WV Governor Praises Establishment of Pocahontas Land Coal Producers Endowed Professorship

During a program attended by WV Governor Jim Justice and many coal industry leaders, Pocahontas Land and Bluefield State University announced that they’ve partnered to establish the Pocahontas Land Coal Producers Endowed Professorship.  The goal—to re-establish the Mining Engineering Technology program at BSU.

Warrior Met Coal Company COO Jack Richardson, a 1984 Bluefield State Mining Engineering Technology graduate, was a featured speaker at the program.  Richardson began his career as one of the first Bluefield State’s Mining Engineering grads to be hired by Consol.  His success opened the door of opportunity for many BSU Engineering graduates.

“West Virginia’s coal industry has powered the world for generations,” said Governor Justice. “Especially in today’s world, it’s so important to have world-class programs to train the next generation of mining engineers so that they can carry on this vitally important work. I commend Bluefield State’s goal of re-establishing their Mining Engineering Program and pledge to continue to support them in every way I possibly can.”

“We are very excited about the turnout tonight, the show of support for Bluefield State,” BSU President Robin Capehart noted, praising the many coal industry officials who attended. “They are all interested in our engineering program and in providing financial support.”

Bluefield State University is one of two universities in West Virginia offering Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (“STEM”) curricula, and is uniquely qualified to educate future engineers with a concentration in Mining Engineering.  BSU’s career job placement rate is close to 100%, with most graduates staying in Southern West Virginia, Southwestern Virginia, and Eastern Kentucky.  These graduates work, raise their families, and give back to their communities.

The key to producing talented engineering technology graduates is to have the best faculty and facilities, according to Bill Bennett, Interim Dean/BSU School of STEM.  “The program celebrated the rich history of mining throughout the region.  The establishment of the Pocahontas Land Coal Producers Endowed Professorship will help ensure that BSU will produce talented engineering graduates essential to the coal and related industries.”