic levels in
West Virginia, two Bluefield
State College nursing students
recently collaborated with an
interdisciplinary team to
develop and present an after-
noon-long workshop designed
to help area children and their
families combat this growing
problem. More than 30 area
elementary and secondary
school students participated in
the program at the Wade
Center in Bluefield.
second year nursing student, and Justin Jeffries (stand-
Bobbie Lilly and Billy
Clay, second-year nursing stu-
dents at BSC, joined medical
students from the West
Virginia School of Osteopathic
Medicine (WVSOM) and a
medical school residency stu-
dent for an intensive three
week initiative, coordinated by
the South Eastern (West
Virginia) Area Health
Education Center (SE AHEC).
“The team studied nutrition
and overweight issues with
children, then put together
intervention strategies that
would be educational, fun, and
effective for the children in-
Billy Clay (standing/left), a Bluefield State College volved,” explained Dr.
ing/right) a student at the WV School of Osteopathic Bernadette Dragich, BSC
Medicine, help public school students understand the Professor of Nursing. This
importance of the “food pyramid” during a recent interfacing of students
Childhood Obesity workshop at the Wade Center in (continued on page 10)
Bluefield.

BLUE AND GOLD NOVEMBER 2005 9

Rahall Designates Bluefield State College As Southern
Anchor For Connected Technologies Corridor Program
U.S. Representative Nick a synergy between local
J. Rahall recently announced government, higher educa-
that the Bluefield Technology tion and the business com-
Transfer and Community munity. This will stimulate
Development Center, operated economic, educational, and
by the Bluefield State College research success in the
Research and Development Bluefield State College
Corporation, has been select- service area,” Dr. Albert
ed to serve as the Southern Walker, BSC President,
Anchor point for the said.
Connected Technologies The Connected
Corridors (CTC) program. Technologies Corridors
The Congressman made the Program materialized from
official designation during a Rahall’s desire to harness
ceremony at the Bluefield U.S. Congressman Nick J. Rahall (right) recently
the technological resources
State College Research and announced that BSC will have a primary role in of southern West Virginia to
Development Building. delivering high-tech services in this region. He is optimize the potential for
“This is an exciting devel- pictured with Dr. Albert Walker (left) and Norris Kantor. the region’s economic
opment for the CTC program optical carrier with high transmission future. The seed funding for
and I commend Bluefield State speeds. This, coupled with the this start-up economic development
College for its dedication to bringing planned optical carrier being run initiative is being provided by the
the latest technological opportunities through Tazewell, Mercer and Bland Benedum Foundation, Verizon West
to businesses in our area,” Rahall counties, provides companies in the Virginia and Frontier Communica-
said. The Technology Transfer and area with a tremendous level of access tions.
Community Development Center and competitive advantage. The Connected Technologies
houses a small business incubator, “The designation of this facility Corridors Program is a collaborative
space for light industrial activities and represents a significant step by effort of several economic develop-
office space for companies locating in Bluefield State College, the Bluefield ment-focused organizations. The new
Bluefield. The facility has conference State College Research and technology organization is governed
rooms, an auditorium, and training Development Corporation, the by a Board of Directors comprised of
rooms. To assist companies needing Connected Technologies Corridors, individuals from each of these locally
broadband high-speed Internet access, the I-77 High Technology Corridor based economic and community
the facility has direct access to an and several other partners in creating development entities.

BSC Nursing Students

(Continued from page 9)
permitted them to take strengths from
each discipline to promote better care
for all clients.
The initial planning meeting took
place at Princeton Community
Hospital in September. Clay (who is
also president of the BSC Student
Nurses Association) collaborated with
Justin Jeffries, a WV School of
Osteopathic Medicine student, to
develop intervention strategies
addressing “Nutrition and Childhood
Obesity.” “My section focused upon
nutrition education,” Clay said. “The
children heard about calories—what
they are, how they affect our bodies,
the amount of calories needed daily,
where to locate calorie information on
labels, and the consequence of taking
in too many calories while not exer-
cising regularly.”
Lilly (BSC Student Nurses
Association vice president) and her
team-teaching partner Kate Leffel
(from WVSOM) focused upon help-
ing the children learn a fun-based
physical activity that could burn calo-
ries and replace the students’ seden-
tary lifestyle. “We demonstrated the
‘Dance, Dance, Revolution’ program,
then gave the children an opportunity
to try it,” Lilly recounted.

