(Bluefield)—Bluefield State College Board of Governors has selected Dr. Marsha V. Krotseng to become the 13th president of the College. BSC Board of Governors Chair James Palmer made the announcement today (Wednesday) following a thorough nationwide presidential search process that attracted nearly 50 applicants.

Dr. Krotseng is currently the Vice Chancellor, Strategic Planning/Executive Director, College Technical Education Council, North Dakota University System. She has also served as Associate Vice President & Chief Planning Officer at Valdosta State University, Vice Provost/Executive Assistant to the President at West Liberty State College, and Assistant Professor at The University of Mississippi. Her career in higher education has spanned 25 years, including seven years as Director of Research and Information Systems at the State College and University Systems of West Virginia.

"I am deeply honored by the decision of the Board of Governors and am both thrilled and humbled by the opportunity to lead this historic campus as its 13th President," Dr. Krotseng stated. "I would like to thank Chairman Palmer and the members of the Board for placing their confidence in me. It will be a privilege to work with the campus, community, and state to advance Bluefield State College to new heights."

'It's exciting that my professional journey has led me back to West Virginia," she continued. "I look forward to meeting and engaging with Bluefield State's dedicated students, faculty, staff, and alumni and to working closely with the Board of Governors, Chancellor Hill, the Higher Education Policy Commission, community leaders, and state policymakers to fulfill the College's vision."

The BSC Board of Governors' decision has been forwarded to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission for confirmation at HEPC's August 10, 2012 meeting.

She becomes the first woman to serve as president in the 117-year history of the College. "I am committed to Bluefield State's core values – excellence, community, diversity, and growth – and will work to extend the College's recognition regionally, nationally, and internationally," Dr. Krotseng said. "I have always made it a point to be highly visible and approachable on campus, and my husband and I look forward to continuing that tradition at Bluefield State College."

Nine Bluefield State College students took part in the 2012 West Virginia-Idea Network for Biomedical Research Excellence Summer Research Symposium at WVU. Pictured with Dr. Tesfaye Belay (fourth from the left), BSC Associate Professor of Biology are (left-to-right) BSC students Yamilee Valmyr, Elisha Martin, Angela Wiker, Dr. Belay, Danielle Haynes, Michael Bowling, Sasha Richmond, and Brandon Kirby.		Bluefield State College students Kimberly Harding (left) and Mardochee Isme (right) took part in summer research internship opportunities at and West Virginia University and Marshall University, respectively.

(Bluefield)—Nine Bluefield State College students and a BSC faculty member participated in the 2012 annual West Virginia-Idea Network for Biomedical Research Excellence (WV-INBRE) Summer Research Symposium at West Virginia University.

BSC students Yamilee Valmyr, Elisha Martin, Angela Wiker, Danielle Haynes, Michael Bowling, Sasha Richmond and Brandon Kirby developed posters detailing the research they conducted under the supervision of Dr. Tesfaye Belay (BSC Associate Professor of Biology. Their research involved two concurrent investigations—"Stress and Chlamydia Genital Infection in a Mouse Model" and "Long-term Survival of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Under Starvation in Water."

Additionally, BSC students Mardochee Isme and Kimberly Harding presented findings emerging from their summer research internship opportunities at Marshall University and West Virginia University, respectively. Ms. Isme was also chosen as one of the summer internship students to speak about her summer research at Marshall University.

"Each researcher prepared by reading scientific literature, selecting a topic, formulating hypotheses, designing and carrying out experiments, then presenting a poster," Dr. Belay explained "These students made significant contributions to advancing the research conducted in our laboratory. The opportunity for me to become a mentor for these student researchers was a very rewarding experience."

Three summer research internships were funded by the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium. "Our students are very grateful for the support of WV-INBRE and the NASA West Virginia Space Grant Consortium that resulted in summer jobs in research training," Belay continued. "This is the largest group of BSC students ever to receive summer employment through these research opportunities."

The Credit Bureau of the Virginias recently presented an $8,000 check to Bluefield State College to provide scholarship assistance for BSC students. Pictured during a brief presentation ceremony at the College are Jimmy Welch (left), Executive Director/Credit Bureau of the Virginias Foundation, and John Cardwell, Bluefield State College Vice President for Student Affairs.

(Bluefield)—The Credit Bureau of the Virginias recently presented an $8,000 check to Bluefield State College to provide scholarship assistance for BSC students.

Jimmy Welch, Executive Director/Credit Bureau of the Virginias Foundation, presented the scholarship donation to John Cardwell/Bluefield State College Vice President for Student Affairs during a brief ceremony at the College.

"We are extremely grateful for the continuing support of the Credit Bureau of the Virginias Foundation," Cardwell noted. "It creates higher education opportunities for many deserving students."

