Volume X 219 Rock Street, Bluefield, WV 24701 Number 2

Fall Sports Schedule In Full Swing

(see page 4 for details)

October 2004
A Message from the President
Albert L. Walker
President
During my two-plus years as President of Bluefield
State College, I have enjoyed the opportunity to share with
numerous organizations and groups my vision for this
wonderful institution of higher education.
The Vision
Bluefield State College will continue to be an outstand-
ing institution of higher education, offering quality bac-
calaureate and associate degree opportunities at an afford-
able cost to the citizens of southeast West Virginia and sur-
rounding areas. The College will maintain outstanding lib-
eral arts programs enhanced with technology that will pre-
pare students for lifelong learning and prepare them to
compete in a diverse and global economy. Bluefield State
College will also offer nationally recognized curricula
(graduate programs, etc.) that will evolve to meet regional
and societal needs.
“The Vision” is, at the same time, both challenging and
energizing. In recent weeks, the student housing initiative
moved rapidly toward becoming a reality. The College is
working with a regional entrepreneur/developer who has
acquired the former Ramada Inn in Bluefield. He has a
track record of success in converting onetime motels into
outstanding student residential centers and his goal is to
have this facility ready to welcome students for the begin-
ning of the Fall 2006 Semester. Concurrently, the College
retains its commitment to redevelop Mahood Hall into on-
campus student housing.
As you will read in the pages of this Blue and Gold,
the Bluefield State College Research and Development
Corporation has purchased the former American Electric
Power (AEP) Company building in downtown Bluefield,
WV. The stately six-story facility will provide conference
rooms, a small business development center, business
incubator opportunities, and a computer lab among its
many services. It is a wonderful example of a “town-
gown” initiative that benefits the College and the commu-
nity.
Bluefield State is a College on the move, committed to
growth and service. We are intensely proud of BSC’s rich
heritage of educational excellence and we are encouraged
by your support as we embrace the opportunities of the
future.

From the Bluefield State College Board of Governors

John Barnes, Chairperson
As chairman of the Bluefield State
College Board of Governors and on
behalf of the Board, I wish to express
my appreciation for your support,
advice, encouragement, and interest in
BSC. The College has served this
region with distinction, producing
graduates who have strengthened
business, industry, and education.
Certainly, there have been and will
continue to be challenges along the
way. Your Board of Governors will
continue to lead Bluefield State
College with a commitment to meet
needs, recognize and respond to
opportunity, and operate in a fiscally
responsible fashion.
This year, we have worked with
the state’s executive and legislative
leaders to produce agreements and
relationships that enhance the poten-
tial for success at both Bluefield State
College and New River Community
and Technical College. This summer,
a landmark agreement was signed,
whereby BSC received much needed
state funding to underwrite its aca-
demic and service mission, and New
River Community and Technical
College expanded its academic offer-
ings to provide even more career
options for its students.
And, while the current academic
year and approaching state legislative
session will certainly bring change
and challenge, we are confident that
the resilience of this College, the
resourcefulness of the BSC family,
and the leadership of your Board will
produce a “game plan” for career-
focused academic programs, sustained
enrollment growth, and increasing
involvement in the economic develop-
ment of the region and all of West
Virginia.
During each year’s commence-
ment exercises as I greet and congrat-
ulate the College’s new graduates, I
am reminded that Bluefield State
College IS making a positive differ-
ence in the lives of those we serve.
Your Board encourages your support
and input in the months and years to
come.

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Governor Wise Attends Signing Ceremony Involving BSC,
New River Community and Technical College, and the WV
Community and Technical College Council

Dr. Albert Walker Governor Bob Wise Dr. David Perkins

West Virginia Governor Bob Wise tive session, provided for BSC to con- in Bluefield during the summer. In his
visited Bluefield State College on
August 2 to deliver featured remarks
during signing ceremonies involving
BSC, New River Community and
Technical College and the West
Virginia Community and Technical
College Council.
The ceremony spotlighted a
Memorandum of Agreement between
BSC and the Community and
Technical College Council, and
a contractual agreement between
the BSC Board of Governors
and New River CTC. The
Memorandum of Agreement
dealt with the “Delivery of
Associate Degree Programs.”
As provided for in House Bill
2224, passed during the 2003
legislative session, the WV
Community and Technical
College Council and the BSC
Board of Governors have
entered into an agreement by
President Dr. David Perkins sign the Memorandum Dr. Albert Walker, NRCTC
which BSC would continue to
deliver the associate degree level
programs in Architectural
Engineering Technology, Civil
Engineering Technology, Electrical
Engineering Technology, Mechanical
Engineering Technology, and
Radiologic Technology. Senate Bill
448, passed during the 2004 legisla-
tinue delivering the associate of sci- comments at BSC, Governor Wise
ence degree program in Nursing. noted, “Today’s event is a testament
The contractual agreement to the differences between two-year
between BSC and NRCTC provided and four-year institutions and the need
for the transfer of the associate degree for discussion and compromise to
programs in General Education and ensure that both types of institutions
General Business to New River CTC, can fulfill their missions and serve our
along with a reallocation of state citizens. During my term as Governor,
appropriations that adjusts and our efforts in higher education policy
have focused on three things:
accessibility, affordability, and
accountability. These three ‘A’s
should continue to form the
foundation of our efforts to
reform and restructure higher
education so we can stimulate
economic development, enhance
workforce training and create
prosperity for all of our citi-
zens.”
BSC Board of Governors
chairman John Barnes, NRCTC
Board of Advisors chairman
BSC President Dr. Albert Walker and NRCTC Edward Knight, BSC President
of Agreement during an August 2 ceremony.
President Dr. David Perkins, and
WV Community and Technical
increases the amount of state funding College Council chairman Nelson
BSC receives. Robinson took part in the signing cer-
Governor Wise noted, when he emony, which was attended by several
signed SB448 into law, that a meeting state legislators, civic officials,
concerning the working relationship College employees, and members of
between the institutions would be held the community.

