(Bluefield)—One hundred fifty Bluefield State College students earned "President's List" recognition, and 290 students received "Dean's List" honors for their academic performance during the Spring 2013 Semester.

To be eligible for the "President's List," a student must be degree-seeking, carry a minimum of 12 semester hours and earn a grade point average for the semester of 3.8 or better. "Dean's List" students must carry a minimum of 12 semester hours and earn a grade point average for the semester of 3.25 or better.

President's List (Spring 2013)

Dean's List (Spring 2013)

The Bluefield State College Alumni Association, Inc. has awarded scholarships to 17 current Bluefield State College students and three incoming BSC students for the 2013-14 academic year.  The total value of all BSCAA scholarships awarded for 2013-14 totaled $25,000.  The scholarship recipients were announced during a brief ceremony at the College on May 17.  Pictured (left-to-right/front row) are Dr. Marsha Krotseng (BSC President), Mrs. Mildred Washington (BSCAA President), scholarship recipients Sasha Richmond, Shay Gravely, Andrea Hauser, Ashley Reid, Angguna Rowe, Shannon Oliver, Isabella Cubillos, BSC Alumni Affairs Director Deirdre Guyton, and BSCAA scholarship committee member Susie Green, (back row/left-to-right) scholarship recipients Christian Jugah, Christopher Saunders, Tasia Nolan, Avery Holliday, Gautam Sreeram, Piotr Kruk, Jacob Carey, Niklas Sparr, Samuel Ouedrago, and BSCAA scholarship committee chair Ergie Smith.  Not pictured are scholarship recipients Jenaya Abernathy (BSC student), incoming BSC freshmen Holly Blankenship (Liberty/Raleigh County High School), Joshua Nowlin (Princeton Sr. High School) and Nicholas Nowlin (Princeton Sr. High School), as well as scholarship committee members Virginia Hebert and Russell Manns.  Chairman Ergie Smith expressed special appreciation to all scholarship committee members, including the late Velma Bradshaw, who passed away recently, but was an active member of the committee during the scholarship selection process earlier this year. 

Bluefield State College and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of a Baccalaureate Degree program in Radiologic Sciences.  Pictured during a signing ceremony at Southern’s Mount Gay campus are (seated, left-to-right) Melissa Haye (BSC Director of Radiologic Technology), Dr. Marsha Krotseng (BSC President), Joanne Jaeger Tomblin (First Lady/Southern WVCTC President), Eva Hallis (Southern WVCTC Coordinator for Radiologic Technology), (standing l-to-r) Angela Lambert (BSC Dean/School of Nursing & Allied Health) and Dr. Lewis Jones (BSC Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs).

Logan, WV – Bluefield State College and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the delivery of a Baccalaureate Degree program in Radiologic Sciences.

"We are delighted that this partnership with Bluefield State College will provide our students another pathway to a four-year degree. We are very excited about the additional options this agreement will provide," said Tomblin. "We will continue to strive to provide students opportunities to excel not only while they are on our campus, but also as they continue their education at four year institutions."

Dr. Krotseng commented, "We're excited about the new opportunities this great partnership with Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College offers students at both institutions. The Memorandum of Understanding establishes a seamless process for students from SWVCTC to obtain a bachelor's degree in imaging sciences at Bluefield State. It also enables BSC students to complete an additional certification online through Southern. This is a win-win for everyone, including the healthcare providers and residents of Southern West Virginia who will benefit from the increased skills our graduates will gain."

Initial details of the curriculum for the radiologic sciences option at Southern and of the courses required to complete the Radiologic Sciences B.S. degree at Bluefield State College are listed on the colleges' web sites.

Bluefield State College is a member institution of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Southern provides accessible, affordable, quality education and training at each of its four campuses in Boone, Logan, Mingo and Wyoming counties and its Lincoln County High School location in Hamlin, WV. For further information visit www.southernwv.edu or call 1-866-SWCTC1.

