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Bluefield College Kicks off New Year with President's Convocation

August 29, 2008

 Bluefield College Kicks off New Year with President's Convocation     

Dressed in full academic regalia, BC faculty and staff marched into Harman Chapel for the traditional ceremony, which featured formal greetings from faculty president, Dr. Scott Shauf, who welcomed students to the new academic year and spoke of professors from the past, like Dr. Primitivo Delgado, and instructors in the classroom today, who "are eager to work with [students] and to help [them] learn."    

Student Government Association (SGA) President Andrew Shumate shared similar greetings, noting that SGA was "committed to making the voice of the students be heard," while BC trustee Julie Johnson welcomed the student body on behalf of Board chairman Dr. Dan Grabeel and the entire Board of Trustees.    

"This is an exciting time for Bluefield College," Johnson said, "and it is a pleasure to be a part of this excitement as a member of the Board of Trustees. May this school year be a great success to you and be all to God's glory."    

The traditional President's Convocation also featured a convocation address from President David Olive, who spoke to BC students about expectations. He acknowledged that the students, who began the new academic year on August 20, had likely learned already the expectations of their professors for the coming year. But, he asked the students, "What does God expect from you?"     Using Old Testament scripture, the president demonstrated that God expects "true sacrifice" and not "ritual." God, he said, also calls us to "do justice" and "love mercy."    

"I challenge all of us as a campus community," Dr. Olive said, "to ask what does God expect from us this year? What can we do to respond to the challenges He places before us?"    

In closing, Dr. Olive led students in the reading of a statement of commitment in which they vowed to promote "ethical values, personal integrity, a caring environment, a sense of responsibility to the needs of society, and a commitment to developing the potential of all."    

Faculty and staff shared in the responsive reading by pledging to "make every effort to be teachers of vision, to be wise counselors, to support the students," and to "share knowledge with enthusiasm, gentleness, and patience."    

As part of the program, the college also introduced new faculty and staff who had joined the BC family since the fall of 2007, including Dr. Thomas Bell, assistant professor of exercise and sport science; Dr. Marsha Mead, assistant professor of psychology; Dr. Andrew Necessary, associate professor of music; Dr. Harry Snodgrass, assistant professor of business; Jessica Brokaw, tennis coach and assistant women's basketball coach; Kristin Crotty, assistant to the director of athletics; Susan Davis, financial aid coordinator; Amanda Gross, prospect researcher; Aaron Graham, information technology systems programmer; Jamie Lavis, athletic trainer; Maggie Lavoie, admissions counselor; Debbee Linkous, administrative assistant for Enrollment Management; Amanda Jordan, admissions counselor; Laura Mutter, administrative assistant for Academic Affairs; Betty Owoc, payroll processor; Lauren Shepard, head coach for women's softball; Sharde Sherman, director of Bonner Scholars, Linda Shroyer, clerical assistant for Easley Library; Dr. Steve Spangler, vice president for Institutional Advancement; Cody White, information technology support technician; Joe Wehrle, head coach for women's soccer.

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