(Bluefield)—Aja Bayo found big opportunities at a smaller college, Bluefield State. The BSC senior recently completed a three month summer research internship at Virginia Commonwealth University and is on target to graduate next May, then attend medical school.

"I am from The Gambia in West Africa," she said during a break between classes. "My family wanted me to go to school in New York, but I had friends and family who had attended and graduated from Bluefield State College and they highly recommended the College. When I arrived here in 2009, I really liked the smaller community pace at BSC and the research opportunities available here."

Bayo, a pre-med major, took a "Methods in Microbiology Research" class from Dr. Tesfaye Belay, and she enjoyed the experience. "Dr. Belay told me about the research internship opportunities, I applied for three and chose the three month internship at VCU.

Arriving at Virginia Commonwealth shortly after BSC's 2011-12 academic year ended last May, Bayo was mentored by VCU Medical School Biophysics faculty member Dr. Roland Pittman. "The purpose of my research was to determine if alginate beads loaded with angiogenic agents would provide an effective drug delivery system for their administration to the chorio-allantoic membrane (CAM) preparation. My research dealt with determining the effectiveness of this approach in delivering relatively small molecules (~200-500 Da), such as angiogenic agents, to the CAM tissue.

"The summer research internship was a wonderful experience," she continued. "I interacted with students from other colleges and universities as we studied and conducted research together. "The faculty at Bluefield State College, particularly Dr. Belay (Biology) and Dr. Julie Kalk (Physics) prepared me very well for the internship."

The BSC senior will take the Medical College Aptitude Test (MCAT), and then apply for admission into medical school. "I have dreamed of attending medical school for many years, then becoming a pediatrician or family practice physician and returning to The Gambia," she stated.

(Bluefield)—Bluefield State College faculty member Betty Nash will be among 40 graduates of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville College of Nursing to be honored at its 2012 NightinGala celebration, September 21. The NightinGala will recognize 40 UT College of Nursing alumni for "Excellence in nursing and health care, Leadership in advancing the nursing profession, and Innovation in professional nursing.

Nash, associate professor in Bluefield State College's Baccalaureate Nursing Program, is also a staff nurse in both the Intensive Care Unit/Cardiac Care Unit and the Radiology Department/Special Procedures at Bluefield Regional Medical Center. She is also a contributing author to several nursing and health care publications, and serves as a reviewer for additional nursing education publications. She holds certification as a Critical Care Registered Nurse, Clinical Specialist in Medical Surgical Nursing, Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor., Basic Life Support Instructor Trainer, and Pediatric Advanced Life Support Instructor. She is active in a variety of community service and volunteer initiatives and she has served as a guest lecturer on several health-related topics.

Dr. Bill Bass, a former UT faculty member, author, and founder of the Forensics Anthropology Center, will be the keynote speaker.

(Bluefield)—More than one-half of all jobs in West Virginia will require some form of education and training after high school, but only 26% of West Virginians have earned a two-year or four-year college degree. Additionally, college graduates are much less likely to be unemployed, even when the economy is in a downturn. This points to one simple fact—the more you learn, the more you'll earn. That's why Bluefield State College is participating in the 2012 West Virginia College Application and Exploration Week, October 1-5.

Bluefield State College will host free-of-charge workshops designed to help adult learners explore and apply for college programs throughout West Virginia. These workshops will take place daily during the 2012 West Virginia College Application and Exploration Week, October 1-5, 2012 in Conley Hall—rooms 303 & 316, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. each day.

College Application and Exploration Week is an opportunity for adults to learn more about their options for education and training beyond high school. During the workshops, attendees can explore certificate programs, two-year degree programs, and four-year degree programs. Interested individuals are encouraged to attend and explore college programs throughout West Virginia. For additional information contact Dr. Sarita Rhonemus by phone (304-327-4096) or e-mail (sgattuso@bluefieldstate.edu).

(Bluefield)—Local artist H. Scott Pitt is showing a collection of his photography at The Art Gallery at Mish Mish in Blacksburg, VA through September 26. Still Fragile is a continuation of photographs that explore the extreme close-up view of wear, tear, and decay on buildings and man-made structures.

"What I have found in these little worlds of rot and wear are amazing landscapes and seascapes," Pitt explained. "This show is a mix of new and archived works that represent two years of seeking and highlighting the beauty that is often over looked in our daily surroundings. Through the photography, digital enhancement, and mixed media techniques I am attempting to change a viewer's perceptions and the emotional impact of their surroundings." Mish Mish is located at 125 N. Main St., Blacksburg, VA.

Pitt is an Educational Outreach Counselor with Student Support Services at Bluefield State College. He holds a Bachelor's of Arts in Studio Art. He has worked in acrylics, mixed media, photography, and pen and ink for the past 19 years.

