97th Annual Spring Commencement

THE NINETY-SEVENTH ANNUAL SPRING COMMENCEMENT of Bluefield College B luefield , V irginia

Saturday May 4, 2019 10:00 a.m.

COMMENCEMENT

Prelude

Mrs. Alandra Blume Hinkle College Accompanist, Piano

*Processional Pomp and Circumstance

Mrs. Alandra Blume Hinkle

Sir Edward Elgar

*Invocation

Dr. Tracey Stout Dean, College of Arts and Letters Associate Professor of Christian Studies

*Scripture Reading

Dr. Abigail Heiniger Assistant Professor of English

Welcome and Introductions

Dr. David W. Olive President Mr. Craig Stout Board of Trustees

Greetings from the Board of Trustees

Variations Chamber Singers Homeward Bound

Dr. John Moir

Keen, arr. Wilberg

Assistant Professor of Music, Conductor Ms. Nicole Benedito Contralto Soloist, Class of 2019 Ms. Hannah Ingo Flute, Class of 2019

Student Addresses School of Education and Social Sciences School of Education and Social Sciences

Ms. Allyson Daniele Carter Mr. Daniel Eric Mason

*Hymn O for a Thousand Tongues to Sing

led by Dr. Charles Priest Associate Professor of Music

Wesley/AZMON

Commencement Address

Mrs. Kelly Chadwick Streiff

Presentation of Graduates

Dr. Marshall E. Flowers, Jr. Vice President for Academic Affairs

Mrs. Rebecca McCoy-Reese Assistant Professor of Theatre

Conferral of Degrees

Dr. David W. Olive

Alumni Induction

Mr. Zachary Smith President, Alumni Association Board

Zambus/Stovall

*Alma Mater

led by Dr. Charles Priest

*Benediction

Mr. Gregory Allen Roberts Associate Professor of Graphic Communication

* † Recessional     Triumphal March

Mrs. Alandra Blume Hinkle

Ludwig van Beethoven

* Please stand *†Please remain standing at your seat until after the Recessional.

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Kelly Chadwick Streiff

Kelly Chadwick Streiff grew up right here in Bluefield, West Virginia before setting out to see the world. She traveled to 37 different countries and called eight different states home, before trading in her passport for a permanent address. She now lives in Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Peter, and they are expecting their first child in June. Kelly graduated from King University, and has dedicated her career to non- profit ministry where she has served in a variety of local churches and organizations over the last twenty years. Most recently, she worked as the Manager for WinShape Camps for Girls, a summer camp founded by Truett Cathy. Kelly dusted off her passport again in January and currently serves as the Training Coordinator for Oasis for Orphans, a non-profit organization providing orphan care to children in southwest Kenya.

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION Jara Ann Armstrong Princeton, West Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Anna Rakes Bowles Fieldale, Virginia John B. Rhudy Burke’s Garden, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Alexis Nicole Thompson Bluefield, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Kimberly Denise Wells Elliston, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Education in Teaching Excellence Laura Renae Whiteed Grubb Max Meadows, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Daniel Eric Mason Bluefield, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Sarah Baker Bailey Bluefield, Virginia Master in Business Administration, Leadership Nina Y. Williams West Point, Virginia Master in Business Administration, Leadership

Charlie M. Carr Roanoke, Virginia Master in Business Administration, Leadership

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Sandra L. Clay Beckley, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Leslie Nii Adjamah Lartey Culpeper, Virginia Ashlee Paige Snapp Kingsport, Tennessee Family Nurse Practitioner Tiffanie Reneé Snyder Mount Hope, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner

Family Nurse Practitioner Victoria Lynn Mullins Stuart, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner

CANDIDATES FOR HONORS PROGRAM

Madeline Dawn Atkins* Pembroke, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Rhyan Alexandra Bailey*** Rock, West Virginia Biology Exercise and Sport Science

Allyson Daniele Carter*** Cool Ridge, West Virginia Mathematics with Teacher Licensure

Sven Kleinhans*** Ottenhofen, Germany Criminal Justice Exercise and Sport Science :

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE

Jeanna Ann Anderson Tullahoma, Tennessee Christian Studies Benjamin J. Ayers** Bluefield, Virginia Graphic Communication Andre J. Cardamone Wasco, California

Lillian Katherine Gray*** Roanoke, Virginia Music

Hannah Mayre Ingo Max Meadows, Virginia Music Education-Instrumental preK-12 Charity O. Reynolds Ridgeway, Virginia

