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Bluefield College's Office of Enrollment Management recently received a much-needed transformation, thanks to a generous contribution from the Stelio and Betty Corte Charitable Foundation.

September 3, 2008

Article by Bluefield College freelance writer Sharde Sherman    

Bluefield College's Office of Enrollment Management recently received a much-needed transformation, thanks to a generous contribution from the Stelio and Betty Corte Charitable Foundation.    

Created by Stelio and Betty Corte of Bluefield, Virginia, after the sale of a family-owned construction company, the Corte Foundation is designed to support civic and charitable causes in Bluefield.    

"Over the years, the Corte Foundation has been very generous to Bluefield College, as well as to a number of organizations in the community," said President David Olive. "Their most recent gift to BC met a critical need we had in providing a warm, welcoming, comfortable, and inviting environment for prospective students and their families."    

Prompting the first renovations to BC's Enrollment Management Suite in more than a decade, the Corte Foundation gift brought additional space, amenities and furniture to the Admissions area. Above all, according to Dr. Toby Ziglar, vice president for enrollment management, the renovations brought a new "face to the school."    

"We wanted this new space to look contemporary and state-of-the-art, since the Admissions Office is, generally, the first place prospective students see," Dr. Ziglar said. "We want prospective students and their families to have a positive experience when they visit with us, and we're fortunate to have the largest office space on campus, which allows us to grow and expand as needed."    

The Corte gift allowed the college to add a conference room to its Admissions Suite for admissions and financial aid counseling with prospective students. The conference room comes equipped with new furniture, a computer, and an LCD television for promotional videos and other presentations. 

"Rather than bringing students into a small office area, we are able to provide them with a sophisticated college experience that leaves them feeling special," said admissions counselor Maggie Lavoie about the recent improvements.

"It's an immense asset for leaving a positive first impression with students and their families. I know we can be more competitive with other schools, even larger universities, now because people will remember what they see and experience here at Bluefield."    

In addition to the new conference room, the admissions counselors are enjoying additional offices and a large foyer complete with a glass entryway etched with the college seal, along with new hardwood floors, furniture, painted walls, and carpet.    

"The best part about the renovations is how attractive and inviting the new Admissions Suite is," said admissions counselor Mark Hipes.

"Campus visits are such a crucial part of the deciding factor as to whether or not a prospective student will attend your college. With our recent renovations, including our state-of-the-art technology to present information on television, we are becoming more competitive. We are grateful to the Corte Foundation for making this improvement possible, and we are already noticing the difference the renovations have made with families when they visit."

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