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| BSC Gamma Beta Phi Chapter Hosts State Convention | Wednesday, October 01 1997 | BSC Gamma Beta Phi Chapter Hosts State Convention | The Bluefield State College chapter of Gamma Beta Phi Honor and Service Society hosted the 1997 West Virginia State Convention at the Mercer County 4-H Camp, September 26-28. BSC President Dr. Robert Moore welcomed delegates to the convention. All of the West Virginia chapters of Gamma Beta Phi--Bluefield State College, Concord College, Salem-Teikyo University, and Marshall University--attended the meeting. BSC's Greenbrier Community College Center was also chartered as the fifth West Virginia chapter during the weekend's activities. BSC and Marshall received "Distinguished Chapter" awards and BSC won the scrapbook competition, advancing to the national convention competition in Nashville early next year. Betty Knighton, West Virginia Humanities Council Project Director, conducted a workshop to prepare attendees to present programs on the society's state project for 1997-98, the "National Issues Forum." Several national officers, including BSC's J.D. Carpenter (National President-Elect), Southeastern Louisiana University's Jackie Dale Thomas (National Vice President), student national officers Eric Seiss (Virginia Tech) and Susan Bassal (East Tennessee State University), and alumni representative Lisa Carpenter (Concord College). State officers elected at the meeting included President Traci Jewell (Marshall), Vice President Michelle Donaldson (Marshall), Secretary Lena Bender (Concord), Treasurer Kara Brown (Greenbrier Community College Center of BSC), Historian Debra Williby (BSC), Parliamentarian Matthew Wolfe (Concord), and Advisor Patty Carman (Marshall). The Gamma Beta Phi Society is a national collegiate honor and service and organization with 87 active chapters in 13 states, and more than 40,000 members, nationally. | |
| BSC September Activities Report | Tuesday, September 30 1997 | BSC September Activities Report | Campus Activities Announced a 17-event Homecoming '97 schedule of activities for the week of October 12-18 Director of Campus Life presented "Team Building Workshops" for State College System Central Office personnel Scheduled and promoted open house for prospective students and families of prospective students, Oct. 15 151 new BSC students took advantage of a new Student Support Services' peer mentoring program, matching those students with upperclassmen, based on shared academic or hobby interests Proceeded with work on a variety of campus improvement projects, finalizing work on campus signage and installation of elevator at administration building Work continued on the renovation/relocation project at BSC's Greenbrier Community College Center BSC student named recipient of $5,000 Smith Underwood Teacher Scholarship Preparing schedule of ongoing internal training for faculty/staff at BSC--areas covered include: Diversity & Supervisory Training, Computer Training, Customer Service, Course Development, Academic Advising, Using the Library & Internet for Research, E-Mail/Sending & Receiving Files, Banner, Stress Management, and Financial & Retirement Planning Partnership Activities BSC associate degree program in general studies is now available completely via distance learning. As a participant in "Going the Distance," a national PBS initiative for delivery of degree programs through distance learning, BSC will offer at least 10 telecourses a year at campuses in Bluefield, Beckley, and Lewisburg Director of Instructional Technology has been named to the "Governor's Information and Technology Council" BSC associate professor of anthropology was a featured presenter at the September Harvard University "Metals in Antiquity" Conference More than 20 BSC civil engineering technology students toured Platnick Steel & Manufacturing (Bluefield, VA) to view processes involved in steel fabrication Another group of 20 BSC civil engineering technology students took part in a field trip to the Westside Sewage Treatment Plant (Bluefield, VA) BSC student section team prepared to travel to Anaheim, CA to take part in ISA Bowl, International Society for Measurement & Control competition involving electrical engineering technology students from institutions of higher education throughout the world. Last year, the BSC student section team finished fourth in the world in this competition. BSC adjunct history instructor and coordinator of campus publications accepted an invitation to be a featured presenter at the national meeting of the Descendants of Mexican War Veterans BSC students, faculty, and staff attended the Shott Lecture Series speech by U.S. Senator Dan Quayle at Bluefield College Telecast throughout Bluefield-area cable system two Bluefield City Board of Directors' meetings and the monthly Mercer County Board of Education meeting Produced and broadcast two 15-minute video features on BSC-TV, spotlighting Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce Chief Operating Officer and BSC's new associate degree aquaculture program BSC students majoring in elementary education received special recognition from the West Virginia Reading Association for their commitment of nearly 1,000 hours' volunteer work, reading to area public school students (grades 1-6) BSC Center for Economic Enhancement & Main Street Bluefield collaborated to