Bluefield College honored its class of 1960 with induction into the school’s Golden Graduates Society during Homecoming festivities on campus, October 15-17.
Thirty-six BC grads from the Golden Anniversary era and beyond returned for the induction ceremony, including some who traveled from as far as Florida and California for the second annual honorary event.
“We’re here to celebrate a special reunion for you, the class of 1960,” said Bluefield College president, Dr. David Olive. “You are a special group, and we hope that you not only enjoy your weekend back on campus, but also the celebration and significance of your induction into our Golden Graduates Society.”
The college created its Golden Graduates Society last fall to honor Golden Anniversary alumni and to preserve the legacy of its golden grads. That year, more than 120 alumni and friends filled BCs Shott Hall to honor the 63 inaugural inductees. This fall, nearly 100 alumni and friends watched as the 36 former students from the class of 1960 were added to the prestigious society.
The golden grads participating in the 2010 induction ceremony included: Dr. Betty Whitenack Masters Alexander, Richard E. Alford, Dr. David Bailey, Jr., Wayne Booth, Mary Louise Roach Bradley, Kay Rogers Caminade, Carol Wright Conner, R. Douglas Coon, Winford H. “Wink” Dillard, Jane Monfalcone Dunn, Doris Garrett Gillenwater, Robert L Gillenwater, Dennis Green, Dianne Slemp Green, Rhoda J. Green, Rev. Rodney J. Hale, Bill Henthorn, Betty Bishop Hodges, James B. Jenkins, Anne Ray Keeton Jones, Fran Webb Louthan, Dr. Roy L. Marshall, II, Shirley R. Marshall, Allen Dennis Moulder, Burton Northam, Ruth Shereda Peaco, Rev. John D. Ragland, Charlie Reynolds, Charles David Rhodes, Roberta Neal Coldiron Rickers, Faye Pugh Schell, Joseph Vicars, Rebecca Coleman Wagoner, Margaret Orrock Watkins, Carlene Walters Smith Woolwine, and Judith Slemp Yost.
Each received a gold medallion, engraved with the Golden Graduates Society insignia, along with a BC lapel pin, imprinted with the college seal.
The class of 1960 also dedicated a memorial gift on campus during Homecoming weekend. Erected to pay tribute to members of the class who have passed away since graduation, the monument is engraved with images of two students in academic regalia and a scripture that reads, “That in all things, He might have the pre-eminence.”
“The class of 1960 was more than generous in their giving to place this monument on campus,” said Rev. Hale, who served as a keynote speaker for the ceremony. “We wanted to give something a little more significant than your typical class gift. We hope that this monument creates a positive image and feeling on campus.”
Rev. Hale spoke about the purpose of the monument — to honor the college and to memorialize the students from 1960 who have since passed. He also shared memories of the positive experience he and the other golden grads had while students at Bluefield College, thanks to “the caring and encouraging professors.”
“We hope this will be a long-lasting remembrance of our classmates from 1960,” Rev. Hale said, “and a reminder of the good days that we had here.”
During the dedication ceremony, the golden grads read the name of each deceased classmate and released a balloon commemorating that particular person.