206299_BU_PresInaugurationProgram

Presidential Inauguration OCTOBER 16, 2024 10:30 AM

The Inaugural Convocation of

Tenth President of STEVEN D. PETERSON, ED. D. BLUEFIELD UNIVERSITY

Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM

BLUEFIELD UNIVERSITY Harman Chapel 3000 College Avenue Bluefield, Virginia

President Steve Peterson

Dr. Peterson brings nearly 30 years of experience in higher education to his role as the 10 th President of Bluefield University. His career has been marked by a commitment to innovation, leadership, and student success. Prior to his tenure at Bluefield University, Dr. Peterson held the position of Vice President for Online Learning at Houston Christian University. He was also the founding Vice President of the Pampell Online Division, where he spearheaded the development of state-of the-art online undergraduate and graduate programs.

Before joining Houston Christian University, he served as Vice President for Admissions at Liberty University, where he played a key role in the remarkable expansion of the university’s online programs, achieving over 100,000 enrollments. His expertise in university advancement was further demonstrated when he became Executive Director of University Advancement in 2007, leading successful marketing, fundraising, and development initiatives that bolstered operational funding, scholarships, and the university’s endowment.

Dr. Peterson and his wife, Faith, have been married for 30 years and share a commitment to education and community service. They are the parents of five adult children, Steven, Zachary, Megan, John and Mia (Class of 2028).

The Inaugural Convocation of Steven D. Peterson, Ed. D. Tenth President of Bluefield University Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM

Prelude music

Mr. Ron Mullenex, BU Fine Arts Community School Traditional Appalachian Artist, fiddle and banjo

*Academic Processional

Mr. Blake Carter

The President’s Processional, written by Blake Carter

*Invocation

Dr. David Olive, Chancellor & Ninth President of Bluefield University

*Inaugural Hymn

Dr. Mark L. Milberger, Asst. Professor, Music &

“Great is Thy Faithfulness”

Worship Arts Trombone Quartet {insert names}

Welcome and Introductions

Mr. Jackson E. Reasor, Jr. Chair, Board of Trustees

Greetings to the President on Behalf of

The Trustees Mr. Jackson E. Reasor, Jr. Chair, Board of Trustees

The Students Mr. Landon Breeden, Class of 2026 President, Student Government Association

The Faculty Dr. Henry Clary President of the Faculty

The Alumni Zachary B. Smith, Esq. ‘08 Alumni Association Board Member

Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, DO, FACOFP President

The Harvey W. Peters Foundation Mr. John G. Rocovich, Esq. VCOM Board of Directors Chairman-Treasurer-Foundation Chair

The Baptist General Association of Virginia Rev. David B. Washburn Treasurer, BGAV

*Scripture

name of student

Chapter and Verse

Introduction of the Speaker

Steven D. Peterson, Ed.D., President

Inaugural Address

Rev. Jonathan Falwell, Chancellor, Liberty University Senior Pastor at Thomas Road Baptist Church Peterson family friend and pastor

Investiture

Introduction of the President Rev. Craig Stout, Trustee Chair, Presidential Search Committee

Installation Mr. Jackson E. Reasor Chair, Board of Trustees

Presentation of the Presidential Medallion Dr. David W. Olive Chancellor, Ninth President of Bluefield University, 2007-2023

Prayer of Dedication Dr. Michael Salmeier, Provost and Former Interim President, 2024

Song of Response

Abigail Bradley (Class of 2026) , Amaya Brooks (Class of 2025) ,

Wonderful Merciful Savior by Dawn Rogers & Eric Wyse

Caleb Honaker (Class of 2028)

Inaugural Response

Steven D. Peterson, President

Blueprint for the Future

*Alma Mater

Ms. Laura Horton ’24, Coordinator of Student Care

*Benediction

Ellen Lowrie Black, Ed,D. Senior Executive Director, LU Online Doctoral mentor to Dr. Steve Peterson

*Recessional

Blake Carter, piano

* Audience will please stand

Rev. Jonathan Falwell

Rev. Jonathan Falwell is the Senior Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church and serves as Chancellor of Liberty University. Falwell has spent his lifetime associated with the ministries of Thomas Road Baptist Church (TRBC) and Liberty University, serving at TRBC for nearly 30 years and as its senior pastor since 2007. He has been in full-time ministry since 1994. He has also served on Liberty’s Board of Trustees for over 30 years. Previously, Falwell held the titles of vice chancellor for spiritual affairs, executive vice president for spiritual affairs, and campus pastor for the university. He is also twice an alumnus of Liberty and holds a juris doctor.

In addition to his church ministry, Falwell has been a successful entrepreneur, an author, a widely published photographer, and a commercial pilot. He and his wife, Shari, have been married since 1992, and they have four children — three of whom are married — and three grandchildren.

PRESIDENTS

PRESIDENTIAL SEARCH COMMITTEE

Dr. R.A. Lansdell Dr. Oscar E. Sams Dr. J. Taylor Stinson Dr. Edwin Wade Dr. Charles L. Harman Dr. Charles L. Tyer Dr. Roy A. Dobyns Dr. Daniel G. MacMillan Dr. David W. Olive Dr. Steven D. Peterson

1922-1926 1927-1930 1930-1934 1934-1946 1946-1972 1972-1988 1989-1996 1997-2006 2007-2023

Mr. Craig Stout, Chair Dr. David Bailey, Trustee Mrs. Heather Harris, Trustee Mr. Robert Houck, Trustee Ms. Elizabeth Keene, Trustee Mrs. Sarah Reid, Trustee Dr. Emily Lambert, Faculty Mr. Hal Keene, Administration

Mr. Isaiah Rife, Student Government Association Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins, Harvey W. Peters Foundation Mr. Corey Mullins, Athletics Mrs. Sara Rutheford, Alumni

2024-

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

C. Todd Asbury Dr. David L. Bailey, Jr. Mr. John P. Beckett, Jr. Mrs. Cindy Carter Mrs. Terri N. Cole Dr. Roger Collier Rev. Rodney Hale Rev. Ron Hall Mrs. Heather Harris Mr. Robert Houck

Dr. Melissa Hypes Mrs. Julie H. Johnson Ms. Elizabeth Keene Mr. David Kirk Mr. David T. Larimer, II Rev. Christopher Lawson Mrs. Phyllis Marcom Dr. Donna Payne Mr. Jackson E. Reasor, Jr. Mrs. Sarah Reid

Mr. John G. Rocovich, Jr. Mr. Thomas R. Scott, Jr. Mr. Craig F. Stout Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins Mr. Michael A. Wade

Mr. Mori Williams Mr. Lamont Woods

THANK YOU to our friends at

First Baptist Church of Bluefield, West Virginia for providing shuttle service today

Narrow Gate Greenhouse for the flowers around campus Pioneer College Catering for providing snacks and lunch

I NAUGURAT I ON TEAM

Bethany Justis, Team Leader Burma McChesney Sherelle Morgan Daniel Mullins Gary Ruth Chris Shoemaker Cathy Payne

Tim Robinette Robbie Smith Corey Mullins Dr. Mark Milberger Hal Keene Kevin Rosney Dr. Shawn White

OUR MI SS I ON Bluefield University is a Christ-centered learning community developing servant leaders to transform the world.

www.bluefield.edu