Spire Spring 2018

Shelton (’67), David Shelton (’67), William Trimyer (’67), Charles Warren (’67), David Zurek (’67), and Russell Collins (’67). “I enjoyed Bluefield College,” said Lookabill. “I enjoyed the spiritual aspect. I grew spiritually here, and I got a good education. I appreciate it very much. It was some of the best years of my life.” Six other alumni helped kick off the weekend by participating in a Homecoming Ram-2-Ram Alumni Career Seminar on day one. The seminar featured former students sharing their advice with current students on how to prepare for life after college. The alumni – Hallie Elder (’13), a U.S. Navy military police officer; Lyndsey Barton Partsch (’11), a special education teacher; Jennifer Bliss (’11), a marketing associate; Greg Moon (’12), a Kent State University fundraiser; Ryan Schalles (’02), a Wendy’s corporate executive; and Denny Peters (’61),

a retired bank executive – spoke about the classes that prepared them the most, the lifelong friendships they made at BC, the significance of networking, the benefit of seeking mentors, the value of internships, and the importance of being involved in leadership roles. “Bluefield College was very beneficial to me,” said Peters. “It taught me to buckle down and work hard. I had a great career, but it all started here at Bluefield College.” Day one of Homecoming concluded with the traditional Homecoming Dance, featuring music, dancing and the crowing of the 2017 Homecoming Queen, King and Court. Seniors Jacquelyn Chick and Jacob Key were named Homecoming King and Queen, respectively. Chick is an exercise and sports science major and a member of the Lady Rams soccer team. Key is a criminal justice major and president of the Student

Government Association. Mary Blake Avery was crowned Junior Princess, and Evan Abbey was named Junior Prince. Tessa Saiia won Sophomore Princess, and Gustavo Gomez Rosales won Sophomore Prince, while Emily Carlisle was crowned Freshman Princess, and Gavin Bauer was named Freshman Prince. Day two began with a BC Community Breakfast, followed by campus tours and the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association, where four BC grads were elected to serve on the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, including Frances Webb Louthan (’60), Valerie Washington Burrell (’09), Hallie Elder (’13), and Stephen Underwood (’17). Four outgoing Alumni Board members were also recognized for their service to the Association: Scott Polhamus (’11), Jennifer Mitchell (’08), Dennis Harper (’71), and Shannon Wall Willett (’06).

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1 : Former BC students shared advice with current students on how to prepare for life after college during the Homecoming Ram-2-Ram Career Seminar. 2 : Seniors Jacquelyn Chick (right) and Jacob Key were crowned 2017 Homecoming Queen and King. 3 : Four BC grads were elected to serve on the Alumni Association’s Board of Directors during the Annual Meeting of the Alumni Association, including (from left) Valerie Washington Burrell (’09), Frances Webb Louthan (’60), Hallie Elder (’13), and (not pictured) Stephen Underwood (’17). 4 : Hinkley’s Ram Famatics, spearheaded by the family of Ram football player Michael Hinkley, took home a $50 Walmart gift card as the champions of the Fifth Annual Homecoming Tailgate Challenge. 5 : Alumna Cameron Botts Burton (left) and other Bluefield College grads returned to the BC stage to join current theatre students, including Burton’s daughter, Ashley Burton (center), in the presentation of Steel Magnolias for Homecoming 2017.

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For more detailed coverage of Homecoming 2017, including hundreds of photos, visit bluefield.edu/homecoming

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