(Bluefield)—Ten years ago, Bluefield State College student Brian Delp lost his life while assisting a stranded motorist. On Tuesday, September 25, the seventh annual "Brian Delp Memorial 5K Run and Walk" will be held at Bluefield State College, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is designed to raise funds for the "Humanitarian Athletic Award," a scholarship in memory of Delp, who was a very active student leader and athlete during his years at BSC.

Entry fee is $15, in advance and $20 on the day of the race. Entry fee for walkers is $10 (no late fee). The format includes several age groups, and each participant receives a t-shirt. Additional information can be obtained online by visiting the Bluefield State College home page (bluefieldstate.edu), or by contacting Vonda Wilson, BSC Cross Country Coach and Athletic Department Administrative Secretary, at (304) 327-4208/e-mail, vwilson@bluefieldstate.edu

"Brian was an exceptional person," noted BSC athletic director Terry Brown. "He was a humanitarian, a leader, and an excellent student-athlete, and a Bonner Scholar. Brian was voted 'Mr. BSC' in 2000 and again in 2002. He held membership in the Student Government Association, Greek Council, and Student Ambassadors organization." Additionally, Brian was a combat medic with a Sergeant (combat medic) in the West Virginia Army National Guard, a civilian EMT, and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer.

The Brian A. Delp Humanitarian Athletic Award is presented in the form of two $250 scholarships (one award for a male student-athlete and one for a female student-athlete) per academic year. One of the scholarships is funded on an annual basis by local educators Tom and Janie Farmer. Scholarship applicants must be BSC student-athletes, two-year letter winners, and they must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average, according to Brown.

(Bluefield)—Eight new faculty members have joined Bluefield State College for the 2012-13 year.  The new faculty members include Assistant Professors Dr. Colin Cavell (Political Science), Dr. Sean Connolly (English), Dr. Peggy Johnson (Health Services Management), and Dr. Robert Lowinger (Psychology); Visiting Assistant Professors Dr. Michael Buseman (History) and Ms. Janet Lilly (Nursing), and Minority Teaching Fellows in Arts and Sciences Ms. Janet Boyd and Mr. Lacie Watson.

Assistant Professor Dr. Colin Cavell (Political Science)	Assistant Professor Dr. Sean Connolly (English)	Assistant Professor Dr. Peggy Johnson (Health Services Management)	Assistant Professor Dr. Robert Lowinger (Psychology)
Visiting Assistant Professor Dr. Michael Buseman (History)	Visiting Assistant Professor Ms. Janet Lilly (Nursing)	Ms. Janet Boyd Minority Teaching Fellowship in Arts & Sciences	Mr. Lacie Watson Minority Teaching Fellowship in Arts & Sciences

Additionally, Dr. Martha Eborall (Biology) has been appointed Interim Dean/School of Arts & Sciences.

Classes began on August 20, 2012.

(Bluefield)—Perhaps there's something special in the water in Coalwood, West Virginia. Coalwood native Homer Hickham's autobiographical Rocket Boys became a best-seller and provided the substance for the hit movie, "October Sky." Now Daniel Caton, a Bluefield State College student whose experiences and active imagination provided the foundation upon which he has written a fantasy novel, Luke Brackins and the Rune to Midgard, which has been published and is available at Barnes & Noble bookstores.

Completing the book was no small feat for the 25-year old Caton, who concurrently juggled the responsibilities of husband, father, college student, and insurance sales representative while writing the 220+ page novel. In fact, Luke Brackins and the Rune to Midgard represents nine years' work that started while Daniel was a student at Big Creek High School.

"I was inspired by the 1984 movie "The NeverEnding Story," he explained during a break between fall semester classes at BSC. "The central figure in my book moves from a large city to a small West Virginia town, Galeswood, and he experiences culture shock while adjusting to life in a rural community." The novel's protagonist, Luke Brackins, is introduced to the region's strong work ethic and blue collar mindset. However, he's homesick and has difficulty making friends in Galeswood.

"Luke finds a book with a jewel embedded in its cover," Daniel continued, "and when he touches the jewel is transported to new places—some good, some bad." The dynamic of good versus evil is evident throughout the novel. "The book draws from my experiences in West Virginia as well as places I've never been but have read about," he added.

Moving the book toward its conclusion and getting it published took one final push. "After writing sporadically for several years," I had some faculty members at Bluefield State who really encouraged me to complete it," he recounted. "I submitted the manuscript to several different publishers, and AuthorHouse (a print-on-demand publisher) provided editors to work with and an illustrator for the cover. When I saw the book in print, it was like a part of my consciousness came to life. . . .someone else read it and took the time to visually depict it."

