In response to an increasing demand for qualified child care professionals, Bluefield State College has established an "Associate Degree in Occupational Development--Child Care Practitioner," in affiliation with the Child Care Development Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Representatives of BSC, the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, WV Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist, Mercer County Economic Opportunities Corporation, Princeton Community Hospital, The Council of the Southern Mountains/McDowell County Head Start, and Greenbrier County Head Start participated in an agreement-signing ceremony at the College. Dr. Betty Rader, BSC Provost, noted, "This program meets the guidelines of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services. It involves 300 hours of classroom instruction and 4,000 hours of on-the-job training." The 64-credit hour program is designed for students who complete the RAP in Child Care Development Specialist and required college coursework. Dana Daugherty, State Director of the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, added, "This AAS degree program will complement the occupational specialty classroom education and on-the-job training already available through apprenticeship programs at selected County Head Start programs by providing general studies and technical support knowledge and skills." Selected county Head Start programs have requested implementation of this degree program, citing the continuing need for better educated aides and other child care workers, Daugherty observed. Recent welfare reform legislation ensures that, as former welfare recipients enter the workplace, more child care facilities will be started to provide day care for the increasing number of small children needing such care. "Graduates of the Occupational Development--Child Care Practitioner program will provide competent, caring employees to staff these facilities," he concluded. In addition to Daugherty and Rader, other participants in the signing ceremony included Dr. Robert Moore (BSC President), Cynthia Beal (Chairperson, WV Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist), Webster Gilbreath (Program Manager/Mercer County Economic Opportunities Corporation), Willa Whittaker (Director/Princeton Community Hospital Day Care Center), Helen K. Carson, Director of Health & Education, The Council of the Southern Mountains McDowell County Head Start), and Terri Wontrobski (Director/Greenbrier County Head Start).

Campus Activities

• Held second annual BSC "Employee Recognition Day," announcing recipients of two BSC Foundation "Outstanding Classified Staff Awards," two BSC "Classified Staff Emeritus Awards," one "Administrator Emeritus Award," and numerous individual awards and certificates of recognition to faculty, staff, and administrators

   

• BSC graduates J. Franklin Long, a Bluefield attorney, and Jeffery Forlines, an area bank president, delivered commencement addresses at the 1997 Baccalaureate and Associate graduation exercises. 465 degrees were conferred during the two commencement programs

   

• Presented honorary Doctorate of Humanities to area philanthropist Mrs. June Oblinger Shott, during 1997 Baccalaureate Graduation Exercises

   

• Presented the "BSC Foundation Outstanding Faculty Award" for 1997 to Ms. Sheila Parks, associate professor of nursing, and an active member of numerous HIV/AIDS education and other health-focused organizations

   

• Nine students were inducted into the BSC Greenbrier Community College Center chapter of Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society, which recognizes students' academic achievements at two-year colleges

   

• Twenty-one graduates of the BSC Radiologic Technology program were recognized during a luncheon in their honor on BSC's Bluefield campus

   

• Six students were inducted into the 1997 class of the BSC chapter of Phi Eta Sigma national honor society for freshmen

   

• Directed two workshops, through Student Support Services, designed to enhance students' study skills

   

• Several BSC staff supervisory personnel attended a training seminar on grievances, conducted by two members of the State Attorney General's staff

   

• Six BSC employees attended the workshop/seminar, "How to Manage Multiple Projects, Meet Deadlines, and Achieve Objectives"

   

• Began BSC's first Summer Session, May 27

   

• Prepared for two Summer 1997 orientation sessions for new students and their families

  Partnership Activities

   

• BSC organized, directed, and hosted a two-day national distance learning conference, during which six nationally recognized speakers delivered specialized programs for more than 70 educators in attendance

   

• BSC-TV services produced a 12-minute video for the Mercer County Economic Development Authority's presentation at a statewide economic development program in Charleston

   

• Two Bluefield State College nursing faculty members were featured presenters at a recent one day statewide workshop for home health nurses in Flatwoods. The program was presented by the West Virginia Council of Home Health Agencies, Inc., and the West Virginia Diabetes Control Program

   

