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Alumni News
Former and Current Students Celebrate Homecoming 2008 (October 25, 2008)
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(FROM ALL HOMECOMING EVENTS)
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED)
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED)
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Homecoming alumni basketball players (front, left to right) Gary Jeffrey ('98), Spencer Wood ('98), (middle, left to right) Jason Stockner ('96), Jamaine Burcke ('05), Brian Maynard ('99), Matt Larrowe ('99), Andre Law ('00), (back, left to right) Ben Smalls ('06), Cedric Brown ('06), Matt Wilson ('04), Toby Curry ('99), and Kenny Dow ('97).
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Alumna Joyce Mullikin Gentry ('58) (left) and alumnus Joel Waterfield ('58) (right) and his wife, Jeannette, enjoy the Homecoming Grand Reunion Luncheon. |
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Alumna Amanda Grose ('06) (left) and alumnus Joel Waterfield ('58) enjoy the Homecoming Dinner-Dance. |
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Alumna Shirley Chapman Meader ('73) (left) and alumnus Jim Jenkins ('60) show off their flat-footing skills during the Homecoming Dinner-Dance.
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A group of BC ladies enjoy the Student Homecoming Dance. |
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(FROM ALL HOMECOMING EVENTS)
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED)
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED)
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Auctioneer Josh Sweeney calls for bids during the Homecoming Scholarship Auction, which netted $5,275 for BC student scholarships. |
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Alumnus Clarence Mayberry ('57) (left) accepts the Volunteer of the Year award. |
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Alumnus Stafford Compton ('51) (left) receives the 2008 Primitivo Delgado Christian Service Award. |
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BC President David Olive (left) accepts an Honorary Alumnus Award.
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(FROM ALL HOMECOMING EVENTS)
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED) |
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED)
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Homecoming Queen Lisa Reale (left) and Homecoming King Seth Jones. |
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The 2008 Homecoming Court (from left): Junior Princess Paige Morrison, Freshman Princess Yeda Duarte, Queen Lisa Reale, King Seth Jones, Sophomore Princess Lindsey Hazelwood, and Junior Princess Courtney Willard. |
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BC students show their moves during the Homecoming Dance. |
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED) |
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(PROVIDED BY STUDENT RACHEL REED)
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(FROM ALL HOMECOMING EVENTS)
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Bluefield College alumni and friends returned to campus, October 24-25, to celebrate Homecoming 2008, featuring special reunions for highlighted class years, an alumni basketball game, the traditional Scholarship Auction, and the presentation of alumni awards.
President David Olive, who kicked off the Homecoming festivities with a President's Reception on Friday evening, October 24, formally welcomed the former students, from as far back as 1934 and from as recently as 2008.
"It's always great to have alumni back on campus, especially for Homecoming," Dr. Olive said, "to hear the stories and the memories that were your Bluefield College experience."
The president spoke about recent and current progress on campus related to the implementation of the school's new strategic plan, including renovations to Easley Library and Cruise and Rish residence halls, as well as fundraising for a new Campus-Community Center and the beginning of construction on a new residence hall.
"We want you, our alumni, to be engaged in this process of growth and development," Dr. Olive said. "All the work that we do collectively as faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends is making it possible for this institution to continue to make a difference in the lives of students."
After the President's Reception on Friday, former BC men's basketball players returned to hard-court for an alumni basketball game against current Ramblin' Rams. Despite their rustiness, the alumni team -- featuring Cedric Brown ('06), Jamaine Burcke ('05), Toby Curry ('99), Kenny Dow ('97), Gary Jeffrey ('98), Andre Law ('00), Matt Larrowe ('99), Brian Maynard ('99), Ben Smalls ('06), Jason Stockner ('96), Matt Wilson ('04), and Spencer Wood ('98) -- built a 53-50 halftime lead and then cruised to a 106-87 victory over the BC junior varsity squad in front of a full house in the Dome Gymnasium.
On Saturday, October 25, the Homecoming fun began with the traditional Scholarship Auction, which featured the sale of vacations, restaurant giveaways, arts and crafts, outdoor excursions, and entertainment packages, among other items donated by alumni and friends. Dozens of auction enthusiasts from the community joined alumni for the bidding affair, led by local auctioneer Josh Sweeney of Regency Real Estate and Auction Company, who called out descriptions and petitioned buyers for bids to the tune of $5,275, all for BC student scholarships.
After a series of campus tours on Saturday to view new windows and furniture in the residence halls, a 21st Century Easley Library, the new MacMillan Center for Service and Missions, and progress on the construction of a new contemporary residence hall, alumni gathered for the Grand Reunion Luncheon, featuring special recognition for the Golden Anniversary class of 1958, the Silver Anniversary class of 1983, and ten-year classes of 1998, 1988, 1978, 1968, 1948 and 1938.
