The Rampage Nov 2024

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asking for a person who held both Old Testament and Divinity degrees, both of which Dr. White had. Another appealing factor for Dr. White was the location of Bluefield University since he grew up on the other side of the Appalachian Mountain chain in New Brunswick, Canada. “This (the Bluefield area) is pretty well home just on the other side of the mountain chain,” Dr. White said. “I remember saying the first time I was in this area, ‘Wow, it looks a lot like home.’” Now in his 16th year at BU, Dr. White has become more than just an assistant professor of Christian studies. He is the Faculty Athletic Representative, director of General Education, co-director with Dr. Shellie Brown of the Quality Enhancement Plan, and deputy of the Title IX coordinator. “I’ve always been a jack-of-all-trades and master of none,” Dr. White said. “I know a little bit about quite a lot, but not a lot about any one thing. At Bluefield, I get a chance to do that. I get to teach

and pastor; I get to dabble in lots of things, which I enjoy. I just enjoy learning, and I get the chance to learn lots of roles here.” Dr. White also helps ensure student-athlete eligibility according to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In addition, he works with a committee to ensure the university has an adequate general education program and helps to improve advising for students, among other things. Outside of BU, Dr. White serves as pastor of First Baptist Church in Bluefield, West Virginia. Of all the roles Dr. White fills, being a professor is the one role where he has the opportunity to work with students firsthand. “I make sure I know their names within the first week because I want them to know that I value them,” Dr. White said. “I want students to understand that I do care about their progress, I care about them as people, and I care about their future.”

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