In the weeks ahead, the BSC student-author will embark on a book tour, visiting Barnes & Noble locations in Morgantown (September 23) and Christiansburg (October 20), while also participating in the "October Sky Festival" (October 6) in Beckley. "If sales go well, Tate Publishing Company (a Christian-based, family-owned, mainline publishing organization) will publish and distribute the book," he explained.

While walking toward his 2 p.m. Spanish class, he paused to recognize a few of the educators whose guidance and encouragement were important. "In school, I was blessed by the positive influence of my teachers and a principal. Although I got into trouble because of Attention Deficit hyperactivity, they saw that I worked hard in school. Roger Smith, the principal at Big Creek High School and Karen Crouse, an elementary school teacher, really helped. Mrs. Kraus reminded me of the Albert Einstein quote, "Your imagination is more important than your intelligence."

Preparing to graduate in December with a degree in Social Science, Daniel may revisit his passion for writing in the future. At present, he's looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Whitney, and their 21-month old son, Avan.

Additional information about Luke Brackins and the Rune to Midgard and Daniel Caton is available online at: www.runestomidgard.com.

(Bluefield)—Dr. Tesfaye Belay, a faculty member at Bluefield State College, was selected to receive a $100,000 "Energy Conservation Grant" from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund/Dept of Energy. The grant will cover the cost of a research project to promote adopting solar energy to illuminate a primary parking area at the College, train BSC students in solar panel installation technology, illustrate how an energy conservation program can benefit students, administration and community, and partner with local high schools to advance STEM (Science/Technology/Engineering/Mathematics) education through a student pipeline establishment.

Dr. Belay has established a visiting research professorship and collaboration with Dr. Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai, James S. Tucker/Professor, and Director, Future Energy Electronics Center in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Dr. Lai's research group will train BSC students to install solar panels by taking part in the installation procedures and management of performance of the panels. Following at least five sets of training sessions, students will install a solar panel on a simulated system. The students will then practice the actual installation process under the supervision of Dr. Lai's research group to determine readiness for a career and certification in solar energy technology.

In the administration of the research project, Dr. Belay will be joined by Professors Roy Pruett and Dr. Anthony Woart of BSC. Professor Pruett will lead the selection of qualified engineering students to participate in solar panel utilization and oversee the proper implementation of all installation procedures of the solar panel process. Dr. Woart will work in collaboration with Dr. Belay and Professor Pruett, while also serving as a liaison between the college and local high schools. He will reach out to administrators and recruit students from the local high schools to enroll at BSC. "Establishing partnerships with area high schools will aid in the preparation and enhancement of post-high school education," Dr. Belay observed. Activities in support of this goal include conducting student orientations on STEM fields in high school campuses, and establishing a summer program experience beyond the summer visit to Bluefield State College.

This marks the second grant that Dr. Belay has received from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund/Department of Energy.

The Board of Governors announced today that Dr. Marsha Krotseng has been selected to be Bluefield State College's 13th President. The Board's decision has been forwarded to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for confirmation at HEPC's August 10, 2012 meeting.

Dr. Krotseng was selected from a field of nearly 50 applicants. She is currently the Vice Chancellor, Strategic Planning/Executive Director, College Technical Education Council, North Dakota University System. She has also served as Associate Vice President & Chief Planning Officer at Valdosta State University and Vice Provost/Executive Assistant to the President at West Liberty State College and Assistant Professor at The University of Mississippi. Her career in higher education has spanned 25 years.

(Bluefield)—A scientific article written by Bluefield State College faculty members Dr. Tesfaye Belay and Dr. Anthony Woart has been published in the July 2012 issue of the Journal of Microbiology, Immunology, and Infection (Elsevier Publishing Company).

Dr. Belay, an Associate Professor of Biology, and Dr. Woart, Professor and Director of the Minority Health Institute, collaborated the initiative--a scientific study of Chlamydia Infection.

Entitled the "Cold-induced Stress Increases the Intensity of Chlamydia Genital Infection in Mice" the article detailed findings of the study. "The data obtained in the animal study may aid to understand the infection mechanisms and give insights to control or prevent the spread of chlamydia infection in humans by developing a vaccine," Dr. Belay stated.

This article is part of Dr. Belay's current research project in the BSC School of Arts and Sciences at Bluefield State College. The project focuses on stress, immune system and Chlamydia genital infection. To date, he has authored and co-authored 25 scientific articles published in peer reviewed international journals. The research project has been supported by funding from National Institute of Health through a partnership with the West Virginia–IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE).

The paper is can be found online through establishing a personal account http://www.sciencedirect.com/science.