BSC News Bits, Bytes, and Teasers—December 2019

BSC News Bits, Bytes, and Teasers—December 2019

12/2– The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation announced that Bluefield State College has earned accreditation for their educator preparation programs (EPPs).  During the CAEP Accreditation Council’s fall 2019 review, during which BSC’s Department of Professional Education program was granted accreditation under the rigorous, nationally recognized CAEP Teacher Preparation Standards.

12/3– The biomedical research work of Bluefield State College students was featured during poster sessions at national biomedical research conferences during the Fall Semester 2019.  BSC students Brianna Punturi, Shomonique Hankins, Courtney Rolen, and Raenel Crenshaw participated in the Southeast Regional IDeA Conference (Louisville, KY).  Students Shomonique Hankins and Raenel Crenshaw took part in the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS) of the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) (Anaheim, CA). Dr. Belay also participated in the ABRCMS Conference and presented a poster in the American Society for Gravitational and Space Research held in Denver, CO.

12/3– An audience of 450 James Monroe High School students and employees welcomed Bluefield State College faculty members Dr. Debjani Chakrabarti and Dr. Colin Cavell to its campus.  Dr. Chakrabarti, Assistant Professor of Sociology, and Dr. Cavell, Professor of Political Science, addressed several topics related to World Religions during their presentations.

12/6—BSC student Ryan Heimer been selected to advance into the semifinal round of the West Virginia Collegiate Business Plan Competition.  Heimer is a senior majoring in Engineering Management with a minor in General Business. 

12/6– Richlands High School won a suspense-filled title round match with Giles High School to win the championship trophy in the 7th annual Humanities Challenge at Bluefield State College.  The Humanities Challenge was created by the BSC Humanities Department to promote the study and cultivation of language, literatures, the fine arts, music, and writing from around the world.

12/9—BSC alumna and American Nurses Association Enterprise Chief Executive Officer Loressa Cole was named one of Modern Healthcare’s “100 Most Influential People in Healthcare.” This awards and recognition program honors individuals in health care who are deemed by their peers and an expert panel to be the most influential individuals in the field.

12/9– A team of four Bluefield State College students, seniors Mason Van Dyke and David Cavins, and juniors Caige Clark and Hunter Hill, selected and completed an innovative class project.  They created a microprocessor-guided smart robot-vehicle, and in the process, cultivated technical skills that will prepare them for successful careers.

12/9—Dr. Steve Bourne and Jeff Mullins were inducted into the W. Paul Cole Jr. School of Business Hall of Fame.  Dr. Bourne, who retired in 2019 following a distinguished career as a member of the BSC faculty, and Mr. Mullins, President & CEO of Employers Innovative Network, are the first inductees into the Cole School of Business Hall of Fame.  During their undergraduate years, both gentlemen are BSC alumni and both enjoyed significant success as student-athletes at Bluefield State.

12/9—The Mahood Hall Conference Room was named in honor of Dr. Steve Bourne for his teaching, scholarship, leadership, and service to the W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business.

12/9—Prospective BSC students and their families attended the College’s winter 2019 Open House on the Bluefield campus.

12/19– Bluefield State College was named a 2018-2019 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader by the Fulbright Program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), the U.S. government’s flagship international educational exchange program.  BSC was one of 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities to receive this inaugural “Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader” designation that have demonstrated noteworthy support for Fulbright exchange participants during the 2018-2019 academic year and have promoted Fulbright Program opportunities on campus.    

12/20– Long weeks of fundraising, shopping and planning resulted in excitement and smiles, for many children who enjoyed a Merry Christmas thanks to the Community Christmas Tree.  The 102nd Community Christmas Tree Party, sponsored by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph, was held at the Bluefield State College Student Union. Generous donors and volunteers made the party, also known as Little Jimmie, a success.  BSC volunteered to host the program when new venue was needed after the party’s former location, the Herb Sims Center on Stadium Drive, became unavailable.