Sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs and the Student Government Association, the Annual Bluefield State Awards Banquet recognizes current students, staff members and recognized student organizations for academic excellence, leadership, service, and overall achievement during the academic year.
Honorees will receive recognition through the Annual Banquet on Thursday, April 18, 2024.
Descriptions for the following awards and applications are listed below.
2024 Bluefield State Annual Awards Banquet
Thursday, April 18, 2024
Clover Club, Bluefield WV
6:00 p.m.
The Annual Awards Banquet is a very special evening for the Big Blue Nation because we celebrate the many outstanding students, organizations and employees that have helped make the 2023-2024 academic year such a great success.
Many student, organization, faculty, staff, and School awards are given at the Banquet. Some of the highlighted awards include the Recognized Student Organization of the Year Award, the Student Leader of the Year Award, the SGA Blue Flame Award, Faculty of the Year Award, and the Nathan Cook Brackett Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award.
For many decades the BSU Awards Banquet has been a distinguished part of the university’s rich tradition. This year’s event will be in person for the community on Thursday, April 18, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
Emily Shupe – SGA Senator of the Year
Nathan Taylor (Visiting Instructor for Accp.) – W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business Faculty Member of the Year
Dr. Bonnie Reese (Assoc. Prof.) – School of Education, Humanities & Social Sciences Faculty Member of the Year
Vincent Mateescu (Asst. Prof. of Mathematics) – School of Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics Faculty Member of the Year
Sally Sale (Asst. Prof. of Nursing) – School of Nursing & Allied Health Faculty Member of the Year
Susan Shrader (Program Assistant) – SGA Blue Star Staff Member of the Year
Ron Shidemantle (Dean of Students) – Outstanding Administrator of the Year
Shane Reviello – John Cardwell Distinguished Service Award
Jacob Clarkson (Robotics Team – Executive Officer of the Year Award
Dr. William Bennett (Computer Society) – Campus Advisor of the Year
“We Stand On Their Sholders” (Dr. Sean Connolly) – Campus Program of the Year Award
Gamma Beta Phi (National Collegiate Honor Society) – Recognized Student Organization of the Year
Shane Reviello – Nathan Cook Brackett Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
Desmond Freeman – William H. Ross Outstanding Student Leader
Shane Timmons – SGA Senator of the Year Award
James Quesenberry – SGA Faculty Member of the Year Award
Christina Nunley (Office of Admissions) – SGA Blue Star Staff Member of the Year Award
Jane Charnock (Title IX Coordinator) – Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award
Ethan Hill (Student Association of Radiographers) – RSO Executive Officer of the Year Award
Vanessa Godfrey (Student Association of Radiographers) – Campus Advisor of the Year Award
B-State Bound (New Student Orientation Program) – Campus Program of the Year Award
Robotics Club – Recognized Student Organization (RSO) of the Year Award
Gabe Nesmith – Nathan Cook Brackett Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
Michelle Lawson – William H. Ross Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
Luke Roberts – SGA Senator of the Year Award
Sandra Wynn – SGA Faculty Member of the Year Award
Edward Alexander – SGA Blue Star Staff Member of the Year Award
Sarita Rhonemus – Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award
Jackson Harless – RSO Executive Officer of the Year Award
Joey Hazelwood – Campus Advisor of the Year Award
The Computer Society – Recognized Student Organization (RSO) of the Year Award
Blaize Ferguson – Nathan Cook Brackett Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
Virginia Zanotti – William H. Ross Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award
The Student Government Association Senator of the Year Award is given each year to the one (1) Senator who best represents the mission and vision of Bluefield State University. The winner of the award has best demonstrated positive leadership in his or her role representing their student constituency throughout the academic year.
This award honors a member of the faculty who demonstrates high achievement in three areas: teaching, scholarship or creative work, and service to the university community. The award winner will be an excellent role model for students and colleagues. Nominations from all faculty are welcome and will be considered for this prestigious honor.
The Outstanding Staff Member of the Year Award annually recognizes a member of the university staff who demonstrates loyalty, outstanding performance, commitment, and dedication to Bluefield State. To be selected for the award, the nominee must possess exemplary conduct and courtesy, service to the university beyond job responsibilities, outstanding performance in one or more job-related areas, and a collaborative working relationship with the campus community. Professional/Non-Teaching, Technical/Paraprofessional, Clerical/Secretarial, and Physical Plant/Maintenance/Service staff are considered for this prestigious honor.
The Outstanding Administrator of the Year Award annually recognizes a member of the university administration who demonstrates loyalty, outstanding performance, commitment, and dedication to the Bluefield State. To be selected for the award, the nominee must possess exemplary conduct and courtesy, service to the university beyond job responsibilities, outstanding performance in one or more job-related areas, and a collaborative working relationship with the campus community. Administrative/Managerial employees are considered for this prestigious honor.