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Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony Marks Opening of BSC
Research and Development Corporation’s New Center
The former American President, co-founder, and
Electric Power Company CEO of the BSC Research
division headquarters in and Development
Bluefield now has a new Corporation, extended
owner with a futuristic special thanks to Jay
focus upon technology Divers (AEP Real Estate
transfer and community Agent/Land Management)
development. The Bluefield for the utility's willingness
State College Research and to work with the R&D
Development Corporation Corporation in the sale of
recently purchased from the facility. “We plan
AEP the six-story facility on numerous projects for eco-
Bland Street in Bluefield, nomic development and
West Virginia Third district job creation in the area,”
U.S. Congressman Nick J. she stated. She also pro-
Rahall, II took part in the Dr. Albert Walker, US Congressman Nick Rahall, vided a floor-by-floor pre-
September 20 ribbon-cut- Dr. Felica Wooten Blanks, and Jay Divers “cut the ribbon,” view of how the building
ting ceremony to celebrate marking the official opening of the Bluefield State College will be used,
the opening of the Research & Development Corporation’s new center in citing activities including
downtown Bluefield, West Virginia.
“Bluefield Technology a business service center,
Transfer and Community cal renaissance, and it celebrates a small business incubator,
Development Center.” grassroots effort led by local visionar- conference rooms, computer laborato-
“This is a great day for ies who understand that opportunity is ry, training rooms, a testing center,
Bluefield,” Rahall noted. “It marks a only a click away.” and publishing house to be located in
rebirth, a revitalization, a technologi- Dr. Felica Wooten Blanks, the facility.

Fall Sports Schedule In Full Swing

With the addition of volleyball, Bluefield State College now features ten Last Day to Apply for
intercollegiate athletic programs. As members of the NCAA Division II and Admission for the
the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the Big Blues’ sports
portfolio includes men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross A.S. Nursing and
country, men’s and women’s tennis, women’s volleyball and softball, and Radiologic Technology
men’s baseball and golf.
The Big Blues’ basketball team is scheduled to open its home season on
for the 2005 Programs
November 26-27, hosting the four-team Currence Classic. After starting their is
season by entertaining the University of Charleston on November 15, the Lady December 15, 2004
Blues embark on a four-game road trip, returning to the Ned Shott Gym on
December 4 to face Livingstone College.
For additional
(Cover Photo)--Bluefield State College student-athletes (seated, left-to-right) information, contact
Meagan Repass (basketball), Shamatee Mitchell (cross country), Nikke Resta
(softball), (standing, left-to-right) Terry Blount (basketball), Brad Ball (cross the Admissions Office
country) and Adam Armstrong (baseball/golf) help BSC launch an active fall at (304) 327-4065.
sports season.

