(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."

Grant's Supermarket co-owner Ron Martin (center) recently presented a donation to Bluefield State College to launch the establishment of an endowed scholarship at BSC. He is pictured with Dr. Marsha Krotseng, BSC President (left), and Betty Carroll, BSC's Director of Institutional Advancement and Planning.

(Bluefield)—Grant's Supermarket has announced its commitment to establish an endowed scholarship that will be awarded to deserving students at Bluefield State College. An initial gift from Grant's Supermarket was received by Betty Carroll, Executive Director of the Bluefield State College Foundation, during a ceremony at the College.

The scholarship, once endowed, will be awarded to Bluefield State College students each fall and spring semester. Scholarship recipients must meet qualification standards for the Neighborhood Investment Program for the State of West Virginia.

"Grant's Supermarket has maintained a long-standing commitment to the area," noted Ron Martin, Grant's co-owner. "It is our hope that this endowed scholarship will open the door to a college education to deserving students from the families and communities we serve."

"Scholarship gifts are so important to our student," added Betty Carroll, BSC's Director of Institutional Advancement and Planning. "Our students depend on scholarship help to begin, then to remain in school and graduate. The scholarship support from the Endowed Grants Supermarket Scholarship will make a significant difference for BSC students."

(Bluefield)—Dr. Paul Hill, Chancellor of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission, will serve as the keynote speaker for Bluefield State College's 2013 Commencement Exercises on May 18, 2013 at the Brushfork Armory. Degrees will be conferred to approximately 380 BSC students during the exercises.

Chancellor Hill is the former Executive Director of the West Virginia Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (WVEPSCoR). He helped design and manage the West Virginia Research Trust Fund, also known as "Bucks for Brains," the West Virginia Research Challenge Fund, and the West Virginia Eminent Scholars Initiative.

Prior to Joining WVEPSCoR in 2001, Dr. Hill was appointed by President Bill Clinton and confirmed by the U.S. Senate as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the U.S. Chemical Safety Board. His career includes more than 25 years' experience in academic research, grant administration, and public policy development. He has held CEO positions at the private, state, and federal levels. Dr. Hill has also appeared before Congress to provide testimony on science, technology, and education policy.

"Bluefield State College is honored that Chancellor Hill will deliver our 2013 commencement address," noted Dr. Marsha Krotseng, BSC President. "With his vast experience in education and business, he will offer a message that is both timely and inspirational for our graduates, their families, and the Bluefield State College community."

Mrs. Beverly Phelps, a student teacher from Bluefield State College, is currently in her second placement with Mrs. Semonco's 5th grade class at Kimball Elementary School in McDowell County.

Through the EDUC 321 class, Mrs. Phelps had learned of an exciting technology called Glogster, a program used to make electronic posters. On May 1, Law Day in McDowell County, seven of Mrs. Phelps' students used this technology to create poster entries for submission in the contest. Two of those students then went on to place in the contest, and Kimball Elementary received special recognition for being the first school in the state of West Virginia to use digital posters for submission.

In addition, the class performed and won first place with their song entitled "Who I Am." Mrs. Phelps noted, "The song we chose showed that although we are all different, we are all very much alike and we all deserve to be treated and respected equally." The class was also asked to perform their song at the courthouse during the Law Day ceremonies.

Mrs. Phelps was awarded a certificate for her part in preparing the students for this special day, but she is quick to note, "The students did the work and I am very proud of each of them!"

(Bluefield)—Whitethorn Primary School teacher Teresa Guill recently delivered a presentation on “Student Engagement in the Classroom” to BSC School of Education teacher candidates.

“The teacher candidates were able to explore many strategies for keeping students engaged in the classroom,” noted Terene Stiltner, Visiting Professor/BSC School of Education. “The interactive presentation gave teacher candidates the opportunity to see and participate in some of the strategies that Ms. Guill incorporates with very good results in her own classroom.”

Students explored topics such as classroom arrangement, incorporating different modalities of learning, and utilizing resources to benefit all students. This presentation was included as a part of a seminar for all teacher andidates who are student teaching in the spring or fall of 2013.

Bluefield State College Model United Nations club   students (left-to-right) Cassie Smith, Kharles Mwalo, and Amy Pritt are   pictured in front of the New York City landmark, “The Knotted Gun,” a   pro-peace sculpture by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reutersward.  The   students and BSC Model UN advisor Dr. Colin Cavell visited several the United   Nations Headquarters, the Museum of Modern Art, the Empire State Building,   and other historically significant locations during their recent trip to NYC.

(Bluefield)--Three members of the Bluefield State College Model United Nations club and their advisor visited the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, as well as other venues in the vicinity, from April 18-22, 2013.  Those participating in the trip included BSC Model UN students Amy Pritt, Kharles Mwalo, and Cassie Smith.  BSC Model UN Advisor Dr. Colin S. Cavell noted, “The group received a tour of the UN Headquarters by a South African guide who explained the goals, structure, and worldwide activities of the United Nations.”

The group traveled by van to Greensboro, North Carolina on April 18 and boarded an AMTRAK train to Penn Station in New York City.  Due to mechanical problems, the train was delayed initially for five hours and arrived in New York City around 3:30 the following morning.  Nevertheless, the BSC team was up a few hours later to begin their tour of the United Nations.

In addition to touring the United Nations Headquarters, the BSC Model UN team also visited the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA), the Empire State Building, the Paley Center for Media, and the Central Park Zoo. 

(Baltimore)—The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) has formally announced that Frank Hart,
who retired in 2011 after a very distinguished academic and administrative career at Bluefield State College, has been selected to receive the 2013 James H. McGraw Award.

This award is presented by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and recognizes an individual who has displayed outstanding service in the field of engineering technology education. The award draws its namesake from James H. McGraw, recognized as the dean of industrial publishers, who spent 40 years rising from a subscription salesman to lay the framework for one of the largest industrial publishing organizations in the world.

Hart began his career in engineering technology education as a professor at Bluefield State College in West Virginia. During his 44 years at BSC, Hart served in numerous positions before becoming the Dean of the School of Engineering & Technology, the
position he held until retiring in 2012.

Hart has been a long-time contributor to engineering technology education, and ABET is proud to see him honored for his accomplishments.