(Bluefield)—Dr. Garrett Olmsted's reputation as an authoritative source on the Celtic culture, religion, and arts has been the foundation for a once prompted a television production company in England to feature the Bluefield State College Professor of Social Sciences in four one-hour programs that were telecast on the British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and the History Channel. The series is still available for viewing on the Web as a Google Video (Terry Jones' Barbarians: The Primitive Celts).

This series explores encounters between Romans and non-Romans from non-Roman perspectives. Oxford associate producer Clare Lynch cited Olmsted's extensive published research and academic presentations about the Celts in requesting his presence during the three-week production effort. Terry Jones' commentary on and interview with Olmsted may be found about 10 minutes into The Primitive Celts. The series was particularly interested in Dr. Olmsted's work on the highly-accurate and astronomically-advanced Celtic calendar system, which was better than anything produced by the Greeks, Romans, or Egyptians. "The series shows that the scientific and cultural abilities of supposed Barbarian peoples were not appropriately recognized or appreciated by their Greek and Roman conquerors because of their own cultural biases," Olmsted explained.

Olmsted was also selected by the search engine "Answers.com" as the world's authoritative source on Celtic Religion. Answers.com has been cited by the Wall Street Journal as a one-of-a-kind site that provides only a single website for information related to a specific topic.

Five books written by Olmsted, Celtic Art in Transition during the First Century B.C., The Gods of the Celts & the Indo-Europeans, The Gaulish Calendar, and A Definitive Reconstructed Text of the Coligny Calendar are among his voluminous published research on the early Celts. He has written more than 30 papers on the Celts, including first-time translations of Gaulish and Archaic Irish poetry. To develop his books and articles on the Celts, Olmsted had to learn to read 20 different languages, including Sanskrit, Gaulish, Greek, and early Germanic texts. He has detailed his research at conferences in Wales, Belgium, Scotland, Italy, France, Ireland, and Romania.

(Bluefield)—Mardochee Isme, a Boston resident and Bluefield State College student, has accepted an invitation to participate in a West Virginia Idea Network of Biological Research Excellence (WV-INBRE) 2012 summer internship.

The nine-week graduate-level summer research internship in biomedical sciences will permit participants to receive formal training while expanding their learning experiences through workshops, seminars, mentoring and use of state-of-the-art core facilities.

As a member of the Emerging Leaders Institute at BSC, Isme took part in the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium last year and she developed a passion for biomedical research. "I was mentored by Dr. Tesfaye Belay, and our project, "Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a Health Threat to Astronauts during Space Travel," involved studying how the microbe Pseudomonas aeruginosa that survives without food in water," she explained. P. aeruginosa is of particular concern in space flight, because it can survive without food in the water consumed by astronauts. Isme discovered that the microbe can survive for more than three years in water, showing distinct changes in colony morphology and loss of green pigmentation.

Observing her aptitude for, and interest in, research, Belay encouraged Isme to apply for research internship opportunities. "Because of Dr. Belay's encouragement, I applied for the WV-INBRE Summer Research Program and I recently received a letter of acceptance," Isme added.

"The WV-INBRE internship will strengthen Mardochee's preparation for graduate or medical school," Belay said. "I strongly believe that she will benefit greatly from the research program at Marshall University. She is an outstanding student."

"I am very interested in biostatistics," Isme stated. "It's a field that combines both of my interests—biomedical research and mathematics. Through the internship, I will gain even more experience on the research side. It will strengthen my opportunity to pursue a postgraduate degree in research."

(Bluefield)—Dr. Darrell Thompson, Interim-Co-Director of Teacher Education/Bluefield State College of Education, attended the recent American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE) Conference, "Imagine the Impact: Providing a Learning Journey for All."

The Chicago, IL-based conference was sponsored by the AACTE and featured presentations relevant to educators. "The conference challenged educators to idealize, develop, and deliver innovative and impactful programs that meet the needs of today's students," Dr. Thompson explained. "It connected teacher educators with the very latest developments in policy and in professional development,"

Sessions included technology applications, the role of schools of education in implementing the Common Core Standards, adopting and implementing the teacher performance assessment for program completion, program certification, and teacher licensure.

Keynote speakers addressed problems in higher education, national standards, standardization, and the cultivation of global competitiveness. "The conference provided an opportunity to network with other colleagues, and share ideas and strategies from various institutions, while also gaining information that will better serve the teacher education program at Bluefield State College," Thompson concluded.

(Bluefield)—The term "interim" has been removed Jamaal Jackson's position title, and after one season as interim head coach of the Bluefield State College men's basketball team, Jackson is now the team's head coach. The College conducted a formal search for the position, and Jackson was selected from a field of applicants. His selection was announced recently by BSC. After arriving at BSC last October just a few days before the start of preseason practice, he will now have an opportunity to work with the program for an entire off-season leading into the 2012-12 campaign.