The seventh annual "Brian Delp Memorial 5K Run and Walk" will be held at Bluefield State College on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is designed to raise funds for the "Humanitarian Athletic Award," a scholarship in memory of the late Brian A. Delp, a BSC student-athlete who lost his life while assisting a stranded motorist.

Entry fee is $15, in advance and $20 on the day of the race. Entry fee for walkers is $10 (no late fee). The format includes several age groups, and each participant receives a t-shirt. Additional information can be obtained online by visiting the Bluefield State College home page (bluefieldstate.edu) ,or by contacting Vonda Wilson, BSC Cross Country Coach and Athletic Department Administrative Secretary, at (304) 327-4208/e-mail, vwilson@bluefieldstate.edu

"Brian was an exceptional person," noted BSC athletic director Terry Brown. "He was a humanitarian, a leader, and an excellent student athlete." The Humanitarian Athletic Award is presented in the form of two $250 scholarships (one award for a male student-athlete and one for a female student-athlete) per academic year. One of the scholarships is funded on an annual basis by local educators Tom and Janie Farmer. Scholarship applicants must be BSC student-athletes, two-year letter winners, and they must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average, according to Brown.

Twelve individuals were inducted, four posthumously, into the Bluefield State College National “B” Club Hall of Fame.  Pictured (seated left-to-right) are Claudius Watts (accepting for brother Claude Watts posthumously), E. Ray Williams and Ralph N. Polk (2011 inductees) and (standing, l-to-r) Orlando Henderson (BSCAA National President and “B” Club President), 2012 inductees James W. Childress, Frank Lee, Lynne Kelly, Preston Watkins, Joseph Fourqurean and Ergie Smith (2010 Inductee).  (not pictured are BSC B Club 2012 inductees Raymond Reed, Lacy Smith and C. Douglass Cobbs, Esq., as well as family members of Class of 2012 posthumous inductees Alto Lark and Henry Winkfield.		Mrs. Mildred Washington, wife of the late John Washington, is pictured after accepting a plaque and certificate honoring Mr. Washington, who was inducted into the Bluefield State College National “B” Club Hall of Fame during an induction ceremony in Bluefield, July 27.

This year's honorees were posthumous inductees Alto Lark (1962), Claude Watts (1962), John L. Washington (1947) and Henry Winkfield (1942), as well as living honorees James Childress (1971), C. Douglas Cobb, J.D. (1968), Joseph R. Fourqurean (1972), Lynne Kelly (1986), Frank Lee (1963), Raymond Reed (1955), Lacy L. Smith (1943), and Preston Watkins (1971).

Orlando Henderson, chairman of the Hall of Fame committee and President/Bluefield State College Alumni Association, observed that this year's honorees are "individuals of distinction on the athletic field, in the classroom, and in the community."

Deirdre Guyton, Bluefield State College's Director of Alumni Affairs, narrated a "Spotlight Parade of Hall of Fame Inductees," during which each new Hall of Fame member will be recognized for his/her achievements. Mr. King Harvey, Treasurer of the BSC Alumni Association, Inc. was the program's emcee.

Alto Lark--In 1958, he enrolled at Bluefield State College and was named to the All-WVIAC basketball team. In 1959, he left Bluefield State to play in the American Industrial League with the New York Tuck Tapers. Later, he was drafted by the Harlem Globetrotters and played with the Globetrotters until 1964.

John Washington—A football player at Bluefield State College, John embarked on a 26 year career with the Ohio Department of Youth Services, and held numerous positions including probation officer, Superintendent of Fairfield School for Boys, Training Center for Youth, Buckeye Youth Center and Training Institution of Central Ohio. In addition, he held positions as Chief of After-Care, Chief of Institutions and other administrative positions in the department's Central Office.

Claude Watts-In 1956, Claude enrolled in Park Central High School and was an outstanding football and basketball player. He was the starting point guard on the 1957-58 basketball state championship team. Claude was inducted into the West Virginia High School Hall of Fame in April 2008. His talents were rewarded with several college football scholarship offers, and at his mother's request, he accepted a full four-year scholarship to Bluefield State College in 1959. While there, he led the CIAA in rushing yards twice, and earned all conference honors three times.

Henry Winkfield—Coach Winkfield was a graduate of Bluefield State College, the University of Pittsburgh and Marshall University. He taught in Tazewell County for three years. In 1945, he accepted a teaching position in McDoweIl County. He was a faithful teacher, coach and assistant principal at Kimball High School, Kimball Jr. High, and Northfork High School. He went to Northfork in 1971 and was a key member of the coaching staff during Northfork's string of state basketball championships. He retired after 41 years as an educator and coach in May, 1983.

