Spire Summer 2020

college news

Bluefield College Football’s Collin O’Donnell was honored with the 2019 Wells Fargo Advisors Humanitarian Award by The Touchdown Club of Richmond in December. the award is bestowed to “a football student-athlete for his commitment and service work off the field as well as excellence on the field.” O’Donnell served in the US Army in Afghanistan prior to attending Bluefield College. In addition to his community service, O’Donnell is now the owner of “The Grind” coffee and bagel café in downtown Bluefield, Virginia. Learn more at: https:// bcrams.com/news/2019/12/16/football-o-donnell-receives- humanitarian-award-from-touhdown-club-of-richmond.aspx

President Dr. David Olive and Victor E. Ram made surprise visits to some local spring 2020 graduates to deliver special celebration boxes. A total of 234 boxes were mailed or delivered with graduates’ cap and gowns and other Bluefield College memorabilia.

In response to the death of George Floyd and protests happening across the country, Bluefield College hosted a campus community forum titled, “A Time to Keep Silent and a Time to Speak: The Importance of Listening and Responding to Voices of Protest.” The forum featured segments on racial injustice, protests, how the community has responded and can learn, and a question and answer with the panelists. Panelists included; Bluefield College Dean of Institutional Effectiveness and Research and Associate Professor of Christian Studies Dr. Lewis Brogdon, Bluefield College Athletics Director Tonia Walker, Faith Center Church Pastor Bishop Frederick Brown, Crossroads Church Pastor Travis Lowe, Life Church Richlands Pastor Brandon Hay, Highlands Fellowship Bluefield Pastor Robbie Gaines, and other members of Bluefield College. Learn more at: http:// www.bluefield.edu/article/bluefield-college-to-host- campus-community-forum-on-racial-injustice/

Bluefield College made history with its largest giving day to date. Each spring, Bluefield College invites alumni and friends to show their support during its annual day of giving on BC Giving Day. The 2020 BC Giving Day theme, “Sprint for 100”, encouraged a goal of 100 donors and $100,000. That goal was surpassed on June 1, 2020 with 240 donors and over $160,000 raised, making it the largest giving day in Bluefield College history. Learn more at: http://www.bluefield.edu/article/bc- sets-record-breaking-giving-day/

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