Bluefield University Spring 2022 Commencement

THE ONE HUNDREDTH ANNUAL SPRING COMMENCEMENT of Bluefield University B luefield , V irginia

Saturday May 7, 2022 10:00 a.m.

TO GOD BE THE GLORY Crosby/Doane

To God be the glory, great things he hath done! So loved He the world that He gave us his Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the Life gate that all may go in.

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He hath done!

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood! To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He hath done! Great things He hath taught us, great things He hath done, And great our rejoicing thru Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the earth hear his voice! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son, And give him the glory, great things he hath done!

COMMENCEMENT

Prelude

Timothy C. Gasperson, James R. Harris, Garret A. Leland, Miles Q. Maney, Trombone Quartet Ms. Alandra Blume University Accompanist, Piano

“Pomp and Circumstance” Sir Edward Elgar

*Processional

Mr. Walter T. Shroyer Professor of Art

* Invocation

Dr. Cynthia Bascom Professor of Communication

* Scripture Reading

Welcome and Introductions

Dr. David W. Olive President

Greetings from the Board of Trustees

Mr. C. Todd Asbury Chair, Board of Trustees

Variations Chamber Singers

“Set Me As A Seal Upon Your Heart”

Timothy Gasperson Trombone solo

Childs

“Irish Blessing" Dr. John-Scott Moir James Moore, Jr. Assistant Professor of Music, Director

Student Graduate Addresses College of Arts and Letters

Ms. Laura Bethany Kimzey Mr. Nathan Robert Cline led by Mr. David J. Pedde Director , Center for Worship Arts Trombone Quartet and Ms. Alandra Blume, Accompanists Dr. John V. Upton, Jr. Executive Director Baptist General Association of Virginia

School of Education and Social Sciences

“To God Be The Glory”

*Commencement Hymn

Crosby/Doane

Commencement Address

Presentation of Graduates

Dr. Marshall E. Flowers, Jr. Provost Mrs. Rebecca McCoy-Reese Assistant Professor of Theatre

Conferral of Degrees

Dr. David W. Olive

Alumni Induction

Mr. J. Morgan Lloyd, ‘13 Vice President, Alumni Association Board of Directors

Zambus/Stovall

led by Mr. David J. Pedde Trombone Quartet and Ms. Alandra Blume, Accompanists

*Alma Mater

Dr. Robert C. Merritt Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing

*Benediction *†Recessional

“Triumphal March for Tarpeja” Ludwig van Beethoven

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

COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER Dr. John V. Upton, Jr. Executive Director Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV)

John V. Upton, Jr. was elected Executive Director of the Baptist General Association of Virginia during the annual meeting of the General Association in November 2001. John had been group leader of the Mission Mobilization Group since 1995. Earlier he was pastor of Urbanna Baptist Church in Urbanna, VA, and he and his wife, Deborah, served as missionaries in Taiwan through the Southern Baptist Convention’s Foreign Mission Board (now International Mission Board). In July 2015, he completed a five-year term as President of the Baptist World Alliance that beganJuly 31, 2010. John, aNorfolk-bornVirginianative, is a graduate of Averett College (now University) in Danville, VA, and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY. The Upton’s have two sons, Christopher and Richard; a daughter, Emily; and eight grandchildren.

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF ARTS IN COUNSELING Joel Preston Bunn Martinsville, Virginia School Counseling Pennie Marie Hartley Jennifer Brooke Sarver Bluefield, Virginia School Counseling Crystal Dawn Taylor

Lynchburg, Virginia School Counseling Kimberly A. Pack Princeton, West Virginia Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Tazewell, Virginia School Counseling

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF ARTS IN EDUCATION Nathan Robert Cline North Tazewell, Virginia Educational Leadership with Licensure Kendall Haynes Cana, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Alyssa Ann Monfredo Herndon, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Megan Elizabeth Moore Tazewell, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Samantha Ann Osborne Lebanon, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Ashley Lynn Sexton Tazewell, Virginia Education in Teaching Excellence Timothy Ray Stine Grundy, Virginia Educational Leadership with Licensure CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Erik Anderson Iaeger, West Virginia Leadership Sherry Ayers Lozano Willis, Virginia Leadership

Jeanna Anderson Tullahoma, Tennessee Leadership Nathan Cobb Massillon, Ohio Leadership Heather Duncan Bland, Virginia Leadership

Bennie Eugene White Jr. Henderson, North Carolina Leadership Clay Michael Wisner Bellefontaine, Ohio Health Care Management

CANDIDATES FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE IN NURSING LeRena Lee Barrett Caretta, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner VaLeah Bradshaw Bluefield, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Erin Hale Honaker, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Alexandra Louise Hurley Grundy, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Brianna Rhea Odum Charleston, South Carolina Family Nurse Practitioner Brittany Danielle Sizemore Rose Northfork, West Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Whitney Rowe Grundy, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner Elizabeth A. Shaffer Berryville, Virginia

Family Nurse Practitioner Jessica Dowdy Windle Dublin, Virginia Leadership/Education CANDIDATES FOR HONORS PROGRAM