• Thirty students majoring in education promoted literacy in a five county region, through the "Yes, We Read -Together" program

   

• Two criminal justice students and one faculty member were extended special recognition by the Princeton Police Department for their assistance with the department's in-service training program

   

• Several Mercer County public school business educators visited BSC's Business Division to receive hands-on training in the use of current computer technology and software

   

• History faculty member selected to participate as a Coolidge Fellow in the 1997 Association for Religion & Intellectual Life Colloquium at Columbia University

   

• BSC-TV 1 0 rebroadcast on the Bluefield-area television cable system two Bluefield City Board of Directors' meetings and the May monthly Mercer County Board of Education meeting

   

• Hosted the fifth Travel & Adventure Series travelogue of the 1997 season, in partnership with four Bluefield-area business & professional organizations

   

• Through BSC's Creative Retirement Center, completed the program "Financial Investing,' with approximately 30 persons attending

   

• BSC Center for Economic Enhancement & Educational Outreach continued customized Microsoft Word training program for second group of employees from DS Parts (Bluefield, WV). This project is being funded through the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program

   

• Center for Economic Enhancement developed customized Autocad 13 training program for Pemco, Inc. (Bluefield, VA)

   

• Developed customized National Electric Code continuing education class for employees of American Electric Power (Beckley, WV & Bluefield, WV)

   

• Assisted Turner Vision (Bluefield, WV) in implementation of a compensation and performance evaluation system. The system was designed in a project funded by the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program and will result in a more clearly defined human resources development for the firm, which has more than 400 employees

   

• Met with representatives of Hubbard Farms, Inc. (Lewisburg), owner of the British United Turkeys of America (BUTA) to discuss a variety of workforce development assistance opportunities for its employees. Have scheduled meeting with the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program to explore whether any state training assistance is available for the firm, which has more than 200 employees from West Virginia's Greenbrier Valley

   

• Participated in the 1997 Business Show (Beckley), sponsored by the Beckley-Raleigh County Chamber of Commerce, and finalized plans to participate in the 1997 Appalachian Hardwood Expo (Bluefield), sponsored by the Princeton/Mercer County Chamber of Commerce

   

• Completed proposal for The Dean Company (Princeton, WV) to assist this manufacturer of quality wood veneer products in the development of job descriptions for 39 positions

   

• Developing a training plan for Med Response, a home health care agency (Bluefield, WV, Bluewell, WV, & Welch, WV), following completion of a training needs assessment conducted by the College

   

• Participated in the 1997 WV Main Street Awards Banquet, as a member of the Bluefield Main Street delegation

   

• Completed Autocad 14 teleconference for 20 representatives of five local companies

   

• Completed a continuing education class for real estate appraisers to prepare them for the USPAP examination

   

• Hosted National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) review for nurses from Bluefield Regional Medical Center

   

• Director of the Center for International Understanding (CIU) at BSC was panelist during two programs at the National Association for Foreign Student Advisors Association of International Educators Conference in Canada, May 20-23

   

• BSC CIU coordinated "Customized Technical Assistance Programs for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on "Fiscal Federalism" for a second group of Bosnian officials (April 12-May 10), and "AIDS Related Non-Government Organizations" for a Rumanian representative

   

• CIU has been awarded customized training program contract on "Effective Local Governments and Media Relations for Ogre, Latvia's mayor and press secretary, as well as contract to deliver, by USAID-Academy for Educational Development, a training program for 16 Russian participants on Rural Social Services in a Market Economy

   

• Circulated brochures about CIU and CIU's customized training programs on "Regional Economic Development and Diversification through Privatization, Entrepreneurism, and Democratization"

   

• CIU continued to disseminate bids for contracts from international companies to WV businesses

   

• CIU planning for "International Pavilion" during Princeton "Summerfest," June 20-22

General Registration for the the first Summer Session at the Greenbrier Community College Center of Bluefield State College will be conducted May 27-28 (8 a.m.- 4 p.m.). Classes begin May 27, and a May 28 deadline has been established for registration and payment of fees.

The first summer session ends June 26. Additional information and Summer 1997 schedules may be obtained by contacting the Greenbrier Community College Center of BSC at (304) 645-3303.

