The Bluefield State College Jazz Ensemble will present its annual Spring Jazz Concert April 28, at 8 p.m., in the Basic Science Auditorium on the BSC campus. Directed for the 23rd year by William B. Caruth, Jr., the 19-piece jazz ensemble is a unique combination of area musicians dedicated to the performance of the finest arrangements, featuring the big band sound.

The concert, which is the final event in a day-long jazz festival sponsored by BSC, features performances by guest artists Jim Calabrese and Jim Williamson. Calabrese, from Statesville, NC, has played with several nationally-recognized groups, and Williamson, from Nashville, TN, has performed with such well-known performers as Boots Randolph and Reba McIntyre.

The BSC Jazz Ensemble has performed throughout the Virginias and North Carolina, including a performance at the gubernatorial inaugural ball of former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles.

The jazz festival features performances throughout the day by area junior high and senior high school stage bands.

Tom Jessee, head coach of the very successful Bluefield State College "Lady Blues" basketball team for the past nine seasons, has submitted his resignation to College officials, effective June 30. Jessee and his wife, Tiffany, (both of whom are BSC graduates) are moving to Florida where she will complete her medical residency requirements after graduating from the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine and he intends to continue coaching.

"Tom Jessee has done a wonderful job in establishing a firm foundation for our women's basketball program," BSC President Dr. Robert Moore noted. "His teams have finished either first or second in the conference in six of his nine seasons here. We wish Tom the best in his future endeavors."

"Bluefield State College is moving forward with steps to identify and select an outstanding successor as coach of the women's basketball program in the near future," Moore said.

Jessee's Lady Blues won four WVIAC championships and his teams reached the NAIA National Tournament in 1985 and '93. He coached the Lady Blues to a record of 177-85, including a 136-47 mark in the West Virginia Intercollegiate Conference. He was named NAIA District 28/WVIAC "Coach of the Year" in 1989. BSC placed 29 players on all-conference teams, and two on NAIA All-American teams during his nine year coaching career at BSC. He is the all-time winningest coach in the history of BSC women's basketball and his four-year players achieved a 99% graduation rate and placed one student-athlete on the Academic All-American team (1992). Jessee also chaired the WVIAC Women's Coaches' Association in 1990-91.

Campus Activities

• BSC Instrument Society for Measurement and Control Student Section team finished first in 5-state district competition and fourth in the world during the organization's international competition in Chicago

   

• More than 130 area public school students displayed their artwork in BSC Hebert Art Gallery during third annual Youth Artsmen's Exhibit

   

• Allied Health Sciences students are utilizing state-of-the-art multimedia educational equipment to augment classroom instruction. The multimedia interactive learning center includes "ADAM," the animated dissection of anatomy for medicine

   

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

   

• Released report detailing institutional progress and aspirations in computer services, instructional technology, and distance learning

   

• BSC president began a series of open visitation sessions designed to enhance open exchange of ideas with students, faculty, staff, and other individuals interested in the institution

  Partnership Activities

   

• BSC Director of Institutional Advancement, serving as chair of Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce, provided leadership in the development and submission of a grant that resulted in bringing Miss America 1997 to Bluefield to speak at the Chamber's dinner meeting, while also providing the theme of "literacy" for a variety of programs throughout the region

   

• BSC accounting students and faculty continued ninth year of service through Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, providing income tax help for area residence

   

• Hosted a series of three informational meetings at ESC campuses with WVU College of Business & Economics, detailing the Executive MBA program. WVU business faculty will utilize BSC distance learning network to offer Executive MBA program to working professionals at BSC campuses in Bluefield, Lewisburg, and Beckley, beginning Fall Semester, 1997

   

• 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 January monthly Mercer County Board of Education meeting

   

• BSC's Electrical Engineering-Technology program received a gift of state-of-the-art equipment from Wainwright Technical Sales. The equipment is valued at $10,000-$12,000 and is the same type of control system used at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, WV

   

• Announced the scheduling of a two-day "Safe Baby-sitting" course, presented through Center for Economic Enhancement

   

• Continued a customized Microsoft Word training pro,-ram for a second class of 15 employees from First Century Bank of Bluefield, WV. A third Microsoft Word training program will be presented in April

   

• Met with president of DS Parts in Bluefield, WV to coordinate the start of a customized Microsoft Office training program for the firm's employees. The project will be funded through the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program

   

• Completed and presented to management at Turner Vision of Bluefield, WW the first draft of a compensation system for all employees for Turner Vision of Bluefield, WV. This project is funded through the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program

   

• Completed the following continuing education seminars for nurses: "Stress Management" (43 students), and "Critical Care Nursing" (25 students)

   

• Began a five-week continuing education seminar on Programmable Logic Controllers for professional engineers

   

