Michael Jones, a Bluefield State College accounting major, has been elected chairman of the Advisory Council of Students (ACS) to the State College System of West Virginia. A former resident of the McDowell County community of Isaban, Jones was elected to the post at the June 9 ACS meeting in Charleston.

As the ACS chair, Jones will hold a voting seat on the State College System Board of Directors. "I will get input from the ACS representatives at other Colleges in the State College System, and from Bluefield State, so I may represent the views of students on a statewide basis at Board meetings," he commented.

The 20-year old Jones is one of the youngest chairs in ACS history. ACS' major issues for the 1997-98 academic year include the availability of financial aid, maintaining lines of communication with state legislators, continuing improvements in campus access for student with disabilities, and improving awareness of ACS among students throughout the nine-college State College System.

A Princeton High School graduate, Jones sees the '97-'98 academic year as one filled with opportunity. "I'm excited about being in a position to serve the students of the state, bringing their views and priorities to the Board of Directors," he said.

Bluefield State College has received approval from the State College System of West Virginia to offer an associate degree program in aquaculture (fish farming), beginning with the Fall 1997 Semester.

The aquaculture program, which will be taught through BSC's Beckley Campus with aquaculture-specific courses to be offered on site at Minaqua's Lillybrook operation, is the first of its kind in West Virginia.

The restricted enrollment, two-year program is designed to cultivate graduates' "skills in technology, critical thinking, computer literacy and communication necessary in aquaculture." Aquaculture has been identified as an emerging industry with excellent employment prospects within southern and southeast West Virginia, according to results of research into employment opportunities within the industry.

"The future of aquaculture in the United States is bright and expansion is expected to continue," noted Aquaculture Magazine Buyer's Guide 1996. "The demand for aquaculture products will continue to remain high because the wild fish harvest has reached its limit and aquaculture is the only means of producing the supply of products needed by the consumer."

BSC and the West Virginia Department of Education have been involved in a cooperative relationship since the initial stages of the aquaculture program's planning and development. Representatives from the aquaculture industry have also been involved as partners in the planning process. The aquaculture program will be administered as a degree program of the Division of Engineering Technology and Computer Science.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the BSC Office of Admissions at (304) 327-4065.

Dr. Thomas Blevins, Director of Bluefield State College's Instructional Technology Center, Center for Extended Learning, and Academic Computing, has been selected to deliver a presentation at the League for Innovation in the Community College's 1997 "Conference on Information Technology."

His presentation, "Planning, Delivering, and Evaluating Distance Learning Content through Instructional Performance Systems Software (IPSI)" will be a featured activity in the four-day conference, October 12-15, in Atlanta, GA.

IPSI consists of "CourseBuilder," "Lesson Builder," "Grade/Folio Book," and "ExamTaker." "This expert system provides a pedagogical model which prompts faculty in the appropriate instructional design of learner outcomes, syllabus/course outline, and lesson plans, and matches exam items to the content goals and the appropriate learning theory. For publication purposes, contact Dr. Tom Blevins, Director, Instructional Technology Center, Center for Extended Learning, Academic Computing, and Professor of Education and English at Bluefield State College, (304) 327-4059, or e-mail tblevins@bluefieldstate.edu.

The Bluefield State College Spring Semester 1997 Dean's and President's Lists have been announced. Two hundred ninety-nine students earned Dean's List recognition, and an additional 114 students merited inclusion in the President's List.

Dean's List students achieved at least a 3.25 grade point average and successfully completed at least twelve hours for the Spring Semester 1997. President's List students achieved at least a 3.80 grade point average and successfully completed at least twelve hours for the semester.

