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One hundred twenty-six Bluefield College seniors accepted diplomas during the school’s 90th Annual Spring Commencement, May 5, outside in the campus quad against the backdrop of the majestic East River Mountain.

Chris Shoemaker

May 15, 2012

President David Olive welcomed family and friends to the celebratory event. He also congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue their pursuit of goals, while always keeping their eyes fixed on the ultimate goal, Jesus.

“This is a special day in so many ways,” said Dr. Olive. “Graduates, congratulations on your achievement. I hope that during your time at Bluefield College you have been prepared for not only a successful career, but also an enjoyable and meaningful life -- one grounded in faith, adaptable to a changing global environment, and given to caring for and serving others. I pray that you leave here with a sense of calling to vocation that will direct your life with a purpose and that is faithful to your Christian commitments.”
 

Chair of the Board Julie Hull Johnson offered similar greetings. She spoke of the investments made by faculty, staff, trustees and others to ensure students reach their educational goals. She challenged the graduates to begin each day asking, “God, what can I do for you today?”
 

In addition to the presentation of 126 baccalaureate degrees, the graduation ceremony also featured a Commencement address from Major General Robert B. Newman, Jr., adjutant general of Virginia, and the presentation of two Wampler-Caudill Student Leadership Awards and one Wampler-Caudill Distinguished Faculty Award.
 

Made possible by former BC professor Dr. Don Caudill in honor of his parents, Alfred and Shirley Wampler Caudill, the Leadership Awards recognize graduating seniors who have demonstrated academic excellence, Christian character, and leadership, and a BC professor who exemplifies classroom excellence, Christian character, and professional, community and church involvement.
 

Earning the student awards this spring were Daniel Gough of Gainesville, Virginia, and Celia Jones of Brookneal, Virginia. Gough, a graduate of BC’s inSPIRE adult degree completion program, was acknowledged for his “dedication to learning,” “faith in God,” and “service to his country.”
 

Jones, a graphic communication and art major, was recognized for her “obedience to God’s call on her life” and her significant contributions to student life as a resident assistant, Student Ambassador, and a member of the Honor Society, Honors Program, missions team, Art Club, Alpha Delta Sorority, and tennis team.
 

Dee Shoemaker, an assistant professor of business, earned the Wampler Caudill Distinguished Faculty Award for her “classroom excellence,” “enthusiasm for lifelong learning,” and “passion to serve God by teaching students.” A professor of both traditional and inSPIRE students since 2000, Shoemaker was also acknowledged for her church and community involvement.
 

Maj. Gen. Newman, who provided the Commencement address, used the acronym ISE to challenge the graduates to live with “integrity,” “service,” and “excellence.” Everything we do in life, he said, “should start with integrity. It’s the basis of trust between human beings.”
 

Service, he added, requires “putting the needs of others before our own.” Excellence, he concluded, entails “giving our all in everything we do.”
 

The 90th Annual Spring Commencement program also included the presentation of a Five-year Service Award to Dr. Olive; a scripture reading by nursing professor Dr. Carolyn Lewis; special music by BC music students; induction for the graduates into the Alumni Association, led by Association president Dan Agee; and the singing of the school’s alma mater, led by music professor Bryant Moxley.
 