10 NOVEMBER 2006 - BLUE AND GOLD

BSC’s Faculty and Staff Accomplishments
Dr. Thomas Blevins, (1971)
Dean of the BSC Virtual College and
Information Technology and the
School of Teacher Education, and
Professor, English/ Education, will be
attending the Association for
Educational Communications and
Technology (AECT) conference in
Dallas. He has been named Chair of
the Accreditation Committee of
AECT. The purpose of the
Accreditation Committee is to be the
liaison between AECT and NCATE,
the National Association for the
Accreditation of Teacher Education.
In addition, he is an NCATE Board of
Examiner Chair and chaired a visit to
Alcorn State University in Mississippi
in November.
Dr. Bernadette Dragich,
Professor of Nursing, will deliver a
professional presentation at the West
Virginia Prevention Resource
Network’s 2006 Share the Vision
Conference in November. Her topic is
“Drug Endangered Children: What
the Pediatric Health Care Provider
Needs to Know.”
BSC Greek Council Brightens “Welcome to Bluefield”
Signage and Landscape
Dr. Tammy Ferguson, Dean/
School of Arts and Sciences, has been
elected President of the Tazewell
(Virginia) Farmer’s Market. She
seeks funding and coordinates opera-
tions of the open-air market, which
provides area farmers with an oppor-
tunity to sell their produce each
Saturday, June-October.
Dr. Lyn Guy, member of the
BSC’s Board of Governors and
Superintendent of Monroe County
(WV) Schools, has been selected to
join the Eastern States Consortium for
Learning and School System
Excellence. Guy is one of seven
superintendents in the eastern United
States invited to participate in the
consortium.
Jennifer Humphries, (2003)
Instructional Designer, earned
“WebCT CE 4.1 Professional
Development Certification” and “Web
Development Professional
Certification” earlier this year.
David Lord, Director of Human
Resources, is a member of the West
Virginia State Equal Employment
BLUE AND GOLD
Opportunity/Higher Education
Conference Planning Committee and
the West Virginia Job Evaluation
Planning Committee. He also attend-
ed the statewide EEO Conference in
September.
Debbie Pittman, Professor/
Department Head of Computer
Science for the School of Engineering
Technology and Computer Science,
has been elected President, District IV
Consumer Advisory Committee, West
Virginia Division of Rehabilitative
Services. She also earned “I-net+
Certification” in July, 2006.
Dr. Elaine Scott, Dean/Professor
of Marketing for the School of
Business, presented a paper,
“Relationship Marketing Strategies in
a Funeral Home Service Practice,” at
the 2006 International Business and
Economics Research Conference.
Dr. Howard Wade, Associate
Professor of History, received the
Distinguished Alumnus Award for
2006 at the 35th Annual Gathering for
Kimball High School.
The Bluefield State College Greek
Council is working with the City of
Bluefield to assist in maintaining
and beautifying the “Welcome to
Bluefield” sign and landscape just
north of the College on US Rt. 52.
Representatives of each Greek
organization have invested hours
in landscaping, removing weeds,
gardening, and enhancing the sign.
Pictured (left-to-right) at the
Welcome sign are BSC students
Mychal Guyton (Greek Council Vice
President), Annie Curto (Greek
Council Sergeant At Arms),
NaTausha Lipscomb (Greek
Council Liaison), and Chris Majors
(Greek Council President), as well
as Roy Grimes (Greek Council
Advisor).
NOVEMBER2006 11
BSC Hosts Annual WV Criminal Justice Educators
Association Conference in November
More than 75 faculty and stu-
dents attended the 10th annual West
Virginia Criminal Justice Educators
Association (WVCJEA) fall confer-
ence at Bluefield State College. The
1.5 day event was held on November
10-11, and was coordinated locally by
Mike Lilly, Associate Professor and
Program Director of Criminal Justice
Administration at BSC.
Lilly, who is WVCJEA first vice
president, said local law enforcement
personnel also attended the event,
whose theme this year was “The New
Face of Crime in the 21st Century.”
“We had a productive conference,”
Lilly noted. “There were several stu-
dent-centered activities, including
competitions in oral presentation,
poster, and research paper categories.
There was also a job fair with several
criminal justice agencies from this
region, and the West Virginia Civil
Support Team demonstrated how it
responds to an emergency situation.”
The conference included a
keynote speaker, as well as opportuni-
ties for students currently enrolled in,
or potentially interested in, criminal
justice/criminal justice administration
to gain insight into the opportunities
and challenges in the field.
Among the West Virginia institu-
tions of higher education (in addition
to BSC) that participated in the con-
ference were: Marshall University,
WVU-Parkersburg, West Virginia
State University, New River
Community and Technical College,
Wheeling Jesuit University, Fairmont
State University, and Mountain State
University. “Bluefield State College
has been a member institution in
WVCJEA for 15 years,” Lilly added.
“The fall conference is a focal point
of our organization each year and
Bluefield State College derived sever-
al benefits from serving as the host
for this year’s program.”