Dean's List

____________ Bastian,  VA Jeffrey W Hoosier   __________ Bland,  VA Roger R Blankenship Tanya L Ramsey   ______________ Bluefield,  VA Matthew P Anderson Michelle L Hylton Robert M Murphy Judy K Thornsbury Brenda K Zappia   ________________ Cedar Bluff,  VA Michael S Bales Donna A Henkel Brenda S Ramsey Pamela G Sparks   ________________ Centreville,  VA Jeffrey B Houchins   ________________ Falls Mills,  VA Jeffery B Fields   _______________ N Tazewell,  VA Daniel C Bowling   ___________________ North Tazewell,  VA Heather M Hamm Wendy L Whitt __________________ Pounding Mill,  VA Cullen P Medley   _______________ Rich Creek,  VA Kimberly D Linkous   ______________ Richlands,  VA Robin D Harrison Cynthia L Vinson   _____________ Tazewell,  VA Mark C Beggs Joshua A Roberts   _______________ West Point,  VA Bryan C Bishop   ____________ Wolford,  VA Fabian D Stacy   _____________ Alderson,  WV Laurel H Alderson Steven W Baker Kelly J Bumgarner Bradford L Crane Billie J Gray Margaret C Hypes   ___________________ Allen Junction,  WV Timothy M Oren   ____________ Anawalt,  WV John D Pack Denise M Sandifer   ___________ Asbury,  WV Deborah M Hughes   ___________ Athens,  WV Dena R Wiley   ______________ Ballengee,  WV Paulette D Sims   ___________ Beaver,  WV Amber L Lilly   ____________ Beckley,  WV Stephen M Alexander Shannon L Dickens Chris B Farrish Towanna M Harris Alesha A Lilly Angela M Pannell Blake R Percival   ______________ Bluefield,  WV Manal S Al-Dhaif Sammie L Andrews Carla R Aton Katherine A Beckett Dionisa E Blair Shannon R Bowling Christina G Bragg Tammy L Brooks-Smith Tracy N Buckner Jeffrey S Bullion Jeremy A Burgess Tracie M Carosi Romy S Caywood Helen J Chaffins Elizabeth B Copley Mandy M Cox Chris-Tenna M Davidson Liyong Diao Sonnie W England Kermit C French Christie L Gaither Sharon E Gunn Gayle L Hicks Cynthia L Higgins Kelly E Hurt Tamara L Johnson Christine L Kegley Christopher M Lafferty Linda K Lanter Angela D Lowe Shawn D Lusk Chastity D McGlothlin Kimberly E Moore Rhonda R Musick Carri A Neal Anneka J Perry Elishia D Pierce Daniel A Rasi Karen S Ray Barbara F Royce William A Sarver Delissa D Sigmon Scott A Smith Daniel Smothers James H Stiltner Amanda G Stroupe Stephanie R Surface Anne M Tomblin Rajan Tripathi Sharon G Turner James S Vines Lisa L Walker Erich G Walls Melanie A Walls David W Waselchalk Crystal D White Robert M Williams, Jr. Wendi L Yost   _____________ Bluewell,  WV Chad R Mathena Michelle A Phelps-Bailey   ____________ Bradley,  WV Brenda C Halsey Kelli E Turner   ____________ Brenton,  WV Melissa S Hatfield Tonya R Vance   ____________ Buckeye,  WV Gina K Duncan  ________ Bud,  WV Larry C Dunn   _______________ Camp Creek,  WV Rebecca L Hedrick   ____________ Charmco,  WV Jeremiah Whitlow   ______________ Coal City,  WV David W Fink   __________ Covel,  WV William W McBride    ____________ Crawley,  WV James K Cox   _____________ Crumpler,  WV Derek M Harris Lisa M Stanley   _____________ Cucumber,  WV Phillip E Tunnell   ____________ Daniels,  WV Mildred A Maddy Tara Sizemore   _________ Davy,  WV Kelli M Hall   ____________ Fairlea,  WV Lisa L Redden   _________________ Fayetteville,  WV Stuart A Taylor   ______________ Frankford,  WV Michael G Anderson Melissa D McMillion    ______________ Gap Mills,  WV Chrystal M Clarkson Shannon L Glover   _________ Gary,  WV John D Radnoczi   _______________ Greenville,  WV Todd J Dowdy   ______________ Hillsboro,  WV Ricky J Barkley Vanessa R McLaughlin   ___________ Hinton,  WV Abraham C Lilly   ___________ Iaeger,  WV Willie A Owens Brian E Roberts   ____________ Keiffer,  WV Melinda D Blankenship   _____________ Keystone,  WV Mechelle L Nichols   ____________ Kimball,  WV Deborah L Burks Donna P Goebel   _____________ Lashmeet,  WV Allan W Williams    ___________ Leslie,  WV Ginger M Harper   ______________ Lewisburg,  WV Renee J Brooks Craig J Brown Dawn N Campbell Franklin W Hamm Heather D Hinkle Julia L Kowal Sherry L Pauley Lori L Shafer   _____________ Lindside,  WV Mike L Christian   ____________ Mallory,  WV Traci L Simpson   ______________ Marlinton,  WV Amanda J Barb Jessica N Beverage David A McClure Elizabeth P Parker Rhonda R Smith Kathryn D Wilson   ____________ Matoaka,  WV Melissa D Williams   ____________ McComas,  WV Angel M Taylor   ___________ Mohawk,  WV Stephanie G Cline Katrina L Hunt   _____________ Montcalm,  WV Tammy L Bell Kristie A Folks Lana L Haynes April D Riggs Trena R Simpson   _______________ Morgantown,  WV Prashant M Patel   ___________ Nettie,  WV Cynthia G Russell   ____________ Newhall,  WV Clinton I Fields   ______________ Northfork,  WV James E Houghtaling Heather M Jackson   _____________ Oak Hill,  WV Hillay D Law   ____________ Pageton,  WV Carla C Cameron Earl R Farmer Christie L Wooldridge   _______________ Peterstown,  WV James A Amos Gary L Fields Benjamin D Frazier Amy R Gravely Bryan L Reed Melissa D Walters    ______________ Pineville,  WV Tonya E Adkins Franklin A Bradford Michael S Britton   ______________ Princeton,  WV Carole A Akers Bader M Al-Adwani Faisal H Al-Dousari Abdullah A Al-Fouzan Naser M Al-Hendal Mesh'al A Al-Melhem Jassim M Al-Obaidan Linda C Allen Stephanie D Allen Krista A Archer Lorri L Bailey Aaron H Belcher Tera L Billings April A Billips Lisa K Burton Sheila V Cheeks Karen L Clark Adam L Coleman Christie N Cook Amy M Davidson Sharon G Davis Ryan S Ellison Cari B Farley Heather L Farley Debra J Fedele Helen E Flinchum Michael E Hess Michelle L Holland Michael A Jones Charles K McKenzie Mindi M Mullins Jeremy S Powell Pamela J Shew Melissa Shrewsbury Suzanne L Six Lisa R Smith Veronica L Steele Ryan T Stinson James B Sudderth Kevin S Thompson Matthew S Vestal Emily D Weeks Tina C White Christopher S Young   _______________ Prosperity,  WV Kimberly J Wrenn   _____________ Quinwood,  WV Charles E Duggan Michael E Lewis Heather I Osborne   _____________ Rainelle,  WV Christine K Bradley James L Carson Stephen B Gutshall Becky J Hodge Amanda S Martin Jeremy D Osborne Veronica A Pack   ___________ Raysal,  WV Angela B Bryant Christina L Hughes   ___________ Renick,  WV Phyllis A Harris Jaime R Lockhart Patricia A Perkins   _________ Rock,  WV Lori A East William E Magarowicz Dusty L Mills Amanda J Riggs   _______________ Ronceverte,  WV Amy L Baker Jennifer L Baker Jeffery S Beane Ralph W Brewer Rebecca L Burns Amy R Cogar Mark S Feury Stephanie L Holley Cindy L Justice Debra L Loudermilk   ___________ Rupert,  WV Connie J Bennett Ruth A Lester Candice C Osborne Brandie R Stover    __________ Simon,  WV Lonnie E Blankenship Carla D Hatfield   ________________ Spanishburg,  WV Matthew T Farley   ___________ Squire,  WV Heather L Wingo   ______________ Stanaford,  WV Katrina M Treadway   _________________ Stony Bottom,  WV Linda L Adams    ___________ Thorpe,  WV Polly S Laxton   __________ Union,  WV Melissa D Johnson John S Long II   ________ War,  WV Lonny A Branch Fanny "Ellen" E Williams   __________ Welch,  WV Angela D Belfiore Jennifer T Brown Jason R Grubb Joe Hassan, III Heather L Hendricks Maria D Hicks Robin A Jones Anthony J Lewis Kristala K Stress   _____________________ White Sulphur Springs,  WV Addie T Goodrich Latisha A Kersey Edwina S Mann Jon R McDowell   __________ Yukon,  WV Roman C Lawson    
President's List
 
