A two-day SAFE babysitting course will be presented by the Center for Economic Enhancement at Bluefield State College on March 1 and 8, 1997, from 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. in the Tierney Conference Room, Dickason Hall on the BSC campus. Kathy Linkous, MSN, RN, Assistant Professor of Nursing at BSC, will be the instructor.

Topics that will be covered during the two-day course include appropriate and safe toys and games for different age groups, first aid--including basic CPR and what to do when an infant or toddler is choking--and how to handle phone calls and deal with strangers coming to the door.

To register for the course, contact the Center for Economic Enhancement at 327-4071 or 327-4109. Course cost is $20 per student. Class size is limited to ten students, so early registration is advised.

As part of its celebration of Black History Month, Bluefield State College will show the movie "The Color Purple," February 18, at noon in the Student Union, and at 7 p.m. in the Basic Science Auditorium. There is no admission charge to any of these movie showings and the public is invited to attend.

The recording artists "Unda Presha" will present a concert at BSC, February 20, at 7 p.m. in the Basic Science Auditorium. There is no charge for admission, but tickets are needed. Tickets may be picked up at the BSC Campus Activities Office, Student Union Building.

J.D. Carpenter, Director of Campus Activities at Bluefield State College, has been reelected to the executive board of the West Virginia Association of Student Personal Administrators, and will serve as WVASPA's newsletter editor.

Carpenter has also been appointed newsletter editor of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators' Region II. The NASPA Region II newsletter is distributed to student personnel administrators in every member institution throughout the region's seven state area.

He is currently national vice president of Gamma Beta Phi, a national student service honorary organization, and will also begin a one-year term as national president-elect later this year.

With several new computer-aided instruction programs and CD-ROMs in the computer lab, students at Bluefield State College's Beckley Campus have the opportunity to participate in enhanced learning with enhanced visual aids.

"The addition of these programs means our students can view a more accurate 3-dimensional simulation of actual nursing assessment and procedures," noted Debra Vest, BSC Beckley Campus nursing instructor. The computer lab is utilized by BSC A.S. nursing and radiologic technology students, in addition to students taking technical writing and software applications classes, as well as participants in BSC's Veterans Upward Bound program.

"Students in our nursing program can share the same interactive instructional CD-ROM, but proceed at their individual pace," Vest explained. "It is truly self-paced learning."

The installation of the new computer programs for instruction in nursing augments the BSC A.S. nursing program, whose 1996 graduates achieved the highest Registered Nurses (RN) licensure passage rate of any nursing program in West Virginia. Data released by the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses showed BSC 1996 A.S. Nursing grads taking the examination for the first time (10/1/95-9/30/96) achieved a 95.45% passage rate, best among the 19 nursing programs in West Virginia.

BSC students taking the national registry examination in radiography when it was administered in July achieved a 100% passage rate. Twenty-two BSC rad. tech. students passed the certification examination in radiography administered by the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists, providing licensure for the graduate to practice as a registered radiographer.

One of the first recruits for Bluefield State College's softball program five years ago is returning to her alma mater to coach the Lady Blues' softball team. Kara Peecher has been named the new softball coach, succeeding Cindy Ingram, who coached the team during its first five seasons. Ingram resigned as coach last spring.

Peecher, a Graham High School softball standout, and Debbie Boothe of Peterstown were the first two recruits signed by Ingram in 1992 prior to the second season of BSC softball. Another BSC alum, Nicholas Canoy, who graduated in December, 1996, has been named softball assistant coach.

The Lady Blues open their 1997 softball season March 8 at home against West Liberty. That doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. at the Graham Recreation Park. The softball schedule also includes a trip to Pensacola, FL, March 15-22 for a series of doubleheaders.

The "Women's Health Care Issues For Nurses' series at Bluefield State College will feature the program "Menopause and Domestic Violence," February 24, 1997, 4 p.m.-8 p.m. in the Tierney Conference Center for Continuing Education, Dickason Hall, on the BSC campus.

The presenter will be Dr. Dean Cunningham, MD, Ph.D. Dr. Cunningham has more than 15 years' experience in obstetrical care, as well as research experience and publishing in the field of immunology. He is currently in private practice with Bluefield Medical Associates, Inc. at Bluefield Medical Center.

The "Women's Health Care Issues for Nurses' series has been organized by Bluefield State Assistant Professor of Nursing Kathy Linkous, MSN, RN. These seminars have been designed to enhance the educational needs of Licensed Practical Nurses and Registered Nurses. This program is approved to award 4.0 contact hours.

The program is offered through the BSC Center for Economic Enhancement and Educational Outreach at BSC. Registration is $15 in advance, $20 on the day of the seminar. Seating is limited so early registration is advised. Additional information may be obtained through the BSC Center for Economic Enhancement & Educational Outreach @ (304) 327-4071.