BSC Faculty Emeritus Honoree Celebrates

100th Birthday
Elizabeth “Betty” Roberston recently celebrated her
100th birthday. She is pictured with the late William
Caruth, Jr. during a conversation a few years ago. Both
are BSC Faculty Emeritus honorees.
Elizabeth “Betty” Robertson, who received “Faculty
Emeritus” status at Bluefield State College in 1975, cele-
brated her 100th birthday on October 14. The Town of
Athens officially declared Saturday, October 14 “Betty
Robertson Day” as family, friends, former students, and
educators extended their best wishes to the lifetime
teacher and community leader.
She is a previous recipient of the Town of Athens’
“Elder Citizen Award” (1998) and the Athens Garden
Club’s “Citizen of the Year Award” (1993). She was also
selected to receive the West Virginia Womens
Commission’s “Celebrate Women Award” (2000).
She and her husband, the late William B. Robertson,
moved to this region in 1932 after graduating from the
University of Massachusetts at Amherst. After earning a
master’s degree in English and Spanish from Cornell
University, Mrs. Robertson embarked on a career in edu-
cation in 1955, when the couple’s youngest son was in
second grade. She established the “Foreign Language in
Elementary School” program at Athens Elementary
School, later starting the Spanish program at Athens High
School.
While she was teaching a night class at Bluefield
State College in 1967, former BSC president Dr. Wendell
Hardway approached her regarding a fulltime faculty
opportunity at the College. She joined the faculty, teach-
ing at BSC until she was 65. She continued to serve after
her retirement as a teacher in the first Developmental
Learning Laboratory at BSC in the fall 1971 semester.
Her book, “Rhymes for Today from a Friend of
Mother Goose, for Kids and Parents,” was published four
years ago. Her family includes three sons--Dr. Philip
Robertson and his wife (Carolyn) of Princeton, West
Virginia; William “Pro” Robertson and his wife (Katie) of
Athens, West Virginia, and; Dr. Kenny Robertson and his
wife (Dorothy) of Williamsburg, Virginia.

12 NOVEMBER 2006 - BLUE AND GOLD

BSC Alumni Association 2006 Reunion Highlights
Reunions bring back memories of old college days, “You know-days” when Miss BSC was crowned and still looking
good or, when Mildred H. Washington (’55, Ms. Alumni 2004) crowned Sherlyn McCoy Ms. Alumni 2006. Whatever
the occasion, reuniting with classmates, mingling with the frat and sorors or even reminiscing wth friends, Atlanta was
the place to be in July!

Just in case you weren't there, here are a few photos of what you missed in Atlanta and a chance to plan for the
Columbus, Ohio reunion in 2008.
-- Deirdre Guyton, Director of Alumni Affairs