Mary Blake Avery* Newport News, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Jan Elizabeth Barney* Orange, Virginia Management and Leadership Abigail M. Beavers Bluefield, Virginia Biology Kierra Trenise Bell-Linnear* Richmond, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Nicole Marchetti Benedito** Sao Paulo, Brazil Biology Charles Theo Black Orlando, Florida Business Administration ~ Graphic Communication Sharon Lynn Cobbler** Bassett, Virginia Theatre Danaé Meshaun Cox* Richmond, Virginia Art Business Graphic Communication Marcus J. Espinal Alvarez Danbury, Connecticut Criminal Justice Kalin Hope Folden Princeton, West Virginia Christian Studies

Criminal Justice Jeda Schmitt Minneola, Florida Communication Jacob Alexander Webster

Ringgold, Virginia Christian Studies Heather Wrench Dunn, North Carolina History/Social Science with Teacher Licensure

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE

Michelle Bolton Blessard Fincastle, Virginia Organizational Leadership AdamWayne Blevins Galax, Virginia Psychology Brandon Ryshad Bond Newport News, Virginia Criminal Justice Chrystal Marie Boothe Draper, Virginia Human Services Eugene Joseph Bowden, Jr. Roanoke, Virginia Management and Leadership

Amber Nicole Boyd North Tazewell, Virginia Criminal Justice

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

Benjamin Mark Brown Richlands, Virginia Mathematics Chiara Cree Brumfield Chatham, Virginia Early Childhood Education Exercise and Sport Science Katherine Leigh Calfee Tazewell, Virginia Business Administration Adam Bryant Castro Troutman, North Carolina Exercise and Sport Science Jacob E. Brown Honaker, Virginia

Carah Janelle Dalton Bluefield, Virginia Biology Rebekah Dea Cheyenne, Wyoming Organizational Leadership Kristen Danielle Deal Grundy, Virginia Biology Kelly Reneé Dietz Bluefield, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Christopher Daniel Dixon Newport News, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Lena Ralene Duke Charles City, Virginia Human Services Katelyn Lee Dunford* Montcalm, West Virginia Biology Olatunji Ebifemi Ajegunle Lagos, Nigeria Business Administration Johnathan Ferguson** Wytheville, Virginia Management and Leadership Duarte Cruz Ferreira Lisbon, Portugal

Cowanda Cobbs Danville, Virginia

Early Childhood Education Kowante Juwan Cobbs Danville, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Sharon Lynn Cobbler** Bassett, Virginia Psychology Jorge Luis Concepcion, III Chesapeake, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Robert Evan Connor Roanoke, Virginia Criminal Justice Camaro Lynn Cook*** Manassas, Virginia Business Administration Joshua M. Corell North Tazewell, Virginia Criminal Justice Keyonna Y. Crouch Kenner, Louisiana Human Services Erin Marie Cunningham* Fredericksburg, Virginia Human Services Marie Michelle Cunningham Fredericksburg, Virginia Human Services

Exercise and Sport Science Bradley Evan Ferrell** Richlands, Virginia Mathematics with Teacher Licensure Ryan James Franceschina Frederick, Maryland Criminal Justice Candace Lee Francis La Crosse, Virginia Human Services

Chaz Michael Franqui Old Bridge, New Jersey Criminal Justice Tina Marie Freeman Pulaski County, Virginia Human Services

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

Vinettea Renee Newbey Freeman Lynchburg, Virginia Management and Leadership Nicholas Stephen Goad Stuart, Virginia Management and Leadership Donal Gooch, Jr. Wendell, North Carolina Exercise and Sport Science Alyssa Nichol Gore Princeton, West Virginia Management and Leadership Brooke Elizabeth Hall* Bluefield, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Kyle L. Harris New York, New York Exercise and Sport Science MarQuell Jovonte Hart Grundy, Virginia Human Services April LeAnn Hylton Bland, Virginia Human Services Asma Fariha Ismael*** Marion, Virginia Human Services Devon L. Jackson Newport News, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Dylan Jones Rich Valley, Virginia Business Administration Lynne Tolbert Jones* Pulaski, Virginia Management and Leadership Ethan Ellery Keith Keene Richlands, Virginia Biology Suffolk, Virginia Criminal Justice Stephanie Marie Vest Hubbard Roanoke, Virginia Organizational Leadership Debra Johnson Hutchinson*

Courtney Lauren Kendrick Charleston, West Virginia Biology Crystal Lawton LaBrie Roanoke, Virginia Management and Leadership Victoria L. Martin Covington, Virginia Criminal Justice Marvin Gerard Lemons Atlanta, Georgia Management and Leadership Nikki Lineberry Galax, Virginia Human Services Evelyn E. Love Los Angeles, California Human Services Sherry A. Lozano Willis, Virginia Management and Leadership Ronald L. Marsh Roanoke, Virginia Organizational Management and Development Anisha Kenzie Marshall Hillsville, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Alex T. Martin Dobson, North Carolina Criminal Justice Igenter W. L. McCoy, III Chesapeake, Virginia Management and Leadership Camry Elizabeth McCroskey Narrows, Virginia Biology Jessica Cox-Meadows Bland, Virginia Human Services Tanya Robson Melanson Culpeper, Virginia Early Childhood Education Gema Karina Mendoza Cervallos* Manta, Ecuador

