Spire 2022 Centennial Edition

A WORD FROM THE President

You only turn 100 once! Our Bluefield University community celebrated with great fanfare the institution’s 100th year of impacting students’ lives and fulfilling its mission of being a “Christ-centered learning community developing servant leaders to impact the world.” For alumni and future alumni alike, many memories were shared during the past year, along with remembrances of those who sacrificially gave their time and treasure to founding the institution and sustaining it over the past century. From its founding, this institution was dubbed a “lighthouse on the hill” and has lived with this moniker throughout its history. The scripture theme for the centennial year was quite fitting: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.” (Ephesians 5:8-9) While not always perfect, this has been our constant aspiration and will continue to be. In the pages that follow, you will no doubt catch glimpses of light—God’s light—reflected through those whose stories of sacrifice, service, and achievement are incredible. I am continually amazed by the accomplishments of our students and alumni who are truly making a difference in our world. I certainly want you to pay particular note to the handful of faculty who have recently retired and collectively provided 103 years of instruction here at BU. Without them and the academic giants before them, our alumni and students would not be the same. Lives continue to be changed through transformational learning and service experiences at Bluefield. We are taking great strides to meet the needs of our communities, especially rural communities we serve. In addition to providing academic programs that appeal to students’ interests, we are aligning our programs with the global marketplace. This fall the new Bachelor of Science in Information Technology and the Master of Arts in Human Services Leadership programs launched! Another exciting program awaiting approval from our accreditor is the Master of Health Science in Anesthesia (Anesthesiologist Assistant) program that is another joint collaboration between the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) and Bluefield University to launch in 2023. As you read these remarkable stories, I hope you are encouraged. Bluefield University is a special place and has been blessed with tremendous individuals who have attended here, graduated from here, and/ or served here. They are the bright lights who keep this lighthouse on the hill shining!

Partnering with you in faithful service,

Dr. David W. Olive President

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