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BSC Civil Engineering Technology Student Team
Performs Well in National Championships
A team of civil engineering tech-
nology students from Bluefield State
College finished in the top one-sev-
enth of all colleges and universities in
the nation eligible to compete in a
national student steel bridge competi-
tion. The BSC team, composed of
members in the American Society of
Civil Engineers’ (ASCE) student club,
earned a berth in the national event
during a previous regional competi-
tion.
During the National Student Steel
Bridge Competition (NSSBC) at the
Colorado School of Mines, the BSC
entry ranked 24th overall out of 44
national qualifying schools, who
advanced from a field of 180 schools
eligible to compete in the event. The
team’s 26-foot bridge was judged in
categories that included economy,
efficiency, construction speed, light-
ness, and aesthetics.
Alumni Involvement Essential for Enrollment Growth
John Cardwell
Executive Director of
Enrollment Management
For the past three years, Bluefield
State College has been the fastest
growing public college or university
in West Virginia. As BSC seeks to
continue to grow and serve, the
College’s alumni will play a central
role in achieving this goal.
North Dakota State University
outpointed the University of Michigan
to win the overall championship.
BSC, at 24th overall, ranked ahead of
student teams from institutions of
higher education that included
Virginia Tech, Rutgers University,
Texas A&M, the University of New
Mexico, Clemson University, Ohio
State University, Penn State
University, and the host institution,
the Colorado School of Mines.
“The BSC student steel bridge
team of Gregg Inman (Captain), Mike
Sibold, Jason Thompson, Angelia
Harman, Jason Robertson, and Steve
Brant improved upon last year’s stu-
dent team’s 31st place finish. “Once
again, our civil engineering technolo-
gy students have confirmed that they
are competitive with teams from
major colleges and universities,”
noted Kerry Stauffer, BSC ASCE
Throughout the past two years,
initiatives designed to provide hous-
ing for BSC students have been dis-
cussed and considered. It is gratifying
to report that, within the next two
years, student housing facilities could
be ready to welcome BSC students.
This will significantly increase the
size of the region from which the
College can recruit students.
Our alumni are invited to join
their alma mater in attracting students
to this wonderful, tradition rich insti-
tution. By encouraging high school
students and others who have an inter-
est in continuing their academic pur-
suits to consider BSC, you become an
invaluable ambassador for the
College. When you contact the
Enrollment Management staff, we will
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Student Club faculty advisor and BSC
civil engineering technology faculty
member. “We are especially grateful
to the organizations and individuals
who have supported our efforts.”
“By participating in competitions
such as these, our students develop a
greater depth of understanding and
they get first-hand experience with
some of the factors that are encoun-
tered on real world projects, from
design to construction. I am very
pleased with how they performed and
are confident about the quality of edu-
cation with which our graduates are
currently entering into the job market.
With success like this and like those
of the electrical engineering technolo-
gy’s robotics, it’s very easy to see the
contribution that Bluefield State
College is making to our area and
beyond,” he said.
follow up by contacting those students
you refer. They will receive a variety
of information designed to encourage
them to attend BSC.
We are a College small enough to
care about each student, and we are
committed to helping each student
acquire the knowledge and cultivate
the skills that will lead to a fulfilling
and productive career.
Please consider this invitation to
join us in becoming key players in the
future success of Bluefield State
College. My staff and I look forward
to the opportunity of working with
you in this endeavor. Please contact
me at:
(304) 327-4567
or
jcardwell@bluefieldstate.edu
BSC Students More Satisfied With Their College than Peers at
Other Institutions throughout the United States
Bluefield State College students
are more satisfied with their College’s
performance than the national aver-
age, according to results from a
nationally-recognized enrollment
management consulting firm. The
Noel-Levitz Student Satisfaction
Inventory, administered to 317 BSC
students earlier this year, measured
the importance of campus issues to
students while concurrently measuring
the students satisfaction with the col-
lege’s performance in those areas.
BSCs strengths, according to the
Center for Applied Research and Technology at BSC
To Be Represented at Defense Agency’s World Famous
DARPA Competition
Team CART enters the 2005
Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenge
with a proven track record of success
in recent international Intelligent
Ground Robotic Vehicle
Competitions. The
Center for Applied
Research and
Technology (CART) at
Bluefield State College
will work with Preferred
Chassis Fabrication, Inc.
in Tucson, Arizona and
others to build the entry
they call the SCORPION-fox.
Created in response to a
Congressional and Department of
Defense mandate, DARPA Grand
Challenge is a field test intended to
accelerate research and development
in autonomous ground vehicles that
will help save American lives on the
battlefield. The Grand Challenge
brings together individuals and organ-
izations from industry, the R&D com-
survey, included the quality of instruc-
tion and academic advising students
receive, computer lab accessibility,
affordability of tuition, intellectual
growth, and faculty/staff concern for
students welfare. “We are encouraged
by the results of this research,” noted
Dr. Albert Walker, BSC President.
“As an institution of higher education,
we are committed to helping our stu-
dents succeed in the classroom and,
after graduation, in business, industry,
and their subsequent educational pur-
suits.”
munity, government, the armed serv-
ices, academia, students, backyard
inventors, and automotive enthusiasts
in the pursuit of a technological chal-
lenge.
“The DARPA Grand Challenge
2005 is a tremendous opportunity and
a formidable challenge for our
Unmanned Vehicle Systems program
faculty, students, and industrial part-
ners,” noted Bruce Mutter, Director of
the Center for Applied Research and
Technology at Bluefield State
College. “Our participation in this
event will raise the bar for the organi-
zation and stretch our capability for
-6-
Noel-Levitz is a consulting firm
for enrollment management profes-
sionals, providing help with student
recruitment, financial aid, student
retention, market research, and more.
Since 1973, Noel-Levitz has worked
with more than 1600 institutions of
higher education.
Entering the 2004-2005 academic
year, Bluefield State College is the
fastest-growing public college in West
Virginia for the past three year period.
resourcefulness and ingenuity. At the
same time, it will enable us to
observe, interact, and compete with
best unmanned vehicle systems
builders in the world. Given this
challenge, where else
would we rather be?”
Mutter added that he
is particularly enthusiastic
about the “synergy of
ideas” that developed
between Dwaine Jungen
of Preferred Chassis
Fabrication and Dr.
Robert N. Riggins,
Professor and Lead Robotics Engineer
for CART, Inc. during Mr. Jungen’s
recent visit.
The DARPA Grand Challenge
will take place on October 8, 2005 in
the southwestern U.S. desert. The
team that develops an autonomous
ground vehicle that finishes the desig-
nated route most quickly within 10
hours will receive $2 million.
Scholarship Fund Raising Dinner, November 20
Thousands of students across the
nation are afforded educational oppor-
tunities through scholarship awards on
an annual basis. Here at Bluefield
State College, 500 students per semes-
ter depend on those scholarships to
further their education.
On November 20, at the Bluefield
Elks Lodge banquet room, the
Bluefield State College Foundation
will hold its first Scholarship
Fundraising Dinner. All proceeds
from the dinner will be used to sup-
port the scholarship program at BSC.
Through ticket sales, a silent and pub-
lic auction, and donations, BSC
Foundation plans to raise approxi-
mately $40,000. Dinner is included
with a choice of menu provided.
The cost of attendance is $100 per
person, or $800 per table. The event
will begin with Hospitality Hour at 6
pm. During this hour, guests will be
served hors d’ oeuvres with a cash bar
available as well. Our first hour of
socializing will afford guests the
opportunity to renew acquaintances,
establish new ones, and preview items
up for auction. Dinner will follow
Hospitality Hour.
Dinner will be served at 6:45 pm.
Guests have a choice of New York
Strip, cooked to preference, or stuffed
Portobello mushroom caps. The
guest’s choice will be accompanied by
a stuffed potato and salad along with a
vegetable medley and bread. This
scrumptious meal will be followed by
tasty dessert selections of either apple
pie or chocolate layer cake. Iced tea
and coffee will be available for guests
as well. Our program will begin fol-
lowing dinner.
This year’s keynote speaker will
be Dr. William Bernard Robertson, a
BSC alumnus, and the former U. S.
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State
for African Affairs. The program will
conclude at 8 pm and be followed by
the auction.
We have many valuable items
donated for our auction, so come pre-
pared to bid. Some items will be
available by public auction, and some
by silent auction. Keep in mind that
all donations are tax deductible (abid-
ing state and federal tax laws) and are
an investment in education.
Mark your calendars for
November 20, and plan to attend the
Bluefield State College Scholarship
Fundraising Dinner. We look forward
to seeing you there. Remember, an
investment in education is an invest-
ment in the future. For more informa-
tion regarding this event, contact:
Mark Oblinger at
moblinger@bluefieldstate.edu
or call (304) 327-4503
Again, we look forward to seeing you
and thank you for your support.
--Cindy Carty
Community Development Specialist