"I'm really looking forward to adding several new players to the student-athletes who will be returning from last season," he said. "I want the depth and level of talent on the roster to create a healthy competition for playing time." With three commitments already for the coming season, Jackson anticipates a more up-tempo style of play. "We will have more size and athleticism," he projected. "It should permit us to play more of a fullcourt style, challenging passes and creating opportunities offensively with steals and deflections. The WVIAC is a very high scoring conference, probably one of the highest in the nation. We averaged 76 points a game last year and were ranked last in conference scoring."

Prior to his arrival at BSC, Jackson's basketball coaching background included an internship with The Ohio State University men's basketball program and assistant basketball coaching positions at Kentucky State University and Stillman College.

"My first year as a head coach here last season taught me how to be a better coach," he reflected. "I'm thankful for the opportunity to continue as we seek to put the basketball program at Bluefield State on the right track."

(Bluefield)—Dr. Betsy Steenken, Interim Dean/Bluefield State College School of Education, attended the recent Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Hispanic Speaking Institutions, and Tribal Colleges/Native American Institutions Invitational Conference "Many Cultures, One Common Thread" in San Antonio, Texas.

The conference was sponsored by Educational Testing Service (ETS) and featured presentations on topics relevant to educators and administrators from minority institutions with teacher preparation programs. Current research and initiatives being sponsored by ETS include students' math achievement, academic effects of bilingual and English language learners, test regeneration and score setting of PRAXIS exams, impact of PRAXIS I scores on PRAXIS II, and ensuring fairness and equity in test development.

Keynote speakers addressed legal and legislative issues that currently affect HBCUs and Hispanic serving institutions, achievement gaps, and recruiting and hiring highly qualified teachers in high risk school districts.

"The conference provided a wonderful opportunity for faculty and administrators to share strategies and discuss common issues and problems," Dr. Steenken noted. "We are all dedicated to producing within teacher education the best candidates—individuals who will be able to meet the challenges of helping all students learn. We must be sure that, as 'Institutes of Higher Education,' we provide the knowledge and most effective strategies to accomplish this goal. "

(Bluefield)—Relying on a teamwork approach, Bluefield State College alumni and friends worked with the BSC Foundation and the College's basketball coaches to raise funds for the purchase of an innovative basketball shooting machine. The new 6000 series "Gun by Shoot-A-Way" will help the Lady Blues and Big Blues to maximize their shooting practices. The Gun returns basketballs to shooters, teaches proper trajectory, and enables players to increase the number of shots they can take per minute.

"This was a great fundraising project that engaged the coaches, the BSC Foundation, alumni, and friends," observed Karen Harvey, BSC Foundation Executive Director. "Working together, we have acquired equipment that will help our student-athletes improve their skills to match the enthusiasm they have demonstrated on the court. It was a wonderful team effort."

"We are very pleased with the energized effort and enthusiasm the BSC alumni and supporters displayed in assisting us in making this dream come to fruition for our respective programs," stated J.J. Oliver, BSC women's basketball coach. "The Gun is a great improvement tool that will certainly do much to enhance our student-athletes' shooting skills."

"The amount of shots that our players will get up during workouts throughout the year will increase dramatically, and our field goal percentages and free throw percentages in the coming seasons will show the results," said Jamaal Jackson, BSC men's basketball coach. "Our alumni and supporters have shown that they are willing to do what it takes to help us take our program to another level."

Both BSC coaches expressed appreciation to the vital role played by Karen Harvey, BSC alumni, including Ergie Smith and Lillian Holley, and to everyone who supported this initiative.

(Bluefield)--A Bluefield State College student and faculty group took part in the Dr. Lonnie E. Mitchell HBCU Behavioral Health Policy Academy, March 1-4 in Houston. The theme for this year's academy was "Behavioral Health in a Changing World." BSC students on the trip included Senior Social Science major, Erica Meade, Senior Education major, Gregory Aiken, and Sophomore Pre-Med major Samuel Dennah. BSC faculty member Dr. Tamara Ferguson and staff member E. Lacy Watson were also in attendance.

The Policy Academy gave students and faculty an opportunity to learn strategies to educate students on the facts, as well as tailor curricula and activities for BSC. "Only a few people consider seeking treatment for behavioral health issues on our campus," noted Greg Aiken, a BSC student peer educator who seeks to inform students about the risks and how to prevent HIV/AIDs infections, high-risk drinking, and suicide. Participants learned through the Policy Academy that a successful campaign on campus can lead to positive changes throughout the community.

"Bluefield State was mentored by Dr. Sharon Chappel, who helped develop strategies for grant implementation and project sustainability," Dr. Ferguson explained. "This academy prepared the students and advisors to begin their spring campaign for behavioral health education, federally funded by SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) and Morehouse (GA) School of Medicine."

(Bluefield)—A free beginning computer workshop for adults who have very little, or no, prior experience using computers will be presented at Bluefield State College each Tuesday during April, beginning April 3. The workshops will be held in Room 303, Conley Hall, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Enrollment is limited to the first 15 applicants.

"These workshops will be for adults who haven't quite mastered using the computer," explained Terry Thompson, BSC Campus Manager/Counseling Center. "If these workshops are successful and are found to be helpful, I am sure there will be more to come. I find it very fulfilling when given the opportunity to give back to our community."

To enroll, contact Terry Thompson at 304-327-4424.