Spire Magazine 2021

Lighthouse

THE

ON THE HILL

“Resiliency,” said the late historian Dr. David Armbrister in his book Lighthouse on the Hill: The Bluefield College Story , is a word that fittingly describes the story of Bluefield College, now Bluefield University, founded in 1922 by the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) after being persuaded by a group of supporters from Bluefield, who offered land, money, prayer and additional support, to establish a new Virginia Baptist college in southwest Virginia. The theme for the centennial year, Lighthouse on the Hill, was derived from Dr. Armbrister's book, the institution's most recent written history at its 85th anniversary. The title comes from the 1923 Baptist General Association of Virginia Report which proclaimed, “This college will be a powerful lighthouse for the youth to whom no college had come before.” The 2021-2022 academic year marks the 100th year of service in Christian higher education. President's Convocation served as the ceremonial beginning to the institution's centennial celebration on August 18, 2021. “Light is a common theme in our shared Christian faith and at Bluefield University,” said BU President Dr. David Olive. “It is predominant upon our seal where the words “Deus-Patria-Lux,” the Latin for “God-Country-Light” are inscribed. And in our archives exists a century of words, both written and spoken, calling generations of students to goodness, righteousness, and truth. As we enter our 100th year of Christ-centered education, the heartbeat of this institution remains the same today as it did the day the doors first opened.”

In 1919, the Baptist General Association of Virginia (BGAV) appointed a committee to study the need for a junior college in southwestern Virginia. The committee met in Bristol, Virginia in August of that year, at which time a large group of citizens from Bluefield and vicinity came before the committee. They offered $75,000 and 65 acres of land if the Association would locate the proposed college in Bluefield. At the meeting of the BGAV in November of 1919, the committee recommended the Bluefield offer be accepted. In July of 1920, Dr. R.A. Lansdell became the first president of Bluefield. During his administration, he assembled the first faculty, erected the first buildings, and actively solicited funds for the college. In September of 1922, under Dr. Lansdell’s leadership, the institution opened its doors to students seeking Christian higher education in southwestern Virginia. A committee was appointed in 2020 to plan the centennial celebration. Members of the centennial committee include; Ms. Paula Beasley ’93, Mrs. Rebecca Easley Beckett, Mrs. Kathy Berry ’75, Mr. Joshua Cline ’09, Mrs. Jordan Dillon, Mrs. Rebecca Kasey ’17, Mr. Paul “Chip” Lambert ’09, Mrs. Ann Looney, Mr. J. Morgan Lloyd ’13, Mrs. Alisha Maloyd ’16, Dr. John-Scott Moir, Mrs. Leann Montgomery ’05, Dr. David Olive, Dr. Charles Priest, Mrs. Debbi Romano, Mrs. Karen Thurmer, and Mrs. Tonia Walker. The academic year will consist of several centennial events. The college will host a birthday celebration on September 20, 2021 for the campus community. The celebration will continue in October as alumni, friends, and families return to campus for the annual Homecoming and Family Weekend, October 22-24, 2021.

The Homecoming weekend will kick off with the opening of the Lighthouse on the Hill Centennial Exhibit. The exhibit, to be located on the first floor of Cruise Hall, will feature archives and memorabilia from the beginnings of the institution to the present. Dorm rooms on the first floor will be themed to a variety of decades to showcase residence life through the years. The exhibit will be open to visitors through summer 2022. Alumni who participated in music programs at Bluefield University will come together in February 2022 for a reunion and to unveil the centennial anthem, commissioned by Dr. John-Scott Moir, Bluefield University director of choirs and voice. To show appreciation to the Bluefield community for the many years of support, Bluefield College will be hosting a Community Mud Pig Day on Saturday, April 30, 2022, featuring a water slide, games, and food. The Mud Pig Day custom began in the spring of 1979 when just before the start of finals BU students took a day off from classes, away from books, tests and studying to commemorate the end of another semester of achievement. BU students will celebrate Mud Pig Day on Friday, April 29, 2021. The centennial celebration will conclude with several gala events for alumni and friends across the Commonwealth in May 2022.

“A celebration like this is a once-in-a-lifetime event,” said Joshua Cline, Vice President for Institutional Advancement. “We are excited to tell the story of not just where we have been but where we are going in the second century of service at Bluefield University.” Centennial Celebration Calendar of Events

September 20, 2021

Bluefield University Birthday Celebration

Homecoming and Family Weekend Lighthouse on the Hill Centennial Exhibit, Cruise Hall, First Floor

October 22-24, 2021

February 2022 April 30, 2022 May 7, 2022 May 11, 2022 May 12, 2022 May 13, 2022 May 14, 2022

Music Alumni Reunion and Centennial Anthem Performance

Community Mud Pig Day

Bluefield Centennial Gala Roanoke Centennial Gala

Fredericksburg Centennial Gala

Hampton Roads Centennial Gala

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Richmond Centennial Gala