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Bluefield College recognized dozens of its supporters during a spring Donor Appreciation Dinner, which honored the donors who make scholarships possible at the school and brought them together with the recipients of their generosity, BC students.

June 1, 2009

President David Olive welcomed the donors and students to the honorary event, designed to pay tribute to the benefactors who have established scholarship funds or who have contributed to the BC Fund for Scholarships in 2008-2009.

     "This is a wonderful opportunity for us to express our appreciation to you for your support of Bluefield College," said Dr. Olive, "and an opportunity for you to interact with the students you are impacting on this campus."

     The president spoke about recent developments at the college, including the renovation of Easley Library and Rish and Cruise residence halls, and the construction of a new residence hall. He also shared with donors the details of a recent mission trip to China where students, faculty and staff were able to build partnerships and share the Christian faith.

     "That kind of experience is what is at the heart of this institution," said Dr. Olive, "giving students the opportunity to grow and share their faith, to make a difference where they are, and to be in service to others."

     The president expressed how campus improvements and the experiences like those in China would not be possible for students without the generosity of donors.

     "I cannot express to you enough," he said, "how important you are to Bluefield College and how your generosity is being lived out through students on this campus."

     Two BC students, who benefit from the generosity of the donors, spoke on behalf of all scholarship recipients. Kara Woodward, a junior history education major from Bluefield, West Virginia, shared her dream of becoming a schoolteacher.

     "Bluefield College has been a wonderful experience for me," said Woodward. "Not only am I learning how to become a good teacher, but how to be a good person. But, I wouldn't be here without the scholarship assistance; so thank you for helping make my dream come true."

     Renee Meadows, a junior Christian studies major from Peterstown, West Virginia, shared how God had blessed her experience at Bluefield College once she began to respond to His leading her to pursue a career in Christian ministry.

     "Thank you for obeying God, too," said Meadows, "and helping us as students fulfill our calling at Bluefield College."

     Each of the BC donors attending the annual appreciation dinner was recognized during the program. Among those receiving special recognition:

     Gerald and Audrey Clay (Gerald E. Clay Scholarship for Teacher Excellence), Bob and Vickie Mahood (William Farley Byrd Memorial Scholarship), Diana and Danny Coulthard (Frank Litz Smoot Charitable Foundation, George M. Cruise Charitable Foundation, and The 1912 Foundation), Jimmy Welch (Credit Bureau of the Virginias Scholarship), David and Pam Elswick (Jason D. Elswick Memorial Scholarship), Danny and Carolyn Agee (Dan and Carolyn Agee Annual Scholarship), Gary Prater (Jewell Smokeless Coal Corporation Scholarship), Rev. L. Karl Heilman (W. James Lowder Endowed Ministerial Scholarship), Edward and Caretta Gills (W. James Lowder Endowed Ministerial Scholarship), Shirley Meador (Chapman-Meador Endowed Scholarship for Education), Charlotte Sacre    (Rotary Club of Bluefield Scholarship), Karel Ryan (Rotary Club of Tazewell Scholarship), Kathleen Stowers (Glenn M. Stowers Memorial Scholarship), Cynthia, James and Charlene Bascom (Valena May Parsons Endowed Scholarship), Lt. Col. Emery Wood (Emery Wood Scholarship), Frank Brady of WVVA-TV, Chandler Swope of Swope Construction, Tripper and Stacy Thomas of Citizens Building Supply and Home Center, John and Kathy Shott, Donald Kidd, Tem Marshall, John and Becky Beckett, F. Tyler Easley, Jim and Pat Jenkins, Betty Van Dyke, and Betty Gardner Bailey.

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