SPIRE Summer 2019

outcomes

always there for me. My favorite classes at Bluefield College were criminal justice classes by far,” said Martin. When asked about juggling academics and athletics during college Martin said, “It seems overwhelming but if you look at the big picture it’s worth it. You have to look past the small stuff and the stress of the day-to-day stuff of college and look 5 years down the road.” With the help of his professors, Alex enrolled in the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy during his senior year at Bluefield College. “My first day was January 14, 2019. I had a few buddies that went to the academy and that’s how I learned about it. My advisors also told me about it. I’m the only one there this year from our program at Bluefield College. There are 35 in our class and only three (including me) are pre-employment,” said Martin. Alex graduated from Bluefield College’s criminal justice program with academic honors and an overall grade point average of 3.4 on May 4, 2019. On May 30, 2019, he graduated from the Southwest Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy after completing 20 weeks of training. “I’d like to work in local law enforcement for a while and then move myself up to the federal level. I’d like to eventually get my master’s degree in homeland security,” said Martin. Right away Alex Martin was offered multiple job offers. He is currently a full- time employee at Salem Police Department in Salem, Virginia. From BC Grad to OFFICER

A lex Tristan Martin, of Dobson, North Carolina, was recruited to play football at Bluefield College. “I was coached by Coach Walker and Coach Mingo and then by Coach Kaklis and Coach Lusk. I made special teams my first year at Bluefield College and also rushed for 250 yards as a freshman and took a starting spot.” Martin wants people to know that athletes at Bluefield College work hard both on and off the field. “A whole lot of people might think that football players here get special treatment but at Bluefield, we don’t get that at all. We have 5 a.m. workouts and 8 a.m. classes and the coaches are always looking at our grades.” It is evident that Alex worked hard on the football field. He received several NAIA Mid-South Conference awards. For the 2018-2019 and 2017-2018 academic years, he received Academic All Mid-South Conference. He received an NAIA Mid-South Conference Award during the 2016-2017 school year for All Mid- South Conference East Division, 1st team. In 2016, he received an NCCAA Award for Second Team Offense. He tied the touchdown record at Bluefield College during his senior year. When it came to finding love, Martin also found that at Bluefield College. “I met my girlfriend, Paige Fisher, at Bluefield College. She was a freshman and I was a sophomore. We met at a camp for football and volleyball.” Alex decided on the criminal justice program. “I always wanted to help people. I was told that Bluefield College had a great criminal justice program. Dr. Farmer and Dr. Walls do a great job and were

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