BSU News

BSC and City of Wheeling Sign MOU for College's use of Property at Former OVMC

Robin Capehart, Bluefield State College President

The city of Wheeling entered into a memorandum of understanding with Bluefield State College on Tuesday for the use of property on the former Ohio Valley Medical Center campus, which the city acquired last year. According to the memorandum, Bluefield State College is looking to use a portion of property on the former hospital campus as a newly established engineering and manufacturing center for training of engineering professionals.

BSC Receives, Begins Administering COVID-19 Vaccine to College Employees

Forty Bluefield State College employees were administered the COVID-19 vaccine on December 31. Pictured are Edward Alexander (seated), the first BSC employee to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, administered by Bluefield State Nursing faculty member Sheila Gates, R.N. following BSC’s receipt of the first doses.

Bluefield State College to Acquire Bluefield Regional Medical Center Property

The Board of Directors of Princeton Community Hospital and the Board of Governors of Bluefield State College have agreed that Bluefield State will acquire ownership of the Bluefield Regional Medical Center to expand its Health Science programs, while Princeton Community Hospital maintains its Emergency Division and related medical services at the facility.

BSC Community Pitches In to help Salvation Army Christmas Tree Project

BSC Community Helps 87 "Christmas Angels" Enjoy a Brighter Holiday

Bluefield State College employees and students responded to the Salvation Army Princeton/Bluefield's annual Angel Tree appeal. Through the response of BSC students and employees, 87 "Christmas angels" will receive gift bags of presents this year through the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

BSC’s Dr. Michelle Taylor and Scott Pitt Participate in “Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference

Two Bluefield State College employees played meaningful roles in the recent Small Communities, Big Solutions Conference, sponsored by the Alliance for Economic Development for Southern West Virginia. Dr. Michelle Taylor (Department Chair & Associate Professor of Business at BSC’s W. Paul Cole School of Business) moderated the Diversity and Inclusion panel discussion, a featured event during the Conference’s third day. Panelists included Scott Pitt, BSC Safe Zone Initiatives’ Director and LGBT advocate (Educational Outreach Counselor/BSC’s Academic Success Center); Jamecia Jones, Director of Black Lives Matter West Virginia; and Aaron Preece, Access Technology Information Specialist at the American Federation for the Blind.

BSC Commemorates National Rural Health Day

National Rural Health Day, celebrated today (November 19, 2020), holds special significance for Bluefield State College. Today, we salute the efforts of everyone serving the health needs of an estimated 57 million people in rural settings across the country.

BSC Student Luke Phillips Elected Mayor of Cedar Bluff, VA

BSC Student Luke Phillips, Mayor-Elect of Cedar Bluff, VA

A few months ago, 22-year old Luke Phillips had decided not to register as a candidate for a seat on the Cedar Bluff, Virginia Town Council. But after receiving encouragement from others he decided to throw his hat into the ring as a write-in candidate for Town Council and, on November 3 he was elected to serve as the town’s mayor. In the process, he became the youngest person to be elected mayor of a Virginia town or city in at least the past 50 years, and perhaps in the state’s history. “I’m really excited by the opportunity to serve the people here,” Phillips, a student at Bluefield State College, said. “I love Cedar Bluff. It’s a great community. Folks get along without a lot of drama and it’s just a wonderful place to live.”

City of Bluefield and BSC Establish the “Bluefield Regional Sports Authority”

Local recreational, athletic, and community activities received timely support through the creation of the Bluefield Regional Sports Authority, following Monday’s approval of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) involving the City of Bluefield and Bluefield State College.

Bluefield State College Salutes “STEM/STEAM Day” November 8

BSC Salutes and Celebrates National STEM/STEAM Day, Nov. 8

STEM/STEAM Day, November 8, is a day worth celebrating at Bluefield State College. The special day recognizes that children benefit significantly when they have strong science, technology, engineering, and math skills. These subjects push society forward, and these programs help to find fun and engaging ways to teach them to students, which is worth commemorating.

WiFi Hotspot for Southern WV Public School Students Now Available at Bluefield State College

A "Kids Connect" Wi-Fi hotspot is now in operation at Bluefield State College, in the baseball field parking lot.

Bluefield State College’s Bluefield campus is now a WiFi hotspot for southern West Virginia public school students who may not otherwise have internet access. The “Kids Connect Initiative” offered by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice’s office was developed to expand broadband internet availability. The Kids Connect WiFi hotspot on BSC’s campus is the parking lot adjacent to the June O. Shott Sportsplex and baseball field, adjacent to Dickason Hall.