Business Administration Exercise and Sport Science

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

Cameron M. Roberts Panther, West Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Karissa Joy Rose Grundy, Virginia Business Administration Joanna L. Ryan Catawba, Virginia Human Services Joshua Lee Salmon Roanoke, Virginia Criminal Justice Paloma Sanchez Vives*** Valencia, Spain Business Administration Glenn Donald Scott Roanoke, Virginia Business Administration Daniel Shelton Fairfield, North Carolina Criminal Justice Rodrell Shaquille Smith Arrington, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Joe Alexander Stacey Sheffield, England Business Administration Business Administration Roby S. Stoots, Jr.** Woodlawn, Virginia Human Services Aaron J. Swingle Bluefield, West Virginia Biology Chemistry David James Tripp, III Norwich, Connecticut Exercise and Sport Science Dina B. Turner Yadkinville, North Carolina Management and Leadership Brian I. Vasquez Westchester, New York Criminal Justice / Kevin Stoffle* Vienna, Austria

Demetrius Michael Miller* Marion, Virginia Management and Leadership Quincy De’Shawn Mock Hampton, Virginia Business Administration Brandon David Moser Dublin, Virginia Criminal Justice Randall Cade Mullins Richlands, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Shasta Renee Myers* Big Stone Gap, Virginia Human Services Michael August Niedermeier Chesapeake, Virginia Management and Leadership Anna Nicole Oliver* Ashland, Virginia Mathematics with Teacher Licensure Jonathan Duane Owens Wythe County, Virginia Management and Leadership

Steven Wayne Pack Ballard, West Virginia Criminal Justice Sarah Elizabeth Pauley** Bluefield, Virginia Biology Gabriel Flynn Poling Chillicothe, Missouri Biology

Kenton Presley Oakwood, Virginia Biology Crystal Rasnake* Abingdon, Virginia Human Services Travis Reynolds

Bassett, Virginia Criminal Justice MyKenzie Kayln Roach** Bluefield, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

Alec Matthew Vetro Virginia Beach, Virginia Business Administration Samantha Casey Waelti Christiansburg, Virginia Human Services

Francisco Williams Queens, New York Criminal Justice Luzette Demoorea Williams Tazewell, Virginia Human Services LaVera Bellins Wilson Richmond, Virginia Human Services Traci Elizabeth Worrell Barren Springs, Virginia Human Services

Katie M’Lyn Wass Chesterfield, Virginia Human Services Kortney L. Wells Riverton, Utah Exercise and Sport Science Keondra Cassie Lynise Melody Whitaker Richmond, Virginia Early Childhood Education

Zachary Wright Abingdon, Virginia Biology

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOROF SCIENCE INNURSINGDEGREE Chase P. Asbury Bristol, Virginia RN to BSN Samantha Rhea Bishop Pulaski, Virginia RN to BSN Brandi Viers Burnham Pound, Virginia RN to BSN Amanda Leigh Casillas Woodbridge, Virginia RN to BSN Debra Lynn Creditt Stafford, Virginia RN to BSN Jessica Breann Dowdy Dublin, Virginia RN to BSN Rachel McKenna Hackney Tazewell, Virginia RN to BSN Melissa Rae Hoyas* Bristol, Virginia RN to BSN Natasha Fay Mullins Haysi, Virginia RN to BSN Daniel Dalton Parker Keokee, Virginia RN to BSN Danielle Raven Pender* Bristol, Virginia RN to BSN Shaunita Michelle Rhone Stephens City, Virginia RN to BSN

Nicole Grubb Fries, Virginia RN to BSN

Josie Kay Wilson** Meadowview, Virginia RN to BSN

CANDIDATES FOR ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE DEGREE

Jovita Noelle Dabney Richmond, Virginia General Studies Caitlyn Marie Guthrie Virginia Beach, Virginia General Studies

Katelyn Marie Messersmith Abingdon, Virginia General Studies Alexandria Sturgell Bluefield, Virginia General Studies

