The Rampage Nov 2024

8

The Rampage

Stories

Bluefield University Inaugurates New President

by Callie Dent | Digital Marketing • 2027 B luefield University inaugurated a new president, Dr. Steven Peterson, during a special chapel service, October 16. BU faculty, staff, students, alumni and trustees joined former Dr. Peterson co-workers in celebrating the new president. Among the dignitaries who participated in the program were former BU president Dr. David Olive, chair of the BU Board of Trustees Jack Reasor, Student Government Association president Landon Breeden, faculty president Dr. Henry Clary, Alumni Association president Zach Smith, former co-worker Dr. Jay Spencer, Baptist General Association of Virginia representative Rev. David Washburn, and partners from the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Dixie Tooke-Rawlins and John Rocovich. Keynote speaker for the day was Rev. Jonathan Falwell, chancellor of Liberty University and senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church. “I’m proud to stand here today,” Rev. Falwell said. “When Steve texted me a few months ago and asked if I’d be able to come and be a part of this event today, I immediately wrote back ‘absolutely, I’m honored to do it.’ I do know that I was his second choice to stand here. I know if it was his preference he would much rather have my dad (Rev. Jerry Falwell, Sr.) because he loved my dad and my dad loved him.” Dr. Peterson worked for Rev. Jerry Falwell, Sr., the founder of Liberty University. During his inaugural address, Rev. Jonathan Falwell spoke about the impact Dr. Peterson had on his life during that time. He specifically recounted an event shortly after his father’s death during the graveside service that Dr. Peterson left a lasting impression on him. “There were thousands of people who gathered there in Lynchburg for the services,” Rev. Falwell recalled. “Afterwards, we had a private graveside service over on the campus of Liberty just outside of where my dad’s office had been and where Steve’s office had been. I happened to look across the graveside and I saw Steve standing over in the grass across the way. I saw Steve, and I saw tears. That meant a lot to me because it helped me remember the fact that my dad certainly impacted me, buy it was such a gift to know the impact my dad had on others. Steve gave me a gift that day because it taught me the kind of life that we are to live as followers of Jesus Christ, that we have a responsibility to impact others, to influence others, to connect with others, and to love others according to the scripture.”

Reasor and and Rev. Craig Stout, chair of the Presidential Search Committee, formally installed Dr. Peterson as the 10th president of Bluefield University. Dr. Olive presented the new president with the presidential medallion. “It is an honor for me to stand before you today,” Dr Peterson said. “This is not just a position for me. I assure you that it’s a calling, and I’m excited to take the helm of this institution, which has stood as a beacon of faith and learning in Southwest Virginia for over a century. My prayer is that I will continue in that same tradition of helping the next generation achieve their dreams and to do things they didn’t think possible before coming on to one of our campuses.” Dr. Peterson said the inauguration was more than a day of celebration, but also a day of anticipation for what lies ahead. “I’m grateful for your trust in me and the opportunity to lead this institution into the next chapter,” he said. “I’m committed to building on the foundation of Bluefield and carrying forward a spirit of innovation and a spirit of excellence. Today, we begin charting a path for Bluefield University’s future standing on the shoulders of those who have gone before.” Dr. Peterson added that the responsibility of leading Bluefield is not his alone. He said it belongs to all invested in BU — faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters — who play a key role in shaping the institution’s future. “We’re proud of the rich history and the countless individuals who have shaped this institution — their vision and their faith that brought us to this moment — but as we honor the past we can’t be content just to preserve it,” Dr. Peterson said. “We must build on it, enhancing what makes us unique, while embracing the new possibilities.” Dr. Peterson said that BU’s future would include a continued commitment to faith and service. Faith, he said, would guide the institution’s decisions and give it purpose. Service, he added, would be woven into fabric of who BU is. “As we embark on this exciting journey together, I invite each one of you in joining me in shaping this blueprint for the future,” he said. “It’s your ideas, your energy, and your passion that are essential to our success. We will certainly face some challenges, but I’m confident that together with God’s guidance we will overcome them and emerge stronger than we were before.”