Bluefield University recently presented its 2nd Annual Dr. Donna Watson Goodness and Light Alumni Award – a tribute to a pillar of the Teacher Education Program and former Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences. The recipient of the 2ndannual award is Anthony Kidd, an assistant principal at Riverlawn Elementary School.
Created collaboratively by the Bluefield University School of Education and Social Sciences and Office of Alumni Relations, the Goodness and Light Alumni Award is designed to recognize graduates who are “doing great things in our schools and classrooms,” according to Shellie Brown, Director of the BU Teacher Education Program. The annual award, she added, will recognize a graduate of the School of Education who “embodies Dr. Watson’s mantra of spreading goodness and light within the field of education.” The award gives us the opportunity to recognize members of our outstanding alumni base with an honor that best expresses our appreciation for their service to our education communities. Kidd, the recipient of this year’s award, earned his bachelor’s degree with teacher licensure from Bluefield University and has since entered into the role of school administration.
Anthony Kidd has been spreading good and light into the lives of students since he first stepped foot into the classroom. He is passionate about serving children and dedicates personal time and resources into the school community in which he serves. Anthony continues to follow Bluefield University’s mission of transformational servant leadership throughout his work in public education. Brandy Smith, Assistant Professor of Education stated, “We are so pleased to honor his service through this prestigious award.”
Mrs. Phyllis Owens was also recognized this year with an honorary Goodness and Light Award for her work in the Department of Teacher Education. According to Shellie Brown, “Mrs. Owens has made such a positive impact on countless students as a high school English teacher and as a professor and mentor to pre-service teachers at Bluefield University. She spreads goodness and light in everything she does.”
Other nominees for the inaugural Goodness and Light Alumni Award included Hannah Mayo from Bland Elementary School in Bland, Virginia; Emily Sears Cook (’12) from Graham High School in Bluefield, Virginia; Keisha Lynch (’17) from Cedar Bluff Elementary in Cedar Bluff, Virginia and Morgan Lloyd (’15) from Richlands High School in Richlands, Virginia.