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude

THE COLLEGE SEAL The College Seal has been in existence since the doors of Bluefield College opened in 1922. Designed by the daughter of Dr. R. A. Lansdell, first President of Bluefield College, it features three Latinwords, “Deus,”meaning God, “Patria,”meaning country, and “Lux,” meaning light. The seal has been a beacon of light for those who study, teach, and serve at Bluefield College, as it speaks of the duty to serve God and to be divine light in this country and indeed throughout the world. GRADUATION HONORS Bluefield College baccalaureate graduates are recognized with honors for achievement of a cumulative grade point average from 3.5 to 4.0. Baccalaureate degree honors are recognized by wearing blue, white, and gold cords, and by the following distinctions: Cum Laude 3.50 - 3.74 Magna Cum Laude 3.75 - 3.89 Summa Cum Laude 3.90 - 4.00 THE COLLEGE MACE Bluefield College ceremonial occasions begin with the entrance of the College Mace, carriedby the College senior facultymember andFacultyMarshal. Themace symbolizes the College’s governing authority and is present when the College leadership and faculty are in attendance. The tradition of the mace derives frommedieval times in England, when the mace was held by a bodyguard for dignitaries at ceremonial functions. Today, ceremonial maces are used by governing bodies worldwide, including the U.S. House of Representatives and the British Parliament. As an ancient symbol of authority, it reminds us that colleges and universities are custodians both of the enduring traditions of learning and of the power they bestow upon those who come to learn. It is also a reminder that the learning process has not always been comfortable and easy. The Bluefield College Mace is seen regularly at the President’s Convocation, the Honors Convocation, and the Winter and Spring Commencement ceremonies. The Bluefield College Mace is 42 inches in length. The four-sided head-piece displays red and blue enamel reproductions of the College Seal on antique bronze medals. The mahogany shaft is ringed in brass banners engraved with the College’s four core values, which read “Christ-centered Learning,” “Academic Excellence,” “Integrity and Mutual Respect,” and “Serves to Transform the World.”

ACADEMIC REGALIA The origins of academic regalia date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, when universities were beginning. The first gowns were patterned after the dress of the cleric and were believed to be a necessity for warmth in unheated buildings. Hoods were designed to serve as head coverings. Caps were not used at that time. The shape of the gown indicates the academic level: bachelor, master, or doctor. Black is the most common color in America, although now many colleges and universities are using one of their colors. The doctor’s robe usually has three velvet stripes on the sleeves, in black or in the color of the discipline of the degree. The colors of the hood indicate the academic discipline and the institution. The colors associated with the different disciplines are as follows: THE COLLEGE GONFALON The Bluefield College Gonfalon is a symbol of our collective responsibility to engage in a Christ-centered community of integrity and learning. Bluefield College’s colors, which compose the College Gonfalon, are blue, white, and red. The College Seal adorns the top of the Gonfalon, and at its base, is the symbol of inspiration for the College, which is the College Spire. In this official version, the Spire is left half open to convey the responsibility that each individual has, be they student, faculty, staff, or administra- tion, to do their part to complete the work of learning to which we have been entrusted.

Accountancy........................................Drab Anthropology....................................... Gold Arts....................................................White Behavioral Science........................... Oyster Biochemistry. ...................................... Gold Business Administration.....................Drab Chiropractic......................................... Grey Commerce. ..........................................Drab Communication.............................Crimson Counseling & Guidance.............. Light Blue Divinity.............................................Scarlet Dramatic Arts................................... Brown Economics....................................... Copper Education................................... Light Blue Engineering.....................................Orange English...............................................White Fine Arts........................................... Brown History...............................................White Home Economics...........................Maroon Humanities........................................White Journalism. ...................................Crimson

Jurisprudence. ................................. Purple Law................................................... Purple Letters................................................White Library Science.................................Lemon Literature...........................................White Medicine............................... Hunter Green Music................................................... Pink Nursing............................................Apricot Oratory (Speech)................................Silver Philosophy..................................Ph.D. Blue Physical Education................... Sage Green Physical Therapy..................................Teal Psychology........................................... Gold Public Administration........... Peacock Blue Public Health...................................Salmon Physics......................................Bright Gold Science......................................Bright Gold Social Work.......................................Citron Speech. ...............................................Silver Theology...........................................Scarlet Urban Planning.........................Blue-Violet

O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing Wesley/AZMON

O for a thousand tongues to sing My great Redeemer’s praise, The glories of my God and King, The triumphs of His grace!

My gracious Master and my God Assist me to proclaim, To spread through all the earth abroad, The honors of Thy name. Jesus! the name that charms our fears, That bids our sorrows cease; ’Tis music in the sinner’s ears, ’Tis life, and health, and peace. He breaks the pow’r of canceled sin, He sets the pris’ner free; His blood can make the foulest clean, His blood availed for me.

ALUMNI CREED As a member of The Bluefield College Alumni Association, I will take an active role in the life of my College through prayer, advocacy, and gifts of time and resources. Good work ethic, compassion, community involvement, appreciation for others, and faith in God have become a foundation for me as a student. These values give me a hope and a passion to share the Bluefield College mission with others as I journey through each chapter of my life. I will remember the lighted spire on the hill, and may it remain a symbol to guide me all of my days. May God continue to bless the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Bluefield College, and may God bless each of us as we impact our world.

* Cum Laude

**Magna Cum Laude

***Summa Cum Laude