• Discussed a management training program for supervisors with Med- Response (West Virginia locations in Bluefield, Bluewell, and Welch). The company will apply to the NW Workforce Program to obtain funds for a portion of the training

   

• Completed certification of the following competitive skills training modules as part of the NW Region 7 Training Network:
  • Effective Listening Skills I & II
  • Speaking Objectively
  • Nonverbal Communications
  • Questioning Skills
  • Giving Directions
  • Presenting Ideas
  • Writing Clearly
  • Getting Started-Overcoming Obstacles to Writing
  • ABC's of Time Management
  • Four Quadrant Model
  • Goal-Setting
  (The WV Training Network was started by the Governor's Guaranteed Workforce Program to enhance coordination in the delivery of services to business and industry)

   

• BSC's Center for International Understanding (CIU) continues to provide "Customized Training Assistance Programs for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The CIU has been awarded training programs on "Fiscal Federalism" for two groups of Bosnian officials (March 14 - April 12 and April 12 - May 10)

   

• CIU has implemented training program on Fiscal Federalism for first group of Bosnian officials, March 14-April 12

   

• CIU was awarded a contract to implement technical training program in Romania on AIDS-related nongovernmental organizations

   

• CIU has submitted to USAID-Academy for Educational Development a technical proposal for a training program in which 14 Russians on Environmental Management for Decision-Makers

   

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

   

• CIU is preparing a technical training program on "Rural Social Services" for USAIDAcademy on Educational Development

   

• CIU has established a self-supporting Washington, DC bureau

   

• CIU has disseminated bids for contracts from international companies to WV businesses

   

• CIU director has been invited to be a panelist on Public Relations & Training Programs at the annual NAFSA conference in May in Vancouver, Canada

   

• CIU director has also been asked to serve as a panelist to discuss technical assistance training programs at the Fall 1997 regional conference of NAFSA in Baltimore/Washington, DC

   

• CIU is recruiting West Virginia business persons to participate in a trade mission to Russia, May 31 - June 19, 1997

A year ago, Bluefield State;s baseball Big Blues missed the conference playoffs by just one game. This year, they look to a strong starting rotation to lift them into the WVIAC playoff picture.

Veteran coach Geoff Hunter, after returning from the team's traditional Florida spring trip, assessed the 1997 Big Blues as "better than we were a year ago at this point." The team lost outfielders Dylan Daquilla and Gary Dove, pitchers Josh King and Ronnie Phillips, and second baseman Chris Krondon from last year's team, which finished 8-12 in the conference.

"One of our strengths should be our starting pitching. We have quality and depth on the mound, and our pitching should make us competitive," Hunter said. Keith Bryant anchors the staff. "He's a power pitcher, probably the best here since Eddie Luers (1992)," the coach observed. "There is some major league interest in Keith because he has great ability and an outstanding work ethic."

Freshman Jason Houck, whose complete game effort lifted the Blues to a win over Pfeiffer College earlier this month, also figures to log several innings. "Jason is a very intelligent pitcher who figures to get better as he gains experience," Hunter added.

Matt Vestal and Shawn Sparks are position players who will take their turns on the hill for spot starts. Both are effective, seasoned players, according to their coach. Freshmen Charlie McLain and Danny Crouse will also get a look on the mound, with sophomores Jeremy Truman and Jeff Walker providing the middle relief. "We're still looking for someone who is comfortable in the role of closer," Hunter said.

Cory Wolfe and Jason Bachover will split time behind the plate. "Cory is a little better offensively, and Jason is a capable defensive catcher," the coach said. At first, Mike Fowler returns. The former Big Creek star blasted nine batting practice homers out of Bowen Field during a recent workout. Team captain Ryan Scott, the club's only senior, is back at second base. "Ryan is a very dependable contact hitter. We'll probably hit him second or third in the batting order," Hunter projected. Shortstop Matt Vestal "has really shown improved range and arm strength," the coach said.

The remainder of the infield finds Damien Jackson, an outstanding athlete, at third base, with Shawn Sparks providing versatility as a utility infielder.

Centerfielder John Ford returns after a very good freshman campaign. "He's a good hitter at the top of the order and is a settling influence in the field," Hunter said. Former Mount View standout Jamie Bailey will start in right and split time with Backover and Wolfe behind the plate. "Jamie is a line drive hitter with home run power," the coach observed. In a platoon arrangement, Kent Edwards, Jared Willingham, Steve Mazon, and Jason Simpkins will see time in leftfield.

"We played some outstanding competition during our southern trip, and we hope it will pay dividends during the conference season," Hunter concluded. BSC plays at home Monday and Wednesday with WVIAC doubleheaders at Bowen Field against West Virginia Wesleyan and Concord, respectively.

Putting on their "happy faces," a group of Bluefield State College associate degree nursing students visited Westwood Health Care Nursing & Rehabilitation Center to present a skit for the residents.

