206299_BU_PresInaugurationProgram

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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 has an extensive and progressive thirty-year career in higher education. Before becoming the 10th president at Bluefield University, he served as the Vice President for Adult & Graduate Studies at Houston Christian University. He was the founding Vice President of the Pampell Online Division, a new initiative at HCU to develop online undergraduate and graduate programs. Before his role at HCU, Dr. Peterson served as the Vice President for Admissions at Liberty University and was an instrumental part of the historic growth of the online program at the institution. His higher education career started in the trenches, as his first role was in financial aid, helping students fund their education. He then assisted the chancellor’s staff for over a decade, serving in various capacities and roles. Born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Peterson is the middle child of five siblings raised by his mother. After attending the Word of Life Bible Institute in Schroon Lake, NY, he relocated to Virginia in 1993, where he continued his studies at Liberty University. While enrolled at LU, Dr. Peterson put down roots when he married his wife of 30 years, Faith. Together, they raised five children: Steven, Zachary, Megan (Dillan), Jonathan (Rachel) & Mia. He is a devoted husband and father who balances his professional commitments with a busy family life.

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

Prelude

Mr. Ron Mullenex, Appalachian Artist, fiddle and banjo

*Academic Processional

Mr. Blake Carter, Class of 2025

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: Ashton Buckley (2025) , Blake Edwards (2025) , Danielle Saunders (2027) , John Thompson (2028)

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

Former Institutions Served Dr. Jay Spencer, Houston Christian University Vice President for Online/Digital Learning 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

Ms. Grace Trent, Class of 2025

Ephesians 2:1-10

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

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

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 *Recessional

Ellen Lowrie Black, Ed. D. Senior Executive Director, LU One

Mr. Blake Carter, piano

Following the ceremony, an inaugural luncheon will be served in Shott Hall for the campus community and invited guests.

* Audience will please stand

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Verse 3 Pardon for sin And a peace that endureth Thy own dear presence To cheer and to guide Strength for today And bright hope for tomorrow Blessings all mine With ten thousand beside

Chorus Great is Thy faithfulness Great is Thy faithfulness Morning by morning

New mercies I see All I have needed

Thy hand hath provided Great is Thy faithfulness Lord unto me

Thomas Obediah Chisholm, William Marion Runyan © Words: Public Domain; Music: Public Domain

Verse 1 Great is Thy faithfulness

O God my Father There is no shadow Of turning with Thee Thou changest not Thy compassions they fail not

Bluefield University Alma Mater In Virginia where the mountains lift their peaks so bold and high, There stands our Alma Mater dear and for her fame we vie. We hail thee Bluefield University, thy red, thy blue, thy white. Ever serving God and country, walking in God’s holy light. The two Virginias greet thy fame as at they feet they meet. Old Dominion and her daughter in sweet peace at thy feet. We hail thee Bluefield University, thy red, thy blue, thy white. Ever serving God and country, walking in God’s holy light.

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be

Verse 2 Summer and winter And springtime and harvest Sun moon and stars In their courses above Join with all nature In manifold witness To Thy great faithfulness Mercy and love

Words: James Zambus Music: Frank Stovall

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 Rutherford, Alumni

2024-

BOARD OF TRUSTEES

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

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. 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

Mr. Mori Williams Mr. Lamont Woods

THANK YOU to our friends at

First Baptist Church of Bluefield, West Virginia for providing shuttle service today Pioneer College Catering for providing refreshments 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