Southern is a member institution of the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Schools and Colleges.

(Bluefield)—Participating in a panel discussion at WVU, Dr. Sarita A. Rhonemus, Educational Opportunity Center program director at Bluefield State College, joined students and parents, academic administrators and student program directors who urged Congress to act to prevent student loan interest rates from doubling on July 1. The roundtable on student loans, was organized by U.S. Senator John D. Rockefeller, IV.
Several issues of concern were expressed during the roundtable, according to Dr. Rhonemus. "Do students truly understand what they are getting into when they take out student loans? Do they understand the consequences of debt?" she asked. "There is a compelling need for increasing students' financial literacy because many students don't fully appreciate the responsibility they undertake to repay their loans."
Rhonemus provided testimony shared with her from a college graduate who asked to remain anonymous, "I have had trouble finding a job in my field. It is very difficult to understand why I am paying $400 per month to a school for an education I am not using, and it contributes to my depression. I have no savings and no quality of life. Everything seems pointless—I am drowning."

"That student speaks for many," Dr. Rhonemus observed. "Many students who graduate from college fail to land a job that can support debt repayment while maintaining a standard quality of life and then find themselves in a very difficult place. It's called "Post-Commencement Stress Disorder."

"Educational institutions and Congress simply cannot ignore this problem," she explained. "Until legislators understand how serious a problem this is and make addressing it a priority, the growing burden of student loan debt will continue to damage lives, hold people back, and hurt the economy." If Congressional action is not taken, the jump in student loan interest rates could increase student debt in the United States by $3.7 billion.

(Bluefield)--Bluefield State College has been selected as one of 14 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) from across the country to receive a campus improvement grant award from The Home Depot 2013 "Retool Your School" grant program. BSC was among the 67 HBCUs in competition for "Retool Your School" grants. Selection was based on a combination of the merit of the grant application and the votes cast online in support of each competing institution.

"The Home Depot 'Retool Your School' award demonstrates the powerful impact that occurs when campus and community work together toward a common goal," commented Dr. Marsha Krotseng, BSC President. "Thanks to this team effort, we will enhance the College's landscaping for current and future generations to enjoy and build upon BSC's rich heritage as the 'Campus Beautiful.' We're grateful to The Home Depot for providing this wonderful opportunity on behalf of HBCUs. It was exciting to watch the number of votes for Bluefield State College grow on a daily basis, and we thank students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends for their voting support."

In the coming weeks, The Home Depot will contact BSC to coordinate the campus improvement initiative. "This program does more than enhance our campus," added Shelia Johnson, BSC's Vice President for Financial and Administrative Affairs. It also offers the Bluefield State College community an opportunity to show our pride in the institution."

Bluefield State College got the word out about the quest for a "Retool Your School" grant quest through e-blasts, Facebook, the College's website, newspapers, radio, television, and other communication with its students, alumni, employees, and friends. Online voting for the 2013 program took place from February 18 to April 15, 2013. The "Retool Your School" Campus Improvement Grant Program supports the growing sustainability movement by providing special consideration to eco-friendly project proposals.

The Home Depot is the world's largest home improvement specialty retailer, with 2,257 retail stores in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, 10 Canadian provinces, and Mexico.

Bluefield State College students Sean Cornelius (left) and Justine Joseph (right) are pictured with BSC faculty advisor Darrel Malamisura, shortly after they won a world championship at the GLO-BUS Best-Strategy Invitational (BSI) business simulation competition.

(Bluefield)—Two Bluefield State College students have won a world championship at the GLO-BUS Best-Strategy Invitational (BSI) business simulation competition. BSC seniors Justin Joseph and Sean Cornelius partnered to create one team that competed against 118 teams from institutions of higher education throughout the world. Teams were separated into 11 different simulation industries, each vying for a BSI grand championship.