Candace Paige Kelly Pilgrims Knob, Virginia Family Nurse Practitioner

James Harrison Burcham**** State Road, North Carolina Bachelor of Science Business Administration Criminal Justice

Laura Bethany Kimzey**** Blacksburg, Virginia Bachelor of Arts English Jessica Nicole Street*** Bluefield, Virginia Bachelor of Science Business Administration

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF ARTS

Beri Siobhan Bishop Fairfax, Virginia Music

Staley Margaret Lyle**** Chatham, Virginia Music William Daniel Mullins* Tazewell, Virginia Communication Phillip G. Parris**** Bristol, Tennessee Ministry Leadership Christina Marie Robinson Stafford, Virginia Theatre Alexandra Brynn Stout**** Bluefield, Virginia Music Music Education - Instrumental preK-12 Christine Elizabeth Jackson Davenport* Abingdon, Virginia Human Services Myesha Wilkerson Dixon Victoria, Virginia Psychology and Human Services Jason Downs Albion, New York Exercise and Sport Science Trent Dunn Raleigh, North Carolina

Jacob B. Booth Daleville, Virginia Criminal Justice History Jeffrey Daniel Brannon*** Bluefield, West Virginia Music Kassidy Marie Brown**** Afton, Tennessee Communication Axel Johansson Jävrebyn, Sweden Graphic Communication Faith Valentine Lamberth* Mariam Nohemy Aguirre Flores Fredericksburg, Virginia Business Administration Sarah Lavonne Alexiou Leesburg, Virginia Biology Claudia Santana Aquino Boca Chica, Dominican Republic Pembroke, Virginia English - Literature Business Administration Brandie Marie Arnold* Wytheville, Virginia Human Services Terrell Boston Henrico, Virginia Criminal Justice Amber Nicole Boyd Richlands, Virginia Criminal Justice Chad O. Brown** Galax, Virginia Criminal Justice Samantha Paige Brown** Richlands, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Makayla Castle*** Fort Blackmore, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Benjamin Harris Coffman Fairview, Pennsylvania Exercise and Sport Science Gabrielle E. Courtney Richmond, Virginia Criminal Justice Forensic Science Hannah Elizabeth Cummings Sanford, North Carolina Criminal Justice Christopher Dandridge Hampton, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE

Exercise and Sport Science Eric Paul Duron Murillo La Ceiba, Honduras Mathematics James Leon Ellis Jr.** Marion, Virginia Psychology and Human Services Andre D. Evans Jr Maplewood Township, New Jersey Criminal Justice Julie C. Farmer**** Christiansburg, Virginia Criminal Justice Keirstan Blair Farmer* Richlands, Virginia Biology William E. Faught Jr.*** Gilbert, Arizona Organizational Leadership Lamont Isaac Finley II Hampton, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Jade Alexis Flanagan Bluefield, Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies Anna Margaret Flinchum** Danville, Virginia Business Administration

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

Kellie Lee Flinchum* Radford, Virginia Psychology and Human Services Leslie Lorena Flores South Charleston, Ohio Chemistry Carter Frye Warrenton, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Ryan Scott Gellner Dublin, Virginia Business Administration Deborah Angella Green

Kayla Denise Mullins* Glade Spring, Virginia Psychology and Human Services Elishia Faith Peña* Sweetwater, Tennessee Psychology Erica L. Penn Martinsville, Virginia Early Childhood Education Devonte' Shy'Quan Pettaway Greenville, North Carolina Business Administration Byrchel Poskas III Roanoke, Virginia Human Services Isaac R. Price**** Fredericksburg, Virginia Organizational Leadership Abigail Ragan*** Bristol, Virginia Psychology and Human Services Sandra Christine Ray Swords Creek, Virginia Business Administration Hannah Suzanne Reeves* Mouth of Wilson, Virginia

Henrico, Virginia Human Services Amy Jessup****

Fredericksburg, Virginia Business Administration Jessica Rose Jones*** Galax, Virginia Early Childhood Education

Keenma Jones Danville, Virginia Human Services Trey Jones

Charlotte, North Carolina Business Administration Chanda LeAnn Jordan-Eppes* Chester, Virginia Psychology and Human Services Ashley Marie Keene** Oakwood, Virginia Business Administration Aisha Fatmata Koroma Centreville, Virginia Biology Dipti Lad* Christiansburg, Virginia Business Administration Clayton Jake Lewis San Diego, California Business Administration Rob Littlejohn Columbus, Ohio Business Administration Abigail Brooke Martin*** Pilot Mountain, North Carolina Business Administration Benjamin Meade**** Bluefield, Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Kylie Ellen Meadows* Beaver, West Virginia Criminal Justice Taylor Meaux White Oak, Texas Biology David J. Meech* Douglas, Massachusetts Exercise and Sport Science

Psychology and Human Services Laurel Alexandria Romano*** Bluefield, Virginia Biology Kristina M. Sanchez Converse, Texas Biology Lovevette Heavenly Angel Sheppard* Dublin, Virginia Early Childhood Education