In addition to recognition for the Golden, Silver, and ten-year grads, the Grand Reunion Luncheon included the presentation of annual alumni awards, including an Honorary Alumnus distinction for Dr. Olive, a Volunteer of the Year tribute to Clarence Mayberry ('57), and the Delgado Christian Service Award for Rev. Stafford Compton ('51). The college also recognized the oldest living alumnus in attendance, Russell Garrett of Bluefield, Virginia, from the class of 1934.
The Homecoming festivities concluded Saturday night with the Alumni Dinner-Dance and the Student Homecoming Dance. The Dinner-Dance featured special recognition and a theme for the decade of the 1970s, along with live music from The Emeralds. The Student Dance featured the crowning of the 2008 Homecoming Court, including Queen Lisa Reale of Newark, Delaware, and King Seth Jones of Hebron, Maryland.
Homecoming Scholarship Auction Nets $5,275 for Student Financial Aid (October 25, 2008)
Bluefield College alumni and friends will be going on vacations, spending time at resort hotels, taking part in outdoor excursions and enjoying musical and theatrical entertainment, while current BC students will be benefiting from access to more than $5,000 in additional financial aid, thanks to the success of the school’s 2008 Scholarship Auction.
Dozens of auction enthusiasts, including Bluefield College alumni, faculty, staff and friends from the community, gathered in Harman Chapel on the BC campus, October 25, for the 2008 Scholarship Auction, led by local auctioneer Josh Sweeney of Regency Real Estate and Auction Company, who called out descriptions and petitioned buyers for bids to the tune of $5,275...and all for a good cause.
“That’s what's so great about this auction,” said BC’s Teresa Stanley, director of alumni relations. “All of the proceeds go directly to benefit Bluefield College students. The money we accumulated this year will go into the BC Fund for Scholarships to help current and future students with the costs of attending college.”
Since the fall of 2000, the college has incorporated the fundraising event into its annual Homecoming activities, and while students do benefit from the added scholarship assistance, those participating in the bidding and buying don’t walk away empty-handed, either.
“The auction has become a highlight of Homecoming for both alumni and the community,” Stanley said. “Here, they have the opportunity to get vacations, dinners, entertainment, trips and more at great prices. Because the auction items are donated to us by generous supporters, we can offer them to the bidders at a significant savings.”
Dozens of items were offered for auction this year, including vacations to Crabtree Falls and time-share destinations of choice; entertainment packages to Theatre West Virginia, the Roanoke Civic Center, the Martha Washington Inn, and Dollywood; four rounds of golf at Draper Valley, Fountain Springs, and Castle Rock golf courses; restaurant certificates from places like Applebee's; professional photography from the likes of award-winning photographer Mel Grubb; jewelry from retailers like Leslie Ann's; newspaper subscriptions from providers such as the Bluefield Daily Telegraph; and other items from contributors like Swampfox Motorsports, Mary Kay Cosmetics, and Tolley’s Bible Bookstore.
“The fact that you can get vacations, dinners, trips and more at great prices is enough reason to attend the auction,” Stanley said, “but the idea of providing essential financial aid to Bluefield College students makes the event even more worthwhile.”
The auction also featured the sell of an original autographed fiddle from Charlie Daniels, restaurant giveaways, arts and crafts, and retail discounts and coupons, along with outdoor excursions, including skiing, whitewater rafting and golf. Best of all, the items were donated for free, including Sweeney’s time as auctioneer, so that all proceeds could go to scholarships.
“We are extremely grateful for those who donated items and for the people who donated their time and energy to pull off this event,” Stanley added. “At the same time, we’re equally thankful for the participants who bought items during the auction. It’s obvious that without the generosity of those giving and buying, this event would not be a success, and we would not be able to contribute to student scholarships the way that we do.”
Mayberry, Compton, Olive Earn Distinguished Alumni Awards (October 25, 2008)
Bluefield College presented its annual alumni awards to two distinguished former students and an honorary alumnus during Homecoming festivities on campus, Saturday, October 25.
As part of the traditional Grand Reunion Luncheon, the college presented a Delgado Christian Service Award to Rev. Stafford Compton of Cedar Bluff, Virginia, a Volunteer of the Year award to alumnus Clarence Mayberry of Kensington, Maryland, and an Honorary Alumnus distinction to Bluefield College president, Dr. David Olive.
Rev. Compton earned the Delgado Christian Service Award
Award -- named in honor of the first recipient, the late Dr. Primitivo Delgado, former BC academic dean and professor who demonstrated “a lifelong commitment to Christian service and the growth of God’s kingdom” -- as a result of his “dedication to Christian education and ministry.”