The competition was hosted and administered by GLO-BUS, a completely online business strategy game that parallels the functioning of real-world industries, requiring student partners to draw upon the information and lessons of prior courses, consolidating students' knowledge about different aspects of running a company. Joseph and Cornelius also received BSI Grand Champion designation, extended to less than one percent of GLO-BUS competitors.

Both BSC students said they were honored to represent BSC in the business simulation competition. Joseph observed, "It was a strenuous experience because the two-week event began one week before our spring semester final exams and continued through finals week. This business simulation allowed me to apply technical, statistical and leadership skills, and also brought together the entire range of endeavors concerning business operations in one solid lesson. I am definitely attending graduate school and am looking forward to advancing my degree."

"The Glo-Bus is a business strategy competition that captures almost every aspect of managing your own company; product design, marketing, production, distribution, labor compensation, corporate citizenship, and financing," Cornelius added. "We put a great amount of time into this competition, so it was truly gratifying that our hard work was rewarded."

"Justin and Sean have shown that they can take all of what they have learned in other classes at BSC and use it to run a virtual company in an International setting and succeed against competition from top schools across the Globe," BSC faculty advisor Darrel Malamisura said. "Their hard work and dedication to learning and participating in this simulation shows that they can compete against the best the world has to offer."

(Bluefield)—In a celebration of Bluefield State College's past, present, and future, 377 BSC students graduated, three esteemed alumni were awarded honorary doctorates, and an audience of more than 4000 packed the Brushfork Armory for the College's 112th commencement exercises.

Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor/West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, delivered the commencement address. He told graduates their academic degrees will open doors for them. "Graduates, you now have the potential to go forward," he said. "Success requires hard work and perseverance. When you began your college career, you made the decision to turn challenge into a way to grow. The education you have received at Bluefield State College has prepared you for today's work force."

Dr. Marsha Krotseng, who became BSC's 13th president at the start of the 2012-13 academic year, noted, "We who are assembled here today do so as an expression of our pride in you—the graduates of 2013. We are confident that you will go forth from here well prepared to make meaningful and substantial contributions to the community, region, society, and your profession."

Valedictorians

Four Bluefield State College students, each of whom maintained a perfect 4.0 grade point average, were recognized as co-valedictorians of the BSC Class of 2013. They were Angela Akers, Scott Harris, Sheila Hughes, and Alex Ledgerwood.

Honorary Doctorates

Three honorary "Doctor of Humanites" degrees were awarded to individuals who haverepresented their alma mater with distinction. This year's honorees included Carl P. Boyd, Ergie R. Smith, Jr., and, posthumously, Lt. Col. Thomas H. Mayfield.

Mr. Boyd, a 1957 BSC alumnus, has been a most active supporter of the College, establishing with his wife, Selba Meadows Boyd," an endowed scholarship that has benefited numerous students over the past seven years. In 2012, the Conley Hall Conference Room was named in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd for their guidance, insight, and support to the College.

Lt. Col. Mayfield, a 1947 BSC alumnus, was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He received the Congressional Gold Medal from Former U.S. President George W. Bush in 2007. His son, Thomas A. Mayfield, represented Lt. Col. Mayfield in receiving the honorary doctorate.

Mr. Smith, a 1952 BSC alumnus, was an outstanding student-athlete, teacher, and coach, and he was selected in 2012 to receive the "Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission's "West Virginia 'Living the Dream' Award."

BSC Foundation Outstanding Faculty Award

Roy Pruett, Electrical Engineering Technology Professor, received the BSC Foundation's "Outstanding Faculty Award." Professor Pruett joined the faculty in the 1980s, encouraging students in numerous academic competitions and traveling with them to regional conferences. For many years, he has coordinated the regional Math Counts competition, and he has served as a volunteer for the Bluefield Holiday Lights.

Brian Delp Service Leadership Award

This year's recipient of the Brian Delp Service Leadership Award was Shikar Kapur, an outstanding scholar-athlete. Active in a variety of student academic and volunteer initiatives, he is an NCAA Academic All-American and a four year standout on the BSC tennis team.

