Spire Magazine 2021

CONTENTS A Word from the President | 3 President David Olive Talks About the Future of Bluefield University

S P R E Spire is the official magazine for alumni and friends of Bluefield University, 3000 College Avenue, Bluefield, Virginia 24605. The magazine is published annually by the Office of Public Relations and Marketing. Available online at bluefield.edu/spire EDITORS & CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Kasey (Executive Editor), Joshua Cline, Jacob Key, Daniel Mullins, Kassidy Brown, Hal Keene, and Gabe Blakman

Remembering the Past...Envisioning the Future | 4 A Timeline of the History of Bluefield University

ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS Mrs. Valarie Burrell '09 Ms. Allison Campbell '18 Mr. Stephen Coffman '97

Features | 6 Going Further: The Next 100 Years The Lighthouse on the Hill: Centennial Celebration

Mrs. Hallie Elder '13 Ms. Courtney Ellis '97 Mr. Eli Hairfield '17 Mrs. Rebecca Kasey '17 Ms. Beth Kinser '18 Mr. Morgan Loyd '13 Mrs. Fran Louthan '60 Mr. Matthew Mullins '18 Mr. Wayne Pelts '73 Ms. Sarah Pauley '19 Mr. Dennis Peters '61 Mr. Scott Polhamhus '11 Ms. Olivia Ray '18

Mission - Vision | 9 The Lighthouse Keeper: Dr. David Armbrister

Going Further in Healthcare Going Further in Wellness

Mrs. Sara English Rutherford '96 Mr. William Michael Rutherford '98 Mr. Zachary Smith, President. '08

Spotlights | 16 Loves Scholarship Campus Pastor Robbie Gaines Lily Comer: Rising Star Tom Bone: Professor of Communication

ADVISORY COUNCIL Dr. Randy Belt '94

Mrs. Kathy Berry '75 Ms. Cindy Carter '75 Dr. Don Caudill Mr. William Gilmer Dr. Bobby F. Griffin Mr. Dennis Harper '71

Dr. Lisa Robinson: Director of Justice Administration 29th Annual Duremdes Christian Emphasis Week Virtual Christmas at Bluefield 2020 Dr. Charles Priest Bids Farewell Sherelle Morgan: Coordinator for Belonging Bluefield Ridge Runners Theatre Department First Performance Since Beginning of Pandemic 2021 Giving Day RAMSConnect: iPad Initiative Laura Kimzey: Study Abroad Program Students Visit Historic Latta Plantation and the Harvey B. Gantt Center for African Americans Meet Hazel: BU's Therapy Dog in Training

Mr. Mark Hipes '03 Dr. Garry Jones '74 Mr. Howard Mayo Ms. Jennifer Mitchell '08 Mrs. Leann Montgomery '05 Mrs. Rebecca Peterson Mr. Eddie Rader '03 Mr. Robert Ramey '98 Mr. Nolan Rich '52 Mrs. A.J. Robinson Mrs. Cynthia Sheets '91 Mr. Peter Taylor Rev. William P. Tuck '55 Mrs. Jennifer Turley '96

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Mr. C. Todd Asbury '93, Chair Mr. John Beckett, Jr. Mr. Steve Bickford Dr. Jeff Bloomer Mr. Brandon Caldwell '02 Mrs. Teresa Cole '85 Mr. Gordon W. Grimes, II '94 Rev. Rodney Hale '60 Rev. Ron Hall '81 Dr. Michael Harris '97 Mr. Robert "Bob" Houck '67 Mrs. Julie Johnson '88 Mr. David Kirk '90

Moving the Needle | 20 Preparing for the Next Century of Servant Leaders

Mr. David T. Larimer, II '92 Dr. Christopher Lawson '01 Mrs. Phyillis Marcom Dr. Dixie Tooke-Rawlins Mr. Jackson E. Reasor, Jr. Mr. John Rocovich, Jr. Mr. Thomas R. Scott, Jr. Rev. Craig Stout Dr. Jerry Turley Mr. Michael A. Wade Mr. William S. Winfrey, II Mr. Lamont Woods '92

The Grind Never Stops | 22 Alumnus Collin O'Donnell Serves More Than Coffee

What's Your Bluefield Story? | 25

Homecoming & Family Weekend 2021 | 27

TRUSTEE EMERITUS Dr. David Bailey, Jr. '60

Class Notes | 28

Dr. Jane Duremedes Dr. T. Keith Edwards

Dr. Daniel E. Grabeel, Sr. '55 Mrs. Margaret Leonard '55 Dr. Charles B. Nunn, Jr. Mr. David Skidmore

The Last Word: Joshua Cline | 35

Cover image by Rodney Kasey '15