Pictures submitted by
Deirdre Guyton
Director of Alumni Affairs

BLUE AND GOLD NOVEMBER 2006 13

BSC Hosts “Music of Coalfields”
Audio and Video Exhibit
The “Music of the Coalfields” legendary Duke Ellington in concert Exhibit is sponsored by the United
resonated throughout Bluefield State at the Bluefield Auditorium, and Mine Workers of America, the
College’s Hebert Gallery during the numerous other musical greats. Regional Coal Heritage Authority, and
fall semester. Joan Buchanan (BSC’s The Music of the Coalfield the WV Humanities Council.
Student Services Specialist),
directed the College’s effort to serve
as a month-long host site for the
exhibit, which included two large dis-
plays and a music centerpiece upon
which visitors could select (in juke-
box style) and listen to their favorite
songs.
“The exhibit features a vintage
photograph collection of many of
Southern West Virginia’s most impor-
tant musicians,” Buchanan explained.
“The exhibit affirms Bluefield’s
importance as a musical center during
the mid-20th Century.” It includes
photos of former BSC student Maceo
Pinkard, who composed “Sweet
Georgia Brown,” along with Bluefield Joan Buchanan (BSC Student Services Specialist) welcomed
musical promoter Ralph Weinberg, the guests to the “Music of the Coalfields” exhibit in the
Hebert Gallery/Harris-Jefferson Student Center, at the College.

BSC Student Team Designs Software Program to Streamline

Bluefield Union Mission’s Service Capacity
The BSC student team of (standing left-to-right)
Tabatha Pack, Glen Ciborowski,
Dwayne Kimbleton, and (seated)
Keith Solademi collaborated to design
a software program customized to meet the
needs of the Bluefield Union Mission.
For 75 years, the Bluefield Union Mission has been a pillar of com-
munity service—a lighthouse for area residents in need. While the
Mission could benefit from state-of-the-art accounting software for its
financial bookkeeping, the pen and paper record-keeping system
employed by the Mission for its daily log and client files in the 1930s is
still in use today. That’s why a team of Bluefield State College students
has designed a computer software program that will streamline the
Mission’s client record-keeping system while concurrently increasing its
capacity for service.
The BSC team of Dwayne Kimbleton, Keith Solademi, Tabatha
Pack, and Glen Ciborowski, students in Dr. Lynn Adams’ senior-year
Software Engineering course, spent several months analyzing the
Mission’s operation to identify challenges that could be addressed
through a customized software program. Then the student team
designed, refined, and implemented the program.
“By selecting real organizations with real needs, training students to
work in teams, and designing and implementing complete software pro-
grams, we accomplish at least two clear purposes,” Dr. Adams said.
“First, the students are better trained to enter the workforce. Second, the
community benefits by obtaining real working computer programs that
help them improve their efficiency and productivity. This approach also
produces a more interesting and motivational learning environment.”