BSC Class of 1963

Three members of the BSC Class of 1963, Ms. Brenda Miller Eaves, Mr. Frank McKenley Lee, and Ms. Joan Owens Lewis, returned to their alma mater to participate in the commencement program on the golden anniversary of their graduation. BSC Alumni Association President Mildred Washington administered the alumni oath to all members of the graduating class of 2013.

(Bluefield)—When Kevin Neese walked across the stage to receive his diploma at Bluefield State College’s 2013 commencement exercises, the Bluefield resident was positioned for what truly is the “next adventure” in his life.  This July, he will take his first air flight and first trip abroad to begin teaching “English as a Second Language” (ESL) in Japan.

An English/Humanities major at BSC, Neese is participating in the Japanese Exchange & Teaching Program (JET) a competitive program to promote Japan’s openness to cultural exchange with other nations.  “I’m honored to have been selected,” Neese noted, just a few days before graduating from BSC.  “JET is a very competitive program with more than 10,000 applicants each year, from which around 1500 are accepted.” 

A 2005 graduate of Bluefield High School, Neese will be fulfilling a lifelong a dream when he travels to the Orient.  “I have always been interested in the international experience, and I really enjoy Japanese literature and art,” he explained.  While serving as an assistant language teacher in the ESL program, Neese will also receive free Japanese language training while there.

“JET participants are cultural ambassadors for America who, upon their return, tell other Americans about Japanese culture and language,” he added.  Neese, the son of Bluefield residents Pam and John Neese, expressed special appreciation to Dr. Luciano Picanco, Director of the International Studies Program at Bluefield State College, and to BSC faculty members Dr. Aleta Crockett, Dr. Sean Connolly, and Dr. Sudhakar Jamkhandi.

“I am very proud of Kevin,” Dr. Picanco said.  “He put a lot of effort into getting this opportunity.  This will be very important at three levels; it will change him—the world will get smaller and people more alike; it will change his students in Japan because they will know more about us and about the United States, and; it will eventually change our region—when Kevin returns with new ideas and experiences to share.”

Kevin will depart from the United States to Japan on July 27.

(Bluefield)--The Bluefield State College Jazz Ensemble will present its annual Spring Concert on Monday, June 10 at 7 p.m. in the Basic Science Auditorium on the BSC campus. The Jazz Ensemble is a unique combination of area musicians dedicated to the performance of the finest arrangements featuring the big band sound.

There is no admission charge, and the public is encouraged to attend. Additional information can be obtained by contacting: bscjazz@gmail.com.

Bluefield State College student Todd Atkins was recently awarded a $1500 scholarship the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE)/North Central WV Section. Pictured at the awards ceremony are (left-to-right) are WV Commissioner of Highways Paul Mattox, Jr., Todd Atkins, and ASHE National President P. Frank O'Hare.

(Bluefield)—Bluefield State College student Todd Atkins was recently awarded a $1500 scholarship by the American Society of Highway Engineers (ASHE)/North Central WV Section. Atkins received the scholarship award from P. Frank O'Hare, ASHE National President and Paul Mattox, Jr., WVDOH Commissioner, during a ceremony in at the Bridgeport Conference Center in Bridgeport, WV on Wednesday, April 10.

Atkins also serves as captain of the Bluefield State College student team that won the Virginia's American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Student Conference "National Student Steel Bridge Competition (NSSBC) regional championship. He was joined at the ceremony by Kerry Stauffer, BSC Associate Professor of Civil Engineering Technology.

"I am very proud of Todd's accomplishments and his great work ethic which will take him a long way after graduation," Stauffer commented. "He is an exceptional student in our Civil Engineering Technology program and is a perfect example for anyone who would like to pursue a college degree after being out of school for several years. He continues to excel in his academics while he also works to help support his family. He is a great asset to our college and our community, and it is a pleasure to help him obtain his college degree and pursue his dreams."