Article from the Bluefield Daily Telegraph (08-Oct-2012)

BSC faculty members visited the Virginia Tech Future Energy Electronics Center on August 29 to finalize a collaboration accord. Pictured (left-to-right) are: Dr. Anthony Woart, Professor of Sociology and Co-investigator, Dr. Shannon Bowling/Dean of the BSC School of Engineering Technology and Computer Science, Dr. Tesfaye Belay, the principal investigator, Professor Roy Pruitt/Engineering Technology and Co-investigator, Virginia Tech graduate students Andy Poush and Ben York, and VT Professor Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai.		A Bluefield State College faculty delegation recently traveled to Virginia Tech to receive a Solar Panel training session provided by Virginia Tech.  Pictured (front row, left-to-right) during the session are Dr. Shannon Bowling (Bluefield State College) Professor Jason Lai (Virginia Tech), Virginia Tech graduate students Ben York and Thomas LaBella, (back row, left-to-right) Dr. Bob Riggins (BSC), Professor Roy Pruett (BSC), Virginia Tech graduate students Nathan Kees and Andy Poush, and Dr. Tesfaye Belay (BSC).

(Bluefield)--Collaboration between Bluefield State College and the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech is underway to provide hands-on training for 15 BSC students. The students will learn how to install solar panels and grid systems in Dr. Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai's lab at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

Professor Lai is an internationally recognized expert in energy-efficient electronic technologies for transportation and industrial automation. All course instruction will take place for three hours per day for five days over the course of the semester.

In return, a five-member team of solar and alternative energy scholars, led by Professor Lai, presented a lecture to more than 30 students and faculty at BSC on October 1. In their lectures, the Virginia Tech visitors emphasized that solar panel utilization has enormous potential as a natural energy source in this region. On October 5, BSC Professors Bob Riggins and Roy Pruett took Bluefield State students to Virginia Tech for the first of five classes to be offered over a two month period. The classes will provide hands-on training involving solar energy. At the end of the training, BSC students will receive solar panel installation demonstrations and supplies that they can then utilize while practicing solar panel installation at BSC.

"Virginia Tech will teach the basic switching amplifier principle and provide each participating student with a Class-D audio amplifier kit that can play MP3 music with solar power," Dr. Tesfaye Belay, BSC Professor, noted. "A primary benefit of this project will be the involvement of undergraduate students and high school students throughout the entire process of the solar project, thereby enhancing STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education at BSC." The solar panel research project is supported by a $100,000 awarded to Dr. Belay from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the Department of Energy.

(Bluefield)—Dr. Peggy Johnson, who joined the faculty at Bluefield State College this semester, authored a chapter in the just-released textbook, "Hospitals: What They Are and How They Work," Fourth Edition.

"A colleague at Texas State University was editing the book and invited interested faculty to contribute to its compilation," Dr. Johnson explained during a break between classes at BSC. "I wrote the chapter entitled "History of Hospitals and Health Care." Her chapter tracked health care from its earliest days to the 21st Century."

"Health care is so dynamic with changes almost daily," she continued. "Because health care places such a cost burden on the country, effort is expended continuously on quality improvements and access for everyone, while at the same time controlling or containing costs."

Johnson's educational and professional career included stops in Tennessee and Texas prior to her arrival at Bluefield State. After working in health care for several years as a clinician and manager, she earned a bachelor's degree in Public Health from East Tennessee State University, later receiving both a master's and doctorate degree in Health Care Administration from the University of Tennessee. "I taught at the University of Tennessee, then at Texas State University before accepting a faculty position at Bluefield State," she said.

At BSC, she has enjoyed the experience of directing the Health Services Management program. "The students here are amazing," she added. "They are eager to learn and look for opportunities to become involved. In the months ahead, I look forward to working with our program advisory board and community stakeholders, as well."

(Bluefield)—The Center for Applied Research and Technology (CART) at Bluefield State College has been awarded a $50,000 Rural Business Opportunity Grant to provide technical assistance for improving the success rate of technology-based entrepreneurial business development in West Virginia. The U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development funding was announced by WV State Director Bobby Lewis and U.S. Representative Nick Rahall.