Multicultural Affairs Initiatives and Updates

The Office of Multicultural Affairs is charged to address discrimination, prejudice,
stereotypes, harassment, and any other form of inequality that create an undesirable campus
environment. This will be achieved via multicultural awareness activities and training that
will provide a wide variety of cultural perspectives, empowering all persons. The ultimate
goal is for the College to move from fostering diversity awareness to embracing diversity
education. By embracing diversity education, the College will make diversity an integral
part of routine activities.
The demographic makeup of the students, faculty, and staff at Bluefield State College Dr. Ralphael Heaggans
represents persons who are diverse based upon physical differences, ethnicity, religious Director of
affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, among others. Students, faculty, administrators, staff, Multicultural Affairs
stakeholders, and the West Virginia community-at-large share the responsibility of empow-
ering all of its members from these diverse groups. It is imperative for all persons to
embrace diversity, considering that all of us could become categorized as being a part of an underrepresented group. I
do not know if one of my children will become disabled in the future; I do not know if one of my children will fall in
love with someone of different race or orientation. These are not uncommon events, so it is not out of the realm of
possibility that one of these situations may happened to you. If something like this does happen to you, will you be
prepared to handle to it? Join with the Office of Multicultural Affairs to create an inclusive environment where we
proudly recognize, accept, understand, and respect differences regardless of race, gender, people with disabilities, reli-
gion, age, veteran status.

-7-
Web Self Service Program Provides Convenient, Prompt
Response Program for Current and Potential Students
Bluefield State College now has
“Web Self Service” access that
increases the ease and speed with
which current BSC students can view
information about their records.
Additionally, the service permits
prospective students to gain almost
instant access to information that’s
important as they consider BSC as
their college of choice.
Using Web Self Service, the
College’s students can use their
assigned “User ID” and “Pin” to visit
secure areas and look at their tran-
script records, mailing address, per-
sonal information, financial aid
awards, and both midterm and final
grades. Students can also register for
classes, drop and/or add classes, view
their schedules, and access the catalog
listing of courses.
Prospective students can choose
to receive the BSC catalog and/or
additional information about financial
aid, program brochures, and scholar-
ship applications. They can also
apply for admissions online. The
schedule of courses is also available
through Web Self Service, and it
expedites students’ requests for addi-
tional information while also provid-
ing online admissions application
capability.
The process for prospective stu-
dents’ use of Web Self Service
involves the following steps:
1) visit the BSC home page
(www.bluefieldstate.edu);
2) click on the “Web Self
Service” link;
3) click on the “Prospective
Students” link, and;
4) click on the “Undergraduate
Studies” link.
In the future, the Degree Audit
system will be activitated, permitting
current students to generate a report
on any degree program BSC offers to
see what additional courses a student
needs to complete a degree in that
field. Future enhancements include
on-line surveys and announcements.

BSC Radiologic Technology BSC Named One of Americas

Grads, Class of 2004,
Achieve 95% Passage Rate
on Certification Exam
Bluefield State College’s 2004 Radiologic
Technology graduates achieved a 95% passage rate on
the certification examination by the American Registry
of Radiologic Technologists.
BSC RadTech program director Melissa Haye has
confirmed that 100% of the students who sought
employment after graduation in May, 2004 were
employed, as of August 1. “They are employed in areas
including general radiography, MRI, Radiation
Therapy, and Computerized Tomography,” she said.
One student was selected to attend the University of
Virginia’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging Program to
continue her education.
BSC Website
www.bluefieldstate.edu
Admissions Email Address
bscadmit@bluefieldstate.edu
Best Colleges for
Fifth Consecutive Year
For the fifth consecutive year, Bluefield State College
has been selected as one of
“America’s Best Colleges” by US
News & World Report. The publi-
cation bases its annual selection of
America’s outstanding institutions
of higher education on a variety of
factors, including academic pro-
grams, faculty qualifications, stu-
dents’ success, support, etc. BSC
was listed among the best col-
leges/comprehensive in the nation.
Additionally, BSC continues to enjoy record enrollment
growth. The College has paced all West Virginia public insti-
tutions of higher education in rate of enrollment growth over
the past three years. “We’re gratified by the enrollment
increases,” noted BSC President Dr. Albert Walker. “Our
quality academic programs, (15 of which are nationally
accredited) affordability, faculty qualifications, and a stu-
dent-centered climate are some of the reasons we have
grown. We look forward to the future.”