Brandon Shields**** Fairmont, West Virginia Business Administration Hope Chantell Shortridge*** Grundy, Virginia Biology Bryce Shortt*** Oakwood, Virginia Chemistry Taylor Denise Southerland Afton, Tennessee Exercise and Sport Science Joshua Warren Stanley*** Waxhaw, North Carolina Criminal Justice

Ayanna Strother Woodstock, Virginia Biology Ian Raley Sumrall* Hume, Virginia Business Administration John Nathan Thomas Tazewell, Virginia Organizational Leadership

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

Tammy Lynn Utt* Hillsville, Virginia Human Services Jaime Lee Vest

Corinn Marie White**** Culpeper, Virginia Business Administration Stephanie Lynn Whited* Lebanon, Virginia Human Services Avery Wolfe* Roanoke, Virginia Early Childhood Education Garrett Wright** Bluefield, Virginia Business Administration Morgan Raeann Wylie*** Gap Mills, West Virginia Exercise and Sport Science Ethan Young** Roanoke, Virginia Biology Katharina Zausek Gmunden, Austria Business Administration

Princeton, West Virginia Interdisciplinary Studies with Teacher Licensure Ryan Voss Buffalo, New York Exercise and Sport Science John Paul Walkup Narrows, Virginia Organizational Leadership Angela Rae Weis* Fayetteville, West Virginia Psychology and Human Services Mason Kenison West** Bluefield, Virginia Psychology Aubri Whatcott* Clinton, Utah Psychology and Human Services Kirsten Michelle Barney* Buena Vista, Virginia RN to BSN Taylor Ann Blankenship* Richlands, Virginia RN to BSN Justin C. Browning Clintwood, Virginia RN to BSN

CANDIDATES FOR BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN NURSING Vanessa Manriquez* Martinsville, Virginia RN to BSN Christopher Wayne Winningham Martinsville, Virginia RN to BSN Valerie Jane Wriston* Narrows, Virginia RN to BSN CANDIDATE FOR ASSOCIATE OF MINISTRY LEADERSHIP Emma-Grace Madison Brown Bristol, Virginia Associate of Ministry Leadership CANDIDATES FOR ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE Christopher M. Benitez Fredericksburg, Virginia General Studies Hannah M. DeWick Rockport, Maine Early Childhood Education Dylan Jason Howell Chesapeake, Virginia General Studies Grace J. Paul Monticello, Florida General Studies Sylvia Ann Ragland Culpeper, Virginia General Studies Hannah Grace Ramey Bolivia, North Carolina General Studies

Alexia May Kepple Fort Branch, Indiana General Studies Bethany Elizabeth Kirkendall Brandywine, Maryland General Studies

Nathan Isaiah Ramey Bolivia, North Carolina General Studies Anna Kathryn Thomasson Raleigh, North Carolina General Studies Cornelis Johannes Junior van der Waal

Rebecca Anne Lilly Waynesboro, Virginia Early Childhood Education

Marion, Virginia General Studies Nicole René Weber Suffolk, Virginia General Studies

Ethan M. Mozeleski Fredericksburg, Virginia General Studies Klara Louise Omdal Lundgren Olofstrom, Sweden General Studies

* With Distinction

** Cum Laude

***Magna Cum Laude

****Summa Cum Laude

GRADUATION HONORS Bluefield University 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 Baccalaureate graduates who complete less than 60 credit hours at Bluefield University and earn a cumulative grade point average from 3.5 to 4.0 are recognized “With Distinction.” THE UNIVERSITY SEAL The University Seal has been in existence since the doors of Bluefield University 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 University, as it speaks of the duty to serve God and to be divine light in this country and throughout the world. THE UNIVERSITY MACE Bluefield University ceremonial occasions begin with the entrance of the University Mace, carried by the University senior faculty member and Faculty Marshal. The mace symbolizes the University’s governing authority and is present when the University 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 University mace is seen regularly at the President’s Convocation, the Honors Convocation, and the Winter and Spring Commencement ceremonies. The BluefieldUniversitymace is 42 inches in length. The four-sided head-piece displays the blue enamel reproductions of the University Seal on antique bronze medals. The mahogany shaft is ringed in brass banners engraved with the University’s four core values, which read “Christ-centered Learning,” “Academic Excellence,” “Integrity and Mutual Respect,” and “Serves to Transform the World.”

THE UNIVERSITY GONFALON The Bluefield University Gonfalon is a symbol of our collective responsibility to engage in a Christ-centered community of integrity and learning. Bluefield University’s colors, which compose the University Gonfalon, are blue, white, and red. The University Seal adorns the top of the Gonfalon, and at its base, is the symbol of inspiration for the University, which is the University Spire. In this official version, the Spire is left half open to convey the responsibility that each individual, be they student, faculty, staff, or administration has to do their part to complete the work of learning to which we have been entrusted. 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:

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

ALUMNI CREED As a member of The Bluefield University Alumni Association, I will take an active role in the life of my University 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 University 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 University, and may God bless each of us as we impact our world.

BLUEFIELD UNIVERSITY ALMA MATER