The W. Paul Cole, Jr. School of Business annually awards students with departmental and school awards of recognition and excellence. Nominated by the Schools faculty & staff and selected by the Dean’s Office, awards are chosen based on several factors including academic achievement, service to the school and university, and community involvement.
The College annually awards the prestigious Steve Bourne Outstanding Business Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Sophomore of the Year Award, the Outstanding Junior of the Year Award, the Outstanding Senior of the Year Award, and the Outstanding Health Services Management Student of the Year Award.
ALL NOMINATIONS FOR THESE COLLEGE AWARDS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE ACADEMIC DEAN’S OFFICE AND NOT SUBMITTED ON THIS WEBPAGE.
The College of Arts, Education and Social Sciences annually awards students with departmental and school awards of recognition and excellence. Nominated by the College faculty & staff and selected by the Dean’s Office, awards are chosen based on several factors including academic achievement, service to the school and university, and community involvement.
The College annually awards the Outstanding Education Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Student Teacher of the Year Award, the Special Education Endorsement Award, the Outstanding Humanities Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Social Science Student of the Year Award, and the Outstanding Criminal Justice Student of the Year Award.
ALL NOMINATIONS FOR THESE COLLEGE AWARDS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE ACADEMIC DEAN’S OFFICE AND NOT SUBMITTED ON THIS WEBPAGE.
The College of STEM annually awards students with departmental and school awards of recognition and excellence. Nominated by the College faculty & staff and selected by the Dean’s Office, awards are chosen based on several factors including academic achievement, service to the school and university, and community involvement.
The College annually awards the Outstanding Biology Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Chemistry Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Electrical Engineering Technology Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Civil Engineering Technology Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Engineering Management Student of the Year Award, the Outstanding Mechanical Engineering Technology Student of the Year Award, and the Outstanding Computer Science Student of the Year Award.
ALL NOMINATIONS FOR THESE COLLEGE AWARDS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE ACADEMIC DEAN’S OFFICE AND NOT SUBMITTED ON THIS WEBPAGE.
The College of Health Sciences Awards annually awards students with departmental and school awards of recognition and excellence. Nominated by the College faculty & staff and selected by the Dean’s Office, awards are chosen based on several factors including academic achievement, service to the school and university, and community involvement.
The School annually awards the Associate of Science Nursing Student of the Year (Bluefield Campus) Award, the Associate of Science Nursing Student of the Year (Beckley Campus) Award, the Associate of Science Radiologic Technology Student of the Year (Bluefield Campus) Award, the Associate of Science Radiologic Technology Student of the Year (Beckley Campus) Award, and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Student of the Year Award.
ALL NOMINATIONS FOR THESE COLLEGE AWARDS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE ACADEMIC DEAN’S OFFICE AND NOT SUBMITTED ON THIS WEBPAGE.
The Executive Board Member of the Year Award recognizes an individual who served on an executive board of a student organization and who has made significant contributions to the Bluefield State community. Nominees should have gone above and beyond the capacities of their role on the executive board and demonstrated a commitment to leadership, involvement and/or mentorship.
The Outstanding Recognized Student Organization of the Year Award is given annually to recognize the student organization that has been a leader among all of the student organizations at the university. The student organization will need to have demonstrated remarkable spirit and has made a positive difference to the campus and local community throughout the academic year. The student organization must be recognized and officially registered with the university. In addition, the student organization must be free of disciplinary or probation sanctions for at least three years.
This award is presented annually to an advisor who goes above and beyond to assist and support their recognized student organization. Nominees should display high involved with their organization, dedication to the campus community, be a positive role model for students, and play a positive role in the co-curricular experience of Bluefield State University Students.
The Campus Program of the Year recognizes a program or event sponsored and supported by a recognized student organization that contributed in a positive manner to Bluefield State’s campus life through and impactive event on campus. The award recognizes the planning and presentation of an outstanding campus program or activity and demonstrates thorough event planning, effective utilization of budget and resources, and successful marketing strategies. Nominations will highlight the value and impact of the program, the creativity of the event idea, the popularity (attendance) of the event, and will explain how the program met its intended purpose. Eligible programs will have occurred during the 2022-2023 academic year.
Presented by the Division of Student Affairs, the Nathan Cook Brackett Outstanding Student Leader of the Year Award recognizes a student who consistently demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities, high academic achievement, and service to Bluefield State community for the 2022-2023 Academic Year. Nominations should list campus and community involvement, highlight specific BSU honors and achievements, demonstrate the nominee’s leadership in academics, service, co-curricular involvement and/or campus employment, and provide rationale for why the nominee is deserving of this recognition.
Presented by the Division of Student Affairs, the William H. Ross Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes a student who consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities, high academic achievement, and service to Bluefield State community throughout their time at the university. Nominations should list campus and community involvement, highlight specific BSU honors and achievements, demonstrate the nominee’s leadership in academics, service, co-curricular involvement and/or campus employment, and provide rationale for why the nominee is deserving of this recognition. Nominees must be a Senior student based upon total credit hours.