Candidates for graduation for spring 2012 included:
Kimberly René Alcorn, Anchorage, Alaska
Kimberly J. Amos, Rocky Mount, Virginia
Ursula Zeneta Melissa Lane, Montclair, Virginia
Joseph Ryan Andrews, Richmond, Virginia
Julie Elizabeth Austin, Rockville, Virginia
Brooke Nicole Bailey, Bluefield, West Virginia
Adrienne Danielle Baldree, Fairfax, Virginia
Jeremy Ryan Bartlett, Bluefield, West Virginia
Takenya B. Neal, Brooklyn, New York
Esta Melinda Joy Blume, Forest Hill, West Virginia
Alvin Sylvester Board, Jr., Roanoke, Virginia
Julia Bolden, Dinwiddie, Virginia
Gary Alan Brookman, Palmyra, Virginia
Antoinette Brown, Roanoke, Virginia
Lindsey Autumn Burris, Independence, Virginia
Angela Marie Cardwell, Roanoke, Virginia
Martin Benjamin Caudill, Wytheville, Virginia
Keeshaun Anika Clemons, Richmond, Virginia
Leah Elswick Cline, Tazewell, Virginia
Crystal S. Conner, Richmond, Virginia
Eliezer Cordero, Bridgeport, Connecticut
Erin Michelle Corr, Alexandria, Virginia
Andrew Cumbow, Bristol, Virginia
Repersha Nicola Cummings, Richmond, Virginia
Makenzie Alison Daniels, Trumansburg, New York
De'Arra Denaé Darling, Powder Springs, Georgia
Erin Rae Darnell, Orange, Virginia
LeAnn Deel, Grundy, Virginia
Andrew J. Dickerson, Santa Clara, California
Holly Danielle Dillon, Abbs Valley, Virginia
Heather Michelle Dillow, Buchanan, Virginia
Katherine W. Dilworth, Lawrenceville, Virginia
Tammy Keith Doss, Christiansburg, Virginia
Kristy Dotson, Pineville, West Virginia
Yeda Jacqueline Duarte, Piaui, Brazil
Katilyn Ashley Duggins, Waynesboro, Virginia
Clara Mae Dunn, Emporia, Virginia
Courtney E. Dutton, Abingdon, Virginia
Tyler Asa Eastep, Bland, Virginia
Arlethia E. Eaton, Henrico, Virginia
Donna M Edelen, Warrenton, Virginia
Melissa A. Fielding, Charlottesville, Virginia
Edric L. Folden, Richmond, Virginia
Jessica Kristen May Fox, Bluefield, Virginia
Takashi Monique Franklin, Aiken, South Carolina
George Franklin Funk, Blacksburg, Virginia
Alexandria Jakia Gillard, Cross, South Carolina
Daniel Shay Gough, Gainesville, Virginia
Kathryn Anna Green, Bland, Virginia
April T. Guynn, Hillsville, Virginia
Angel Leigh Hackney, Grundy, Virginia
Kevin Destry Harding, Dublin, Virginia
Kaprisha Tywon Hargrove, Chase City, Virginia
Hunter Dale Harrison, Bristol, Virginia
Tina A. Stoneman, Christiansburg, Virginia
Kerry Darnell Hatton, Stafford, Virginia
Susan Alderman Holder, Hillsville, Virginia
Shawn Richard Howell, Bluefield, Virginia
DuyThanh Vinh Pham Huynh, Fountain Valley, California
Jada M. Walker-Ibekwe, Richmond, Virginia
Anthony Louis Jackson, Keysville, Virginia
Todd William Jackson, Shawsville, Virginia
Andrew William Jarvis, Bland, Virginia
Lauren M. Johnson, Hampton, Virginia
Celia Ellen Jones, Brookneal, Virginia
Marjorie Ann Jones, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Aleyda Maria Kerr, Woodbridge, Virginia
Rebecca Lynn Kidd, Richmond, Virginia
Jon David Leftwich, Rocky Gap, Virginia
Della Grace Limbert, Lititz, Pennsylvania
Rae Dawn Linkous, Tazewell, Virginia
Borgia Mabella Kunsedioko M'Bala, Paris, France
Amber Frances MacDonald, Beckley, West Virginia
Hilfi Marleny Ochoa de Martinez, Woodbridge, Virginia
James Christopher McClain, Blacksburg, Virginia
David Lee McCown, Lebanon, Virginia
Jonathan Russell McDearmon, Chesterfield, Virginia
Jennifer Lynn McKay, Stafford, Virginia
Sara Nicole Melby, Richmond, Virginia
Emily Beth Minter, King George, Virginia
Gregory Moon, Midlothian, Virginia
Maurice E. Morgan, Jr., Richmond, Virginia
April Blankenship Myers, Pearisburg, Virginia
Michael Preston Newton, Glen Allen, Virginia
Ted Among Oboute, Punta Gorda, Florida
Heather Elizabeth Paisley, Troutdale, Virginia
Casey Lynn Palmer, Roanoke, Virginia
Hannah Louise Parobek, Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania
David S. Parrott, Henrico, Virginia
Julie Suzanne Percy, Norwich, Ontario
Shane Quinley, Hurley, Virginia
Constance Diane Jones-Ragsdale, South Hill, Virginia
Megan Elizabeth Randall, Knoxville, Tennessee
Elizabeth Dana Robinson, Charlottesville, Virginia
Keisha Denise Royal, Christiansburg, Virginia
Michael Lee Saylors, Christiansburg, Virginia
Emily Dawn Sears, Hinton, West Virginia
Sarah Lynn Shelton, Chatham, Virginia
Benjamin Leon Shumate, Bluefield, West Virginia
Erica D. Singleton, White Plains, Virginia
Claudia Elaine Sisk, Spotsylvania, Virginia
Travis Marshall Stoots, Chilhowie, Virginia
Ashley Michelle Strickland, Galax, Virginia
Tewwdros Teddy Tamene, Grundy, Virginia
Tammy Renee Taylor, South Hill, Virginia
Susan Ann Tharp, Charlottesville, Virginia
Dana Elaine Thierry, Richmond, Virginia
Elizabeth Marie Tinsley, Montross, Virginia
Cassia Rachel Toppin, Mechanicsville, Virginia
Harli Elaine Vance, Richlands, Virginia
John A. Venuti, Richmond, Virginia
Andre Tyrone Wallace, North Tazwell, Virginia
James Robert Warren, Chicopee, Massachusetts
Patrina Denise White, Richmond, Virginia
Richard C. Willett, III, Fairfax, Virginia
Aries M. Wilson, Fredericksburg, Virginia
Robert D. Wokaty, Jr., Richmond, Virginia
Natasha Renee Wood, Wytheville, Virginia
Corey Alan Wray, Roanoke, Virginia
Jesse B. Wray, Petersburg, Virginia
Robert Edward Wright Jr., Fort Washington, Maryland
Luke H. Zylstra, Jr., Chester, Virginia.

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