A 1951 BC grad, Rev. Compton began his career in Christian higher education, teaching at Mars Hill College in North Carolina before becoming a professor at his alma mater, Bluefield College, and then later at Southwest Virginia Community College, where he retired as professor and chair of the Division of Social Science and Humanities.
In between his stints in the classroom, Rev. Compton was ordained by First Baptist Church of Richlands and served as a pastor of Green Valley Baptist Church in southwest Virginia. After retiring from higher education in 1993, he returned to the pulpit where he has since served 19 different churches, including Rosedale Baptist Church in Rosedale, Virginia, numerous churches in the New Lebanon Baptist Association, and other congregations in Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina.
He also has assisted with many new church projects, including Fincastle Baptist Church in Tazewell, Rosedale Baptist Church in Rosedale, and Goodwill Center in Clinchco, Virginia. And today, he is a member and pastor emeritus of Gethsemane Baptist Church.
“He exemplifies the Christian servant characteristics of the late Dr. Primitivo Delgado, for whom this award is named,” said BC Alumni Director Teresa Stanley, who presented the award, “and because he has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to Christian service and the growth of God’s kingdom, it gives me great pleasure to present this award to him.”
Mayberry, a 1957 BC alumnus, earned the Volunteer of the Year
Award for the contributions he made this year in “sharing the Bluefield College story.” In memory of his wife of 42 years, Betty, who passed away in 2006, Mayberry purchased and donated the college’s new published history, Lighthouse on the Hill: The Bluefield College Story, to schools and libraries in the area so that, “every school, every public library, and everyone in the community would know the people and the contributions that have helped the school survive.”
“It was his wife’s passing that motivated him to service in her memory for his alma mater,” Stanley said in presenting the award to Mayberry, “service and generosity second to none this past year that warranted him the honor of Volunteer of the Year.”
A veteran of the Unites States Navy and the U.S. Navy Reserves, who spent his professional career with the Federal Housing Administration and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Mayberry sponsored and hosted a luncheon for school and library directors to present the history books to them. In addition, he is considering establishing a scholarship that will preserve the memory of his wife while providing vital financial aid to Bluefield College students.
“He has given so much to his alma mater this year,” said Stanley. “It’s alumni like him that grasp the vision of Bluefield College and cause a ripple effect through their giving.”
Dr. Olive earned the Honorary Alumnus distinction for his “desire to see Bluefield College succeed,” said Dr. Steve Spangler, BC’s vice president for advancement, who presented the award. While the president may not have had the joy of experiencing a BC classroom or the antics of the Secret Seven, Dr. Spangler said, “we do know that he, like all other Bluefield College alumni, has a heart for this college and a desire to see this place be all it can be.”
Since joining the Bluefield College family as president a year ago, Dr. Olive has crafted a bold new vision and an ambitious new strategic plan that challenges the campus community to be Christ-centered, in service above self, transforming students’ lives, and preparing innovative learners and transformational leaders to impact the world.
“He exemplifies the vision, mission and spirit of Bluefield College,” Dr. Spangler said, “and he is worthy of the distinction of honorary alumnus.”
In addition to the presentation of the three alumni awards, BC’s Grand Reunion Luncheon included special recognition for Golden Anniversary graduates from 1958 and Silver Anniversary alumni from 1983.
Students Crown 2008 Homecoming Court (October 25, 2008)
Bluefield College students crowned the school's 2008 Homecoming Queen, King and Court during celebrations on campus, October 24-25.
The BC students selected seniors Lisa Reale and Seth Jones as Queen and King, respectively, and named Paige Morrison and Courtney Willard Junior Princesses, Lindsey Hazelwood Sophomore Princess, and Yeda Duarte Freshman Princess to complete the 2008 Homecoming Court.
Reale, a senior from Newark, DE, majoring in exercise science and sports medicine, is a captain for BC's women's volleyball team and a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. The daughter of John and Linda Reale, she also has been named to BC's President's List and to Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities.
Jones, the son of Rick and Karen Jones, is a senior biology major from Hebron, MD. He also is a resident advisor, a member of the varsity tennis team, and a member of the Blessings and More (BAM) Band. He has been named to BC’s Dean’s List and has been inducted into the school’s Alpha Chi National Honor Society.
Morrison, who tied for the honor of Junior Princess, is a communications major from Mt. Gilead, OH. The daughter of Tom and Nikki Morrison, she also is a member of the women's basketball team and the women's soccer team, as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.
Her counterpart, Willard, is a math teacher education major from Archdale, NC, who serves as a resident advisor and a member of Alpha Delta sorority. She, the daughter of Randy and Cheri Willard, also has been named a BC Noyce Scholar and is a candidate for the education honor society of Pi Lambda Theta.