Fulbright Scholar Saeed Khanum of Pakistan to visit Bluefield State College and area high schools virtually

Fulbright Scholar from Pakistan Dr. Saeeda Khanum who is currently engaged in research at Harvard University will deliver virtual presentations about Diversity and Inclusion in Pakistan, Abnormal Psychology in the context of Pakistan, and Improving Children’s Math Performance through Evidence Based Training as part of BSC Office of International Initiatives’ Windows on the World Series.

Dr. Rodney Montague Selected as Bluefield State College’s “Faculty of the Year (2019-2020)” Award Recipient

Bluefield State College Professor of History Dr. Rodney Montague (left) was selected to BSC’s faculty as the College’s “Faculty of the Year, 2019-2020” award recipient. He is pictured with Dr. Ted Lewis (right), Bluefield State College Provost, who formally presented the award.

Bluefield State College faculty member Dr. Rodney Montague, a Professor of History, is the College’s “Faculty of the Year, 2019-2020” award recipient. The Faculty of the Year is selected by the BSC faculty in recognition of the honoree’s contributions to student learning inside and the classroom as well as their contributions to academic and community initiatives.

Diversified Energy Corporation Donates Real Estate to Bluefield State College

Diversified Energy Corporation President/CEO Paul Nester (center) presents a gift deed to Bluefield State College President Robin Capehart (right), granting and releasing to BSC two parcels of real estate adjacent to new student housing now under construction on BSC’s campus. BSC alumnus Jim Shockley (left), Company Chief Operating Officer/VP, also took part in the program.

Diversified Energy Corporation Donates Real Estate to Bluefield State College. The property, adjacent to Heritage Village, will be used for student parking

Appalachian Education and Workforce Network Newsletter Spotlights Dr. Anthony Underwood, Chief Enrollment Officer at Bluefield State College

Dr. Anthony Underwood, Chief Enrollment Officer/Bluefield State College

Bluefield State College has responded to COVID-19-related challenges to its traditional approach to recruiting students by focusing more on the needs of each student, according to Dr. Anthony Underwood, the College’s Chief Enrollment Officer. He participated in an “experts panel” for the Appalachian Region Federal Student Aid virtual partner conference in September. He subsequently detailed how BSC has adapted its recruitment and admission philosophy and practice in the October issue of Friday Finds, the monthly newsletter of the Appalachian Education and Workforce Network.

OSHA-10 Certification Training to be Offered at Bluefield State College

Occupational Safety and Health Administration OSHA-10 certification training will be offered at Bluefield State College, in a three session course, November 5, November 12, and November 19. BSC Electrical Engineering Technology faculty member Joseph Hazelwood, a certified OSHA 10/30 instructor, will teach the course, which will be conducted in Dickason Hall, room 209, 5:30 pm-9 pm each session at a cost of $85 per participant.

Priority Registration/2021 Spring Semester on October 16 Offered for BSC Student-Military Veterans

Priority Registration for 2021 Spring Semester classes will be offered to eligible Bluefield State College student-military veterans on Friday, October 16, 9 am-noon, in the Tierney Conference Room, Dickason Hall, on the College’s Bluefield campus.

Bluefield State College has entered into a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Higher Institute of Advanced Technology and Management (ISTAMA) in Douala, Cameroon

Hon. Brent Benjamin Named Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Bluefield State College

Hon. Brent Benjamin, Executive Vice President and General Counsel at Bluefield State College

Bluefield State College President Robin Capehart has announced that the Hon. Brent D. Benjamin, whose career as a distinguished jurist and attorney spans over 35 years, has accepted appointment as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at BSC.

Dr. Nancy Adam-Turner, BSC Digital Librarian, is Lead Author in a Chapter Included in International Scholarly Publication

Bluefield State College Digital Librarian Dr. Nancy Adam-Turner is the lead author in a peer-reviewed chapter that has been included in Higher Education Teaching and Learning (HETL), an annual internationally circulated scholarly publication.

U.S. News “Best Colleges” Ranks Bluefield State College as a “Top 15” Public College in the South

BSC Ranked top 15 Public College in the South.

Bluefield State College is a “top 15” public college in the South and is the highest ranked public college in West Virginia, according to the U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges” September 14, 2020 edition. Each year, U.S. News provides several categories of numerical rankings and lists.