 __________________ New Salisbury,  IN Randi Lasley   ______________ Bluefield,  VA Jennifer M Anderson Calvert R Ciampanella Robert K Dishman   ___________ Grundy,  VA Brady M Looney   __________________ North Tazewll,  VA Teresa G Mullins   ______________ Rocky Gap,  VA Carla M Ferguson   ____________ Anawalt,  WV Brian K Blevins   _____________ Arbovale,  WV Patricia G Ervine   ___________ Athens,  WV Earl J Higginbotham James C Nance   ____________ Beckley,  WV Terri L Schuetz   ____________ Berwind,  WV Paul D Salyers   ______________ Bluefield,  WV Arthur H Ball Walter L Barnett Erin S Copenhaver William H Cuthbertson William G Early Crystal L Green Lynn M Harry James E Justus Samantha D Keene Jamie M Lambert Huilan Liang Lynette R Marrs Denise K Maxey Melanie Moure Billi V Wyatt  ___________ Brooks,  WV David A Rodes   ____________ Charmco,  WV Frederick F Thompson   ______________ Coal City,  WV Mickey P Udy   _________________ Crab Orchard,  WV Tara A Hutchens    _________ Davy,  WV Grant T Thompson   ____________ Dunmore,  WV Rebecca C Grimes   ______________ Frankford,  WV Mollie S Duncan   ____________ Freeman,  WV Melissa I Tickle   ______________ Gap Mills,  WV William D Renn II   ________________ Glen Daniel,  WV Felicia A Pettry   ______________ Glen Fork,  WV Jonathan E Cresong Darla J Irick   _______________ Green Bank,  WV Sherry L Radcliff   _______________ Greenville,  WV Dylan J Daquila   ______________ Hillsboro,  WV Julia L Hefner   ___________ Itmann,  WV Thomas M Green   ___________ Kegley,  WV Nina S Cochran   _____________ Lashmeet,  WV Keith W Shrewsbury   ______________ Lewisburg,  WV Elizabeth M DeVito Michael J Dodd Carmen J Dowler Leslie D Reid Randy L Roach Melanie L Sheppard Cheri J Thymius Melinda L Wilson    _____________ Lindside,  WV Brenda A Bowers Charles W Mossor Jamie S Ratliff   ______________ MacArthur,  WV Freddie E Meredith   ______________ Marlinton,  WV Virginia S Calhoun Peggy M Garber   ______________ Maxwelton,  WV Lucy C Bell   ___________ Mohawk,  WV Dusty L Cline   _____________ Montcalm,  WV Heather M Haynes   _____________ Oak Hill,  WV Ruby E Church Shawn M Pennington   _______________ Payneville,  WV Sarah L Hall   _______________ Peterstown,  WV Staci C Bonds Michelle L Canterbury Byron A Hurley   ______________ Pineville,  WV Angela D Brinegar   ______________ Princeton,  WV Lisa M Adkins David K Blankenship William E Bowman Karen T Cox Vinson R Epperson Tressie L Hamm Velvet L Hebbert Amy S Hill Janet C Honaker Randall A Johnson Joseph W Morrello Franklin J Patton, Jr. John R Porterfield Julie A Powell Jennifer L Ragan Andrew J Reed Gary A Ruth Dennis J Sabo Melissa R Wolfe   _____________ Quinwood,  WV Charlotte A Barbe   _____________ Rainelle,  WV Bridgett A Bennett   _______________ Ravencliff,  WV John L Lafferty   ___________ Renick,  WV Amber D Jackson   _________ Rock,  WV Bobbe L Manning Tonya L Roberts   _______________ Ronceverte,  WV Kevin D Hite   ___________ Rupert,  WV Jason E Osborne Joyce AQueen Jeffrey A Russell   _________________ Second Creek,  WV Jennifer S Dermody   __________ Simon,  WV Renea Kennedy   __________ Smoot,  WV Barbara A Cales   ___________ Squire,  WV Barbara E Bowman   _____________ Surveyor,  WV Donald W Broyles   __________ Union,  WV Roger L Miller James A Mincey   __________ Welch,  WV Anne M Keasler Daniel K Myers Mark S Myers   _____________________ White Sulphur Spring, Kimberly J Burns Kristi G Clendenin Lynn E McKinney   _________________ Williamstown,  WV Dencil E Brown   ___________________ Madras Tamilnadu,   Ramaswany Gopal 

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