"The grant will provide technical assistance that helps technology-based small businesses and entrepreneurs to turn their product and service ideas or research into an actual working prototype." CART CEO Bruce Mutter said. Rapid prototyping leads to business development, resulting in greater access to capital and increased, quality employment opportunities for West Virginia citizens, he observed.

Approximately 90% of West Virginia businesses have 20 or fewer employees, and federal statistics indicate that small business owners are essential to the state's economy. "Although West Virginia is making strides in utilizing technology in business and industry, it continues to face challenges in growing its technology industries and transitioning its economy to one that is based on innovation," Mutter explained.

"This CART project will benefit the economic development of rural southern West Virginia on several fronts that include: substantively increasing salaries for a small number of technology-based jobs, providing new employment opportunities arising from new technology-based businesses, and strengthening the diversification of several regional businesses," he summarized.

(Bluefield)—Combining his experience in both public administration and education, Dr. Robert Lowinger has undertaken a pair of research initiatives whose results will be published later this year in professional journals.  Lowinger, who joined the Bluefield State College faculty this semester as an Assistant Professor of Psychology, will also discuss his research at the Bluefield State College Faculty Research Symposium later this semester.

His research summary, “The Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for PTSD in New York City Transit Workers:  A Preliminary Evaluation,” will be included in the December 2012 issue of North American Journal of Psychology. It examines the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy, whereby false beliefs and misperceptions held by an individual, when challenged constructively, can help to correct behavior that had been based on those false beliefs.

A second research effort, entitled “College Students’ Perceptions of Severity and Willingness to Seek Psychological Help for Alcohol Problems” is also scheduled for publication in the College Student Journal, December 2012 issue.  “This research yielded several interesting findings,” the BSC faculty member continued.  “In the past, drugs and alcohol problems have been linked together.  However, our research pointed to the fact that students see drugs as a serious problem, but often view alcohol problems as ‘not a big deal.’”

After for several years in research, statistical and policy analysis in New York State Government, Lowinger received a Doctorate in Educational Psychology and Statistics, then spent several years in private industry, administering and overseeing research and statistics.  He then embarked on the next chapter in his career as an educator, teaching on a parttime basis at several colleges in the New York City area.

I thoroughly enjoyed the educational dynamic and decided to pursue a fulltime teaching position,” he explained.  “I applied at Bluefield State College and after talking to (BSC Provost) Dr. Lewis Jones and (Minority Health Institute Director) Dr. Anthony Woart, I realized the opportunity at BSC was a perfect fit.  My research was very compatible with many of the Minority Health Institute initiatives that Dr. Woart was pursuing."

Shott Foundation Board members R.W. Wilkinson (left) and John H. Shott (right) flank Dr. Marsha Krotseng, Bluefield State College President, during a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the reopening of the BSC swimming pool.  The Shott Foundation provided a substantial gift to help underwrite the cost of a stem-to-stern $425,000 pool renovation.

BSC Director/Campus Activities Joan Buchanan, BSC President Marsha Krotseng, and John Shott spoke during the program, which was followed by a cookout for BSC students and community members.

“We are excited about the recreational opportunities now available at the pool,” noted Louis Belt, BSC Director of Intramurals and Wellness programs. The pool is currently used for intramural competition, including water volleyball, water polo, and water basketball. BSC employees can use the pool for a lap swimming program and for health and wellness activities, and swimming meets with six racing lanes and six new starter blocks. “We have also hosted some pool parties for individuals and community groups,” Belt added.

“The College is very appreciative of the support provided by the Shott Foundation,” Dr. Krotseng added. “The pool is an outstanding resource for the campus and community.”

Individuals and organizations seeking additional information about pool usage, party reservations and fees, or classes are encouraged to contact Louis Belt by email (lbelt@bluefieldstate.edu) or by phone (304-327-4430).

(Bluefield)—A grant to support Bluefield State College efforts to prevent high-risk alcohol use while concurrently providing internship opportunities in behavioral health for three BSC students has been approved. The grant, totaling $7500, will be awarded to the College by the Morehouse School of Medicine Psychiatry/Cork Historically Black Colleges and Universities Center for Excellence.

As author of the grant, Dr. Anthony Woart (BSC Professor of Sociology and Director of the Minority Health Institute, noted, "I am pleased that BSC will be able to provide these services to our students. I am also particularly pleased that the grant will underwrite internship opportunities in Behavioral Health for three of our students."