Dressed as clowns, second year nursing students Carla Hatfield and Misty Lusk, along with helper Veronica Poynter, produced and delivered the sketch as a patient education project. "We're here to show that nurses do more than give pills and shots," Hatfield said. "We want the residents to see that nurses are compassionate. Our program is designed to be entertaining and humorous, because there is a significant physical and psychosocial benefit from laughter."

The "Service Learning" project is a component of the "Introduction to Community Health Nursing" course, taught by BSC assistant professor of nursing S. Kay Thompson. The project is designed to encourage community involvement through the use of "therapeutic self," with students volunteering in a variety of community-based organizations.

"Misty, Veronica, and Carla were very creative in their approach in use of therapeutic self," Thompson noted. "A clown routine put a big smile on the faces of many residents at Westwood. Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine."

Bluefield State College's Dean of Student Services and the College's Campus Activities Director have been selected to serve on the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Region II Advisory Board.

Dr. Louis Barsi, Dean of Student Services at BSC was named to the Region II advisory board as a member "at large." BSC Campus Activities Director J.D. Carpenter is the Region II Newsletter Editor. He is also the Newsletter Editor of the West Virginia Association of Student Personnel Administrators. They join Fairmont State's Ken Kelly as West Virginia's three representatives on the NASPA Region II Advisory Board.

NASPA is an association for student affairs administrators in higher education. They are committed to providing student affairs professionals and their institutions with high quality professional development programs and guidance on issues affecting student affairs and higher education, including compliance with federal regulations, public policies on alcohol and campus safety, disability issues, student learning outcomes, and counseling.

The Educational Opportunity Center (EOC) at the Greenbrier Community College Center of Bluefield State College, and at BSC's campuses in Bluefield and Beckley, is a federally-funded program guaranteeing access to higher education for educationally and economically disadvantaged persons. It provides information about financial and academic assistance for those persons pursuing postsecondary education, and furnishes assistance in completing forms for admission and for financial aid.

The EOC is a federally funded outreach program designed to assist adults in their pursuit of an education. The program, which is in its third year of operation at BSC, involves assisting adults to set long-range and short-term goals as they gain confidence and self-esteem.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Judith Stennett, EOC counselor at the Greenbrier Community College Center of BSC, @ (304) 645-3343.

"Kids Kollege," a one-week summer enrichment program for children (grades 1-5) enters its third season at Bluefield State College later this year. Officials from the BSC Center for Economic Enhancement have announced that Kids Kollege will be conducted July 28-August 1.

Kids Kollege provides students with the opportunity to pursue a particular area of interest or build skills in another area, during a relaxing, fun learning experience.

This year the Center will expand the program to include lunch and an afternoon session, with crafts, physical education programs, and recreation. Enrollment is limited to 20 students per class, and preregistration is necessary.

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the BSC Center for Economic Enhancement at (304) 327-4071.

The Veterans Upward Bound program, with offices at Bluefield State College's Greenbrier Community College Center (as well as sites at BSC campuses in Bluefield and Beckley) provides a variety of services for service veterans.

Among the services offered through VUB are career and academic counseling and testing, short-term refresher courses in computers, math, sciences, grammar and composition, 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.

John Diaz, BSC VUB counselor at the Greenbrier Community College Center, notes, "The Veterans Upward Bound program gives service veterans the opportunity to continue their education and/or pursue their individual educational goals. We give veterans who are first generation college students and/or low income individuals an opportunity to improve their lives. Often, they haven't had the financial means or the role model to assist them in pursuing additional education."

Diaz stresses there is no pressure in VUB courses. "They are academic refresher courses that prepare veterans to go to college," he said. "Our instructors understand the veterans who take part in the program. Our students are older than normal college-going students, and often have handled difficult life circumstances and personal issues."

Individuals interested in additional information may contact Diaz at the Greenbrier Community College Center at (304) 645-6123.

The fourth travelogue presentation of the 1996-97 "Travel and Adventure Film Series," "California's Magic Mountains, The Sierra Nevada," will be presented April 7, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Basic Science Auditorium at Bluefield State College.

Filmmaker Jim McDonald will narrate the presentation, which features the Sierra Nevada Mountains. By foot, muleback and car, McDonald recorded his journey through such spectacular sites as Yosemite, Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.

The Travel and Adventure Series, hosted by the BSC Center for Economic Enchancement and Educational Outreach, is a co-sponsored community service project through the Center in cooperation with the First Century bank of Bluefield, AAA - The Bluefield Automobile Club, the Bluefield Regional Medical Center, and the Bluefield Regional Wellness Center.

Admission is free and the public is invited to attend. Additional information is available by contacting the Center for Economic Enhancement and Educational Outreach at (304) 327-4071.