bring to Bluefield the program manager for the West Virginia Small Business Development Center--a free service to area small business owners BSC Center for Economic Enhancement & Educational Outreach hosted the first of five "Travel & Adventure Series" film narratives hosted by BSC and presented as a public service in partnership with First Century Bank, AAA-The Bluefield Automobile Club, Bluefield Regional Wellness Center, and Bluefield Regional Medical Center Center for Economic Enhancement & Educational Outreach continued development of a customized training program on desktop publication to be taught on-site at Pemco, Inc. (Bluefield, VA) Provided operational support for the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Bluefield Coal Show, one of the largest events of its type in the nation Completed proposal for customized training and technical assistance for Microsoft Office for employees of Tabor Machine Company (Bluefield, WV). Training will be provided on-site and at computer labs in BSC's Bluefield campus Completed proposal for customized performance evaluation training for Turner Vision (Bluefield, WV) Completed proposal for supervisory training for EWA Manufacturing Services, Inc. (Bluefield, VA) Developing customized Statistical Process Control training program for DS Parts (Bluefield, WV) Conducting training needs assessment for Triple S Manufacturing, Inc. (Beckley, WV) Providing skill assessment and testing for potential new employees of Federal News Service Agency (Bluefield, WV) Developing advanced customized training in Microsoft Office for employees at First Century Bank (Bluefield, WV). Will also provide beginning training for new employees at First Century Bank Sponsoring seminar on ÒHow to Respond to a Government RSP' for local businesses BSC Center for International Understanding is currently conducting (Sept. 14-Oct. 3, 1997) a training program, "Organizational and Management of Enterprises and Regional Economic Development Organizations" for three economic development officials from Hungary BSC CIU has been awarded a training program, "Rural Social Services in a Market Economy" for 14 Russian officials (Oct. 8-30) CIU has submitted proposals for "Public Relations" training program for Latvian official, and "Community Development--NGO Participation" for 16 Russian NGO leaders CIU is negotiating to establish offices in Saratov, Russia and Bombay, India, and is also forming partnership with the Hungarian Enterprise Foundation in Nograd County, Hungary to promote development projects and trade between West Virginia and Hungary "English as a Second Language Program," has been initiated through CIU, to begin offering noncredit courses for international students and their spouses, beginning in 1998 CIU is continuing preparations for a trade mission to Russia, May 30-June 30, 1998 CIU is negotiating relationships, through its Washington D.C. Bureau, with foundations and development organizations in Europe for development projects and international trade CIU is preparing to deliver a presentation on the CIU's role in globalizing the West Virginia-southwest Virginia economy through international and trade investment, as well as export assistance services, for delivery at the second International Economic Conference in Bratislava, Slovakia (Oct. 8-10) | |
| BSC Students Recognized for Volunteer Work with Youth Literacy Program | Friday, September 26 1997 | BSC Students Recognized for Volunteer Work with Youth Literacy Program | In recognition for nearly 1,000 hours of volunteer work, a group of 30 Bluefield State College students majoring in elementary education received special recognition from the West Virginia Reading Association recently. The students took part in a literacy outreach project during which they read aloud to young (grades 1-6) students in the area for two hours each week during the 1996-97 school year. As a result of the students' volunteer work, Bluefield State College received the "Yes! We Read Together" award from the state reading association for "sharing books with children and providing them with a foundation for future reading success." Mitzi Litton, project coordinator at BSC, noted "Many studies confirm that reading aloud to young children helps to stimulate their imagination and their zeal for learning." "Reading .... Yes!" co-chairs Sue Talbott and Sharon Diaz signed the award proclamation, along with '96-'97 West Virginia Reading Association President Frank Mace. | |
| Hope Scholarship; Tax Breaks Will Help Students Attend College | Friday, September 26 1997 | Hope Scholarship; Tax Breaks Will Help Students Attend College | The new HOPE scholarship and other features included in the federal Tax Relief Act of 1997 should make an education at Bluefield State College even more possible next spring than ever before. College officials say the new incentives could also help boost enrollments among both younger and returning students. "The HOPE scholarship program will really enhance the opportunity for both traditional and non- traditional students to obtain a college education, and we are enthused about the increased access to higher education that will be afforded by the program," BSC Interim Vice President of Student Affairs John Cardwell noted. Technically not a "scholarship," but a tax credit, the HOPE legislation allows eligible students pursuing the first two years of postsecondary education to receive a tax credit of 1 00 percent of the first $1,000 of tuition and fees, and 50 percent of the second $1,000 on their federal income tax. Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours) in a degree, certificate or other program leading to a recognized education credential. The measure takes effect January 1, 1998 and applies to education provided in academic periods beginning after that date. The Clinton Administration made the HOPE Scholarship a key part of its 1997 education/tax cut package, designing HOPE to assist in making the first two years of college the new standard for U.S. students. The tax credit is one of a series of measures aimed at making a college education affordable to the majority of low and middle income citizens. HOPE does come with some qualifications. Individual filers who earn more than $50,000, and joint filers with adjusted gross income exceeding $1 00,000 do not qualify. In addition, students convicted of a felony for the possession or distribution of a controlled substance are ineligible. And students who receive other forms of financial aid such as a Pell Grant will have the amount of their eligibility for HOPE reduced by the amount of aid their receive. In addition to the HOPE tax credit, a number of other Tax Relief Act features make college the best buy it has been in years. Tax credit beyond the first two years -- College juniors, seniors, graduate students, adults returning to college and students attending less than half time are eligible for a new lifetime learning credit. The credit is worth 20 percent of the first $5,000 of tuition and fees through 2002, and 20 percent of the first $1 0,000 after that. The same income restrictions that apply to HOPE are in effect for this benefit. The credit is available for expenses paid after June 30, 1998. Exemption of employer-provided assistance -- Section 127 of the IRS Code allows working adults to exclude annually from taxable income up to $5,250 in employer- provided educational assistance., The law is retroactive to May 31, 1997 and applies only to undergraduate programs. Deduction of student loan interest -- The new law allows a deduction of up to $2,500 per year of interest on education loans for expenses of students enrolled in higher education. The maximum deduction is $1,000 in 1998, increasing in $500 increments until it reaches $2,500. The deduction is allowed only for the first 60 months of interest payments, and has income level restrictions similar to the HOPE tax credit. Savings incentives -- Now individuals may make penalty-free withdrawals from an IRA to pay for higher education. The measure also creates education IRAs for children under age 18. Annual contribution to these accounts is limited to $500 per beneficiary. Exemption of scholarships and tuition remissions -- Section 11 7 of the IRS Code excludes from taxable income amounts received as a qualified scholarship, as well as tuition remission support for relatives of employees of colleges and universities. | |
| More than 150 BSC Students, Faculty and Staff Attend Student Support Services' Open House | Thursday, September 25 1997 | More than 150 BSC Students, Faculty and Staff Attend Student Support Services' Open House | More than 150 Bluefield State College students, faculty, and staff took part in a recent Open House, hosted by the College's Student Support Services (SSS) director and staff. The BSC Student Affairs Office underwrote the cost of the meal, staff brought homemade deserts, and Bluefield Beverage donated soft drinks. "Early during the fall semester each year, we like to offer an open house so that students in the Student Support Services program can interact with faculty, staff, and administrators," program director Kathy Epperly noted. "This event helps students in the program to become better acquainted with those faculty, staff, and others who can help them in their academic pursuits." Student Support Services is a federally funded TRIO program that provides educational assistance, professional counseling, and cultural enrichment activities to income-eligible, learning/physically disabled and/or first-generation college students. It is the goal of the program to increase the academic performance, retention, and graduation rates of project participants. This semester, the SSS program at BSC is serving 265 students. | |
| BSC's May 1997 Rad Tech Graduates Achieve 95% Passage Rate on National Certification Examination | Wednesday, September 24 1997 | BSC's May 1997 Rad Tech Graduates Achieve 95% Passage Rate on National Certification Examination | The May, 1997 graduates of the Bluefield State College radiologic technology program who sat for the July radiography certification examination from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists achieved a 95% passage rate. The students' median score on the examination also exceeded the national average. Students who attained passing scores on the certification examination include Stephanie D. Allen, Donnie M. Anderson, Kimberly M. Bowles, Elizabeth A. Daniels, Eric M. Dodson, Vent W. Hatfield, Betsy H. Honaker, Judy A. Lilly, Kristina S. McMillion, Aleisha D. Myers, Tanya L. Ramsey, Denise M. Sandifer, Anthony E. Thomas, Rebecca M. Tygrett, Jessica R. VanKirk, Amy N. Walters, Carol S. Wilson, Charles D. Workman, and Christopher Young. Faculty for the program are: Melissa O. Haye (Program Director), Angela Lambert (Clinical Coordinator), Elizabeth Myers (Instructor), Shelley Richards (Clinical Instructor/Raleigh General Hospital), Vanessa Godfrey (Clinical Instructor/Bluefield Regional Medical Center), Anna Lambert (Clinical Instructor/Beckley Appalachian Regional Hospital), and Robin Gibson (Clinical Instructor/Princeton Community Hospital). | |