The Morehouse School of Medicine Psychiatry/Cork HBCU Center for Excellence had previously awarded BSC a $10,000 grant to implement a campus suicide prevention program.

(Bluefield)—Dr. Lewis Jones, Bluefield State College Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, will deliver BSC's 2012 Founder's Day speech. His presentation will be a highlight of BSC's Founder's Day Luncheon, which begins at noon on Saturday, October 13 in the Harris-Jefferson Student Center cafeteria.

Dr. Jones has extensive academic administrative experience that includes service as Director of Academic Affairs, Chief Academic Officer, and Dean of Faculty at institutions of higher education. His teaching experience includes service as Professor/School of Education (Mankato State University and Central Connecticut University) and Professor (tenured)/Graduate School of Education (California State University).

The BSC Provost holds a Ph.D. in Education Policy Analysis and Higher Education Administration from the University of Iowa. He received a Master's degree in American History from North Carolina Central University and a Baccalaureate degree in Social Science from St. Paul's College.

Additional information regarding BSC's Founder's Day program can be obtained by contacting Ms. Deirdre Guyton, Director of Alumni Affairs (304-327-4569).

Bluefield State College's 2012 Homecoming celebration continues on Monday, October 15 with an 11:30 a.m. cookout at the Harris-Jefferson Student Center, during which Homecoming candidates will be introduced and Dr. Marsha Krotseng (BSC's new president) will meet and greet attendees. A 6 p.m. Homecoming parade will also be held later that day. Other events and activities will be conducted throughout the week, with the Homecoming Coronation taking place at 6 p.m. on Friday, October 19 at David's @ the Club. The Homecoming Dance will follow at the same location.

Additional information regarding BSC's 2012 Homecoming Celebration can be obtained by contacting Ms. Joan Buchanan, Director of Student Activities (304-327-4186).

(Bluefield)—More than 100 area high school and Bluefield State College students attended a "Credit Management Seminar," September 26 at the College. Financial instructor Keva Sturdevant delivered a high-energy, practical sense program to attendees.

"Students need to understand how to gain and exercise control of their financial destiny," Sturdevant said. "Without an understanding of basics like a credit score, timely payment of bills, etc., uninformed students are vulnerable to making mistakes that can negatively impact their careers and their future."

The seminar was sponsored by the Emerging Leaders Institute, Campus Ministries, the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development, Inc., and Experian.

(Bluefield)—Bluefield State College students Musa Nyassi (left) and Baboucarr Bless Jagne (right) invested ten weeks of intensive study this summer as participants in the Multicultural Academic Opportunities Program (MAOP) at Virginia Tech. The BSC students, both from The Gambia, took part in the MAOP's Summer Research Internship, working with a Virginia Tech faculty member in a mentor/protégé relationship to design, conduct, and present a scholarly research paper.

Nyassi, a Computer Science major, utilized computer models and Netlogo, an agent-based modeling and simulation toolbox. "I studied the spread of malaria in a population and the effect of different human intervention strategies," he explained. "Simulation and visualization shows how people infected by mosquitos carrying malaria parasites can get sick and it can also be an effective tool in disease prevention." His study considered the impact of three intervention strategies—mosquito nets, a clean environment, and the use of insecticides, to determine their impact on slowing or stopping the spread of the disease.

Jagne, a Business Accounting major, used Netlogo to compare the effectiveness of two types of companies—one that was extremely profit-driven and another that focused more energy on employee relations. "The variables that I considered included the educational level of the workforce, and employees' commitment to their jobs to determine which type of company will do better over time," he recounted. "I determined that neither type of company would outperform the other type in every instance."

MAOP is an academic success community founded upon the principles of self-help, mentoring, and peer support. Participation is open to students who demonstrate a clear commitment to the pursuit of academic excellence and are interested in the promotion of diversity.

"In addition to our research, we attended seminars, took field trips, and prepared for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)," Nyassi added. Both BSC student participants plan to continue their studies in graduate studies. They expressed appreciation for the letters of recommendation from the College's faculty and staff, and for the encouragement and direction of their MAOP mentor, Dr. Yang Cao, Associate Professor/Department of Computer Science at Virginia Tech.