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New River Community and Technical College
Accreditation Site Visit, November 14 - 17
On November timely and appreciated.
14-17, 2004, a land- According to Dr.
mark event in the life Felica Wooten Blanks
of New River who coordinated the
Community and accreditation process,
Technical College the Self-Study team
(NRCTC) will take produced a compre-
place. A team of con- hensive report within a
State College as well as NRCTC stu-
sulting evaluators from the Higher very tight timeline, investing a
dents, subsequent to the creation of
Learning Commission (HLC) of the tremendous amount of energy and tal-
NRCTC by an act of the West
North Central Association of Colleges ent. She added, “As chairperson of
Virginia Legislature in 2003. This
and Schools will conduct a site visit the NRCTC Self-Study Steering
teamwork approach produced a Self-
to NRCTC campuses in Beckley, Committee, I firmly believe the
Study Report that was submitted to
Lewisburg, Summersville, and College meets the criteria for institu-
the Higher Learning Commission sev-
Bluefield to confirm that the College tional accreditation and fulfills the
eral weeks prior the pending site visit.
has met the criteria for institutional obligations of membership in the
The Bluefield State College Board of
accreditation. Higher Learning Commission. The
Governors and the New River
The site visit follows an effort entire NRCTC accreditation team
Community and Technical College
that spanned more than 18 months, looks forward to the visiting team’s
Board of Advisors have prioritized
involving the leadership, faculty, and site visit.”
this initiative and their support
staffs of both New River Community
throughout the process has been most
and Technical College and Bluefield

BSC to Host Historical Drama About 19th Century

West Virginia Civil Rights Pioneer J.R. Clifford, Esq.
A most significant chapter in West Virginia history will come to life on November 30 when Bluefield State
College hosts an historic reenactment based upon the life and work of J.R. Clifford, Esq. A seminar and discussion on
issues of “Race, Law, History, and Educational Policy” as seen through the life of Clifford, West Virginia’s first
African-American lawyer and a Civil Rights pioneer, will precede the historical drama.
This “living history” presentation focuses in the 1898 courtroom proceeding during which Clifford won a landmark
civil rights and education case before the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals, on behalf of a Tucker County
(WV) African-American school teacher, Mrs. Carrie Williams. In that case the State Supreme Court declared that
“discrimination . . . .because of color alone, as to privileges, immunities, and equal legal protection, is contrary to pub-
lic policy and the law of the land.”
J.R. Clifford will be played by Bluefield actor and historic reenactor Joseph Bundy. State Supreme Court Justice
Larry V. Starcher will portray Justice Marmaduke Dent, who wrote the Court’s opinion in the Williams case. Dr.
Brucella Jordan of Ansted will play Carrie Williams.
The seminar begins at 3 p.m., November 30 in the Hebert Gallery/Harris-Jefferson Student Center, with the historic
reenactment program to take place at 7:30 that evening in the Basic Science Auditorium. There is no admission
charge to either program, and the public is encouraged to attend.
Sponsors include the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia, Bluefield State College, the Martin Luther King,
Jr. Holiday Commission, the West Virginia NAACP, and the Minority Lawyers Section of the West Virginia Bar
Association.