James Childress-- In his senior year at William Byrd High School, James averaged 30 points with 15 rebounds per game and he holds a personal high scoring mark of 59 points in one game. His high school athletic awards include, All City and County for football, Player of the Year for two years and All-American in basketball and All-State in softball. During his time at Bluefield State, James served as the basketball team captain during his junior and senior years and he was a member of the starting lineup for every varsity basketball game at BSC. He averaged 19 points and 12.5 rebounds per game throughout his collegiate career. He was an All-WVIAC first team selection in 1968 and again in 1971.

C. Douglas Cobbs, Esq.-- He was a three times All WVIAC Conference Offensive tackle in 1966, 1967 and 1968. He was a three-time All-Conference selection at Bluefield State College. His brother, Obie, was an All-Conference linebacker in 1967.

Joe Fourquerean—Joe was an All-WVIAC selection in 1971 and '72. He later enjoyed an outstanding career with the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League. He was an All-CFL 1st team All-Star in 1978, '79, and '80. He was recently inducted into the B.C. Lions Wall of Fame and was named one of the Lions' "All-Time Greats."

Lynne Kelly—Lynne was the first female student-athlete at Bluefield State College to be selected as a national All-American. She was a WVIAC Player of the Year, led the Conference in scoring, rebounding, and rebounding percentage. As a junior, she helped the Lady Blues win the WVIAC championship and play in the NAIA national tournament.

Frank Lee—Frank was a four-time BSC letterman in track and a three year football letterman. He was also the WVIAC high hurdles champion for four consecutive years. He coached Halifax County Middle School to its conference's track championship for nine seasons and he is a member of the Dunbar (Lynchburg, VA.) High School and South Boston/Halifax County Sports Halls of Fame.

Raymond "Babe" Reed—After an outstanding career as a student-athlete at Liberty High School in Williamson, Ray enrolled at Bluefield State College with a four-year basketball scholarship. He attended a three day tryout camp for the Milwaukee Braves Farm Team. Of the 150-200 athletes to participate, Ray was the only one to sign a contract. He played his first year with the Quebec Canada Braves in 1951. He was drafted into the Army and served in the military from 1952 to 1954, then returned to college and received a bachelor's degree in 1955. Between 1955 and 1960, he played professional baseball in the minor league system of the Atlanta Braves.

Lacy Lasalle Smith—He was a very successful winning coach at Aracoma High School for 16 years with an overall record of 82-36-14, including 3 undefeated teams and two state championships. After integration, he applied for-the football coaching job at Logan High School but had to file a law suit before finally getting the job in 1980. Coach Smith was selected to coach the West squad in the annual East-West All-Star football game. Between 1947 and 1950, Smith's teams put together a streak of 23 consecutive games without a loss.

Preston Watkins earned first team All-WVIAC honors for three seasons and was named the Conference's Offensive Player of the Year during his senior season. He caught 157 receptions during his collegiate career, scoring 34 touchdowns. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals of the National football League. In 2011, he was inducted into the Logan High School Hall of Fame.

(Bluefield)—The seventh annual "Brian Delp Memorial 5K Run and Walk" will be held at Bluefield State College on Tuesday, September 25, 2012, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The event is designed to raise funds for the "Humanitarian Athletic Award," a scholarship in memory of the late Brian A. Delp, a BSC student-athlete who lost his life while assisting a stranded motorist.

Entry fee is $15, in advance and $20 on the day of the race. Entry fee for walkers is $10 (no late fee).  The format includes several age groups, and each participant receives a t-shirt.  Additional information can be obtained online by visiting the Bluefield State College home page (www.bluefieldstate.edu) ,or by contacting Vonda Wilson, BSC Cross Country Coach and Athletic Department Administrative Secretary, at (304) 327-4208/e-mail, vwilson@bluefieldstate.edu

"Brian was an exceptional person," noted BSC athletic director Terry Brown. "He was a humanitarian, a leader, and an excellent student athlete." The Humanitarian Athletic Award is presented in the form of two $250 scholarships (one award for a male student-athlete and one for a female student-athlete) per academic year.   One of the scholarships is funded on an annual basis by local educators Tom and Janie Farmer.  Scholarship applicants must be BSC student-athletes, two-year letter winners, and they must maintain at least a 2.5 grade point average, according to Brown.

Entry Form

The “Carl P. and Selba Meadows Boyd Conference Room” at Bluefield State College was officially dedicated during a July 27 ceremony at BSC.  Pictured at the ceremony are Mr. Boyd (right) and Mrs. Boyd.

The Boyds, both lifelong supporters and friends of Bluefield State College, are BSC alumni. Their generosity includes the establishment and funding of one of the largest of all BSC Foundation scholarships. Both are very active at the national and local levels of the BSC Alumni Association. The dedication ceremony is a featured event in the Alumni Association's 20th national reunion on the BSC campus.

