Bluefield College presented its annual alumni awards to two distinguished former students and honored a longtime BC friend with an Honorary Alumna Award during Homecoming festivities on campus, October 15-17.
Successful entrepreneur and consultant Joseph K. Tatum, who earned an associate’s degree from BC in 1971, received the college’s Outstanding Alumnus Award for 2010. Tatum, who attributes his success to the “caring professors” of Bluefield College who gave him a chance at higher education when no other college would, earned the Outstanding Alumnus Award for his “success in business,” “service to the Board of Trustees,” and “dedication to his alma mater.”
Tatum’s professional resume includes 20 years in banking as a senior vice president of commercial lending for Central Fidelity Bank and a senior vice president for Wachovia. In 1999, he launched Tradewinds Capital, the first of many private investment capital ventures, the most recent and notable being ADMMicro, an energy management company.
“When you look back at a young boy with D-minus grades, who is now a banker, an investment consultant, and a trustee,” said Rev. Jack Marcom, who serves alongside Tatum on the BC Board, “it certainly makes you proud.”
Alumnus Dan Agee from the class of 1973, earned BC’s 2010 Primitivo Delgado Christian Service
Award for his “service to his country,” “service to Virginia Baptists,” and “service to his alma mater.
Agee, a 38-year veteran of the military, served 26 years as a military chaplain, including stints in Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Germany, and Korea.
“Dan exemplifies the life of Dr. Delgado,” said Alumni Director Josh Cline about Agee and the former BC academic dean and professor for whom the award is named. “Like Dr. ‘Del,’ Dan has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to Christian service and a dedication to Christian ministry.”
A recipient of the Legion of Merit Award, the highest award given to a non-combat soldier, Agee’s service also includes a longtime tenure as director of evangelism for the Virginia Baptist Mission Board. He is currently serving as president of BC’s Alumni Association.
Longtime BC friend Janice Hawks, wife to alumnus Doug Hawks, earned an Honorary Alumna Award from the college. A graduate of Mercer University, Janice Hawks provided the funds necessary to restore the columns on the front of Harman Chapel last fall. Before that, she and her husband gave a gift to construct a new foyer addition to the Chapel. Their gifts in 2005 helped complete wholesale renovations to the facility.
“This lady is a true friend of Bluefield College,” said Alumni Director Josh Cline. “Her love for the college is evident through her gifts, her support, and her dedication to the school.”
Cline added that Janice Hawks has stood alongside her husband as he has served as a member of the BC Board of Trustees. “His many years of affection for this college are matched by hers,” Cline said.
During other Homecoming 2010 activities, Bluefield College honored members of the class of 1960 with induction into its Golden Graduates Society. The school also hosted its annual Scholarship Auction and presented three BC Theatre performances.
Students crowned seniors Lindsey Hazelwood of Stuart, Virginia, and Jacob Woodrum of Bluefield, West Virginia, Homecoming Queen and King. And, former BC athletes returned for alumni soccer and basketball games, while other alumni returned for a Homecoming Coffeehouse, a Scholarship Golf Tournament, and to serve as guest lecturers and participants in classrooms with current BC students. The traditional reunion weekend ended with a Campus-Community Worship Service.
For more information about Homecoming 2010, visit bluefield.edu/homecoming2010.