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Faculty and Staff Accomplishments
Dr. Alma Bennett, Assistant
Professor of Speech at Bluefield State
College, has presented a paper at the
Popular Culture Association/
American Culture Association region-
al conference in New Orleans,
September 24-25.
Dr. Felica Wooten Blanks,
Executive Director of the Bluefield
State College Office of Institutional
Development and Advancement and
as President of the Bluefield State
College Research and Development
Corporation, received an
“Outstanding Achievement Silver
Award Bowl” during the 2004
International Society of Poets
Summer Convention and Symposium
in Philadelphia.
Dr. Tom Blevins (Class of 1971)
has been appointed Director of
Instruction Technology Policy and
Coordination with the West Virginia
Higher Education Policy Commission
(HEPC). The appointment became
effective on July 1, 2004. Blevins will
also continue his duties at Bluefield
State College, where he is Dean of
Technology and the Virtual College
and Professor of Education and
English. He also manages Computer
Services, Instructional Technology,
Extended Learning, and Library
Services at BSC. Blevins chaired a
previsit for NCATE to Gardner Webb
University in September and will
chair an upcoming visit there
November 6-10.
A scholarly paper written by Dr.
Steve Bourne, Class of 1974, has
been accepted for publication in the
International Academy of Manage-
ment and Business Conference in Las
Vegas, November 7-11. His paper,
“The Ethics Hexagon: A Multi-
dimensional Approach to Corporate
Ethics Training” considers the value
sets beyond corporate values that
impact the success of these training
programs, and it examines the interac-
tive effects of these value sets and
variables upon corporate ethics train-
ing.
Jane Richardson Bookstore
Manager at Bluefield State College,
is the President of the West Virginia
Association of College Stores 2004-
2005. She also received a Regents
Bachelor of Arts degree from
Bluefield State College on July 30,
2004.
Susan Aliff Shrader, (Class of
1990) is the Administrative Secretary
to the School of Professional
Studies/Nursing and Radiology
Technology Department.
Dr. Michael W. Smith’s most
recently published book, Fishing the
Shenandoah Valley: An Angler’s
Guide, is the third in a series of books
by the Bluefield State College
Associate Professor of English, detail-
ing fishing opportunities and chal-
lenges in the region. Smith has also
written Fishing the Roanoke Valley,
and Fishing the New River Valley.
Brian Testerman, CISCO
Information Technology Training
Specialist at the New River
Community and Technical College of
Bluefield State College, has received
CISCO Certified Network
Professional (CCNP) certification.
Dr. Bob Vicars, Bluefield State
College Professor of Business
(Management), has been notified by
the Institute of Certified Professional
Managers (ICPM) that he has com-
pleted all requirements for recertifica-
tion as a Certified Manager (CM).
The Board of Regents of the interna-
tional ICPM confers certification on
candidates who meet educational and
management experience requirements
and pass three rigid examinations
administered in district segments.
ICPM is a world leader in manage-
ment certification.
- 10 -
Dr. Lyn Guy, BOG
Member, Honored
Dr. Lyn Guy
Superintendents from around
West Virginia honored one of their
own by naming Monroe County
Superintendent Dr. Lyn Guy as their
Superintendent of the Year. She has
led Monroe County Schools since
1991.
A magna cum laude graduate of
Concord College, Dr. Guy also
received a master’s degree in educa-
tion from Duke University and a
doctorate in education leadership
from West Virginia University.
“Dr. Guy is a wonderful exam-
ple of leadership for a county school
system,” said State Schools
Superintendent David Stewart. “The
students and faculty of Monroe
County schools are fortunate to
have someone such as her in a lead-
ership position.”
Dr. Guy’s professional member-
ships have enhanced her job per-
formance. She is a member of the
Bluefield State College Board of
Governors. She has been a member
of the West Virginia Association of
School Administrators, where she is
currently serving as its president.
She also serves on the Governing
Board for the American Association
of School Administrators, and she is
a member of the Board of Directors
for the Monroe County Coalition for
Families and Children, the
Greenbrier Community College
Foundation and the Lightstone
Foundation.
Capacity Audience at BSC Hears
"Nurse Without Boundaries" Speaker
Mary Lightfine told BSC students
about her humanitarian program.
Ten years’ living and working as a
nurse in countries ravaged by war and
disaster taught Mary Lightfine many
life lessons. She shared the most
important of those lessons recently,
telling a capacity audience at
Bluefield State College, “One person
can make a difference.” The Nobel
Peace Prize recipient delivered a nar-
rative and Powerpoint tour of her
humanitarian effort, mixing cultural
insights, stark photographs of human
suffering, and anecdotes detailing how
fulfilling it is to help those in great
need.
After working as a registered
nurse in emergency room settings in
the United States, Lightfine joined the
humanitarian movement by affiliating
with “Doctors Without Borders and
International Medical Corps.” During
the past decade, she been ambushed
and shot at in Somalia, delivered
babies in Sri Lanka, and traversed
perilous mountains to help isolated
inhabitants in Afghanistan. She told
the Hebert Gallery audience of her
experiences in stepping around bodies
to feed the living in southern Sudan
and of helping children who had been
forced to watch their mothers mutilat-
ed by rebels in Uganda. She was one
of the first American nurses to pro-
vide medical aid to Kosovar refugees.
She encouraged her BSC audience
to appreciate the benefits of diversity.
“You have many students from differ-
ent countries in attendance today.
Learn as much as you can from
them,” she advised.
She described Sudanese personal
and cultural values. “I learned so
many things beyond American bor-
ders,” she continued. “The Sudanese
have values we are losing in the
United States. Everyone in a family
has responsibilities. No one dies in a
nursing home because everyone takes
care of everyone else.”
Lightfine’s speaking tour is
designed to raise funds to assist in
underwriting her next humanitarian
effort, bringing aide and volunteers to
Mexico. She has started a companion
organization, “Volunteers Without
Boundaries,” to assist in this and other
initiatives.
“One person truly can make a dif-
ference to those who are suffering.
You don’t have to be a nurse or a doc-
tor to make that difference,” she
advised. “The experience is incredi-
bly challenging, and at the same time,
incredibly fulfilling.” Additional
information can be obtained on the
websites:
nursewithoutborders.com
and
volunteerswithoutboundaries.com

BSC Homecoming 2004 -- “Viva Las Vegas”

Bluefield State College student Ernie Lovern deals the
cards at a mock blackjack table during BSC’s campus
carnival and casino, a featured activity during
“Homecoming 2004.”
Students placed “monopoly money” bets and
enjoyed an all-campus picnic during the “Viva
Las Vegas” theme-styled Homecoming 2004. A
homecoming parade, school spirit day, homecom-
ing coronation and dance, and Founder’s Day
speech were spotlighted during the weeklong
celebration.
The Bluefield City Board of Directors issued
an official proclamation, designating the week of
October 11-16, 2004 as “Bluefield State College
Homecoming Week,” and College President Dr.
Albert Walker read a proclamation, designating
October 14 at “BSC Alumni Day,” with students,
faculty, staff, and alumni encouraged to wear the
BSC colors, blue and gold, on that date.

- 11 -
A Message from Doris J. Payne
Chairperson, BSC Alumni House Advisory Council
Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc.
“WE HAVE CAUSE TO CELEBRATE”

THE SPOTLIGHT IS NOW ON THE

“IF CHART”

128 PERSONS CONTRIBUTED $85,160

OUR GOAL WAS REACHED IN THE $1,000 CATEGORY
40 Persons contributed $45,425

IN THE BEGINNING . . . WE SAID:

IF 40 Persons contributed $1,000 = $40,000
60 Persons contributed 500 = 30,000
80 Persons contributed 250 = 20,000
100 Persons contributed 100 = 10,000

Results if accomplished = $100,000

AND NOW . . . WE PRESENT A NEW “IF CHART”

IF 5 Persons will contribute $1,000 = $5,000

10 Persons will contribute 500 = 5,000
20 Persons will contribute 250 = 4,000
40 Persons will contribute 100 = 4,000
100 Persons will contribute 50 = 5,000