"The Carl P. and Selba Meadows Boyd Conference Room has become a wonderful venue and resource for the College," noted Dr. Felica Wooten Williams. "The renovated room is set up to accommodate academic and instructional activities, and it enhances the administrative and managerial capacities of the institution."

The project, which began during the Spring 2011 Semester, replaced existing furnishings with more modern seating, conference table, projection television, audio and video interactive conferencing capabilities, and more.

"The décor is now the unified gold and blue of Bluefield State College," Dr. Williams continued. "The room now exudes a sense of warmth, camaraderie, and unity. Carl and Selba Boyd certainly personify those same very positive traits."

"Carl and Selba Boyd are such wonderful ambassadors for Bluefield State College," added Dr. Thomas Blevins, BSC Interim President. "They love their alma mater and they have been sources of strength and insight for Bluefield State College since they arrived on the campus as students more than a half-century ago. We are grateful for their support and for the wonderful examples of grace, warmth, and dignity that are so evident in their lives of service to others."

The Bluefield State College (BSC) Presidential Search Committee has selected three finalists for campus interviews. The final candidates include Dr. Thomas E. Blevins, Interim President, Bluefield State College; Dr. Marsha Krotseng, Vice Chancellor, Strategic Planning/Executive Director, College Technical Education Council, North Dakota University System; and Dr. Johnson Akinleye, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs, University of North Carolina at Wilmington.

Interview Dates

July 26, 2012 - Thomas E. Blevins, Ed.D.

July 31, 2012 - Johnson O. Akinleye, Ph.D.

August 2, 2012 - Marsha V. Krotseng, Ed.D.

Interview Schedule

BSC invites the public to meet with the candidates at the open sessions with Faculty/Staff or with Alumni/Community Members/Students.

About the Final Candidates:

Johnson O. Akinleye, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, earned a Ph.D. in Human Communication Studies from Howard University. Prior to his current position, he served as Interim Dean, College of Health & Human Services at UNCW and Vice President for Administration at Edward Waters College. He has held several positions as Associate Provost, Dean and Department Chair and Professor for more than 25 years.

Thomas E. Blevins, Interim President, Bluefield State College, earned an Ed.D. in Instructional Technology from Virginia Tech. Prior to his current position, he served as Dean, School of Education, Dean of the Virtual College and Information Technology & Chief Technology Officer at Bluefield State College. He has worked at Bluefield State College for more than 30 years as Director of the Center for Extended Learning and Director of Academic Computing and Professor of English.

Marsha V. Krotseng, Vice Chancellor, Strategic Planning/Executive Director, College Technical Education Council, North Dakota University System, earned an Ed.D. in Higher Education from The College of William and Mary. Prior to her current position, she served as Associate Vice President & Chief Planning Officer at Valdosta State University and Vice Provost/Executive Assistant to the President at West Liberty State College and Assistant Professor at The University of Mississippi. Her career in higher education has spanned twenty five years.

(Bluefield)—The Bluefield State College Presidential Search Committee has announced the final candidates for the presidency of the College. The Presidential Search Committee is comprised of members of the BSC Board of Governors and the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission Chancellor Paul Hill as ex-officio.

"I am delighted to report to our constituents that three exceptional candidates have been selected as finalists," said James Palmer, Chair of the BSC Presidential Search Committee. "We are extremely content with the high quality and excellent credentials of the finalists and look forward to the next step in the selection process."

Finalists are Dr. Johnson O. Akinleye, Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs at the University of North Carolina
Wilmington; Dr. Thomas E. Blevins, Interim President, Bluefield State College, and; Dr. Marsha V. Krotseng, Vice Chancellor, Strategic Planning/Executive Director, College Technical Education Council, North Dakota University System.

"The campus visitation schedules are being finalized and will be posted on the Bluefield State College website in the coming days. The schedules will include meetings with a variety of key stakeholders throughout the BSC family and the community," Palmer said.

Future basketball stars Jocquise Oliver (left) and Blake Thompson (right) receive one-on-one instruction from Big Blues’ basketball coach Jamaal Jackson during the Bluefield State College Basketball Camp.  The four-day camp welcomed more than 30 young student-athletes, ages 8-17, at its opening session on July 25.

More than 30 kids, eight to 17 years old, participated in the annual camp.

Coach Jackson and camp counselors used the four days to teach the campers the basic fundamentals, offensive and defensive principles, and directed "Hot Shot," free throw shooting, one-on-one, two-on-two, and defensive competitions.

"The youngsters were hungry to learn every day, and there's no doubt in my mind that we will see several of this year's campers develop into high school and college basketball players in the future," Jackson said.