Hazelwood, the Sophomore Princess from Stuart, VA, is the daughter of Jim and Lila Hazelwood. She majors in graphic communications at BC and is a resident advisor and a member of the Student Union Board, Alpha Delta sorority, and the voice ensemble Praise Singers.
Duarte, the Freshman Princess from Piaui, Brazil, is a sports medicine major, who also serves as a member of the Lady Rams volleyball team. Her parents are Jeffrey and Patricia Duarte.
Other senior candidates for Homecoming Queen included Laura Kerr of North Tazewell, VA, Marie Chappelear of Bassett, Virginia; and Alysha Cornell of Mansfield, OH.
Kerr, the daughter of Greg and Cheryl Kerr, is a history major, a senator for the Student Government Association, and a singer for the jazz ensemble Bluecords. She also is a BC London Scholar, a member of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, a member of the Sigma Tau Delta English Honor Society, a recipient of the President's List distinction, and a participant in BC's Honors Program.
Chappelear, a history education major, is the daughter of Mike and Berta Chappelear. She also is a Student Ambassador and a member of Alpha Delta sorority, the international education association of Phi Delta Kappa, and the Student Virginia Education Association. Her honors include membership with the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, Resident Advisor of the Year in 2006, and inclusion on the President's and Dean's Lists.
Cornell is an exercise science major and a member of both the women's volleyball and women's basketball teams. She is the daughter of William and Sherri Cornell.
Other senior candidates for Homecoming King included Darren Alvaranga of Rockledge, FL, Ben Thurman of Moneta, VA, and Derek Wright of North Tazewell VA.
Alvaranga, the son of Hugh Brown and Joan King-Brown, is a communications major and a member of the men's soccer team. In fact, he was one of just 11 soccer players nationwide to earn placement on the 2005 United States Collegiate Athletic Association's All-Tournament First Team for men's soccer.
Thurman, the son of Calvin and Wilma Thurman, is a chemistry major, who serves as treasurer of the Alpha Chi National Honor Society, treasurer of Phi Psi Omicron fraternity, secretary of the Student Virginia Education Association, and a member of the international education association of Phi Delta Kappa. His honors and awards include BC's Freshman Chemistry Award, Noyce Scholar Award, the POLYED Undergraduate Award for Achievement in Organic Chemistry, and placement on the President's and Dean's Lists.
Wright, the son of Leonard and Linda Wright, is a business major with a concentration in information technology. He also is president of Phi Psi Omicron fraternity, president of BC's Greek Council, and a member of the Student Union Board. He, too, has been included on the Dean's List.
Other candidates for Junior Princess included Caleigh Keith of Roanoke, VA, and Felicia Marmo of Manahawkin, NJ. Keith, the daughter of Margaret Palmer and Kip Keith, is a theatre major and a member of BC Theatre and Alpha Delta sorority. She also is an instructor for the college's Fine Arts Community School, and she has been inducted into the Alpha Chi National Honor Society and included on the President's and Dean's Lists.
Marmo, the daughter of Lauri Heck, is a teacher education major, who plays volleyball and softball for the Lady Rams. In fact, she has been named to the Appalachian Athletic Conference All-Academic Team for women's softball.
Other candidates for Sophomore Princess included Jennifer Bohannan of Merrimack, NH, Hannah Brooks of Bristol, Virginia, and Katie Warren of Princeton, WV.
Bohannan, an English major, is a member of the Student Government Association, the Student Union Board, BC Theatre, and the Student Ambassadors. She also is a recipient of a BC Scholar Award and has been placed on the Dean’s List. Her parents are Randall and Debbie Bohannan.
Brooks, a teacher education major, is a member of the Student Union Board and Alpha Delta sorority. She has been included on the Dean's List and is the daughter of John and Lisa Brooks.
Warren, the daughter of David and Sarah Warren, is a psychology major. She also is also a member of the Lady Rams soccer team.
Other candidates for Freshman Princess included Kristyn Large of Duncan British Columbia, Canada, Amanda Mahnken of Fredericksburg, VA, and Heather Wells of Tazewell, VA.
Large, the daughter of Nigel and Sandra Large, is a sports medicine major and a member of the Lady Rams soccer team.
Mahnken is an art major and a member of the Art Club. She also is a runner for the women’s cross country team.
Her parents are Carl and Hope Mahnken.
Wells is also an art major and a member of the Art Club. She also plays for the women’s soccer team and is active in youth ministry. Her parents are Brian and Diana Hess.
Bluefield College Homecoming Court nominees and winners are selected annually by student voting in the weeks prior to Homecoming celebrations. The candidates are presented and crowned during the traditional Homecoming Dance.
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