The Bluefield State College Veterans Upward Bound Program has exceeded its fiscal year goal of enrolling 128 participants in the program, even though the program is just four months into its new year.

VUB Director Ron Holt attributed the popularity of the program, which is designed to assist service veterans, to an increased awareness of its success. "To date, the Veterans Upward Bound program at BSC has placed many veterans in postsecondary education," Holt said. "The program gives veterans the opportunity to continue their education and/or pursue their individual goals."

The Veterans Upward Bound ProgramÕs services include career and academic counseling and testing, short-term refresher courses in computers, math, and sciences, and assistance in completing college entrance applications, SAT/ACT applications, and financial aid forms. Veterans Upward Bound services are free to qualifying service veterans in the program, and the program pays a monthly stipend to help offset expenses for eligible veterans.

"Although we have met our goal for participants in this 12-week term, we still have a limited amount of available funding to provide services to additional qualifying veterans on a first-come/first-served basis," Holt noted. "We are looking for service veterans interested in pursuing postsecondary education--through college or through some type of vocational-technical training."

The Veterans Upward Bound Program has offices at BSC campuses in Bluefield (327-4288), Beckley (255-5866), and Lewisburg (645-6123). Additional information may be obtained by calling (toll-free) at 1-888-428-0485.

Holt also announced the addition of Al Hancock, a VUB counselor in Bluefield, to staff. "Our growth has come as a result of a program that meets important needs of service veterans. We've been successful, too, because of a hard-working faculty and staff, and because of the willingness of Bluefield State to make us a part of the College community."

Bluefield State College Accounting Club students and BSC accounting faculty members will offer free tax assistance to area residents through the VITA program sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service. Free tax assistance will be offered on the following schedule: each Wednesday, now through April 9, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. (except March 19) in Mahood Hall, room 118, on the BSC campus. Assistance will be provided on three Saturdays (February 8, March 8, and April 12), 1 p.m.-4 p.m. in the Craft Memorial Library, Bluefield.

According to William Goodman, BSC associate professor of accounting, "Volunteers alert taxpayers to special credits and deductions with items such as credit for the elderly and sale of residence."

"Taxpayers seeking assistance should bring this year's tax package, usually received through the mail, wage and earning statements (Forms W-2) received from employers, interest statements from banks (Forms 1099), a copy of last year's federal and state tax return, if available, 1994 tax return, if available, and any other relevant information concerning income and expenses," added William Bradberry, BSC assistant professor of accounting.

In 1996, BSC volunteers contributed more than 300 hours' service, assisting area residents in completing income tax returns. Bradberry and Goodman are coordinating Bluefield State's participation in this year's VITA program.

"Our students enjoy the satisfaction of helping other people, and many people find this service very meaningful because it helps them to complete their tax returns in a way that's comfortable for them," Goodman concluded.

Additional information may be obtained by calling Professor William Goodman, Bluefield State College, @ (304) 327-4107.

The Greenbrier Community College Center of Bluefield State College will offer free income tax assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, beginning Saturday, February 15, 1997.

The GCCC VITA site will be open each Saturday through April 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. BSC GCCC students in accounting and business administration have been trained to prepare 1040-EZ, 1040A, and 1040 returns, as well as West Virginia returns. This service will be offered at the College. Mr. Winston Wood will offer this service at the Greenbrier County Airport. Electronic filing is available at GCCC this year.

Quality review is an important part of the free service, and each return will be reviewed by Leila Kennedy, Assistant Professor of Accounting, or by another adult. Mrs. Kennedy has many years' experience as a VITA volunteer and is the coordinator of VITA sites in Greenbrier County.

Campus Activities

• Served as a host site for the WVNET Winternet Tour, two days of free workshops for staff and area residents designed to help them "navigate the information superhighway and develop dynamic Web pages

   

• Hosted a financial aid workshop for prospective college students and their families

   

• Prepared for and promoted a variety of Black History Month activities to take place at Bluefield State College during February

   

• Proceeded with several campus improvement projects, including excavation preceding the construction of an elevator that will bring Conley Hall, the College's administrative building, into compliance with ADA regulations

   

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

   

• Conducted Spring Semester general registration at BSC sites in Bluefield, Beckley, Lewisburg, and Welch

   

• Implemented "Weekend College," and an expanded offering of Instructional Television courses for this semester

   

• Released Fall Semester Dean's and President's Lists, with 280 students earning Dean's List recognition and 115 meriting inclusion in the President's List

  Partnership Activities

   

• Welcomed William B. Bales, Senior Vice President International, Norfolk Southern Corporation, as the first participant in BSC's "Executive In Residence" program. He addressed BSC Business Division students and faculty during his two-day visit

   

• Hosted, in BSC President's home, a reception during which area business and industry leaders met William B. Bales

   

• BSC faculty member received notification that the French National Research Center of Prehistory has adopted his explanation of the calendar system used by the early Celts in France

