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Bluefield College graduating seniors were challenged to listen to God's call and to take advantage of second chances when they accepted diplomas during the school's 17th Annual Winter Commencement, Saturday, December 13.

December 15, 2008

Bluefield College graduating seniors were challenged to listen to God's call and to take advantage of second chances when they accepted diplomas during the school's 17th Annual Winter Commencement, Saturday, December 13.  

One hundred forty BC seniors, most from the school's adult degree completion program, celebrated the milestone event in front of a standing-room-only crowd of family and friends inside Harman Chapel. Outstanding graduating senior Jennifer Brewster of Bluefield, Virginia, served as keynote speaker for the ceremony.    

"I can think of no better time to celebrate our graduation than Christmastime," said Brewster, a teacher education major who serves as secretary of the Student Virginia Education Association, "because, after all, Jesus is the reason we have reached this achievement."    

Brewster, a Virginia Teachers of Promise honoree, spoke of her contentment with being a wife and a mother until God called her to college through an experience with teaching a child to read. She answered that call and challenged her fellow classmates to do the same.    

"As Bluefield College continues to change the world one graduate at a time, I will leave this college community with a determination to change one child at a time, because I have followed God's calling for my life," said Brewster. "I challenge you (classmates) to listen to God's calling for your life."    

Dr. Mike Henry, an instructor for the school's degree completion program, offered remarks on behalf of the faculty. Dr. Henry, who serves as a professor and director of Student Support Services at Southwest Virginia Community College, in addition to his duties at BC, spoke about second chances and the difficult journey of life and earning a college degree.    

"I know the journey to this milestone has not been an easy one for some of you," said Dr. Henry, who was once told he was not college material, "but you are here because you wouldn't settle for less and because Bluefield College has been a beacon for students like you, not only in this community, but across the state."    

Bluefield College President David Olive welcomed the capacity crowd of family and friends to Winter Commencement. He urged the graduates to continue their pursuit of knowledge and to make the most of what they had already learned.    

"Your achievement being recognized today is not the end of your learning, but the beginning," Dr. Olive told the seniors. "Much has been entrusted to you; much is expected of you."    

Dr. Dan Grabeel, chairman of the Board, offered greetings on behalf of trustees, while Dr. Cindy Bascom, associate professor of communications, shared a scripture reading. Junior music major Jamar Bennett provided a special music solo, and Dr. Olive, Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs Greg Kerr, and Registrar Cathy Matherly participated in the conferring of degrees.    

Candidates for graduation for winter 2008 included:

Cheryl Elizabeth Adams, Midlothian, Virginia

Sabrina Clemson Allen, Princeton, West Virginia

Darren Alvaranga, Rockledge, Florida

Montese Simone Anderson, Richmond, Virginia

Raymond Anderson, Jr., Norfolk, Virginia

Bernetta L. Ashby, Richlands, Virginia

Juleigh K. Bailey, Princeton, West Virginia

Laura A. Banks-Williams, Chesapeake, Virginia

Erica W. Barnett, Big Island, Virginia

Brandie Louise Barros, Chesapeake, Virginia

Malcolm Wesley Beckett, Saltville, Virginia

Karen Hanson Bittinger, Roanoke, Virginia

Addison Cheryl Blackburn, Tazewell, Virginia

Paul Edward Blair, Bluefield, Virginia

Karen Bobb, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Jennifer Rue Bodnar, Lexington, Virginia

Tracy Fisher Boyd, Jonesbourgh, Tennessee

Diania Lee Bradley, Hampton, Virginia

Jennifer A. Brewster, Bluefield, Virginia

Kathy Pauline Brickey, Dungannon, Virginia

Joshua Thomas Brintle, Tazewell, Virginia

David W. Brockman, Christiansburg, Virginia

David A. Brown, Ruckersville, Virginia

Sharmonique Taylor Burrow, Wilsons, Virginia

Robert G. Burton, Suffolk, Virginia

Melissa S. Chamberlain, Farmville, Virginia

Jennifer Marie Chappelear, Bassett, Virginia

Jay Eric Conner, Floyd, Virginia

David J. Cooter, Jacksonville, Florida

Sarah E. Cordill, Princeton, West Virginia

Pamels D. Craig-White, Richmond, Virginia

Anne Trent Caddell Currin, Roanoke, Virginia

Patircia Ann Darr, Boston, Virginia

Kimberli M. Davis, Las Vegas, Nevada

Shewit Debessay Araya, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Jeffrey Paul Dodson, Jr., Culpeper, Virginia

Amanda Elaine Dudley, Roanoke, Virginia

Luca Earl, Smithfield, Virginia

Shawn Michael Enochs, Riner, Virginia

Bruce L. Evans, Chesapeake, Virginia

Allena Gayle Fagg, Roanoke, Virginia

Dietrich L. Fields, Sr., Emporia, Virginia

Michael D. Folker, Hampton, Virginia

Tera Nicole Foster, Amelia, Virginia

Donald J. Fowler, Chesapeake, Virginia

Jennifer M. Futrell, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Kathryn E. Geisert, Gloucester, Virginia