Results, if accomplished = $23,000

OR

IF 200 PERSONS WOULD PURCHASE A REPLICA OF HATTER HALL

AT THE COST OF $100, WE WOULD HAVE $20,000

IF THE AMOUNT IN EACH CATEGORY IN THE NEW “IF CHART” IS REACHED

WE WILL HAVE FUNDS ENOUGH TO:
¡ Complete our loan obligation
¡ Place pictures of our presidents who sacrificed for us in the Alumni House:
Hatter, Sims, Dickason, Wright and Allen
¡ Purchase a bronze plaque in recognition of our appointment as a national historic site
¡ Furnish a lounge/library room for visiting alumni
IN ANY CASE, A SPECIAL SURPRISE WILL BE GIVEN FOR THOSE WHO PARTICIPATES IN THE PROJECT . . . YOU
WILL BE HAPPY WITH IT. ALL DONATIONS OF ANY AMOUNT ARE ACCEPTED AND APPRECIATED. THANKS IN
ADVANCE FOR CONTRIBUTING.

PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO BSC ALUMNI HOUSE/BSC FOUNDATION AND FILL IN THE MEMO
WITH “IF CHART-H
HATTER HALL.” CONTRIBUTIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE.

- 12 -
 UPDATE: Replicas of Hatter Hall/Alumni House
An architectural miniature
Designed by - Hatter Hall Advisory Council
Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc.

Produced by - Shelia’s, Inc.

Charleston, South Carolina

Project Director - Ruth Payne Brown

CALLING ALL ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF BSC

Hatter Hall
President’s House
Bluefield State College

Bluefield Colored Institute was established in 1895 as a facility for higher education for Black students. Under the
leadership of Hamilton Hatter, who was the school’s first principal, the school grew from a modest class of 40 pupils to
an established institution - Bluefield State College.

Hatter Hall has been recognized for its significant contribution to the history of West Virginia and was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places in December 1999. The President’s House is listed under Criteria A for Social
History connected with the development of Bluefield State College and its efforts toward higher education for Blacks
in southern West Virginia.

The conversion of Hatter Hall to an Alumni House has been the goal of the Alumni Association since 1995. The house
represents the PAST that we are a part of and serves as a beacon to the FUTURE. The goal was realized on October 5,
2002 at an Open House celebration.

The inscription above is found on the back of the replica.

Alumni and friends add this memorabilia to your collection.
The Committee

Fund-Raising Project Goal - 100 by April 15, 2005

Add your name to the OWNERS SCROLL
!!!CONGRATULATIONS!!!

Mr. John Barnes - Lewisburg, West Virginia ÍÍÍ Dr. Brenda B. Johnson - Baltimore, Maryland
Dr. Raphael Heaggans, Bluefield State College ÍÍÍ Mr. Mark Oblinger - Bluefield State College
Ms. Pauline Ray - Washington, D.C.

To purchase a replica of Hatter Hall, please remit your $100 contribution.

Make checks payable to “BSC Foundation/Alumni House” and “Replica of Hatter Hall”
should be written in the memo section. Your cancelled check will be your receipt.

Mail to:
Ray Guy, Fiscal Manager
Bluefield State College Foundation
Bluefield State College
219 Rock Street
Bluefield, WV 24701

Reverence for the Past Ensures the Future

- 13 -
Alumni Updates
Alumni Updates
Requested
If you have received awards,
promotions, accomplishments,
recognition, 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
by FAX to 304-327-4581or by
e-mail to kgordon@bluefield
state.edu
1960s
James M. Ratcliffe, Jr. (1966)
retired April 30, 2004 from Stafford
Consultants, Inc., an engineering
firm in Princeton, West Virginia. He
is a former member of the
Architectural Engineering
Technology Advisory Committee at
Bluefield State College and was an
adjunct instructor for two years.
1970s
Anthony C.
Perry (1970) was
promoted to
Director of
Purchasing for AK
Steel.
John P.
Russell, Jr. (1970)
was named
Executive Director
of Counseling and
Testing at Walter’s
State Community
College, Morristown, Tennessee. He
is a member and former Province
Polemarch, of Kappa Alpha Psi
Fraternity.
1990s
Kim Moore Alderman (1999)
and her husband, Scott Alderman
(1999) announce the birth of a son,
Brett Andrew, on June 26, 2004.
Deidra Atwood (1996) complet-
ed the RN-BSN program at Radford
University in August 2004. She also
received the Mildred A. Hopkins
Excellence in Nursing Award in May
2004. She is a District 2 officer in the
Virginia Nurses Association and is
attending Mountain State University,
pursuing a master’s degree in nursing
with a dual concentration in Family
Nurse Practitioner and Administra-
tion/Education.
Crystal Hedrick Collins (1999)
and her husband, Michael Collins,
announce the birth of a son,
Raymond Kerry Rogers Collins on
March 17, 2004. She is employed by
ECPI College of Technology in
Charlotte, North Carolina.
Earl Farmer (1999) is employed
for Pinnoak Resources and Mining in
Pineville, West Virginia as an electri-
cal engineer.
Dr. Nasser Isleem (1991) is a
Professor at Duke University. He
received a Ph.D. in Education from
from Hawai.Best in 2003.
Donald A.
Jones, Jr. (1990) is
the men’s basket-
ball coach at
Bluefield State
College.
Darrell P. Malamisura (1993) is
a marketing visiting instructor for the
School of Business at Bluefield State
College.
Cortina Hartwell Mickles
(1997) and husband, Charles
- 14 -
Mickles, announce the birth of a son,
Charles Bradley, on June 23, 2004.
Tom N. Murphy (1991) was
promoted to Program Director/
Instructor of Computer Programming
and Applications at Durham
Technical Community College in
Durham, North Carolina.
Shawn A.
Papa (1999) is the
Telecommunica-
tions Network
Specialist II at
Bluefield State
College.
Jeff Russell (1999) performed as
a comedian at the Brick Over at
Hart’s Run in White Sulphur Springs,
West Virginia. He has written over
100 songs, produced and recorded
four CD’s and performs at various
events.
2000s
Jenenna L. Boothe (2004) and
James “Ritchie” Baker (2001) were
married on July 17, 2004.
Steve Butterworth (2003) was
promoted from Claims Representa-
tive to Accidents Benefits Claims
Specialist for Liberty/TD Insurance.
Myra Doss
(2000) is an
Information
Systems Technician
at Bluefield State
College.
Amanda Fragile Farmer (2001)
and Earl Farmer (1999) celebrated
their one year wedding anniversary
on July 12, 2004. She is employed
as a teacher in McDowell County
Schools. She has earned a
Principalship Certificate from West
Virginia University and is currently
attending Marshall University, pursu-
ing a master’s degree in reading.
 From the Desk of Dr. Louis Aikens
President, Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc.
The BSC Alumni Reunion 2004 was held in the state’s capitol during early August.
Over 100 former students, alumni and friends were treated to an exciting weekend,
including a visits to a glass factory and to the Malden, West Virginia childhood home of
the great Booker T. Washington. In addition, there was a banquet on Saturday evening
and a Memorial Service on Sunday morning. My only regret was that there were so many
who were not in attendance. I am suggesting that all interested persons begin to plan to
attend the 2006 reunion. More on this later.
Our Fall meeting took place on October 15th-16th weekend. The Executive
Committee met on Friday and the General Membership meeting was held on Saturday in
Dickason Hall following the Founders Day Luncheon. It was very encouraging to sign
Dr. Louis Aikens the official proclamation during homecoming activities, by which October 14 was offi-
cially designated as “Bluefield State College Alumni Day.”
You must know by now that I cannot miss any opportunity to solicit memberships.
Graduates from the late 1960’s to the present are woefully underrepresented in the
organization. Your membership is important to us and to the College. Please plan to join for the 2005 year. Your
membership is very important to us.

