Bluefield College honored its employees with a faculty and staff awards ceremony, May 4, which included the presentation of a Distinguished Faculty Award to Wendy Beavers, a Distinguished Staff Award to Bryan Frazier, and a 30-year Service Award to Barbara Harris.
Beavers, an assistant professor and chair of the Department of History, earned the 2017 Distinguished Faculty Award as a result of her “creative and effective teaching, scholarship, personal and professional integrity, and commitment to the mission of the college.”
“She gives an amazing amount of time to others,” said Dr. Marshall Flowers, vice president for academic affairs. “If you’ve had a chance to sit in her classroom, you would be so pleased with the energy and enthusiasm she has for history. What a remarkable servant and leader among us, and we’re grateful to honor her this year with this award.”
A 1995 Bluefield College alumna, Beavers joined the BC faculty in the fall of 1997. She teaches World Civilizations and European History, and her research interests include pre-modern military and ancient history. An instructional technology specialist, she has participated in workshops and seminars focusing on the ancient Greek world, and she frequently team teaches courses in conjunction with other departments, several of which have included trips abroad to England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Italy, Greece, Scotland, and Ireland.
“It truly is an honor to be teaching at the same place I graduated from,” Beavers told her co-workers. “I really appreciate the support and encouragement I receive from all of you. It’s an honor to work with you.”
Frazier, who earned the 2017 Distinguished Staff Award, joined the Bluefield College family in 2006 as manager of the Office Enrollment Management. In 2013, he took on the added duties of director of institutional research, fulfilling the school’s various reporting requirements for institutional effectiveness. In presenting his award, President David Olive spoke of his loyalty and servant leadership.
“So much of his work goes unnoticed, because much of it is behind the scenes,” said Dr. Olive. “The college could not function without his knowledge and dedication. He is a hard worker and wise beyond his years. There is not a person on this campus who does not depend on him for something. Above all, he exhibits a servant’s attitude that shines above all of his other good qualities. There is no one more dedicated to the good of others and the good of Bluefield College than Bryan Frazier.”
The college also presented Service Awards to employees with extended years of service, including Harris, a 30-year veteran of the food services staff; Werner Lind, assistant director of library services (25 years); Beavers (20 years); Dr. Lewis Buterakos, associate professor and chair of the Department of Mathematics (15 years); Dr. Olive (10 years); Dr. Mark Gettle, associate professor and chair of the Department of Management and Leadership (10 years); Dr. Robert Boozer, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology (10 years); Dr. Joe Saunders, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry (10 years); Susan Davis, assistant director of financial aid (10 years); Dennie Landreth, adjunct instructor of music (five years); Sheila Heldreth, instructor for online programs (five years); Jeffery Disibbio, adjunct instructor of criminal justice (five years); Alandra Hinkle, adjunct instructor of music (five years); Dr. Maria Zalduondo, associate professor of languages and director of Global Education (five years); Andrew Lawrence, assistant professor of management and leadership (five years); and Beth Kinser, manager of the Campus Store (five years).
In addition, two professors were recognized for promotions granted this spring by the BC Board of Trustees, including Charles Reese, who was promoted from associate professor of theatre to full professor of theatre, and Dr. Irene Reiger, who was promoted from assistant professor of English to associate professor of English.
Dr. Donna Watson, professor and dean of the School of Education who will be departing BC at the end of the academic year, was also acknowledged for her service to the school. A 1980 graduate of Bluefield College, Dr. Watson joined the teacher education faculty full time in 1996 after teaching part time for nine years. She became chair of the Division of Education in 2006 and later dean of the School of Education in 2013. She is a two-time (2010 and 2016) recipient of the school’s Distinguished Faculty Award and served as faculty president in 2009-2010.
As part of the year-end awards program, Dr. Olive also expressed appreciation to all faculty and staff for their role in the accomplishments of the 2016-2017 academic year, including the school’s reaffirmation of accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the development of new academic programs, the creation of a new master’s degree program in nursing, and ongoing fundraising for the expansion of the Science Center and the construction of a Health and Wellness Center.
“Thank you for the work you do every day and for the impact you have on the lives of our students,” Dr. Olive told the employees. “You are truly focusing on developing servant leaders.”