| BSC Employee Patricia Wimmer Included in International Who's Who Professional Management | Tuesday, September 23 1997 | BSC Employee Patricia Wimmer Included in International Who's Who Professional Management | Patricia Wimmer, a Bluefield State College Campus Life program assistant, has been selected for inclusion in International Who's Who of Professionals. The unique, highly specialized directory of leaders in commerce, industry, the arts and sciences, and governments, with specialty listings targeting unique industries, professions, and geographic areas. Wimmer is also vice president/programs-American Association of University Women, a member of the executive board and foundation representative-Phi Delta Kappa, member-National Association for Female Executives, and member-Board of Directors/Community Concert Association. | |
| Service Learning Project Helps BSC and Surrounding Communities (w/photo) | Monday, September 22 1997 | Service Learning Project Helps BSC and Surrounding Communities (w/photo) | College students helping people in their community through service projects relevant to the students' classwork--that's the backbone of "community service learning," a national project that has taken flight at Bluefield State College. "Our purpose is to supply people for existing service organizations," BSC service learning coordinator Don Kensinger noted. "Needs within a community are identified, and with some faculty assistance, students' projects will fit into service activities outside the classroom." BSC serves as a matchmaker, Kensinger said, pairing students' interests and academic pursuits with community projects that can benefit from volunteers. The BSC service learning coordinator has seen the project get off to a rousing start. "We had more than 80 volunteers--students, faculty, and staff--who helped with the recent Bluefield Coal Show," he said. "It is our experience that "service learning" is also expanding its parameters--with many students, faculty, and staff volunteering for community service in areas other than their field of expertise." Kensinger has visited with the BSC Greek Council, Student Government Association, and other student-based organizations. "There are so many opportunities for volunteerism within our area," he added. "Students, faculty, and staff at BSC are already taking part in numerous volunteer projects. The service learning program here will help us to coordinate and expand our volunteerism, with a focus upon the needs within the community and the talents of the program participants at the College." Members of the BSC family are going to be involved in "You Can Make a Difference Day," October 25. Anyone seeking additional information on service learning may contact Kensinger at (304) 327-4102 or (304) 327-7576. "The project is an exciting one. Through service learning, we can help students, faculty, and staff evaluate and rethink their commitment to community," he concluded. | |
| BSC Announces Activities for Homecoming 1997 | Friday, September 19 1997 | BSC Announces Activities for Homecoming 1997 | A sixteen-event program of activities highlights Bluefield State College's "Homecoming 1997" agenda. This year's homecoming, entitled "Out With the Old, In With the Blue," begins Sunday, October 12 with a BSC community cookout, luau and pig roast (2 p.m.-6 p.m.) at the Bluefield City Park. The remainder of the week's activities are as follows: Monday, October 13--Stationary parade construction day (all day), free lemonade on campus (1 0 a.m.-2 p.m.), annual Model UN Golf Tournament (all day/Bluefield Country Club); Tuesday, October 14--Vote for homecoming court (1 0 a.m.-2 p.m. & 5 p.m.-7 p.m.), Greek Council game show (noon/Student Union); Wednesday, October 15--Vote for homecoming court (10 a.m.-2 p.m.), All-Campus Carnival (10 a.m.-2 p.m./Student Union); Thursday, October 16--Talent Show (8 p.m./Basic Science Auditorium); Friday, October 17--Stationary parade judging, Founder's Day Banquet (6 p.m.-Student Union), the play "A Show of Hands" (8 p.m.-Basic Science Auditorium); Saturday, October 18--Homecoming parade, "A Blast from the Past!", (10 a.m./College Avenue), Coronation ceremony (7 p.m./Basic Science Auditorium), Homecoming dance (9 p.m./Bluefield Country Club). | |
| BSC Slates Open House for Prospective Students and Families, October 15 | Saturday, September 13 1997 | BSC Slates Open House for Prospective Students and Families, October 15 | Bluefield State College will host an open house Wednesday, October 15, 1997, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on the main campus. Prospective students and/or parents of prospective students are invited to tour BSC's facilities, attend classes, meet faculty, and talk to financial aid and admissions counselors. To register for the October 15 Open House, contact the BSC Admissions Office by October 6 at (304) 327-4065, or toll free 800- 344-8892 (in West Virginia), 800-654-7798 (outside West Virginia). |
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