Alumni Updates continued from page 14

Mary Beth Brown McGlothlin
(2001) and her husband, William
Keith McGlothlin, announce the birth
of a son, Conner James, on July 18,
2004. Mary Beth is employed by
CNX Land Resources as a broker/
draftsman.
Jennifer Rose Kennedy-Brown
(2000) graduated from Webster
University School of Business with a
master’s degree in business adminis-
tration. She is a company trainer for
for Anthem Bluecross/Blueshield
Benefit Administrators.
Melissa D. Leedy (2004)
received a master of science degree in
strategic leadership from Mountain
State University. She is employed by
Wagner Forest Management as a com-
puter office team leader and computer
specialist.
Jamie R. Palmer (2000) married
Anthony W. Crews (2002) on June
19, 2004. She is employed at the
Lewis Agency (Nationwide Insurance)
in Princeton, West Virginia and he is
employed at Pinnoak Resources as a
maintenance foreman.
Jimmy Wood (2000) is the
Surface Mine/Project Engineer for
Nicholas Energy Company in
Summersville, West Virginia.
Jason R. Grubb (2000) graduat-
ed from the University of Tennessee
College of Law on May 9, 2003. He
passed the Tennessee Bar Exam in
July, 2003 and the West Virginia Bar
Exam in February, 2004. He and his
wife, Stacy Miranda Johnston Grubb,
announce the birth of a son, Jason
Elijah Cole Grubb, on September 7,
2004.
In Memoriam
Scott Allan Brooks
Ella M. Ellison Crawley
Hazel V. Hughes Dalton
June C. Litton Jacobs
Jeremy Allen Smith
Juston Tyler Thacker
George W. Yuill
Kalling all
Kappas!
Alpha Tau Chapter of Kappa
Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. will
be celebrating its 70th
Anniversary in the spring of
2005, on the campus of
Bluefield State College.
If you are interested in partic-
ipating or have suggestions
for planning activities, con-
tact:
Mychal Guyton at
guyton85@hotmail.com
or
Deirdre Guyton at
dguyton@bluefieldstate.edu
or
call (304) 327-4569

- 15 -
Bluefield State College’s “Honors College”
Students Develop Leadership, Community Service,
and Academic Skills
Students in the “Honors College” at Bluefield
State College have undertaken a variety of initiatives
designed to provide leadership opportunities, rigor-
ous academic experiences, and community service.
They maintain a minimum grade point average of
3.75 and are among the top three percent academi-
cally of all students at the College. Students interest-
ed in receiving additional information about the BSC
Honors College are encouraged to contact:
Dr. Patrick Muldoon
pmuldoon@bluefieldstate.edu
Dr. Carolyn Browning
cbrowning@bluefieldstate.edu
or BSC Registrar Ray Mull
rmull@bluefieldstate.edu
The BSC Honors College class of 2004-05 includes (front row l-to-r)-Jesse Farmer, Katie King, Danielle Hawes,
Freddie Adkins, O'Neil Carty, (back row, l-to-r) advisor Dr. Patrick Muldoon, Abdul Nasiru, William Van Stavern,
Tabatha Pack, Zeshan Qayyum, and advisor Dr. Carolyn Browning. (Other Honors College members not pictured are
Jessica Barnett and Courtney Garansuay.)

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Bluefield, WV 24701
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www.bluefieldstate.edu