Dontae Cornelius Gholson, Petersburg, Virginia

Cynthia Gautier Gillispie, Pembroke, Virginia

Kellye Romano Glover, Bluefield, West Virginia

Amy Dawn Goddin, Chesapeake, Virginia

Pamela S. Gordon, Pembroke, Virginia

Jody Carol Gouley, Stafford, Virginia

Telma Felicia Green, Chesterfield, Virginia

Angela Necole Greene, Radford, Virginia

Tony Glen Hale, Rogersville, Tennessee

Jon D. Hall, Richmond, Virginia

Cheree April Hammond, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Donald Joseph Hannon, Dinwiddie, Virginia

Jeremy Scott Hardy, Chesapeake, Virginia

Heather Jo Harris, Tazewell, Virginia

Van Lee Harris, Speedwell, Virginia

Donnie Lee Hart, Altavista, Virginia

Sheryl Christine Helm, Rich Creek, Virginia

James J. Henderson, Colonial Heights, Virginia

Lena Hipps-Clarke, Victoria, Virginia

Melissa Betina Hodo, Jarratt, Virginia

Deborah D. Howard-Dobbins, Richmond, Virginia

Derek W. Howell, Sr., Roanoke, Virginia

Kimberly-Jo A. Humbles, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Damon K. Isom, Richmond, Virginia

Alexandrea Jay Jackson, Forrest City, Arkansas

George C. Jackson, Christiansburg, Virginia

Linda L. Jackson, Richmond, Virginia

Elizabeth Ann Johnson, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Rhonda Gail Johnson, Roanoke, Virginia

Kimberly L. Keen, Richlands, Virginia

Noemi Kube, Richmond, Virginia

Crystal McLaurin LaJoye, Morrisville, North Carolina

Damian Lane, Washington, D.C.

Jason Rex Lee, Burke, Virginia

Samantha Belle Lineberry, Laurel Community

Pamela Shelton Lucas, Blacksburg, Virginia

Vanessa Mabry, Hampton, Virginia

Peter R. Maisonave, Chesapeake, Virginia

Chisity Monique Mallory, Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina

Sylvia Celeste Massey, Summerville, South Carolina

Clyde Thomas Mayberry, Jr., Madison Heights, Virginia

Mark Allen Miller, Fries, Virginia

Robert Andrew Morris, Alleghany, Virginia

Cheryl L. Moses, Bastian, Virginia

Mark S. Mullins, Rocky Mount, Virginia

Ellie Q. Nickelson, Prince George, Virginia

Karla J. O'Quinn, Princeton, West Virginia

Stephanie Jeanette Oiler, Troutville, Virginia

James Joseph O'Sullivan, Chesapeake, Virginia

Joy D. Painter, Powhatan, Virginia

David W. Payne, Galax, Virginia

Elizabeth Ann Phoenix, Grundy, Virginia

Tammi Carolyn Pierce, Yorktown, Virginia

Sean Michael Polster, Carlisle, Pennsylvania

Seborn Michael Powell, Portsmouth, Virginia

Amenah Alice Price, Ruther Glen, Virginia

Jill A. Price, Pounding Mill, Virginia

Tammy Lynn Pruitt, Raven, Virginia

Steven Paul Queen, Manassas, Virginia

Keilah Danielle Ramey, Luray, Vriginia

Lisa Kenney Ratliff, Salem, Virginia

Anthony Fallon Ray, Daleville, Virginia

Lisa Michele Reale, Newark, Delaware

Jeffery S. Reeves, Galax, Virginia

Tanieka Denise Ricks, Zuni, Virginia

Joanna Lynn Riggins, Rich Creek, Virginia

Garrick Kenyon Robbins, Sterling, Virginia

Arlene Lewis Robertson, Crewe, Virginia

Kimberly S. Rutherford, Roanoke, Virginia

Teri B. Haas Scales, Lebanon, Virginia

Amanda S. Shafer, Grundy, Virginia

Johnathan Matthew Shannon, Cedar Bluff, Virginia

Tawnya G. Showers, Mobile, Alabama

Angela Siddall, Kilmarnock, Virginia

Chelsea Victoria Smith, Hillsville, Virginia

Holly Lynn Smith, Peterstown, West Virginia

Julie Marie Smith, Lambsburg, Virginia

Kevin L. Smith, Chesterfield, Virginia

Stephanie Marie Smith, Vidalia, Georgia

Shelley Allen Soler, Emporia, Virginia

Daniel A. Stahler, Harrison, Arkansas

Alicia Wall Stanley, Floyd, Virginia

Dana J. Steele, Princeton, West Virginia

Rhonda Loucindy Stroupe, Pocahontas, Virginia

Brian Samuel Tegeler, Pounding Mill, Virginia

Denise Jordan Terry, Chesterfield, Virginia

Lakeshia Juanita Tinsley, Richmond, Virginia

Jane A. Todd, Blacksburg, Virginia

Katrina Williams Tuel, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Lindsey Wagoner, Chesapeake, Virginia

Joel Christopher Walor, Fredericksburg, Virginia

Katherine Celeste Ward, Tampa, Florida

Hattie Antoinette Morris Weatherless, Mechanisville, Virginia

Tasha LaShay Wilkerson, Victoria, Virginia

Mary Catherine Nash Williams, Pulaski, Virginia

Patricia Christian Williams, Carson, Virginia

Deborah P. Yates, Glen Allen, Virginia.

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