As part of the "The Reading Process," an education course at Bluefield State College, 30 students majoring in education recently participated in the "Yes! We Read Together" program, sponsored by the West Virginia State Reading Council. The program is a statewide, three-year campaign, in conjunction with the West Virginia Reading Association, dedicated to promoting lifetime readers.

Through this project, BSC students promoted literacy in a five-county region, investing approximately 300 hours' effort in work with 30 children (ages 6-12). Mitzi Litton, adjunct instructor for the course, noted, "Research has shown that a balanced reading program in which both oral and silent reading are practiced in school and out of school develops independent strategies and skills, as well as a love of reading."

"Before starting their student teaching experience, the BSC student participants were given the opportunity to understand the joys of reading to, and with, elementary age children," Litton said. The young children read stories of their own choice, then created and illustrated their own stories. Some made complete books or journals of their works. BSC education majors participating in the program included: Rebecca Bandy, Amee Barrett, Mark Beggs, Linda Britton, Michelle Carosi, Jackie Colobro, Robin Davis, Sharon Davis, Heather Farley, Mellissa Ferrell, Mona Finney, Christy Gleason, James Gray, Brandice Hatfield, Donna Henkel, Mark Jenkins, Ollena Keene, Samantha Keene, Barbara Lane, Charla Maynard, Jody Neal, Mary Rice, Kacey Rohrer, Beki Sharpe, Edwin Stress, Ellen Williams, Shonda Wilson, Kristin Winfrey, and Melissa Wolfe.

Recently, members of the student section/International Society (ISA) for Measurement and Control at Bluefield State College traveled to Chicago to compete with student teams from the United States, Canada, Russia, and Latin America in a day-long international student competition.

BSC's electrical engineering technology students were also involved in seminars designed to provide the opportunity to put their skills to the test. Seminars included a conduit seminar and hands-on tube bending seminar, along with a glass tower demonstration.

BSC's student section team competed in the ISA Bowl, during which they answered questions on basic and advanced instrumentation and control theory and practice. The ISA Practical competition gave students two instrumentation and control exercises developed by local industry professionals.

BSC associate professor of electrical engineering technology Roy Pruett, Student Section Advisor for the Bluefield chapter, noted the BSC team finished fourth in the international competition. "Our students gained hands-on experience from the competition and also had the opportunity to meet exhibitors and potential job contacts in the future," he said. BSC students attending the Chicago program, and team members, included: Sonny Ciampanella, Kenneth Holt, Bryon Bishop, Mike Simmons, Jason Osborne, James Pruett, and Shannon Bowling.

Two hundred thirty-two Bluefield State College students received degrees during the Associate Degree portion of the 100th Commencement Exercises at Bluefield State College's Ned Shott Gymnasium Friday night on the BSC campus.

Jeffery Forlines, a BSC graduate and President & CEO, First Century Bank-Wytheville & Fort Chiswell, VA, delivered the Commencement Address. He told the capacity audience of 1997 graduates, their families, and their friends, "I have gained an appreciation for the rich tradition belonging to Bluefield State College. I ask you to be proud of the education you have received from Bluefield State College. I was prepared beyond my expectation."

Forlines challenged graduates to assist others seeking a college education, to believe in community, and to choose mentors who can help them along life's way. "Finally, I challenge you to understand the value of your reputation," he said. "Please ensure that, when people speak of your defining moments, the words 'integrity, value, fairness, vision, and respect' are used."

BSC President Dr. Robert Moore extended congratulations to the graduates, their families, and friends. He told the graduates, "We are confident that the contributions you will make to your region, society, and to those around you will enhance the lives of those you touch."

The Baccalaureate portion of BSC's Commencement Exercises will take place at 10 a.m. today at the Ned Shott Gym. Two hundred thirty-four students will receive degrees. The 466 graduates of BSC's class of '97 join the ranks of BSC alumni, now numbering more than 14,000.

Bluefield attorney J. Franklin Long, also a BSC graduate, will deliver Saturday's Baccalaureate Commencement Address.

Members of the BSC class of 1947 will be honored during the Baccalaureate Commencement upon the 50th anniversary of their graduation from the College.