   

• BSC Director of Institutional Advancement and Planning began her term as CEO of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce

   

• BSC-TV 10, the television production and programming component of BSC, rebroadcast on the Bluefield area television cable system two Bluefield City Board of Directors meetings and the December monthly Mercer County Board of Education meeting

   

• BSC President presented a program regarding the College to the Princeton Kiwanis Club

   

• BSC Title III Program Director was featured speaker at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon in Richlands, VA

   

• Nursing faculty member participated in 1997 Nursing Education national conference in Orlando, FL

   

• Campus Activities Director delivered presentation, "Technology and Student Organizations," at WVASPA Conference

   

• Completed a customized Microsoft Excel program for six employees of Pemco, Inc. This follows a customized Microsoft Word program for Pemco last semester and precedes a final program to include customized training on desktop publishing

   

• Began a customized training program on Microsoft Office for employees of First Century Bank in Bluefield, WV. Program will continue through 1997 with more than 50 employees to participate

   

• Completed first review by Turner Vision (Bluefield, WV) management of compensable factors identified for the company. This is part of project to develop compensation system for the company, whose workforce has grown from 50 to more than 500 during the past three years. Project is funded through the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program

   

• Screening BSC Engineering Technology and Business Administration students for internship with BF Goodrich Aerospace in Union, WV. Currently one BSC intern is assisting the plant in producing detailed work instructions for its product line, and the company has requested additional assistance

   

• Completed initial meeting with President of DS Parts, in Bluefield, WV, to coordinate completion of an organized diagnostic- needs assessment to serve as a part of the company's application for support from the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program. The company, a remanufacturer of auto parts, plans to hire about 20 new employees in the next year'. Training initiatives are geared to support this and any future growth

   

• Preparing to host "Is Training The Solution?", a free seminar that is the initial program sponsored by the WV Region 7 Training Network

   

• Conducted a seminar (open to the public), "The Joy of Herbs," through BSC's Creative Retirement Center

   

• BSC's Center for International Understanding (CIU) has continued preparation for a training program on Fiscal Federalism for two groups of Bosnian officials from March through May, 1997

   

• BSC CIU is preparing a brochure outlining CIU capabilities for Customized Training Programs for international entrepreneurs and officials

   

• BSC CIU Customized Technical Assistance Training Programs for the United States Information Agency include preparation for three training programs, showcasing American business practices, local governance, and the legal profession & the administration of justice in Appalachia

   

• CIU is preparing capability statement for inclusion in an application for membership in the National Council of International Visitors, a liaison organization for the USIA

   

• CIU is preparing three brochures ("Center for International Understanding"," International Trade and Investment," and "Export Assistance Services") for circulation

   

• CIU director and administrative assistant attended a "Training the Trainer" workshop

   

• The scholarly journal Commonwealth Novel in-English is moving toward publication and circulation in 34 countries

   

• CIU is moving toward establishing "English as a Second Language" non-credit course offering for international students and professionals, beginning Fall Semester 1997

   

• CIU is recruiting West Virginia business leaders for a trade mission to Russia, May 31 - June 19, 1997

   

• CIU submitted semiannual report to West Virginia Development- Appalachian Regional Commission office about "International Trade and Investment: Export Assistance Services," an ARC-funded project

   

• Have scheduled the following continuing educations for Bluefield, Beckley, and Lewisburg: Fundamentals of Programmable Logic Controllers, Analysis of the National Electric Code, Shop-Floor Mathematics; Blueprint Reading; Engineering Economics; and Business Communications

   

• Initiated review of technology and training materials that will be part of a "Workforce Development Center" at BSC. The center will be run in partnership with the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, and will provide a wide range of performance improvement programs and resources for employees of business & industry

   

• Coordinating an informational seminar on the WV Small Business Workforce Program, in partnership with the Economic Development Division of the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce. The seminar will introduce small businesses to this new workforce training program and assist them in accessing its services

   

• Participated in a partnership effort with the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program, Industrial Plating and Machinery of Princeton, WV, the Mercer County Technical Education Center, the Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and Development, and the Robert C. Byrd Institute to improve efforts and programs to develop qualified employees for manufacturing firms

   

• Took part in a taskforce focused upon stimulating economic development by attracting retirees to relocate to this region. Partners in this effort include the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, Princeton/Mercer County Chamber of Commerce, Tazewell County (VA) Chamber of Commerce, First Century Bank of Bluefield, Premier Bank, Adventure Communications, and Glenwood Park Retirement Village

   

• Began researching the demand for a certificate program for "Gerontological Care-Giving." Needs assessment with health care professionals is being prepared, and focus groups will also be used to develop program if data supports the existence of a job market for graduates of such a program

   

• Met with officials of WV State College to discuss opportunities for partnering on various academic, economic development, and workforce development programs