14 NOVEMBER 2006 - BLUE AND GOLD

Alumni Updates
Alumni Updates
Requested
If you have received awards, pro-
motions, accomplishments, recog-
nition, have married or recently
welcomed an addition to your
family, please let us know.
Mail your news to:
Karen Gordon
College and Media Relations
Bluefield State College
219 Rock Street
Bluefield, WV 24701
or FAX to 304-327-4581or e-mail
kgordon@bluefieldstate.edu
1930s
Avicia H. Thorpe (1933) was
one of 10 African-American Danville,
Virginia residents
featured in
“Mapping Local
Knowledge,
Danville, Virginia,
1945-1975,”a photo
and oral history
exhibit featuring the journey to civil
rights in Danville. The exhibit was on
display at the Carter G. Woodson
Institute at the University of Virginia
earlier this year. Among the other
nine honorees featured in the exhibit
are seven of Mrs. Thorpe’s former
students and two of her former co-
workers. Mrs. Thorpe was a faculty
member and head of the Language
Arts Department at John M. Lang-
ston High School for 33 years (1933-
1966). Recently, a scholarship was
established in Mrs. Thorpe’s honor
by the John M. Langston High
School Joint Class Reunion, 1937-
1973. She celebrated her 98th birth-
day on April 16, 2006.
1940s
Eunice Burrell Fleming (1944)
was inducted into the Mt. Hope High
School Alumni Association Hall of
Fame for her contributions to the
Arts.
1970s
Leroy M. Counts (1975) was
selected as War Annex’s 2005-2006
Teacher of the Year. He was also
selected as McDowell County’s
Middle School Teacher of the Year
for 2005-2006 and won the Freida
Riley Award and was named
McDowell County’s Teacher of the
Year for 2005-2006. He is a music
specialist for War Annex and Big
Creek High School.
Ann Jackson Farmer (1877) is
the standards-based math instructor
for fifth grade students at the
Bluefield Intermediate School.
Richard Lindamood (1978) held
an artist’s exhibit at Bluefield State
College in October.
Anthony C. Perry (1970) has
been named Director of Raw
Materials Planning, Procurement and
Distribution for AK Steel, Middletown,
Ohio.
William M. “Bill” White (1970)
is the Dean of the Mountain State
University School of Leadership and
Professional Development in
Beckley, West Virginia. He is the
founder and CEO for The Manage-
ment Development Group, Inc.
(MDG), a multimillion dollar California
corporation that specialized in organ-
ization development consulting for
Fortune 100 corporations.
Lynn Whitteker (1978) is CEO
of Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
1980s
Dr. Lorenzo Pence (1981) is
Associate Dean for Graduate
Medical Education for the West
Virginia Osteopathic School of
Medicine (WVSOM) in Lewisburg,
West Virginia.
1990s
Barbara Bragg (1995) has been
appointed to serve on the West
Virginia School of Osteopathic
Medicine’s (WVSOM) Board of
Governors. She is the Business
BLUE AND GOLD
Manager in the Office of Business
Affairs at WVSOM.
Cynthia Leigh Higgins (1997)
married Jeffrey A. Atwell on August
3, 2006. She is employed as the
Vice President - Internal Audit and
Compliance with First Community
Bank, N.A.
Nasser Isleem (1991) received
the University of North Carolina’s
2006 Student Undergraduate
Teaching Award. He is a lecturer in
Asian studies for the UNC at Chapel
Hill, North Carolina.
Clifton Riffe (1991) and his wife,
Jennifer Whitaker Riffe (1993)
received bachelor’s degrees from
Mountain State University in 2006.
Kimberly A. Weatherly, C-FNP
(1996) is a Family Nurse Practioner
at St. Luke’s Hospital.
2000s
Jeremy Ball (2003) is Informa-
tion Systems Specialist for New
RIver Community and Technical
College in Beckley, West Virginia.
Melissa D. Buzzo (2006) mar-
ried David S. Gates (2002) on
August 26, 2006. She is employed
by Princeton Community Hospital
and he is employed by Verizon
Communications in Bluefield,
Virginia.
Scott Britton (2000) married
Amanda Englas (2001) on August
12, 2006.
Christina M. Mitchell (2005)
married Jeremy S. Flanigan on July
1, 2006. She is currently enrolled in
the nursing program at Mountain
State University.
In Memoriam
Nedra T. Bailey
Adam Thomas Chambers
Alvis “Jack” Gaither
John Hyatt Kibler
Jeremy J. Mancuso
Earlie Moon
Michael T. Scarbro
Cynthia Clemons Strassin
Laquetta Gaye Swanson
Beatrice C. Taylor
NOVEMBER 2006 15
BSC Cheerleading Squad Wins Five Awards at
National Cheerleaders Association Camp, then
Receives Bid to National Championship
Some Members of the 2006-2007 BSC Cheerleading Squad
First Row, left-to-right: Nicole Hall, Candace Faw;
Second Row, left-to-right: Carey Flanagan, Tonya Hamiliton;
Third Row, left-to-right: Daniel McClain, Mike Cline
219 Rock Street
Bluefield, WV 24701
Address Service Requested
www.bluefieldstate.edu
It’s worth cheering about! The Bluefield
State College cheerleading squad won several
awards during the recent National Cheerleaders
Association (NCA) Cheerleading Camp in
Myrtle Beach, SC. The BSC squad, which
helped to direct a very well attended cheerlead-
ing clinic for area public school cheerleaders
this summer, was selected from all NCAA
Division II teams in the competition to receive
the “Most Improved” trophy, the “Spirit Stick,”
and three superior ribbons, according to Beth
Jones, who coordinated the College’s participa-
tion in the event.
“While at the camp, we had the opportunity
to learn and perfect floor cheers, crowd cheers,
and stunts,” noted Carey Flanagan, a BSC squad
member. “We were able to cheer with cheer-
leading squads from Army, the University of
South Carolina, the University of Georgia,
Kennesaw State University, and Grambling State
University.”
The BSC cheerleading squad also received
an invitation to participate in the NCAA college
national championship to be held in Daytona,
Florida.
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Non-Profit Organization
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Bluefield, WV 24701